The Ice Alpha’s Mate (Aria and Ryder) novel Chapter 113

Chapter 113

RYDER

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The sound of the door opening rips me from my sleep. I look up disoriented and sore all fucking over, and see my father’s face.

The rage I felt earlier-I have no idea when that was-returns. It burns right through me, and the fact that I know he didn’t come here to let me go makes me feel a thousand times worse.

What the hell does he want from me this time?

Could it be that Aria was found?

I panic, but he speaks and brings my worry to an end. “I hope you’ve been thinking about what you’ll do next, Ryder. Because I have. And after yesterday, I have to admit that my plans have changed.”

I say nothing, and it’s only later that I realize he expected me to. He runs a hand through his hair, then says, “I’m willing to give you a single chance to make things right, Ryder. Just one. You know what awaits you, and I promise you that if you continue acting like an ass, I won’t show mercy. As an Alpha, I have to put my pack above you, even though you’re my son! Will you cooperate? Will you help us find her and reject her?”

I clench my jaw, fighting and struggling to show him how irritated I am. The fact that he would ask me this tells me everything I need to know.

My father has never respected me. He thinks I’ll change my mind like some kid about a life and death situation as this one.

He thinks pain and discomfort will break me and turn me into an obedient little pup.

“If you do that,” he adds after several moments of silence have passed, “she’ll be saved. Imprisoned, but saved. I won’t have her killed like the other Nocturns.”

“Like her parents, you mean.”

He says nothing, and I don’t either. I try to convince myself not to say anything and let him walk out of here without hearing the sound of my voice again, but I’m so enraged. “Do you expect me to believe that?”

The fact that he thinks I’ll fall for this…

I don’t know why I’m so surprised. There’s so much more I want to say to him. My desire is to insult him, not caring that he’s the Alpha of this pack and my father.

But I let it be and focus on the fact that Aria still hasn’t been found, which is why he’s making me this ridiculous offer thinking that I’ll fall for it. I would never in a million years give her away.

I pray to the goddess that she won’t be found. By now, she’s probably realized that something is up. Aria’s smart.

My father nods, the look in his face even more cruel than before “Very well. You chose this path, Ryder. Nobody else. You’re behaving as a traitor, so you will be treated as one. Lizzie is pregnant. Do you know what that means?”

I don’t answer him but the answer flashes in my mind right away

“I’ll have another heir and you won’t be needed.” With no warning, he steps forward and fists my hair in his hand. My scalp burns but I don’t give him the satisfaction of seeing pain in my eyes. “You were always a disappointment to me. You were nothing but a motherless child I had to deal with. But this? You’ve stooped low.”

He releases me and steps back, wiping his hand on his trousers. thin smile tugs at the corners of his lips. “You might think she’ll have a way out of this, but you’re wrong. Everyone knows about her. The entire pack has been alarmed.”

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10:01 Mon, Mar 2 M

Chapter 113

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E55 vouchers

My father leaves and I’m in total darkness again. My heart is thundering in my chest as I think about her. I let Aria occupy my thoughts completely, sending her messages deep inside of me that I don’t know if she’ll receive.

1 promised her I wouldn’t let anyone hurt her, yet here I am. What kind of man am I? I’ve never felt weaker. Pathetic.

I condemned her. If I’d left her alone, she’d still be safe. Granted I’d have to content myself with watching her life from a distance, but at least this would never have happened.

I wasn’t prepared to fight for our love. I wasn’t equipped. I never had a fully formed plan in my mind-I’d always counted on my father agreeing to the terins because I was his heir.

Now, he’ll have a son with Lizzie, and though the child was made out of wedlock, that won’t matter in the face of all this misery

The door opens again, and I raise my head. My neck’s killing me. The door closes quickly, and a sweet scent fills my nose.

A woman is in here.

J

Tentative footsteps approach me. I stare at the approaching figure in the dark. I can’t make out a face. Then, something cool presses against my lips.

A glass.

Water.

I tip my head back and gulp all the water in the glass. Some of it spills down my chin, but I don’t care. The person steps back when all the water is gone and starts toward the door again.

I say her name. “Lizzie.”

She hesitates and inhales sharply. “Nobody can know that I was here.”

“Why’re you helping me?”

“I…I don’t know.”

Silence passes, yet she still hasn’t left. I think of something to ask her, then decide against it.

What could I even ask her? I know Aria has been found, and as for my father, I don’t care about what he’ll do to me.

If killing me would keep Aria safe, then he can take my life.

“I suppose congratulations are in order.”

I expect Lizzie to say something to this, but she opens the door and disappears, leaving me alone in the dark again, I start working the chains, trying to free myself but they’re so tight.

I suspect there’s silver in them because I tried to shift and couldn’t. Maybe not too much silver, but enough to affect my

system.

I don’t know how I’ll free myself, but at the first opportunity, I’ll fun and never look back.

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