The Ice Alpha’s Mate (Aria and Ryder) novel Chapter 68

Chapter 68

RYDER

65%

55 vouchers

“Well, son, I have to admit that you’ve been doing exceptionally well! I’ve received calls from all over the territories- everyone wanted me to let you know that they’ve never seen anyone play like you!”

I can’t help but smile at the string of compliments. I’m pretty proud of myself for what I’ve managed to accomplish this week. The match on Friday went super well, better than expected, and we’ve got many more matches lined up.

It’s all Aria’s doing. He doesn’t know that and will most likely never guess, but it’s her.

All her.

“You’re doing me proud,” he laughs before taking a seat directly across from me. We’re in his office. He called me here to say this to me personally but I have a feeling there’s more to why he called me here.

And I even know the reason.

“Thanks, Dad,” I say sincerely.

“I knew you’d get your groove back,” he confesses. “It was only a matter of time. We hit a rough few weeks, but Ryder Drexel is back, isn’t he?”

I nod. Right now, I can’t think I myself that he wouldn’t be proud if he knew the reason why I’d suddenly become a beast in

the rink.

Would he appreciate Aria more then? Because she’s helping me win matches and I’m gaining all this prestige? I was always a good player, but even I’m humble enough to admit that I’m going a lot better.

I just can’t explain it. Whenever I’m around Aria, I feel energized Knowing that I get to go to her after the game makes me want to do my best. I’m not being held back by fear and insecurity and confusion. Everything’s been running smoothly.

I think about her all the time and it makes me happy. And that makes me win.

So, of course, she’s the reason why.

Aria has become my lucky charm.

“This win against Silvertails has won us some land, Ryder. Do you have any idea what we can do with it? We could expand. Build a proper ice rink so we don’t have to use the university’s one. The possibilities are endless, son. What do you think we should do with it?”

“I think an ice rink will be a good idea. I don’t think there’s a need for anything else.”

“We could expand the omega neighborhood. We have a few of uem coming in from other packs. Maybe of them want to join us now. Officially, of course. We don’t tolerate rogues around these parts, and all packs have an agreement to keep them under control. Soon, our pack will grow and our numbers will compete against the bigger packs. By the time you’re Alpha, we’ll be one of the greatest packs in the world!”

My father has always dreamed big, and the truth is that I share this desire of his to make our pack the best one. I guess everyone who’s an Alpha or an Alpha-to-be feels this way.

But I must admit that I feel shitty about him just regarding omegas as…numbers.

They’re so much more than that.

He’s stroking his chin thoughtfully, then tells me, “I was also thinking about getting the team a new coach. Someone more

1/3

09:56 Mon, Mar 2

Chapter 68

professional and of a higher rank. We’re the only pack in the territory with an Omega for a coach, you know?”

65%

55 vouchers

“No,” I say quickly. “Dad, you can’t get rid of Coach Murdock. He’s the best coach in the world and he’s the reason why we’ve been winning.”

e rea

“No, you’re the reason why we’ve been winning. You’ve always had the talent, son, I change our coach, it’ll be purely to raise our rank among the other packs.”

“No, I don’t agree with this,” I say, trying to keep calm. “He can’t leave. The team needs him. It wouldn’t even be fair.”

Dad looks at me for a long time. I hope I managed to make him understand that I don’t want Coach gone.

“Fine,” he says. “We can talk about this in few years, then. Alright?”

I nod.

a

“Now,” he begins with a groan, “we have to talk about Lizzie, son I know you were busy all week with practices and all, but you have to remember that she’s only staying here with us so you can get along with her. She’s not here for me.”

“I get that. I’m just too busy.”

“Maybe we can find her a place at your dorm. So she’s closer to you. What do you think?”

“No,” I say quickly. “Not a chance. I…wouldn’t be able to concentrate.”

The thought of Aria finding out about that sickens me to my core. I can’t bear it.

“Well, then, you’ll have to come home more frequently. A plan has to be made, son. I hope you understand that. I mean, it’s bad enough that you postponed the announcement. People will start thinking that you’ve changed your mind.”

A part of me really wants to tell him that I have changed my mind and I won’t marry anyone who isn’t my fated mate, but I know that saying some shit like this to my father will only make things worse, and I don’t want that to happen.

I’m thinking about Aria now, not me.

But eventually, a plan will have to be made. We can’t sneak around forever.

“I just….need more time.”

Dad gives me a pointed look. He watches me for a long time, unl I feel like I’m squirming in my seat when I’m really not.

His phone starts ringing and the moment is thankfully interrupted. I excuse myself and head downstairs, taking deep breaths to calm myself down.

Hell, what the hell is my plan? Why don’t I have one?

As soon as I reach the parlor, Lizzie comes running after me and calls my name. “Ryder? Where are you going?”

“I’ve got practice.”

She doesn’t hide her disappointment. “You’re leaving so soon?”

“Yeah. Was there something you needed?”

She bites her lip. “I don’t know. I thought we could go on a date, ust me and you, of course. Whenever you have time.”

I think about this. I can give her a date, right? Anything to postpone the inevitable. It’s just important that Aria never finds out. “Okay. Sure. I’ll give you a call, then.”

2/3

09:56 Mon, Mar 2

Chapter 68

“Great,” she smiles before walking up to me and kissing my check. “I can’t wait.”

65%

55 vouchers

I don’t have a choice. I nod, tell her I’ll see her soon, and then head outside. This whole thing feels like a betrayal to Aria and it definitely is one. I’m backing myself into a corner and soon, there’ll be no way out.

I have to think of a perfect solution for all of this before things backfire in my face and I end up losing the one person who means the world to me.

I can’t let that happen. I just can’t.

3/3

AD

Comment

Send gift