Ice Blue [ Book One ]

15 // Break, Destroy, Renew

Cause I wanna touch you baby
I wanna feel you too
I wanna see the sun rise
On your sins just me and you

Light it up, on the run
Let's make love tonight
Make it up, fall in love

• • •

"Of course I am," was the dry response I gave my mate and his mother. "Of course I'm the one they want to use to rip apart and spread the guts around like a piñata. Can I have some candy? I'll fill up on it beforehand so that when they beat me open with a stick, they'll have a flavorful surprise."

Princeton growled softly, while Lana looked flabbergasted. "You are not going to die. I'd like to keep you around for a few years before you go and make yourself into a human piñata."

"I'm not a human, first of all," I started, holding my index finger up, followed by my middle finger, "Second of all, you basically just told me that I'm cursed and that the curse results in me being a life size paint gun with red paint to splatter across the forest," I held up my third finger, "and third of all, why would I want to be around just a few more years? Bitch, I want to be around for at least 150."

He growled again, looking to be struggling with being amused or annoyed. "Rivera, this is serious."

"Is it, though?" I cocked my head to the side and drew my knees up to my chest. The action in itself sent a rush of pain throughout my entire body, making me instantly regret the movement. I had two more weeks of this. "Listen, I know. But I use shitty humor when I'm stressed. Just bear with me."

He quirked a brow. "You didn't use shitty humor when I first brought you back."

"There's a difference between anger and stress, Princeton."

Princeton's stupid eyebrow only rose up higher, a silent challenge. I decided not to take the bait and instead turned to turn the conversation to Lana. "So because the Alpha accepted you as his mate, these psychos see it as a form of betrayal?"

"It's just Alejandro, little one," chuckled a deep voice. I nearly pissed myself when I was him standing at the doorway, his eyes cautiously warm. "Plus, I am no longer alpha. That is now my son's title. Just like Lana has given up the Luna title and handed it to you."

My lips parted, but Princeton said, "Just not officially." He flashed me an understanding smile. "One step at a time."

There was a twinkle in Alejandro's eyes. "One step at a time," he agreed goodheartedly, humming softly. He pushed off the doorway and went toward Lana, wrapping an arm around her waist.

I watched as she easily slid into his wrapped arm, tucking neatly into the crook of his side and leaning against him. It was like watching two puzzle pieces designed to fit for one another come together and create an image of one larger thing. It was beautiful, and I never saw that with Andy and myself. I felt like we were similar puzzle pieces, but never quite get the cracks to create an entirely different picture.

But with Princeton . . . I was almost starting to see it. My eyes turned to his, and he sensed the movement. His brown gaze locked with mine, and for a moment, just a moment, it was as if I knew him my entire life.

"But back to your question." Lana's words snapped me out of my intense connection with Princeton. Cheeks flaming, I forced my eyes back to the older woman who was still leaning against her mate. Then she stopped. "I think Alejandro should be the one to tell."

He smiled and kissed the top of her head before using his attention to capture mine. "I'm sure Lana told you about the Omega decrease, the new law, and a bit our history, and, of course, how my family is connected to the Gonzales."