Ice Princess (Little Alpha Book 2)

Chapter 49

"Are you and ZeeZee still fighting?"

I smoothed my sister's hair.  "Is that what he told you?"

She shook her head.  "He's just all the way over there and you are here."

I sighed.  "That's true, I guess.  Now, as fun as this is, Ladybug, we need to get some rest."

She pouted.  "But there are more shells to find and castles to build."

I chuckled.  "None of that will get done in the dark."

She looked at me hopefully.  "Will ZeeZee walk us to the room?"

I tilted my head.  "Is that what you want?"  She nodded and I forced myself to smile.  "Then you better go get him."

She beamed and sprang up before running off.  "ZeeZee!"

My mother giggled.  "She's become attached to him."

I stood and crossed my arms, letting my smile fall.  "Shouldn't have let it get this far."

She put her hands on my shoulders.  "You can't stay mad at him."

I pursed my lips.  "I'm not, however, he cost me a life that needed to be ended."

She sighed.  "He cares about you and Zoey."

I rolled my eyes.  "If you're gonna give me the same speech as Xavier, save it.  I'll speak with Ryan and Toni about it, at least they'll see it my way."

Her hands squeezed.  "He won't stay gone, you'll have your blood, I'm sure."

I shook her off.  "Not soon enough, you don't seem bothered at all that I plan to end both of the men you claimed to love."

She paused.  "Yes, I care for each of them, but I love my children more."

I met her gaze then.  "I hope that holds true when the time comes."

That offended her.  "You don't trust me."

"You said it yourself, you are weak around them... I need to know that won't cost me in the future."

She frowned.  "You have some nerve."

I held her gaze, watching.  "And yet... you have said nothing to the contrary."

"How can yo-"

"Xavier and even Zoey have already voiced where they stand, when I asked.  Where do you?"

She clenched her jaw.  "With my children... always with them."

I nodded, starting to feel tired.  "Good."

She relaxed a fraction.  "You really have a way of exerting your power, it could cost you a lot.  Lashing out because your mad is the worst thing to do."

I sighed.  "I lack a certain delicacy, but that will become more obvious soon.  See you tomorrow?"

She searched my face.  "Of course."

"Mommy!  Today was fun!"

She smiled.  "It was wonderful and thank you Ezekiel for helping."  I grumbled under my breath and her smile widened.  "I hope to see you soon."

I raised my eyebrows as he hesitated.  "Hopefully."

I crossed my arms and started walking.  "Take care of my girls."

I bit my cheek.  "Always."

"Vivi, wait!"  I dropped my head, but froze.  "We gots to catch up, ZeeZee.  Night night, Mommy."

When they came up beside me, I started walking again.  "Did you have fun, Ladybug?"

She was smiling from ear to ear.  "So much, thank you both."

I leaned over and kissed her forehead.  "That makes me happy."

She looked between Ezekiel and I.  "Still fighting..."

I tugged her hair.  "Don't worry yourself about such things."

She pouted.  "But..."

I chuckled.  "Shower and bed for you, Little One."

She sighed.  "But it's my birthday."

I raised my eyebrows.  "Yes and you must grow big and strong."

She smiled.  "Like you two!"

I keyed us into the room.  "Yes, like us."  I led her to her room and barely glanced over my shoulder.  "You should shower too."

I didn't give him time to respond and got Zoey ready for bed.  Her eyelids were already falling when she laid down.  "One more wish."

I smiled softly.  "I'm listening."

Her voice began to fade.  "Fix it before I wake up..."

I kissed her forehead and began to stroke her face.  "We'll see."  I finished our routine and glanced at Ezekiel before gathering my night clothes and disappearing into the bathroom.  I felt as his eyes followed me as he sat on the bed and fought the shiver that went down my spine.

I took my time, hoping he'd fall asleep before I finished, or left, but I wasn't actually sure if he booked himself another room for the night.  "Knowing him... probably not."

I forced myself to frown as my heart fluttered when I came back out.  "Shall we continue our conversation?"  I crossed my arms and leaned against the door frame.  "Violet..."

I sighed and looked away from him.  "It's in the past, nothing can be done about it now."

He clenched his fists.  "So... that's it then?"  I looked at him curiously.  "You said we were a mistake, that we shouldn't have let it get this far."

I lowered my gaze.  "I won't say I'm wrong... neither will kneel to the other, seems we were destined to fail."

He closed the distance between us and I met his gaze.  "I don't believe that."

I raised my eyebrows.  "Which part?  You know I will not join your pack and you would be a fool to think yours would join mine willingly, regardless of your affections."

His jaw flexed.  "That doesn't mean we will fail."

I heard his desperation as much as I felt it.  "Ezekiel, I care for you, I want us to work.  Please never think otherwise, but it doesn't make sense... we don't make sense."

He flared his nostrils.  "So that's it then?  Just give up?"

I pursed my lips.  "I don't know how to respond to that."

He searched my eyes.  "Would you even care?  If I said fuck it and walked out, would you even shed a single fucking tear?"

My heart broke at the thought.  "Yes... but that doesn't mean I wouldn't understand."

He growled.  "And you'd just keep moving forward?"

I bit my lip.  "What do you want me to say?  Clearly my responses are not what you want to hear."

His rage and wolf were barely contained.  "That'd you'd fight... not for your pack, but for us.  Ever since we met you've been fighting against us... against our bond.  We know there is something you're not telling us.  A trump card."

I licked my lips.  "There's a lot I haven't told you, much of it you wouldn't understand.  Including what it would take to complete the mating ritual.  What it would mean for you."

He paused at that.  "What are you talking about?  We're basically halfway there."

I searched his eyes.  "For the way things are done now, maybe, but my bloodline is far older and requires... a bit more.  You don't wonder why the marks are different?"

He blinked.  "I just thought..."

I smiled softly.  "You thought wrong."