The Ice Alpha’s Mate (Aria and Ryder) novel Chapter 80

Chapter 80

ARIA

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I’m not paying attention to History at all, even when Professor Denver calls my name loudly and tells me to.

I just can’t find it in me to care.

The rest of the day goes by like this. By the time my last lesson rolls around, I don’t even bother pulling out my notebook. I thought I would feel angrier, thus more in control of myself, when I saw him, but it has demoralized me completely because my wolf still calls to him in ways I can’t understand.

He betrayed me. Took me for an idiot.

Why, oh why, can’t I find it in me to hate him as much as I should?

I immediately blame our bond for this, which is why I wanted to reject him. But he didn’t give me a chance to do it and I didn’t try again.

I should’ve, but I didn’t.

Instead, I let him walk away.

I don’t know when I’ll have another chance to make it happen when I’m genuinely terrified of being close to him. I’m so afraid of falling for his lies again that I’m willing to do whatever possible to stay away from him.

I don’t even know how I’m going to make it to practice. I don’t want to be anywhere near him and I’m sure he won’t quit trying to lie to my face again. So, when I reach the rink, I go to my uncle’s office right away and tell him:

“I don’t feel so well. I don’t think I can help around today, Unc.”

Do I have a plan for after this? No. I’ll deal with it tomorrow when it comes. Right now, what I really need is to stay the hell away from him. Hopefully, the next time we’re face-to-face, I’ll be more in control of myself and my emotions, and I’ll deal with this situation like the adult I am and not a hurt little girl.

This is all my fault. I’m the one who was practically begging to be tricked.

“What’s the matter? You looked so much better this morning.”

“Yeah. I don’t know.”

He presses the back of his hand to my clammy forehead and proclaims, “Your temperature’s fine, but you look terrible. I think we ought to call Cassandra. She’ll know how to help you. Aia, don’t be stubborn about this.”

I’m still shaking my head. “No, there’s no need for that. Really. I be fine. I just need to go home and…rest.”

Uncle Barty watches me without saying a word. I manage to make it outside without being stopped. I breathe in the fresh air after I reach the parking lot, and give myself a few moments to think. To breathe.

But of course, the moment is interrupted by Ryder calling my name. I tense immediately and start walking without looking back. It’s not long before I’m sprinting, and I hear his pounding feet behind me, getting closer and closer.

“Aria!”

Of course, he catches up to me. He pushes me up against a nearby car and presses the front of his body against mine. I get flashes of that night that should’ve never happened and my cheeks get hot with shame.

“Let me go!”

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09:57 Mon, Mar 2

Chapter 80

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“What’s the matter with you!?” he shouts. “What the hell is wrong with you!? Why won’t you tell me what I did to upset you? Why don’t you want to talk to me, Aria?”

“Don’t touch me!” I yell, fighting him off. “How dare you? You really do think I’m an idiot, don’t you?”

Frustrated, he asks me, “Why do you keep saying that!? Just tell me what I did wrong! Make me understand! You’re my mate, Aria. Do you understand that? You’re my mate!”

“Don’t call me that! I’m not your mate! This is…This was all a misunderstanding. A cosmic joke.”

Ryder is such a good actor. The pain in his eyes is so convincing. He stops trying to grab me and there’s a sliver of space between us now. “Don’t say that.”

“I will!” I yell. My throat is hoarse at this point. “I’ll say it because it’s true! It took me going out on Friday night to a place I never go to, to realize that! And to think I was so worried about what you were going to think!”

Ryder frowns. “Aria, right now, it’s like you’re speaking a completely different language. I don’t understand what you mean. What happened Friday night?”

I fold my arms in disbelief. He’s really going down this route? “Where were you on Friday?”

“Me?” He frowns and presses his fingers to the space between his eyebrows. “I was at the new bar, but I don’t remember anything that happened. I swear it. You were there? How? What did I do?”

“You really think I’m stupid, don’t you?”

Ryder shakes his head. “No, Aria. I don’t think that. You’re the smartest person I’ve ever met, and I’m not trying to deceive you. I passed out. I don’t know what happened that night. I woke up Saturday afternoon in my bed. My head hurts even now. I swear it. I don’t know what happened. What did you see? What did I do? Did I say something to you?”

I start walking away from him because I can’t stand this falseness He’s so fake. How can he act like he passed out when I saw him with someone else, someone who so happens to be his ex-girlfriend? Ryder calls my name again, but this time, he doesn’t follow.

At least, I think he won’t.

But just when I’m about to be relieved, he starts following me again, and this time, I’m surprised by the extent of my own

anger.

“Aria, if you could just-”

I whirl around. “LEAVE ME ALONE!”

Ryder staggers backward, eyes wide, and I stare at him in absolute hatred before confusion washes over me.

Goddess. I don’t even recognize myself. I’m turning into someone else and it’s all his fault.

All of it.

I start walking away. He keeps his eyes on me, I can sense him looking, but he doesn’t follow me this time. I make it home alone, but heartbroken. I can’t explain what happened when I yelled at him, but I keep remembering how the force of my words seemed to push him back and away from me.

And Ryder sensed it. I saw it in his eyes.

I open the door of our home, prepared to let myself go and let the tears I’ve been holding all day flow, but when I see Cassandra standing in the kitchen, I halt.

She smiles apologetically at me. “Didn’t mean to scare you. Your uncle called me in the morning. I told him I’d try to make a

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09:57 Mon, Mar 2

Chapter 80

turn. Here I am.”

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I nod because I don’t know what else to say, and Cassandra folds her arms and stares at me intently, but with pity in her eyes. “Now, you’ll tell me the whole story, young lady. From beginning to end. Don’t lie. It isn’t good for the soul.”

Surprisingly, I do.

And the tears flow even when I try with all my might to keep them away.

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