The Ice Alpha’s Mate (Aria and Ryder) novel Chapter 65

Chapter 65

RYDER

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Like all good things, my time with Aria in the forest comes to an end and before I know it, we’re back in my fucking house and forced to part ways.

We do exchange numbers, though. I’m gonna make sure to call her whenever I can’t see her. I’m determined for there never to be a day when we don’t say a word to each other.

I’ve spent enough time away from her as it is, and I don’t know how long this separation will last. Hell, as I walk into the house, walking past all these people I don’t care about, I have this wild urge to scream Aria’s name at the top of my lungs and announce that she’s the one I want and not Lizzie.

But of course, I’m not crazy enough to do it.

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At first glance, I don’t find Lizzie and that’s fine by me. I won’t spend time looking for me. But when I get outside, walking past the doors that lead to the garden, I make eye contact with my father and he makes a signal with his hand for me to

come over.

As I do this, all I can ask myself is what he wants. I don’t have a good feeling about this.

Before I even reach him he’s already excusing himself from his group, and he meets me halfway. “Ryder. I’ve been looking all over for you.”

I definitely wasn’t expecting this. “I was around.”

“Were you?” he asks, the question riddled with doubt. When I don’t answer him, he nods and adds, “A pretty girl, your fated mate.”

Where’s he going with this? “I have to find Lizzie and-”

“You’re telling me you were just around when you were with her. You left with her. What do you have to say about that?”

I frown. “You’re spying on me now?”

“Ryder,” he begins in a grave tone, “if you care about that girl, you will leave her. This isn’t a game. We’re forming alliances with other packs. Many people are involved now.”

The worst thing in the world that could possibly happen, happens to me; I panic. “I told you I rejected her, Dad.”

He pauses. I should tell him I lied to him just now and that I love her and want to be with her, but those words don’t leave my lips. I say absolutely nothing.

“Good,” he remarks. “That’s all, then. I trust you to do the right thing.”

As he walks away from me, in my mind, I curse myself. Why didn’t I just tell him what I feel? This could end tonight. The last thing I want is to let things go too far to the point where leaving Lizzie will become impossible.

I watch as he finds his way to another group and in this one, Lizzie’s father is there. The fucker has the audacity to glower at

Memories of how he wanted to coerce Aria into his bed fill my mind and make my wolf make questionable decisions, but I stay put.

Lizzie finds me eventually. Her eyes are wide and filled with concern. “Where were you? I’ve been looking for you nonstop!”

“I was around.”

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09:56 Mon, Mar 2

Chapter 65

“It’s time for the announcement,” she reminds me. “You know? The one where we’re supposed to be engaged?”

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This strange, dark sickness spreads over me and for a long while. I can’t find it in me to give her an answer. All I know is that I’m not going to let that happen.

“I don’t think this is the right time.”

“Why not?”

“People are leaving,” I say as an excuse. “It’s late. I don’t think this is the right time.”

Lizzie appears taken aback. “Okay. Yeah. Sure.”

I look around for an escape, but I find none. Instead, I see Aria standing several feet away, close to her uncle, but of course that fucker Tyler is right beside her, looking down at her like she’s the most beautiful girl he’s ever seen.

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And he’d be right. Aria is beautiful. I can’t believe that I held and kissed her tonight. Ran my hands all along her curves and felt the warmth of her skin beneath my palms. Goddess, I wanted to do so much more, but not like that. No, I’d much rather take my time with her, no matter what my instincts are all telling me.

Her eyes meet mine and for a moment, we simply stare at each other like we’re the only people on earth. Lizzie says something but I don’t register it at all. I can’t get enough of her. Warmth spreads through me, coursing through my veins and centering in my groin.

I want her. All the damn time. And now that things between us are more or less settled, being away from her is going to be the worst kind of torture.

“Ryder?”

I snap out of my thoughts and feel annoyance rushing through me as I look down at Lizzie. Her eyes are wide. “You didn’t hear me?”

“No.”

“I asked you what we’ll tell our fathers. You know, considering they were expecting the announcement to be made today?”

“I’ll deal with it,” I tell her almost dismissively as I search for Aria again. This time, they’re headed around the house, following some of the people who’re leaving. Tyler is walking alongside her and they’re talking. Goddess, I want to walk up to them and punch him in the face.

Why can’t he get it through his skull that she’s mine and mine alone?

“You’re sure?”

I don’t answer Lizzie. Usually, I’m not this impatient with her because this isn’t her fault and I don’t want to make an even bigger mess of things but I’m fighting every instinctive cell in my body to stay put and not run after Aria.

I want to go to her. Leave with her. Hell, I want it to be just me and her, no other responsibilities.

But I know it’s not that simple.

The realization makes me seethe, but this is good. This grounds ne. Because I’ve got to start figuring out what the hell I’m going to do to get rid of Lizzie and her perverted father.

–

My father threatened her I know it. I didn’t say anything agains it because I didn’t see the point, but u understood him loud and clear. If he thinks he can lay a hand on her, he’s sorely mistaken. I’d never let him.

On my part, though….what will I do?

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Chapter 65

This damned question haunts me long after the guests are gone.

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