The Ice Alpha’s Mate (Aria and Ryder) novel Chapter 27

Chapter 27

ARIA

1 step back and take a look at my reflection in the mirror.

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I look nice-I’m wearing a baby blue dress that ends just above my knees, and a pair of beige colored sandals. My hair is straight because I didn’t know what else to do with it, and I have done lipgloss on my lips because I don’t want to look overdone.

It’s supposed to be a casual dinner, anyway. I’m afraid of looking ridiculous.

Overall, I’m satisfied.

Uncle Barty honks his horn as I’m reaching for my cross-body bag, and I frown as I race toward the front door. I lock everything quickly and get in the car. “We’re like twenty minutes early!”

“Yeah, but we still have to drive there, remember? Or you know how to teleport?”

I roll my eyes when he isn’t looking. My uncle is so dramatic! I don’t think I’ve ever met a drama queen like him. “Yeah, but won’t it seem too eager if we’re there?”

“What’s the problem with seeming eager?”

I look at him, open-mouthed. “Are you kidding? I’m the girl, remember?”

“You think about these kinds of things too much,” he claims, his yes on the road ahead. “It’ll seem like you care, and that’s a good thing. Besides, the gentleman, Mr. Ortega seemed like a punctual man.”

I give up.

We arrive at the restaurant in about ten minutes, meaning we’re still early, but I’m more than shocked to know that they’re already waiting for us.

They’re standing by the entrance-a couple on their mid-forties and a son who’s about my age. My eyes scan his face and his appearance quickly, taking in his almost black curly hair and olive skin. His eyes are a warm brown, and when he smiles, dimples grace his cheeks.

I feel a little uncomfortable.

I wasn’t expecting him to look so….nice. And handsome.

And that he is.

“Mr. and Mrs. Ortega,” Uncle Barty begins as he places a hand on my upper back, “I’d like for you to meet my niece, Aria. Aria, meet the Ortegas.”

“This is our son, Luca,” his mother introduces. He got the dimples from her. “We’re very excited to get to know you!”

“We should head inside,” my uncle suggests before we all get inside the restaurant. I don’t know what to say, so I keep my lips sealed.

I feel Luca’s eyes on me and honestly, it makes me feel like crawling into a hole and die. Just because he’s handsome doesn’t make this less embarrassing. It still feels like we’re being forced into a relationship and, now, this feeling is stronger than

ever

And I don’t know how to truly feel about that

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Chapter 27

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We sit down and the menus are brought to our table. I’m not hungry, but I don’t know what else to do with my hands, so I just scan through it over and over again while remaining aware of the conversation all around me.

Luca and I exchange looks once when I look up.

I’m the one who breaks eye contact first.

“So, that’s what you do, huh?” Mrs. Ortega says, and I realize that she’s speaking to me but I didn’t hear it at all. “Must be exciting, studying healing arts at such a prestigious university.”

I clear my throat. “Yes. I feel very lucky, and I do enjoy what I do

“Yes, I’m very proud of her,” Uncle Barty claims before slapping my upper back again. “She’s been doing great. Her lecturers all praise her.”

“That’s wonderful,” Mrs. Ortega says before glancing at her son. Why don’t you share the story of what it was like when you first started working with your father?”

Luca chuckles, then starts to speak, but I’m sad to say that I don’t hear a single word that comes out of his mouth because, just then, the restaurant’s door opens and Ryder strides in with s rowdy group of friends behind him, and the first thing I notice is how he seems to be scanning the place.

He only becomes satisfied when his eyes land on me-and that’s when I realize that he came in here looking for me, which is crazy because how did he know where I’d be?

We make eye contact briefly but I’m the one who looks away firs. Nobody seems to pay any attention to them the way I do, and Luca is still telling his story. His eyes are on me the whole time while his parents are looking at him. I smile and nod, but I’m not following a single thing he’s saying.

Because Ryder is making his way toward our table.

And I swear that I’m going to be sick.

“Hey, Coach.”

He looks at everyone seated at the table pointedly, but he looks Luca in an especially diabolical way. “It’s good to see you around here. You barely go out.”

“That’s true,” my uncle says politely. My eyes are now on the table as I refuse to look at Ryder’s face. I’m afraid of what I might see when I look at him.

I’m afraid of the feelings raging through me right now as he speaks-feelings that have been getting stronger and stronger with each passing day. Getting more intense. More refined.

I don’t like that he’s here. I want him to go.

“And who do we have here? I’m sorry, I don’t think we’ve met before. I’m Ryder Drexel.”

“No, you wouldn’t have. Tense are the Ortegas. Miguel and Sara and their son, Luca.”

“Ah,” Ryder says, extending his hand for Luca to shake. I can literally hear the bones in Luca’s hand crack when Ryder shakes his hand. Luca grimaces but otherwise, stays composed.

By the goddess.

“Luca,” he echoes. I don’t like the sound of that at all. “Do you play hockey?”

“Oh, not really,” he admits.

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Chapter 27

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“We should play sometime. You could learn a thing or two about game rules,” he reveals. I feel his eyes on me just then, but I don’t return the look.

“Oh. I really don’t play much.”

“You could always learn. I’ll teach you.”

“Oh, I don’t know.”

“Come on.” Ryder taunts. “What are you afraid of?”

I can’t help myself. I cut in. “If he doesn’t want to, then his decision should be respected, don’t you think?” I try to keep my voice as sweet as possible but I don’t know how it comes out.

They’ll kill him.

I don’t know why I have that feeling. It comes through so strongly that it’s almost like I’m reading Ryder’s thoughts.

Ryder looks my way and a cruel smile curves his lips. “Luca, you’re gonna let your little girlfriend speak for you?”

Goddess. I want to die.

Luca appears so uncomfortable. I can’t believe this just happene. “No, no. I’d like to join. Thank you.”

Ryder gives me a triumphant look. We glare at each other. That the only way I can describe it. Luca’s looking at me, too, and I wonder if everyone can sense this.

My hatred toward Ryder is palpable.

“Good. Well, it was nice meeting you all. I hope you have a nice evening.”

Ryder walks away and the silence is now awkward and nobody says a thing for a good few minutes. Mrs. Ortega breaks the silence when she asks, “I’m sorry, but was that the Alpha’s son?”

“Yes,” my uncle answers before clearing his throat.

“He’s nice. Wow. I’m stunned.”

My uncle and I exchange a look, but we say nothing to each other. I see something in his eyes that I ignore.

But I panic.

Oh, yes, I do.

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