The Ice Alpha’s Mate (Aria and Ryder) novel Chapter 57

Chapter 57

RYDER

I don’t know how I managed to fail so miserably today with Aria

60%

55 vouchers

Then again, this usually happens when I’m around her. I become tongue-tied. Things seem to be going well and then it all turns on its head. Everything I’m sure of? Flies out the window. Nothing that comes out of my mouth seems to make any

sense.

I had the perfect opportunity to convince her that if she simply stopped denying what there is between us, I wouldn’t care about Alpha Rowan’s daughter.

The Lunar Shadow Pack would be great to have on our side. As the son of an Alpha who’s been raised to think strategically, not marrying his daughter would be a bad move, one my father definitely wouldn’t forgive me for.

But it’ll be a move I’ll be forced to make if Aria keeps insisting on a rejection.

Though I’m attracted to her, I have my pride, too. How long can keep trying to convince her of how she feels? At some point, it’s bound to get creepy.

But something about the way she looked at me when I asked her if she really wanted the rejection…it stuck with me, and I keep recalling that moment over and over again.

She hesitated. I saw it in her eyes that she was thinking of something else entirely. I almost had the feeling that Aria would tell me that a rejection was no longer on her mind and that she would accept whatever we had and stop denying it.

No such luck.

I’m trying to keep my distance from her since that’s what she clearly wants. It’s hard to do whenever she’s around, like at practice today, but I’ve got to make it happen.

At some point, this will all come to an end, as she said, and none of this will matter.

But at the same time…shouldn’t I feel hopeful at the fact that Ari was bothered about Alpha Rowan’s daughter? I know for a fact that the thought of that close to that guy I beat up still make me sick to my stomach. It wasn’t my best moment, but I couldn’t control my anger when I saw him close to her during that match. Even now, I have the urge to storm inside that grocery shop and remind him of what I told him last time.

Aria’s mine, even if she won’t accept it. And as long as we’re stillates, it’ll stay that way.

After practice, I have to run. Technically, I was never supposed to come in today because my father’s insisting on my getting to know Alpha Rowan’s daughter, Lizzie. I don’t know why I decided to show up-I definitely wasn’t expecting or planning any encounter with Aria.

Once I’m in my room, I pack a few things to spend the week at home, and then I drive off. The whole time, my mind is only on Aria, even though this whole week, up to my birthday, is supposed to be about Lizzie.

She’s staying in our home. Because he’s so busy, her father will only show up on the night of my party. I strongly suspect that this was a strategic move from my father’s side to increase e tension between us.

What he doesn’t know is that even the thought of touching someone else makes me feel like I’m burning on the inside.

When I hugged Lizzie, it was because my father told me to, and could see it in her father’s eye that he was expecting it. As soon as my body came into contact with hers, it felt like acid was coursing through my veins. I suddenly got a whiff of Aria’s scent, and it was so strong that I started looking around, expecting to see her glaring at me from the other side of the road.

But I hadn’t seen her. I thought it was all in my mind.

1/3

17 22 Sat, Feb 21

Chapter 57

Turns out, she was there.

* 3.60%-

55 vouchers

The harder I think about this, the wider my grin becomes. Things might not be ideal right now, but there could be a way out of this. A solution. If I gamble and win, then everything will work out in my favor.

If I lose, well, things were already lost in any case.

I park the car outside my father’s house. I head inside, carrying my things in my right hand. I push the door open and see Lizzie seated on the couch, wearing a short skirt and a tank top. he appears to be sketching. When she sees me, she smiles and stands up. “Hi, Ryder. Welcome home.”

“Thanks,” I say slowly as I close the door.

“Do you need anything?”

I stare at her, confused for a few beats. Why would I need her to get me anything when this is my house? “Uh, no. Thanks.”

I head upstairs, and I nearly crash into my father, who’s buttoning up his coat. “Hey, Dad.”

“I’m glad you’ve decided to change your mind.”

I nod and say nothing, turning to continue up the stairs.

“I’d appreciate it if you treated her better,” he comments, which makes me turn my head to fix him with a look. “I told her she’s free to do whatever she wants, and already she has started making changes around the place. She gave instructions for dinner. In other words, she’s clearly a young woman who knows how to lead a home and a pack. Spend some time with her and I’m sure you’ll appreciate her more. Remember the promise you made to me, son.”

“I’ll be right downstairs.”

“Don’t take too long.”

I shut my bedroom door and throw my things at the foot of my bed. I’m tense all of a sudden as I try to figure out what to do.

I’m running out of time. That’s the truth.

I only have until my birthday to make my decision. That evening, the announcement of our engagement is supposed to b made, and it’s not something I can walk out of once a date is set.

Lizzie…she’s interesting enough, and maybe back then, I’d be attracted to her. She’d be just my type. But that old Ryder belongs to another time. Another life, really. In this one, I belong to someone else, and whenever I try to imagine leading a life with Lizzie, it all feels so damn wrong.

Aria. She’s a stubborn soul and I don’t know what to do with her She frustrates me, because every instinct in my body tells me she feels the same way I do, yet, for some reason, she’s running from me.

Why? What’s she trying to hide?

I run a hand down my face. I find myself thinking about our interaction again, and then I nod once I’ve made the decision. It’s settled. There’s no turning back. Now’s the time to gamble and test the limits.

And most importantly, see where it will all take me.

2/3

O

17.23 Sat, Feb 21

Chapter 57

60%

55 vouchers

3/3

田

Comment

Send gift