The Ice Alpha’s Mate (Aria and Ryder) novel Chapter 29

Chapter 29

ARIA

པ 5,60.

55 vouchers

I feel very flustered as I return to the table and I have this sick feeling in my gut that doesn’t let me eat no matter how hard I

try.

The way my uncle is looking at me. The way the conversation is going. I’m forced to smile all the time because the Ortegas are very nice people and whenever Mrs. Ortega looks at me, it’s with a smile.

So, how can’t I return it?

But the weird look from my uncle is the main reason why I had to leave this place. I know he saw Ryder go after me. There’s no way he didn’t. He had to walk past this table in order to follow me into the bathroom.

What’s wrong with Ryder? It’s like he’s made it a point to ruin my life.

A couple of minutes later, Ryder returns to his seat. It’s all so crazy and none of this makes any sense at all. Like at all.

Even my reaction to him is something I don’t understand. He was so close. Why’d I let that happen? For a moment there, it even felt like I wanted him to kiss me.

Goddess. I feel like I’m losing my mind.

I didn’t need this.

It’s a blessing when dinner finally comes to an end. Once we’re outside, I take in several gulps of fresh air and appreciate the fact that I can no longer feel Ryder’s eyes on me. I don’t know why he felt the need to sit at his table and stare at me like I’m a wall.

“…this weekend?”

I snap my head to the side and realize that Luca was talking to me. He’s wearing a smile on his face and doesn’t appear embarrassed at all that I’ve been practically ignoring him. “I’m sorry, what was that?”

“I was just wondering if maybe there was something you wanted to do this weekend. You know. Just me and you. So we can… get to know each other.”

“Oh,” is all I can say afterward. “Right. Well, there’s an important game this Friday, and I won’t be available then. I’ve got to help my uncle. So, maybe Saturday?”

“Sure,” he agrees. “Sounds good.”

In the car, Uncle Barty is so quiet that it concerns me. I genuinely don’t know what to say to break the ice. He’d know that I’m just trying to distract him from what happened at the restaurant.

I wonder if he noticed how out of breath I was when I sat down next to him.

When I get home, I head straight to my room. I’m so anguished and my symptoms aren’t getting any better. I think it’s all the stress. It’s finally starting to get to me.

There’s only so much one can stress oneself with while remaining perfectly healthy and sane.

I change out of my clothes and lie in bed, staring at the ceiling. Every time I think about Ryder, I get more and more confused. At this point, it’d be easy to assume that he’s acting like a possessive boyfriend, which is crazy because he’s not And that could never and will never happen to begin with.

I also wonder if there’s anything I could’ve done from the beginning to avoid this.

1/3

III

O

17 20 Sat, Feb 21

Chapter 29

60

55 vouchers

1 shut my eyes for a second, but reopen them at the sound of the door opening. I turn my head and see Ryder standing in the doorway.

I gasp, horrified, and sit up in bed. “What the hell are you doing here? How’d you get into my house!?”

“I had to come.”

“What?”

He closes the door, and a string of ‘no’s’ start leaving my lips. I try to back away on the bed, but he’s upon me in seconds. trying to wrestle me into staying still. My heart’s beating so fast.

The look in his eyes terrifies me but warms me at the same time.

“Calm down, Aria! By the goddess! Why do you act like I’m going to hurt you when you know by now that I won’t? That I could never do it?”

“I don’t know a thing!”

He smiles despite my harsh words. “Liar.”

The word makes me calm down almost like it’s magic. I stare at his face, all worries about my uncle and how he got in here fading to the back of my mind. “I’m not lying. This is still you trying to hurt me.”

“And why’s that?” he asks gently as he runs his fingers along my cheek. I shiver. “Why would I be trying to hurt you?”

“Because I could never be with you.”

He looks almost sad when I tell him this, and for some reason, that doesn’t make me feel as great about the words as I thought I would. His hand drops to his side and he tells me, “I don’t know why you have to be so defensive.”

“I don’t have a wolf, alright?” I burst out before I can stop myself “I’m a runt.”

I expect him to have a reaction to this-any reaction at all-but he says, “I know.”

“What?”

“I’ve always known.”

I search his eyes and to my astonishment, I can tell he’s being honest about it. When he leans forward to kiss me, I don’t stop him. His lips are merely inches away from mine. I should feel guilty about telling him this, but I’m so relieved.

His lips touch mine and my alarm goes off, pulling me out of this embarrassing dream. I wake up with my heart pounding against my chest.

It was such a realistic dream. What’s wrong with me?

I get ready and go to class. I have to walk because Uncle Barty lef earlier because of practice. I knew this would happen, yet I still overslept.

My first class is History, and I never look forward to it because Ryder sits right behind me. When I get to class, though, he isn’t there, and for some reason, I have this feeling on my chest that I ignore completely. I even glance at all the other seats. He’s truly not here.

I shouldn’t even be looking for him. It’s pathetic and makes no sense.

I sit down, and the professor ignores me completely before starting his lesson. He’s been leaving me alone this whole time. Ever since Ryder warned him.

2/3

|||

O

<

17 20 Sat Feb 21

Chapter 29

Again. I don’t know what to think about that, so I don’t even try.

5.60%

65 vouchers

All I know is that this dream I had was a warning of some kind reminder, even. The day he finds out that I’m a runt. I’m a dead woman

And I won’t take my chances.

Regardless of how “nice” he may seem sometimes.

At the end of the day, they’re all the same, and people like me are hated wherever we go. So, I’ll keep pushing him away and getting as far away from me as possible.

3/3

AD

Comment

Send gift

No Ads

III

O

17 20 Sat, Feb 21