The Ice Alpha’s Mate (Aria and Ryder) novel Chapter 90

Chapter 90

ARIA

I’m flustered.

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I can’t even think straight after the interaction I had with Ryderst now. I keep walking, praying to the goddess that he won’t come after me.

For a moment there, I almost convinced myself that he wasn’t lying when he mentioned that the whole thing I’d witnessed was a setup. There was just so much sincerity in his words that I couldn’t help but feel like he was telling the truth.

But of course, I returned to my senses. I can’t fall for his tricks again.

How many times should I get hurt because of him?

I’ll be walking home today because Uncle Barty will be busy for the entirety of the day. It’s an opportunity for me to clear my head, that’s for sure. Lately, Ryder has become so unpredictable. It’s pure hell, not knowing what to expect from him.

A rejection would solve all this, but he won’t let me go. Why? Why should he keep tormenting me?

“Aria.”

The voice startles me. I look over my shoulder and see Ray sticking his head out of the window of his car. His smile is broad and dimpled. “Hey. Did I scare you?”

“A little,” I admit.

“Didn’t mean to do that. I saw you, and, well…Do you need a ride”

I look at the stretch of road ahead of me. I was really looking forward to a walk. Plus, what if Ryder is watching? Oh, goddess.

I don’t need more trouble. I look back at Ray and tell him, “Actually, I was just going to stick to walking.”

He stares at my face for so long that I look away, feeling uncomfortable. “You sure?”

“Yes.”

“No, you’re not.”

I frown. “I’m sure. I don’t need-”

“I was watching you. I saw it when Ryder Drexel walked up to you. You seemed to be arguing. I wanted to intervene, but then he walked away. You don’t look so good, Aria. I’m sorry for being this direct, but I feel responsible for you.”

“You really don’t have to. I’m fine. I can manage things on my own.”

“Yeah, but we’re friends, right?” He tilts his head to the side. “I like taking care of the people who’re close to my heart. What did Ryder Drexel want from you?”

“I…really don’t want to talk about it.”

“That bad, huh?”

“It’s fine,” I insist. “I can manage.”

“What if he comes after you and I’m not around to make sure you’re okay?” he questions. A car is coming up fast behind him and honks loudly because of how slowly he’s driving, then overtakes him. Ray doesn’t seem bothered at all.

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09:59 Mon, Mar 2

Chapter 90

“You haven’t always been around, and I managed just fine.”

“Yeah, well I’m here now, and I won’t have any peace of mind unless you let me take you home.”

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He’s being so insistent that it awakens a stubborn part of me that would say no until tomorrow if necessary. Then, I ask myself why I’m so opposed to him driving me home. I can just think when I reach my room. I’ll lock myself in my room and lose myself in my thoughts. My regrets.

Plus, he’s being nice about it.

Thunder rumbles in the distance and his forehead wrinkles as he looks up at the sky. “See that? I’m your guardian angel, it seems. If you walk home, you’ll be drenched in no time. Then, you’ll catch a cold, and remember, you’re a medic. Your team needs you. Hell, the whole pack needs you. What do you say?”

I never planned to walk in the rain. “Okay. Fine.”

His smile is broad, and he watches me as I make my way around the car. I settle into the passenger’s seat and he grins. “Thank you.”

“What’re you thanking me for?”

He steps on the gas and doesn’t answer my question. A couple of minutes later, he says, “You know, Ryder and I go way back.” When I don’t say anything, he turns his head to look at me. “We’re rivals on the ice. I figured you should hear it from me and not anyone else.”

This comes as a surprise to me, and I don’t know why, but it doesn’t sit well with me at all. “I never asked you what pack you were from.”

“Moonveil.”

I tense. Oh, I know Moonveil pretty well. Ryder lost two important games to them not too long ago. Ray points at his scarred cheek and says, “You know who did this to me? Ryder. On the rink.”

My eyes widen. “What? Really?”

Ray nods solemnly. “Yeah. You know, I know that as an ice hockey player, injuries and even scars are to be expected, but this hit me pretty hard. It’s my face, you know? Every time I look in the mirror, I’m reminded of him. That means I think about him every single day of my fucking life. It’s tough.”

The more he talks, the worse I feel. I don’t know why my wolf feels so guilty when it had nothing to do with this at all. Ryder was the one who hurt him.

“I’m sorry you went through that,” I say genuinely.

“I am, too.”

It’s not long before he parks right outside our house. “Here you go.”

“Thanks, Ray. Really.”

“You’re welcome, Aria.”

He looks at me for a long time. I zone out because I’m thinking about Ryder and his warning. He’s such a jerk. It’s like he wants to isolate me so he can manipulate me as much as he wants. Next, he’ll tell me my uncle is no good.

I flinch when Ray closes the distance between us rapidly, and his lips nearly touch mine. My eyes widen and embarrassment washes over me. “I’m sorry,” I say quickly, not sure why I’m apologizing. “I just…I have to go.”

“I’m the one who’s sorry, Aria,” he says calmly. He doesn’t look at all fussed about my blatant rejection. “I shouldn’t have done

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09:59 Mon, Mar 2

Chapter 90

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that. I just…can’t seem to get you off my mind. And hey, I mean hat. It caught me completely by surprise. There’s just something about you.”

My face is as red as a tomato at this point, and though I don’t want to seem rude, I really have to go. I say goodbye to him, thank him for dropping me off, and then get out of the car. I’m aware of his eyes on me the entire time, but I don’t look back at him. It starts raining, and I race to the front door while searching for the house keys in my bag.

I unlock the door, open it, and head inside. As soon as I’m about to close it, a foot gets in the way, and when I look up, I see Ray.

“What’re you doing?”

“Open the door wider and I’ll tell you.”

My heart starts beating really fast. I have a bad, bad feeling about this. “Ray…I need to close the door.”

“You want to close the door,” he corrects. Smiling the whole time. “You don’t need to.”

“Please.”

“I just want to talk to you.”

I react quickly. I open the door just a little before slamming it shut with all my strength, but it’s not enough. Ray pushes it

with his shoulder, and then he’s inside my house.

open

I scream just as he lunges at me.

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