The Ice Alpha’s Mate (Aria and Ryder) novel Chapter 26

Chapter 26

RYDER

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“This is the last time I’m going to warn you, Nadia!” I begin angrily. “You’d better give up now and move on with your life, or you’re going to regret it! What I choose to do with my personal fe doesn’t concern you or anyone!”

Her eyes are wide. “Yes, it concerns me! It concerns me because love you!”

“That so? You love me so much that you took another guy to the bonfire the first chance you got? That’s your version of love!”

Her eyes light up. She’s never looked more insane. “I knew you’d notice it. Come on, Ryder. You know I only did it to make you jealous, and by the looks of it, it worked. Come on, Ryder-you and I are endgame. We both know that. Our fathers are close friends. My father is your father’s Beta. It only makes sense for us to be together.”

A cruel smile just touches the edges of my lips. “I wouldn’t touch you ever again, Nadia. Not even with a ten-foot pole.” I release her quickly like the feel of her skin against mine burns. And in many ways, it does. “If I were you, I’d be more cautious about what I spread around.”

Tears fill her eyes. “Is that a threat?”

“A threat? No. Just a piece of advice. For old times’ sake. If you keep telling everyone that I’m in love with that Omega, then the judgment will eventually land on you, too. Why would I choose an Omega over you, after all, when you’re Beta-born?”

Her teeth are clenched when she speaks. “Oh, I’ll make her life hell, Ryder. You think you can play this game against me? You have no idea what I’m capable of!”

“Try,” I state calmly before darkness takes over my mind. “I dare you, Nadia. Lay a single finger on her and you’ll see what I’ll do with it.”

Her eyes widen. More tears are cascading down my face. “You really are in love with her.”

I stare her down, daring her to say something else. When it’s clear that she won’t, I open the door and throw her out.

“Fuck, I curse.

This situation has gotten out of hand a long time ago.

I pace my bedroom floor. There’s no way for me to fix this without making myself look guiltier. If I stay away from Aria and try to move on. I’ll be able to beat the allegations.

Because, deep down, I know that everything Nadia said about Omega-borns is right. The pack would never approve of a match between an Alpha like me and an Omega.

At some point in my life, I didn’t either.

But things have changed and I won’t deny that they did, at least to myself. Aria accused me of wrecking her life, but what has she done to mine?

We have this strange connection that I don’t understand. Her scent is heavenly to me. Sometimes, I swear that I can feel her anger. I’ve been dreaming about her nonstop since the day I met her.

Everything would indicate that she’s my mate-but if she were, would’ve known that by now.

A growl tears out of me. It comes from deep inside. My wolf is restless. I keep thinking about what I heard when I was eavesdropping on her conversation with her uncle and see red.

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III

O

17:20 Sat, Feb 21

Chapter 26

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Staying put is the only correct decision and the most effective way to deal with this inexplicable feeling I have for that arrogant, stubborn wolf.

But everything I am-right to my core-rejects that.

A few minutes pass before there’s a knock on my door again. I decide that it can’t be Nadia because she wouldn’t have knocked in this almost apologetic way.

I open the door and find my teammates standing before me. Well, I should say my closest friends, but after what happened. they lost the right to be called that.

I give each of them a pointed look, not shying away from a confrontation in case one will ensue.

“I thought we could talk,” Zach claims.

I open the door wider and the three of them walk in. Zach, Finn and Matt.

“I don’t know how things got out of hand the way they did, and you’re right,” Zach begins. “We’ve been assholes to you, and your anger is understandable.”

I didn’t expect an apology from them, but the truth? I couldn’t care less. I know this is all performative-I showed them my teeth, and now they’re doing what they can to avoid a full-blown feud.

“Sure,” is all I say.

An awkward silence falls upon us. I contemplate asking them to eave, but I have to put my responsibilities ahead of my feelings. The game’s coming up against the Moonveil Pack, and we can’t fuck up.

We can’t.

My father has warned me about this match. It’s not a friendly one-it’s about territories, and if we lose, it’ll cost us a lot.

I need to have my head in the game.

And I have to be on good terms with these guys to promote a healthy team dynamic.

“Great,” Zach states. “Maybe we could do something tonight? I think we all need to blow off some steam.”

I’m now presented with the perfect opportunity to let this go. Go out. Distract myself. Try not to think about Aria Murdock. Take it one day at a time.

But it’s also an opportunity to submerge deeper into this whole thing. I should let it go. By the goddess, I should. I’m losing the plot. I should suggest someplace far away from everything where I can forget my troubles for a night.

But no.

I tell them, “I was thinking of going to Huntington’s.”

Finn pumps his fist. “I love that place. They serve the best fucking steaks in the world. What do you say, guys?”

“Yeah,” Zach agrees, offering me his hand. “Let’s go. What time?

Matt suggests, “Around six?”

“Sounds good,” I agree while my heart sinks in my chest.

Is it a bad idea? Absolutely. Can I take it back and change locations? Also yes. But will I? No. Because the thought of Aria hanging around some guy her uncle wants her to date infuriates ne.

2/3

17:20 Sat Feb 21

Chapter 26

And it simply won’t happen.

Not on my damn watch

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