The Ice Alpha’s Mate (Aria and Ryder) novel Chapter 21

Chapter 21

ARIA

It’s Monday morning and I still haven’t stopped thinking about the weekend.

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I think it was stupid to assume that I would forget it anytime soon. I was forced to rely on Ryder Drexel for warmth, and then I woke up to the feel of his erection against me.

To make matters worse, for a moment there, it almost looked like we were going to kiss. Almost.

It’s my fault. I blame myself entirely because I should’ve said no to the whole bonfire thing. But no. I said yes, and then I made an even bigger mistake when I agreed to let Ryder take me there.

But whatever. What’s done is done and I can’t obsess over the decisions I should have made.

Uncle Barty is still being mean to me, so I decide not to stop by the medical room to get things ready for practice later on. The funny thing is he didn’t even ask me where I spent the night

When I walked through the door of our house, I saw him passed out on the couch with multiple empty bottles of liquor before him. I cleared them away, all while feeling guilty. I think he was so drunk that he didn’t even notice I wasn’t home, or maybe he thought I came in a little later.

There’s no way I’ll tell him about me and Ryder, though. Not a chance.

He’d freak out. He doesn’t need that right now.

So, I’m heading to one of my medical classes to get started on the chapter we’ll be covering. I hear Tyler call my name, though, and stop in my tracks. “Aria! Wait up!”

I whirl around to face him and I’m surprised to see him smiling at me. He’s such an easygoing person. I don’t know how I would react if I were the one Ryder left in the dust. “How’ve you been?”

“Great,” I answer while forcing a smile. “Thanks. You?”

He shrugs. “There’s this game coming up. Maybe you’ve heard about it? Anyway, there’s a lot of pressure on us to do well, you know? My dad’s already on my case. But anyway…I wanted to ask. How was the bonfire?”

“Fine,” I reveal.

Tyler looks at me expectantly but I keep my lips shut. Then, he chortles. “Just fine?”

“Yeah. Just fine. I didn’t really have a lot of people to talk to.”

“Oh. Yeah, sure,” he says, taking a step closer. “Of course. I’m sorry about that. If I’d gone, we would’ve been able to spend some time together. I don’t know why Ryder chose to take you just to…you know what? Never mind.”

“Yeah. Let’s not talk about this.”

“I wanted to warn you, though,” he adds in a grave voice. In fact, he looks so serious now that it scares me a little as I wait for him to speak. “Ryder. You have to stay away from him.”

“Why?” I ask curiously. “Do you know something?”

Tyler scratches the back of his neck. “Ryder’s a playboy. He doesn’t take girls or anything seriously. Apart from hockey, that is. I really care about you, and I wouldn’t want you to get hurt. Especially because…”

I arch a brow. “What? Just tell me.”

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10:20 Wed, Feb 18 DB.

Chapter 21

“If he finds out I told you…I don’t want either of us to get into trouble.”

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“No, of course not,” I reply carnestly as I tuck my hair behind my ear. “If you want to tell me, your secret’s safe with me.”

I’m extremely curious to find out what it could be that has him this scared. What did Ryder do? Tyler closes the distance between us and says, “There was this…weird talk. I wasn’t a part of it, but I was in the locker room when it was brought up.”

I nod. Where’s he going with this?

“Ryder and his closest friends made a bet,” he explains. “You’re the Coach’s niece, and you’re off-limits, and Ryder made a bet with his friends that he could have you in his bed before the end of the season.”

Words can’t describe how heavily this sits on my chest.

Tyler registers my shock and quickly says, “But I wouldn’t worry if I were you. They just…talk a lot. I just thought I’d warn you in case…I don’t want you to get hurt.”

His last sentence is tender. I nod and tell him, “Rest assured. I barely speak to him, and the ride was a one-time thing. I don’t know why he even offered. Rather, I know why he did now.”

Goddess. What an idiot I’ve been!

“Of course, not. I trust you. You’re smart and know how to take care of yourself. Well, I’ve got to run, but I was thinking we could grab lunch sometime? Talk?”

“Sure,” I reply absentmindedly as I watch him race toward the building.

I’m genuinely so shocked. Now it makes sense. I kept asking myself why Ryder was so intent on being close to me. It didn’t make sense to me at all. I assumed it was a way to sabotage me..

But he’s just trying to get into my pants of all places!

I’m horrified.

For a moment, I forget what it is I had to do. Then, I remember my class. I don’t want to be late. I start toward the building, crossing the gardens up front to get there, but then a voice behind me stops me.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the Omega trying to sink her claws into all the players of the hockey team.”

Frowning, I turn around slowly and find myself staring at the face of the lunatic who almost ran me over the other day. Her arms are folded and the look she gives me is riddled with hatred

“Excuse me?”

A scoff escapes her and she turns to the others. Did I mention there’s one girl on either side of her? They’re both looking at me in an equally nasty way.

“You heard what I said, Omega rat,” she grits out. “You don’t ever belong in this university, much less among us. Keep your head down, you insignificant rat, or you’re going to regret it!”

“Well, if I’m so insignificant to you, then why are you even bothering putting on this pitiful show?” I ask. I think she’s doing this because of Ryder-I’m not sure, but it very well could be.

Or maybe it’s Tyler she wants.

“Some people need to be reminded of their place,” she hisses. “And you’re one of them. But the next time, there won’t be a reminder.”

“Is that supposed to be a threat?”

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3/3

10:20 Wed, Feb 18 DB

Chapter 21

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Quite a few people have gathered all around us and this isn’t good. I’m reminded once more of my uncle, and that makes me keep my lips sealed. The last thing I want is to attract more attention to myself and get in trouble.

He’s already been drinking. I don’t want things to get worse.

“Yes, it is,” she retorts, getting really in my face. I can smell her sickly sweet perfume and it nauseates me. “And if you even dare to get close to Ryder again, I’ll kill you.”

This last sentence she says in a voice so low that only I can hear he gives me a look before pushing past me. I nearly trip. Her friends giggle and also brush past me. I’m left alone with the group of spectators, humiliated beyond words.

I can’t believe this actually happened.

I start toward class, ignoring the comments and the whispers.

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