The Ice Alpha’s Mate (Aria and Ryder) novel Chapter 70

Chapter 70

ARIA

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As soon as I get home-and yes, I walked all the way here because Uncle Barty let earlier and I had to meet with Ryder, so I couldn’t-my uncle gives me a look and narrows his eyes.

“Aria, is everything alright?”

His question shocks me so much that I gasp lightly and my hand flies to my chest. “Uncle? What do mean?”

you

“I don’t know,” he says, straightening his spine and narrowing his eyes to look at me better. “You look different. I catch you smiling all the time and you’ve been distracted.”

I walk slowly toward the kitchen and set my bag down on the counter. My heart has no business beating this fast. “I…I’m not sure what you mean there, Unc. I’m just being myself. Nothing’s happening or anything.”

But even as I utter this denial, I can hear how hollow my words are. It sickens me. I sound like I’m lying to my own ears, so how won’t I sound like a liar to him?

After a few beats, he asks me, “Is it Tyler Hawke?”

“Uncle Barty! It isn’t anyone!”

He makes a face and shrugs. “Well, in any case, I like seeing you like this, Aria. Don’t take too long, alright? It’s almost time to go.”

“Go where?”

He gives me a look. “Dinner. With Cassandra. Remember?”

I don’t, but I act like I do because I don’t want him to think he’s right about me being distracted. This dinner doesn’t ring a bell, though. I don’t even know where we’ll be dining.

I guess I’ll find out when I get there.

I pull on a dress I got recently, all thanks to Cassandra, and pull over my head. It’s a rich royal blue color with thin straps and a flared skirt. I throw on a pair of beige-colored sandals, and I’m good to go.

I could wear this in any occasion and not look too bad, so it’s the right choice.

Cassandra is in the kitchen when I step out of my bedroom. She smiles at me broadly and comments, “Good choice! You look great!”

“Thanks.”

We drive to the restaurant and I’m in the backseat, of course. It doesn’t take us long to get there. While Uncle Barty and Cassandra are talking, I’m staring out the window and thinking about the time I spent with Ryder earlier.

I catch myself smiling and quickly work on making my expression more neutral. After what Uncle Barty said to me, I definitely don’t want to be caught smiling for no reason. I don’t want my uncle to find out about this at all.

Until Ryder resolves what he needs to resolve, I don’t think I’ll be comfortable with anyone finding out about us.

To be fair, sometimes, I think about how things will be afterward I don’t know how they’re going to work out at all. Hell, I don’t even know what Ryder’s reaction will be when he finds out what I truly am.

A Nocturn.

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09:56 Mon, Mar 2 m •

Chapter 70

An Alpha’s natural enemy, according to the book Cassandra gave me.

ས ཊཱི, 65%

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We arrive at the restaurant and it’s a perfect excuse for me to shu my thoughts down. I’ve been overthinking a lot. When it’s not about Ryder, it’s about this whole situation. I guess the best thing I can do is try not to think about the negatives so much and focus on the positives.

Like how my relationship with him is evolving. How I feel closer to him whenever we’re together. Sometimes, I don’t know who I managed to suppress my urges for so long.

Doing so nearly killed me.

We enter the restaurant, and Cassandra gives her name to the manager. It’s a fancy place, which makes me glad I chose this dress to wear. Honestly, I’ll have to ask Uncle Barty how he managed to afford a place like this, but at the same time, I’m afraid of him telling me he already informed me, and then the allegations of me not being myself will start all over again.

So, I think I’ll just not ask any questions. It’s for the best.

We sit down right at the center of the restaurant. A quick glance round confirms that this restaurant is reserved only for the elites of the pack. Or better yet, the higher-ranking members of the pack. We get a few looks that I choose to ignore for the sake of my well-being, and when we settle into our seats, a waiter brings us some menus and explains the dishes of the day.

Cassandra hits me with her elbow. “Try to relax. Enjoy yourself.”

“Is it that obvious?”

“It is.”

The prices are enough to make me feel like my night has been ruined. I don’t understand how we’ll be able to afford any of this. I order the smallest thing on the menu and feel terrible about it. Cassandra catches up to what I’m doing and tells the waiter I’ll have a steak, like her.

“Cassandra!”

“I told you to have fun!” she forces through her teeth. “And I mean that. Your uncle and I have been saving up for this night, and we’re excited, so don’t offend us, alright?”

I glance at Uncle Barty and he nods with a smile. “Listen to Cassie, Aria. Just enjoy yourself. You don’t have to act like a grownup all the time.”

I arch a brow. “I am a grownup.”

“You’ll always be my little girl,” he replies somewhat emotionally My little Aria.”

His words are very touching. Our drinks arrive. I’m having a sod and they’re having wine. I sip my drink and decide to continue looking around because I was interrupted by the absurd prices earlier.

I look at the left side first, then the right.

And that’s when I see him.

Ryder. And Lizzie, his fiancée. They’re walking into the restaurant and seated not too far away from our table.

Words can’t describe how this breaks my heart. There’s a knot in my throat that can’t be undone no matter how many times I swallow. He hasn’t seen me yet, and I’m really contemplating turning my head away so he won’t see me, but I can’t take my eyes off them either.

I want to run toward him and rip his head off.

How could he do this to me?

2/3

09:56 Mon, Mar 2

Chapter 70

rrr

The sense of betrayal I feel is strong and unshakable. The voice of reason in my mind is as silent as a mouse.

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When he sees me, he freezes, and seeing shock all over his face pleases me, but not enough for me to get over this. His eyes are wide, and when Lizzie speaks to him, he doesn’t seem to be listening to her at all.

Now, I look away. There’s a bitter taste in my mouth that the soda can’t wash down. I try to pay attention to the conversation my uncle and Cassandra are having, but I can’t seem to pay attention.

Suddenly, I feel Cassandra grab my hand under the table. I meet her eyes and see her nodding at me.

She must have noticed. I can’t hide this from her. Can’t lie.

Her holding my hand makes me feel a lot better. Like I’m not alone, and someone understands me. Then, I start hating myself because I’m not this woman at all. I’m not someone who lets these things affect her. It’s this bond that’s changing me because I’ve never felt this way before.

I feel Ryder’s gaze burning into the side of my head, but I still don’t look at him. Finally, when I’ve decided that this is too much and I’ve had enough, I excuse myself from the table and head to the bathroom as quickly as I can.

Once there, I feel like I can breathe again.

But not for long.

The door open and I gasp when I make eye contact with Ryder.

I can’t believe he followed me in here.

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