Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)
Chapter 144 - Making Friends Or Making Love... I’ll Sleep On It

Chapter 144: Chapter 144 - Making Friends Or Making Love... I’ll Sleep On It

I was growing inordinately attached to someone I only met a week ago. In a world I barely know, a life that has little to no structure, and a body that was not mine and might not even stay mine, forever.

"This is... concerning."

But even as I tried to dismiss the unease and urges, another thought emerged. If I was going to send this to her like I did with the fish... shouldn’t I include myself in the photo? Even if the looks were Helene’s, it’s not as if I don’t like them.

> The real achievement is mine. Citra Lomdi is the one in control, now. No need to existential panic about that every time something comes up. <

Not second-guessing myself, I positioned the phone for a selfie. Leaning back against the log with my chin raised and a smug expression, I made sure both the embedded arrow and my satisfied face were clearly visible.

The resulting photo captured exactly what I’d intended - proof of both my skill and my attitude about it. I looked confident, competent, and perhaps just a little bit dangerous holding the bow clutched to my chest.

"Perfect."

I murmured with a smile, but made no move to send either of the best images. Instead, I swiped through the photos while deleting the truly undesirable ones. All while wrestling with emotions.

> Why did her hypothetical pride in my achievement seem to matter more than my own satisfaction for a while there? Is it the mate bond? <

Vrika padded over in my mindscape, settling beside my former human form as I sat in the center cross-legged. The wolf had been allowed to see every bit of this internal drama unfold. And its amusement was clear.

> Don’t give me that look. This doesn’t mean anything deep. I just... appreciate competent people recognizing competence in others. That’s all. If I knew anyone else’s number I’d send it to them too! <

The wolf’s tail wagged once, slowly, on the new slab of Composure and it made an interesting swishing noise along it. The creature also reminded me that I had the business cards of two other... nice women that I’ve never bothered with.

Paraphrasing, as the spirit was less than kind over what it bluntly thought of Mira & Ellie. Though I think that is simply because it does not want me getting any ideas. As if I’d been attracted to them like I am-

"Damnit, you. What are you making me think about out here in the middle of nowhere?"

Turning around and heading to the container, I found myself imagining Kyrie’s reaction - to these last two photos. Would her eyes light up with that silly warmth I’d glimpsed? Would she maybe ask me to teach her?

Or maybe she is already proficient with the skill herself... and the fact that I was even wondering so much about her made me grip the compound bow tighter. During these past days, Kyrie Voss had become important to me in ways I really don’t want to acknowledge.

"I need friends. Perspective. You know what? Maybe I will add them to my contacts. Who is going to stop me?"

Besides, if she learns and gets jealous that would be-

My bare fist punches the reinforced steel door as I let the pain shock some sense into me. And I finally allow Vrika to start regenerating all my little aches and pains. As well as the new, very throbbing set of knuckles.

Letting myself inside and placing gear on shelves, I paced for a bit and retrieved the business cards from my backpack. Mira Thornfield and Ellie Rushwater were two werewolves who had shown me kindness when talking to me - so far.

"I do need to start thinking about making allies."

I muttered while opening my phone’s contact app to add their information. The process was simple enough - type in names, numbers, save. I even photographed both cards front and back together before tossing them into a small pile of papers I’d designated as burnable.

The Alpha’s card I kept still. Stuffed alone in the same part of the backpack I’d placed it before, even though it no longer... it probably no longer smells like her. I’m not checking on that.

Feeling hungry, the remaining rabbit meat I’d field-dressed that morning is consumed in wolf form - because it felt right to eat in the guise I caught it in. The Stash being in and out of existence had kept it fresher than not.

And all the enhanced healing and exercise had made me ravenous. As I ate, I found myself thinking about allies and friendship. Had I actually had friends in my old life? Real ones like people in this world supposedly have?

The merchant daughters who’d I spent time with were hardly friends - they’d wanted political connections, trade advantages, or simply the personal prestige of bedding royalty. My siblings - well, Ravi had been the closest thing to a friend I’d ever had.

But there had been other... kind people. The old fox in the gardens. Kitchen staff who’d look the other way when I snuck food or listen to my complaints about etiquette lessons. The human stable master who’d let me help with the horses.

People like Edgar or... maybe Sarah at the thrift shop? Though she was making sales so I’m not sure that counts. Perhaps Anise? Same thing, but she had been nicer than she had to be, considering I had little choice but to buy something to leave the spa in.

My stomach was still rumbling after finishing the last of the rabbit - I probably could have eaten the whole warren of them. Pregnancy and werewolf metabolism were a demanding combination.

I shifted back and opened one of the military ration packs from the hunter’s supplies, reading the label - [Beef Stew with Vegetables]. The pouch felt substantial enough and the instructions were straightforward.

"Can be eaten as is, huh?"

The taste was... adequate. Salty. But it filled the remaining space in my stomach and the calorie count on the package was impressive according to what little I know of that form of science.

"Probably should try it heated also, but that seemed like a lot of work."

With nothing else to do, I laid down on my blanket and played Fox Run for a while. I noticed that there was some sort of thing about adding ’friends’ through contacts. Tapping that showed four entries now.

BK, Mira, Ellie, and Kyrie. A small list compared to the number of people I dealt with regularly in my original world. I thought about texting Mira something casual about the game. Or maybe asking about her archival work.

"...Not all that interested in listening to history lessons at the moment."

I could look up and send Ellie a message about that anime she’d mentioned. Normal friendship things, according to what Helene thought of things. Taking an interest in people and ’showing up’.

But my finger kept hovering over Kyrie’s name instead. With an urge to ask her what she was doing. Maybe what she’d eaten tonight and talk about myself... because I know she’d care to listen.

"Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic. You can go half a day without saying anything to her again."

Closing the phone, I mutter and shove it aside while curling up to sleep early. Tomorrow I’d get up - probably predawn again if I sleep now - and return to the city. Get money, pay Kyrie back.

> Maybe even buy her dinner for once - instead of always being the recipient of her generosity. <

The thought of the look on her face at me offering sends a warmth sprawling inside me that makes Vrika bark twice before circling and curling up in my soul. With a final impression that makes my eyes snap open.

"No, people can have dinner without marking each other! Beast foxes can even spend time hunting together for a while before they ever... damnit, you stupid wolf - what are you making me think about again?!"