Ice Princess (Little Alpha Book 2)

Chapter 48

I clenched my jaw as I saw Ezekiel talking to Xavier on the boardwalk, but brushed it aside as Zoey ran towards the ocean. "Slow down, Ladybug."

She giggled, delighted as she hit the water. "But it's so fun!"

I played with her and felt his gaze on us as he watched, keeping his distance. That became the theme of the evening, rather than just cutting his losses and leaving, he hovered, keeping us in his sights. His anger ever present, but it was outdone by his worry and his fondness of seeing Zoey enjoying her day. She would glance over at him sometimes and smile, but the older part of her knew better then to beckon him closer.

When night fell and we heard a sizzle and pop. Zoey looked up and beamed. "Fireworks!"

I followed her gaze as another burst in the sky. "He didn't..." The next one burst and it bloomed into the shape of a crown. "That fucking bastard did..."

Zoey squealed. "Vivi! It's so pretty!" She spun and flopped back into my lap to watch. Her joy and awe was intoxicating as I felt a twinge in my chest. I watched as this display continued, my head and heart warring as Zoey commented every so often. My head lost in the end as the words 'Happy Birthday' were scrawled across the night sky. "Thank you!"

I dropped my head as my eyes burned. "It was Ezekiel, Ladybug. You should go tell him."

She looked at me curiously. "You won't come?"

I shook my head. "I'll be right here, won't move an inch." I watched as she sped off and leaped into his arms, talking excitedly. "Damn if I don't hate him..." He smiled and waited patiently as she spoke before responding. "Fuck if I don't love him..."

I could have watched them for ages as I felt my twin behind me. "Bastard got away..."

I sighed. "They worried... so they came..."

He plopped in the sand beside me. "So... you really let him mark you for the Season."

"That's not a question."

"Well, that is a very impressive tattoo if you didn't."

I scoffed. "Why do you bring it up?"

He sighed. "Because you still haven't done the deed... because it obvious you love him and are fighting it with everything you are."

I rolled my eyes. "We ha-"

"A pack to think about, yeah, I've heard it all, Violet." I turned at his disgruntled tone. "It's all bullshit. You know it just as well as I do. You're afraid."

I pursed my lips. "Of what, pray tell."

He looked behind me, at the only two people I would move heaven and earth for. "Not being in control, of being happy and just living. We are 17, Violet, you can take a breather and just be a kid for once."

I frowned. "You act like I asked for any of this."

He sighed. "No... it was kinda thrust on you, very violently, but Vi... he's here, you've given him every reason to turn tail and run, but there he is holding Zoey in his arms, listening to her every word like that's his child. If he was doing that to try to get on your good side, I would say nothing, but he loves her because you love her and would do anything for her."

I scowled. "I feel I've heard this before, but he let Viorel slip away. You know what that means, for all of us."

He shrugged. "So, not like we've really been safe anyway, now he is outside of our borders rather than poisoning us from within."

"I prefer him dead, Xavier, and anyone who would do us harm."

He sat back on his hands. "And with your sheer determination and their lack of staying the fuck away... it'll happen. Just not today."

I narrowed my eyes. "I hate you, just so you know."

He smirked. "Well I'll keep that in mind as I find my enjoyment for the night, Little Sister."

I grimaced, disgusted. "How the fuck do you stand it? Random girls, almost every night."

He looked over the water sadly. "To be honest, it's just to sate the hunger. If I had the choice, I'd have found my mate and been done with it, not all of us are so lucky."

I looked back at where Zoey was now beating up, William. "Am I though? One of us will have to give, Xavier, we can't really be together and not in the same pack."

He patted my shoulder. "That, is another question for another day. For now, just enjoy this, besides... I've already sent the invitations for our little dinner. I'm guessing he'll want to be your date to fend off the men who will be sniffing around."

I glared at him. "We never agre-"

He smirked. "You... never agreed on a date. Aurora and I, however, know you never would and the sooner we end this, the easier we all breathe."

I huffed. "Whatever..."

"Time for Zoey to go to bed and she is still there."

I lowered my gaze. "I know... You do know he will interfere..."

He sighed. "He will try, but I'm sure we can make it so he doesn't. He will probably hate us all after though."

I nodded closing my eyes against the pain the thought caused. "That's gonna suck. Easier when I'm the one that's pissed."

He laughed. "I'm sure, but we have the treaty. Whomever he chooses to bring will hold him to it."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, sure."

***

It hurt, watching them play and not being able to join, but watching was better than not being here at all. Damn if she couldn't hold a grudge, it took all evening for her to even crack. I felt it when the fireworks started and hope bloomed in my chest as Zoey ran towards me. "Thank you, ZeeZee."

I smiled. "Did you enjoy your day?"

She beamed. "Yes..." I half listened as I saw Xavier talking to her. Whatever he was saying was striking a nerve as her anger started to fade leaving fear in its wake. I wanted to know what she was so afraid of. It was always there though other emotions would overpower it most of the time.

I refocused on Zoey as she finished telling me about the beach. "I'm happy you enjoyed it, Princess."

"Yeah, next time you should ask for a niece or nephew, I'm sure he'll be happy to make it happen."

She frowned. "No, I don't want that."

He chuckled. "Another kid to play with an-"

She jumped down and attacked him. "No! They are mine!"

I smiled. "Told you to stop messing with her."

He laughed as he blocked her blows, careful not to hurt her. "You shouldn't be this strong!"

She laughed. "I'm not even hitting you that hard!"

I laughed as she somehow made it to his back and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Mercy! Mercy!"

She giggled. "Oh no, say no other kids, right now."

He laughed. "Okay none for right now."

She beamed. "Good, I don't wanna share."

I knelt to her level and ruffled her hair when she got down. "It's time for bed."

She pouted. "But..."

I sighed as I gave her a hug. "I will be of little help."

She smiled. "It's okay, it wouldn't matter anyway."

I watched her run back to Violet and sighed. "You know, you could just suck it up at this point and talk to her."

I glared at my Beta. "You really want me dead."

He chuckled. "That's a possibility, but really, you just look miserable, man."

I dropped my head. "That's cause I am."