Ice Blue [ Book One ]

21 // Acceptance

Cut me down
But it's you who'll have further to fall
Ghost town and haunted love
Raise your voice, sticks and stones may break my bones
I'm talking loud not saying much

• • •

Why were they on their knees for me? I looked back at Princeton and saw he, too, was on his knees. But something inside of me told me that it wasn't for the same reason the others were — and not just because his family still stood on their feet behind us.

He looked up at me, his golden-brown gaze meeting my own. So many things passed through those eyes, from affection, to awe, to respect, to joy. He stood first, followed by the rest of his pack as he walked toward me.

"Welcome, Rivera Kingston, to the Blackwood Pack. Just as you have sworn your life to us, we return the same promise to you. As a member of our society, sister in arms, and family." Princeton met my gaze and locked it as he slid his hands over mine, not appearing to be bothered in the slightest as he took the blood soaked daggers from my hands. He turned and lay them across a towel that a young girl held, who then proceeded to disappear with them as quickly as she appeared.

He grabbed a towel from the table at the side and wrapped my arms in it, wiping the blood from the already healing cuts. "You did do well," he said quietly, his eyes resting firmly on me with affection and pride. "I'm so . . . So proud of you," he murmured, leaning forward to brush his lips against my forehead.

A content rumble escaped my throat quietly, just enough for only him to hear. I felt his lips twitch against my forehead before he pulled back and peered at me. His hand brushed tenderly against my cheek and I leaned against it, finding immense comfort in the touch to soothe my rattled nerves.

"You feel like mingling?" he asked after a second, pulling his hand back and instead twining his fingers with mine, stepping closer. I looked down at our intwined hands and back at the crowd.

I suddenly felt like a very small kitten among wolves. My grip tightened intentionally on Princeton's hand and I said, "Um . . . Maybe you could introduce me to your friends?"

Smart, Rivera. I praised myself. Meeting Princeton's friends might ease me into becoming friends with them myself, giving me a bit more of a social life here outside of Princeton's family. They were good company, but I wanted to be more involved in the life of my mate's pack in order to give him a chance to my fullest capabilities.

Princeton smiles at me, a twinkle in those eyes that always make my heart skip a few beats at a time. "Really?" he asked, surprised but pleased. "Are you sure?"

"Of course," I assured him, giving his hand another squeeze. "Baby steps with talking to all these people. Let's start easy. Your friends."

"Baby steps." My mate nodded with understanding as his gaze scanned the crowd of mingling pack members. "I'll mind-link them to a certain area so we don't have to look."

I nodded as he began to lead me across the stage, his presence providing me a comfort that pushed away half the anxiety and insecurities before they had a chance to fester. His thumb was lightly grazing soft webbed area of skin between my forefinger and thumb, sending small but powerful tingles against my nerves.

He helped me down the stairs in the most polite way, his eyes not leaving mine until we joined side by side again, this time his arm wrapping around my waist and his hand resting on my hip.