The Ice Alpha’s Mate (Aria and Ryder) novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17

RYDER

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Sandy runs her index finger all along my chest before biting her lip and asking me, “Are you sure you don’t want to come with me? We could sit really close together and…you know…”

I offer her a smile while trying to look around in a way she won’t notice. Where the hell did that Omega go? “No, I’m sure. I’ve got something to do and then I’ll catch up to you, alright?”

It’s a blatant lie. I have no idea what’s going to happen tonight, and I can’t make any promises.

I’ve got to find Aria. For some reason, it’s important that I do.

“Okay,” she pouts. “Well, you know where to find me.”

As soon as Sandy starts walking away, I follow Aria’s footprints. Thankfully, they’re pretty visible, and I can follow them outright.

For the record…this entire situation with her has gotten out of hand. I don’t know how or why-it just has. I’m starting to lose my mind a little and I don’t like that I’m not more bothered by it.

For instance, the old me would’ve never knifed Tyler’s tyre so he wouldn’t be able to give her a ride. Watching them hug just pissed me off. Right the fuck off. I knew I had to find a way to tear them apart, so I went against all my instincts and brought

her here.

“Ryder?”

I turn my head and see my friend, Zach, approach me. Finn, another player on the team, is right behind him. Annoyance washes over me.

“What’s going on?” Zach asks, a broad grin tugging at his lips.

“What do you

mean?”

He gestures around with his hands. “Where the fuck are you going?”

I look at the long trail of footprints, and once again feel annoyed I can’t tell them where I’m going or what I’m doing. I’d never hear the end of it and I don’t need any of that right now.

“Nowhere,” I reply gruffly before storming past them and heading toward the festivities. The bonfire is huge, and everyone’s faces are illuminated by the flames.

Zach and Finn follow me, and Finn asks, “Is everything alright?”

“Why wouldn’t everything be alright?”

“I don’t know. You seem off,” Zach answers.

I ignore them both because they’re right, and rejoin the others. When they see me, all I see are big smiles, and everyone compliments me on practice today. I have to admit that things went pretty well. I got this sudden burst of energy that I couldn’t explain, and my concentration was a lot better.

This is how I’m used to people treating me.

Everything that happens with Aria makes no sense at all. She talks to me however she wants. She’s aggressive. We’re on completely different ranks.

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Chapter 17

So, why do I find it hard to keep my distance?

Why does her scent seem to call to me?

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People are talking to me and I’m not listening. I nod and smile, and say the occasional yeah or right. Deep down, I’m worried about Aria. Where the hell has she disappeared off to? She’s definitely not anywhere around here, and it’s too dark for me to see from a distance.

My guess is she’s near those enormous boulders, but I could be wrong.

Fuck. This is getting out of hand.

Zach elbows me, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Look who’s here.”

At first, I think he’s referring to Aria, so I turn my head quickly to get a look at the person. But it’s only Nadia. She’s holding the hand of some guy I’ve seen around but whose name I don’t know. I’m pretty sure he’s Beta-born like she is.

“I think she’s trying to provoke you,” Zach snickers.

And I couldn’t care less. I feel nothing.

Her eyes meet mine and she smiles at me. I wonder if she thinks any of this is affecting me. It doesn’t hurt a fucking bit. I glance around impatiently and find the perfect opportunity to escape, since every eye is on her.

“I’ll be back,” I tell Zach.

“Where are you going?”

“To take a leak.”

It doesn’t take me long to reach my car and follow the footprints from there. Thankfully, nothing has changed. I’m not interrupted this time, so I find her in no time.

As I’d guessed, she’s fully hidden by the large boulders, and she’s kicking a few seashells distractedly, arms crossed. She hasn’t heard me approach yet, so I take the opportunity to watch her.

When she finally sees me, she gets startled and her hand moves toward her chest. What happened between us earlier briefly crosses my mind.

I don’t know what happened just then. Her scent grew stronger in that moment, and I couldn’t stop myself from wanting to get closer.

But it’s not consistent. For example, right now, I can’t smell her.

It’s the strangest thing ever.

“I’d like to go home,” she announces.

“We just got here.”

“Well, I have nothing to do here,” she claims, and thankfully, she doesn’t mention Tyler. “So, what am I supposed to do now? Wait until you’re done having your fun? Walk all the way back to the pack?”

“Just try to interact,” I suggest.

Aria narrows her eyes at me. “You can’t be naïve enough to believe that everyone here will want to talk to the Omega who doesn’t belong.”

“I told you, we’re not all the same,” I insist, inching closer to her and taking note of how she stiffens when I do. “There are

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Chapter 17

some of us who don’t pay any attention to ranks.”

“And you’re one of those people?” she asks doubtfully before moving past me.

I follow her. “What’s the matter with you?”

“I’m starting to think that I know what your problem is, Ryder,” she says over her shoulder.

“Enlighten me.”

“I don’t fawn over you.”

A smile curves my lips. “Don’t pretend like you don’t.”

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I only said the words to make her upset, and it worked. Aria slow abruptly and then turns her head slowly to look at me. Her expression is murderous.

“What?” she asks, making her way toward me again.

I shrug carelessly and repeat the words. “Don’t pretend like you don’t.”

“But I don’t and you know it!” she exclaims. “You’re a liar!”

I grab her arms and drag her toward the nearest boulder, where proceed to cage her in. She has no escape from me this time. My front is pressed against hers, and it’s fun, watching her quirm and try to look anywhere but at me.

I take note of her appearance. Her cheeks are red, and her eyes have a fury in them that cuts whenever she looks at me.

And the truth?

I’ve never wanted to kiss her more than I do now.

The thought and urge to do so slam into me. Maybe she’s right-maybe it’s true that I can’t seem to leave her alone. I know that all these thoughts I’m having can’t amount to shit because I could never be with an Omega. It’s against the rules-as the future Alpha, I have to follow them.

But I can’t resist her no matter how hard I try.

Her eyes are on mine, and I briefly wonder if she has the same thought as I. Earlier, she didn’t push me away until Sandy called my name.

The problem is that I can’t read her at all.

“I want to go home,” she whispers, and for a moment, she looks so vulnerable that I feel like shit for putting her in this position.

I step away from her, bringing the game to an end. “I’ll take you, hen.”

I’d do whatever you asked of me.

The thought creeps into my mind without warning or permission. What’s wrong with me? I tell her, “Go to my car. I’ll meet you there.”

I head back to the bonfire to tell everyone I’m leaving. I don’t want them to waste time expecting me to rejoin the group. Zach raises his arms when he sees me. “Where’ve you been?”

“I’ve gotta go.”

“What?” he asks, stunned. “Why?”

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Chapter 17

“I’m tired. I’ve got to test for the big game.”

“All of us do,” he points out.

I start to turn back, but not before I catch him exchanging a look with Finn. I ignore it and start toward my car.

This whole evening was a waste of time, it seems.

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