The Ice Alpha’s Mate (Aria and Ryder) novel Chapter 50

Chapter 50

ARIA

In the morning, I leave the hospital, and Uncle Barty drives me ome.

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I stare out the window the entire time. I couldn’t sleep, and when it finally happened, I dreamt of Ryder. There’s a corner of my mind that’s aware that Uncle Barty is talking to me, but not a single word registers. I’m so distracted that he could shout at me and I still wouldn’t hear a thing he said.

At times, I ask myself if maybe I was a little too harsh on Ryder. Most of the things I said to him were meaningless and only intended to push him away. My life is so darn complicated as it ; I don’t need a bond with the one person who could make my life hell.

Every time I even try to entertain the thought that maybe things could work, I remind myself that Ryder wouldn’t want anything to do with me if he knew what I was-a Nocturn. A beast capable of overpowering him.

I scoff lightly. Any hopes I’ve ever had of being ordinary have just leaped out the window.

What am I going to do now? When I had school, I had something to look forward to. Now? My life seems so pointless. I can’t study to be a healer, which is the only thing I’m good at. I have to hide my identity or else I’ll be persecuted and killed in my own pack.

My poor mother. I didn’t know her-I was only a baby when she died-but I wonder if she had the same thoughts and anxieties as I do now. Is that why she tried to confront the truth of who she was? To make the torment stop? To try to at least lead a free life without fears?

In any case, she failed. I’m bound to fail, too, if I ever try.

Uncle Barty parks the car in front of our house, and then we bot step out of the car. My body’s so heavy from the painkillers and disappointment. I’m aware of my uncle staring a me, so I turn my head to meet his gaze.

“You didn’t hear a word I said, did you?”

I should feel guiltier than I do now, but I just don’t have it in me I’m sorry. I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

He smiles sympathetically. “Let’s head inside.”

His hand is on my upper back as he guides me to the front door I’m glad to be home. At least here, I’ll feel safer. Uncle Barty unlocks the door and we head inside. The familiar scent soothes me. “What were you trying to say? I’m sorry I wasn’t listening.”

“I don’t want you to apologize for a single thing,” he claims. “I can only imagine what you’re going through. I’ve always tried to avoid this-if I could, I’d never tell you the truth.”

“No, it was necessary,” I assure him, tucking a lock of my hair bel and my ear. “I’m glad I know now.”

He nods slowly, watching me, and I have the feeling that he’s questioning himself. Ultimately, he says, “What I tried to tell you in the car is that I received a phone call early this morning. First thing, actually”

“A call?”

“From the Alpha himself.”

I still. What’s he trying to say to me? “And? How’d it go? What did he want?”

“You’ve got a chance to go back to school,” he explains. “I don’t know what happened, but your case was revisited and they’ve decided to give you a second chance. I didn’t ask much about it, but I’m sure you’ll be given more information at the university.”

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17 22 Sat, Feb 21

Chapter 50

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His words have a strange effect on me, because at first, they have no impact at all, and then it all starts to sink in so heavily that I feel sick to my stomach. “What? Another chance?”

He takes my hand and, together, we walk toward the kitchen tab and sit down. “Aria, I know I said a lot of things last night, and they probably scared you, but I want you to know that I meant it when I said that nobody even imagines you’re a Nocturn. If they did, you and I wouldn’t be here right now.”

I’m confused. “What does any of this have to do with me going back?”

“If you want to resume your studies, go ahead and do it fearlessly Don’t chicken out because you’re afraid that you’ll get caught. Life’s made of risks anyway, and we’ve got to do what we can to survive. I think you ought to take this chance and finish. Once you’ve got your license, you can do whatever you want.”

I rub the space between my eyebrows, deep in thought. I have no doubts in my mind that I want to complete my studies, and I’m already cheering up. I ask him, “Do you know why they changed their minds?”

He shrugs, but something crosses his face. Something like concern. “No, but who cares, right? This is a good thing.”

“Yeah,” I a

I agree. “Sure.”

“So, you’ll be going back?”

“I guess so. I’m just scared of, you know, blundering or something. I don’t know anything about this creature that’s now a part of me. When will I shift? It’s got to happen at some point, right?”

“Well, one thing I know for sure is that nobody shifts without deciding to do it, so you don’t have to worry about that. It’s a conscious decision that takes some practice. But you’ve got to stay calm and out of trouble, or your wolf might react badly. It’s a newborn, so it’s volatile. And as a Nocturn…you’re a powerful wolf, and you’ve got to take care.”

A small, humorless smile tugs at the corner of my lips. “I went from having no wolf to having a powerful one.”

It’s his turn to smile. “Such is the way of life.”

I sigh. Things are somewhat resolved and I should feel more relieved, but my heartache hasn’t gone away, and even the thought of seeing Ryder on campus terrifies me because I don’t know what happens next.

I recall how he clamped his hand over my mouth to stop me from rejecting him, the look on his face so painfully desperate. The memory pains me. Despite everything, I don’t want to hurt him, because everything he said was sincere.

But how can things between us work out? It’s unthinkable.

He’s an Alpha. I’m…whatever I am.

At some point, he’ll tire of me, and what will I do with myself then? How can I hand my heart over to him so carelessly? Hell, we don’t even get along. We’re as different as night and day.

Uncle Barty claps once, noisily at that. I realize that someone’s knocking on the door. “Well, now that that’s settled, I want you to meet someone. It’s been a long time coming.”

My eyes widen. “Is it the woman you went on a date with?”

“Yep. Ready to meet her?”

“Send her right in.”

He goes to open the door and I stand up. I push Ryder Drexel to the back of my mind, where he belongs, and when my uncle opens the door, a stunning woman who seems to be in her late thirties walks into our home.

I’ve literally never seen her before.

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Chapter 50

EYEA

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“Hi,” she says as she approaches me. “You must be Aria…oh my! You’re so grown! I’ve only ever seen you once, when you were a baby!”

I look at my uncle, arching a brow. She walks over to me and kisses my cheeks twice in greeting, then hands me a casserole dish. It’s still warm. Her smile is broad, and her eyes are a stunning gray color. “Aw, poor you. Your uncle didn’t tell you anything, did he?”

“Not at all,” I admit.

“I’m Cassandra Wilde. I’m the nurse who helped him…forge your shift papers. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Aria. You’re as stunning as your mother was.”

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