The Ice Alpha’s Mate (Aria and Ryder) novel Chapter 115

Chapter 115

ARIA

The woman approaches me later on in the day, after dinner.

64%

55 vouchers

“Aria,” she begins calmly as she sits beside me on the forest floor how was your day? Is it safe to assume that you’re feeling a lot more at home?”

“Absolutely,” I answer, smiling. “I never realized that I spent so much time running from who I am.”

She nods in understanding. “That happens when you’ve spent an entire life in fear, surrounded by hate. Wishing you didn’t have to be different. But here, I hope you’ll learn to love yourself and put faith in your wolf. That’s the most important life. Your wolf will never fail or betray you. Impossible. In wolf form, it will guide you. Remember, our wolves are gifts from the goddess. They’re the best parts of us.”

I hug my knees. “I never heard that before. I guess that makes sense.”

Silence falls upon us. All I hear is the sound of rustling leaves and a soft murmur of conversation somewhere behind us as the Nocturns pack up for the day.

It was great meeting everyone.

They’re all so…nice. And welcoming.

But something about the conversation I had with the others today really got me thinking, which is why I turn to her and ask, “Could I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

I look her in the eye when I phrase my question. “Why were you following me this whole time? How did you even find out about me?”

“I always kept an eye on you.”

“Why?” I ask, unsure why I feel nervous.

“Your mother,” she finally admits. This is the last thing in the world I ever expected her to say.

“My mother? You knew her?”

“Yes,” she smiles. “I knew her once, a long time ago. She was a good woman, Aria. Good, but tormented. Filled with ideas that would only get her killed. Her hope was…beautiful while it lasted

Her words don’t sit well with me at all even though I already knew most of this. She talks about it with a resentment that shocks me. When I glance at her, I see anger written all over her face.

“I’m sorry,” she suddenly says, meeting my gaze. “I didn’t mean

sound so hateful. It’s just…she was a kind woman, Aria, and the world let her down. Nobody could do a thing to stop what happened to her. She lost everything. She was a kind woman. before, but grief changed her.”

I have no clue what I could possibly say to this so I won’t even try

“She thought about you a lot,” she claims, breaking the silence. “ways did. She regretted going down the rebellious route. If she had kept her head low, she wouldn’t have lost you. Love does a funny thing to a woman’s mind.”

Her words trigger an emotional response in me, and before I knew it, tears are trickling down my cheeks and I brush them all away with a swipe of my hand. I’ve never given myself the time to really think about this. She was young when she had

1/3

10:02 Mon, Mar 2 M

Chapter 115

me, maybe around my age. It doesn’t help that Uncle Barty refuses to talk about her.

“It’s doing the same to yours.”

3.64%

55 vouchers

It takes me a few beats to fully comprehend her words. I then realize that she’s referring to Ryder. I shake my head right away. “No. I wouldn’t say so.”

“He’s the Alpha’s son,” she reminds me. “Do you have any idea what kind of danger you’re in? His father is a cruel man, Aria. He’s responsible for many Nocturn deaths.”

“I know that, but Ryder is nothing like his father. You don’t know him as well as I do.”

“I know that a wolf can’t give birth to a sheep,” she claims bitterly. “You were always bound to be in danger with him.”

“Danger? No. Ryder’s fighting this system. He cares about me.”

“Is that the truth, or what you’re telling yourself? What happens when he has to pick your life over his? Do you

hesitate?”

I stand up, furious now. “You don’t know us! Ryder isn’t like that at all. He loves me just as much as I love him.”

think he’d

She rises, her eyes never leaving my face. “Even if that’s the case Aria, I know you’ll condemn him. And everyone you love.”

My voice is low when I ask, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Stay here with us. Permanently. Forget the outside world. There’s nothing but pain there.”

I frown. “No. I can’t.”

“You must.”

“Why?”

“For their safety,” she insists. “Haven’t you been paying attention to anything I’ve been telling you? Once you go back, that’ll be the end of your life and theirs. Don’t be cruel. Don’t be stupid I know you’re an intelligent young woman. You know there’s truth to my words.” She steps closer to me and says in a voice barely above a whisper, “If they find you, they’ll kill you.”

“How do you know that?” I ask, shaking my head. “Nobody found out about me. I told you this before-I’m not a fugitive.”

She only stares back at me with a look that I genuinely can’t decipher, and for some reason, that makes my heart beat right out of my chest. Fear paralyzes me as an awful presentiment roots itself inside of me, so strong that it makes me want to double over and puke my guts out. “What do you know?”

No answer slips from her lips, but her facial expression changes. It goes from neutral to a little guilty. Yes, I’m sure of it.

That’s guilt I see in her eyes!

“You know something,” I repeat with conviction. “Tell me what you know.”

She lowers her head and for the longest time, doesn’t look at me much less speak. I’m hyperventilating and it’s not long before I completely lose my cool. “Tell me! Dammit, why won’t you tell me what you know!? What’s going on!?”

“I can’t, in good conscience, do that, Aria.”

I draw back, my breath coming out in puffs now. That terrible feeling I’ve been ignoring all day hits me right in the gut. I cry, “Oh, goddess. What have I done? I should never have come Here!”

“Aria-”

2/3

10:02 Mon, Mar 2 M

Chapter 115

64%

55 vouchers

I turn on my heel and start running, ignoring her completely. I vaguely remember where to go, and of course, there’s a high chance I’ll get lost. But I have to trust my wolf. Isn’t that what they’ve been telling me the whole day? That my wolf would never lie to me?

I shift, ripping my clothes. I don’t care. My priority right now is heading back to town and finding out what’s going on. I have to stop by the cabin first to figure out if Ryder is there. I’ve been responsible.

“Aria!”

I realize the woman is right behind me, in wolf form. Her voice in my head. There’s a way to block her out, but I’m not in total control of my abilities yet.

“Stop,” she adds almost helplessly.

“Tell me what you know,” I demand. “Now.”

She hesitates and looks away from me when she says, “The word I received is that he’s been captured, Aria. His father has him. There’s a search warrant for you, and if you’re found-Aria Come back!”

I race in the opposite direction, not bothering to listen to the rest of her words, despair coursing through me.

3/3

AD

Comment