The Ice Alpha’s Mate (Aria and Ryder) novel Chapter 36

Chapter 36

ARIA

The show is over before I know it.

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Luca is praising it as we move behind the crowd heading toward the door. I’m afraid of looking over my shoulder and making eye contact with Ryder.

When we finally pass the doors, I’m relieved because it means I can go home. But Luca turns to me and asks, “Would you be okay with me walking you home?”

“It’s just a short distance away from here. You don’t have to.”

“I insist,” he smiles. “I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you.”

“Alright. Sure.”

“I’ll be right back. Just need to make a quick stop at the restroom

I watch as he weaves through the crowd and disappears around the bend that leads to the bathrooms. Folding my arms, I inch closer to the exit of the theater, feeling the fresh air cool my skin. My shirt is soaked with sweat, so I’m glad I wore the

sweater.

I don’t look back once. It’s best if I don’t.

About half a minute passes before I’m approached by someone. Before turning around, I assume it’s Luca who came back, though what would mean his stop was impossibly quick, but it’s actually the crazy girl who confronted me about Ryder.

Nadia Palmer.

She’s alone this time and not with her friends.

I must admit the mere sight of her irritates me. And the way she looking at me…maybe I wouldn’t have minded it if I weren’t in this irritable state.

“Came to watch the show, did you?”

“What’s it to you?” I retort.

“Ooh,” she exclaims, touching her bottom lip with the tip of her long nail. “Someone’s feisty. I’m Beta-born-you can’t speak to me this way.”

“Well, then maybe you shouldn’t be stooping down to my level the way you are,” I remark sarcastically. “Stay within your

rank.”

Nadia giggles. “Funny. I saw you with Ryder earlier, you know?” tense up. I didn’t think anyone had seen me, so this worries me even though I don’t want to show it. “You’re just not listening are you, Omega?”

“He’s the one who owes you loyalty,” I spit “I have nothing to do with you.”

Nadia takes a step forward. I stand my ground. “But I spoke to you. Didn’t I? And you deliberately disobeyed me. So, when the time comes, be ready. That’s all I’m going to say to you, cunt

I watch as she walks away, and I let out a breath. What’s wrong with her? I don’t understand why she won’t leave me alone!

It’s all Ryder’s fault. Goddess this is exactly what my uncle told me to avoid.

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Chapter 36

I’m so angry about the interaction that before I realize it. Luca has been gone for a long time,

Where is he?

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Frowning, I make my way to the bathroom section and wait for m by the door. But about five minutes pass and he still

Isn’t out

The theater is already starting to empty and there aren’t many people around. I don’t knock on the door, and simply stay put. He could be busy in there.

But ten minutes later. I decide that something is wrong.

Would he have left if he told me he’d walk me back home?

I spot a man with a cleaner’s uniform standing near the sidewalk, sweeping. Luca was wearing a bright orange jacket, so if he had walked past this man and gone home, maybe he would’ve been seen?

“Excuse me–I don’t mean to bother you.”

He smiles. “It’s no bother at all.”

“I’m looking for a man who might have walked past you wearing a really orange jacket. Maybe you saw someone with that description? He’s taller than me, and has dark hair?”

“Oh, yes,” he replies while sweeping again. “He went home aboutwenty minutes ago.”

I frown. “You saw him?”

“Yes, he was with a group of boys.” He pauses, then tells me in all seriousness, “I think one of them might have been the Alpha’s boy. They got in a car and left. I could be wrong. My eyesight isn’t what it used to be.”

Words can’t describe how quickly my heart freezes over. No. Numbly, I thank him before walking away from him and stepping onto the sidewalk.

My heart threatens to beat out of my chest.

What now? What do I do? I can’t go home and abandon Luca for his fate. I’m the one who got him into this. I’m sure Ryder didn’t take him somewhere to be friends with him.

Something must have happened. He has wicked plans. I know it can feel it in my heart.

1 chew my bottom lip and whisper to myself, “Think.”

Where could they have-gone?

I suddenly remember that Ryder challenged him to a hockey game the other weekend. By the goddess. Could that be where they’ve gone?

I run to the university. There’s only one place they could be if my theory of the hockey game is correct. I run until it feels like my legs will give out, and even so, it takes me a long time to actually get there.

The doors to the building are unlocked, and that’s the confirmation I need. I pull the door open and race inside, walking down the narrow corridor that leads to the rink I can hear the sound of skates against the ice along with the sound of laughter, and when I finally reach it, I halt.

There’s someone crumpled on the ice while the others are skating and laughing

It’s Luca.

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Chapter 36

He’s unconscious.

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I make eye contact with Ryder, who slows to a stop and gives me this look I don’t bother trying to read I don’t hesitate. I look away from him and start toward Luca, even though I’m noen skates. I slide across the ice, almost falling, and reach

him

All around me, the movement stops and silence falls on the rink

“Luca,” I say his name before shaking him. He has a cut near his eyebrow that’s bleeding, and his nose is bloodied, too.

He could have broken bones. I have no idea.

Anger washes over me and blinds me. I stand up and turn around

Ryder isn’t that far away from me, and it pisses me off, how pleased he looks with himself.

I start toward him and by some miracle, I don’t slip and crack my head on the ice. “You bastard! You monster!”

As soon as I reach him. I give him a shove. It doesn’t have the effect I wanted it to. “How could you have done this!? What’s wrong with you!?”

The others start skating toward us but Ryder says loudly, “Stand down!”

To me, he says nothing.

My fists are clenched on either side of me. I have this urge to punch him so hard, but I know that won’t happen. I’d be wasting my time,

“You’re not worth a cent,” I spit. “I hate you. I hate you with everything I’ve got. You’re despicable, Ryder Drexel, and I hope- I hope with all my heart-that you drop dead one of these days I never have to see you again!”

I’m breathing harshly by the time I finish with my speech, but again, there’s no reaction from him. Not that I wait for it. I start toward Luca again and check his pulse. He’s alive, at least.

But how will I get him out of here?

Ryder and his friends leave the rink in silence. I don’t turn around to watch them. Hot tears spill down my cheeks. I lift his shirt and see all the bruises already forming on his skin.

What did they do to him?

This is all my fault.

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