The Ice Alpha’s Mate (Aria and Ryder) novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15

“Yeah.”

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From the corner of my eye, I sense this negative, walking cloud of energy approaching, and sure enough, when I turn my head, I make eye contact with Ryder, who slowly looks back and forth between us as he slows to a stop.

His dark hair is wet from the shower, and his eyes have never looked more intense. They’re narrowed as he studies us, hate how he looks at me.

It makes me feel like I’ve done something wrong.

“Hey, man,” Tyler says to him naively. “I didn’t know you were still here.”

and I

Ryder literally gives him a once-over before continuing toward us. He walks right past us, not even bothering to say a word to Tyler. We both look at him in shock. Or rather, I’m more shocked than Tyler is.

Tyler shrugs. “Guess he’s in a bad mood.”

I don’t comment. But what the hell was that? I watch him until he disappears around the corner a few feet away, and Tyler once again grabs my attention when he says, “So, there’s this bonfire thing going on.”

“Just for the team.”

“No, a lot of people will be there, actually,” he claims. “I was…wondering if you wanted to come with me. It’ll be a chance for us to talk, you know? I really like talking to you.”

“That’s nice of you to invite me, but are you sure I’m allowed to come?”

I know for a fact that if I didn’t hear about the event, it’s an elite thing. Meaning no Omegas will probably be there.

I don’t want to find myself in a situation where I’ll be unwanted.

That party to celebrate the hockey team’s win was more than enough for me.

“Yeah, of course,” he replies. He almost sounds upset. “You’re with me. You’ll be with me. Come on. I think it’ll be fun.”

I don’t know, and what I want to tell him is no. Tyler’s lips press ogether and he says sadly, “We’re not all hooligans, you know? That’s what I like to call those discriminatory bastards, anyway. I really don’t see the whole point of the rank system. It means shit unless we’re in the wild and I’m chasing you.”

For some reason, his words make me laugh. Most differences between Alphas, Betas, Omegas, etc., only apply when we’re in wolf form.

I don’t have a wolf, so I don’t even know what he’s referring to. But I have heard that Omegas are weaker wolves in general.

In this form, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference, and it’s not like we walk around in wolf form anyway. So, for the most part, he’s right.

It doesn’t really matter..

“Only some of you are okay with Omegas being in your circle,” I mention to him. “But what about the others? Can they truly be ignored?”

“I ignore them. And I think you should, too.”

My decision to say yes is an impulsive one. Definitely. Tyler is happy, and he joyfully says, “Alright! Let’s get going, then. I’ll drive you there.”

“It’ll be near the beach, right?”

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10:19 Wed, Feb 18 DB

Chapter 15

“Yeah.”

I chew my bottom lip and tell him, “I’ve got to talk to my uncle first.”

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Tyler raises his hands. “Sure. Go ahead. I’ll be outside by the car, alright? You’ll probably see me easily. Parking lot’s empty at

this time.”

I find Uncle Barty drinking in his office, and the sight and smell of liquor shocks me beyond belief. I’ve never seen him drinking. He always promotes healthy habits, so this is a strange sight for me. “Uncle?”

“What do you want?” he slurs.

I look at the bottle of whiskey, then return my eyes to his face. “You’re drinking.”

“So what?” he bursts out. “Only you’re allowed to do whatever you want and disregard your life, missy? Are you trying to control me, is that it?”

“I didn’t come to argue.”

“What did you come here for, then?”

“Just to tell you that I’m going somewhere with Tyler. To a bonfire.”

A scoff leaves his lips as he refills his glass. What’s wrong with him? “Why’d you come here to ask me? Just do whatever you want. That’s what you’re good at anyway.”

I clench my jaw. “If you’re going to act this way, then forget about it!”

“Boo-hoo,” I hear him say just before I close the door.

I return to Tyler’s side and try to hide my irritation. I can’t believe my uncle’s acting that way. Why? Because I’m back on the

team?

When I step outside, I see Tyler talking to Ryder, and I hesitate to approach them both. I don’t want to show Ryder that I’m intimidated in any way, though, so I brush aside my feelings and head right toward them.

Tyler meets my eyes over Ryder’s shoulder and says, “I have a fla tyre. I’m sorry. I didn’t think this would happen.”

“Oh,” I say as I look at his car. “That’s okay.”

“I’ll drive you there,” Ryder suggests. He says this but isn’t looking at me, so I’m confused about who he’s talking to until he looks at me. “If you’ll let me, of course.”

I exchange a look with Tyler, and he nods. Ryder’s car is parked next to Tyler’s, so a few seconds later, he opens the passenger’s door for me.

We make eye contact before I get in his car. When he slams the door, I ask myself what the hell I’m doing.

I’m in Ryder Drexel’s car, for crying out loud.

But at least Tyler will be here with me.

I only realize how wrong I am when Ryder gets in the car, turns on, and speeds off before Tyler can get in the car. I stare out the window at my friend, wide-eyed, then, I slowly look over at Ryder.

What the hell?

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