The Ice Alpha’s Mate (Aria and Ryder) novel Chapter 39

Chapter 39

ARIA

It’s my birthday today.

It’s also the day of the rematch.

60%

55 vouchers

My symptoms have gotten a lot worse to the point where my vision is blurry and something feels like it wants to crawl right out of my skin. I have this crawling sensation all along my body and I feel extremely hot one moment, then cold the next.

I wonder if this is what it feels like to be dying.

Though I’m feeling this way, on the outside? It’s hardly noticeable. My uncle can tell the difference because he knows me so well, but when I look in the mirror, all I see is how shiny my face is with sweat, which is technically normal. Everyone’s nervous. Classes today were a disaster because nobody could pay attention, and in the end, they were all canceled.

A knock on the door makes me jump and whirl around. That’s another thing that’s been bugging me; how jumpy I am.

But it’s only Uncle Barty.

“Hey, kiddo,” he says hesitantly as he walks in. He’s looking at me like I’m a wild animal that’ll attack him again any moment. “How’re you feeling?”

I lie. “Good.”

He sees right through it. In fact, he’s been bothering me about staying at home since our talk in the kitchen the other day. “I think you should go home. Dan will handle everything. You can do a good job if you’re shivering with cold, Aria!”

“I’m literally fine. I can handle it.”

He makes a face. “Would you stop being so stubborn and listen to me for once? Go. Home.”

“I’m sorry, Unc, but I won’t,” I declare stubbornly, and I hate how my voice wavers. “You can’t make me! This is my job. This is what I’m here for!”

He runs a hand down his face. “I’m only trying to do what’s right for you. Why don’t you let anyone take care of you!?”

“Because I can take care of myself just fine,” I argue. “If I feel bad enough, I’ll go home. Okay?”

This look crosses his eyes but I can’t read it. “It’s your twenty-first. We should’ve been getting a cake or something, dammit.”

I shrug. “We can get one later.”

We’re interrupted by Dan walking in. He looks back and forth between us with a smile, then claps once to dissolve the tension. “Ready for showtime everyone?”

Uncle Barty gives me one more look before walking out of the room. I offer Dan a smile, and then we get things ready.

I’ve decided I won’t watch the match today. After last time? Yeah, no thanks. I don’t want to break this streak I’ve got going on, where I don’t have to see Ryder Drexel at all. After last time?’m so done with him.

So, so done.

I’m so distracted by my work-disinfecting tools and equipment and laying everything out on the steel table so that when we’ve got to start treating injuries, everything’s accessible and we won’t take too long.

Time is of the essence. Especially during this rematch.

1/3

17.21 Sat, Feb 21

Chapter 39

མཏཱི.60%-

55 vouchers

The crowd starts showing up and I know this because I can hear them. They’re chanting and marching on the bleachers. Making a hell of a noise. It’s electrifying.

I hope Ironclaw wins this time around. For my uncle. He puts so much effort into all of this. It’d be a reward for him.

Dan walks out of the room to check on the Moonveil medics, and to race past the medical room, I immediately panic and decide

I don’t want to have to see him.

I’m left alone for a bit. When I see the hockey players start hide behind the door. It’s just to avoid him.

But someone knocks on the door, and my heart skips a beat. I know it isn’t Dan because he wouldn’t have knocked. I then hear Tyler say my name tentatively. “Aria.”

I come out of hiding. “Tyler? What’re you doing here?”

Especially after what happened last time?

His eyes meet mine and he relaxes. “I thought you weren’t here. almost panicked. You stitch me up better than Dan. It’s painless when you do it.”

I smile at the compliment, but I’m far from relaxed. He notices this and says, “I wouldn’t worry if I were you. Ryder likes intimidating people, but it won’t work on me. Never has. Never will.”

I nod, but deep down, I just want him to leave. The last thing I want is more drama. Plus, I don’t want to have to interact with Ryder. Every time I think about him, I feel a stabbing pain, and then my head starts to spin. He has this crazy, insane effect on me. I can’t even close my eyes without being haunted by his face.

It’s so exhausting. I wish I knew how to quit him and purge him from my system forever.

Tyler smiles and tilts his head to the side. “Wish me luck, yeah?”

I smile weakly. “Good luck.”

He tries to step closer to me and I get so damn dizzy that I nearly fall over. The blood coursing through my veins is boiling.

He can’t get close to me. I don’t know why, but his presence is triggering this.

“You okay?” he asks suddenly.

Before I can answer him, one of the players slams his fist on the door. I recognize him as one of the guys who’s always around Ryder. “Yo, Tyler. We’ve gotta fucking go, man!”

Tyler flashes me a small apologetic smile, then leaves the room. breathe a lot easier when he’s gone but I still want to throw

I get closer to the door just because of how suffocating the rooms. I assumed that all the players had already walked past, especially Ryder, but his warm scent hits my nose and like instinct, I snap my head in his direction and we make eye contact.

His footsteps seem to slow. He’s sweating, too. I notice it right away.

But one thing I truly notice? My symptoms just….stop. I can breathe easily without a knot in my stomach. I don’t want to throw up anymore. My nausea is gone. My skin’s cool, like air’s owing right on my face.

My heart rate slows.

I swear that something inside of me howls. It’s so unexpected that I press the tips of my fingers to my lips, wondering if the sound came out.

Then, the realization that I’m standing in the doorway and looking at him hits me from out of nowhere, and I duck my head

2/3

3/3

17 21 Sat, Feb 21

Chapter 39

and re-enter the room. I don’t turn around to see him walk past I just assume that he does.

For some reason, I have a feeling that this night will be…

No, I can’t think about that.

Thinking negatively will only attract more rubbish to my life and it’s the last thing I need.

I ignore how my symptoms come racing back as soon as he’s gone.

60%

55 vouchers

AD

Comment