Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)
Chapter 157 - Wolves In Glass Houses

Chapter 157: Chapter 157 - Wolves In Glass Houses

Location coordinates were sent along with a text from BoundaryKeeper. The fact that I am at all disappointed that it was not some sort of follow up from the Alpha who I haven’t texted back about dinner yet... sucks.

BK: [Meeting location above. 9:45 PM. Will book a private room under your name.]

> I suppose we should deal with one benefactor at a time. Technically I promised this person first. And I... I don’t think I can deal with meeting with Ms. Voss. <

Thinking of her name professionally like that should have felt disconnecting, but all I could picture was how the name means ’fox’ - and a hand in a photo teaching me a gesture from this world.

Sliding the phone back into my pocket, I start walking again. The section of downtown these apartments are in? Is very clean, very nice, and has a light presence of werewolves.

I’ve seen three that I could smell in a short time here, compared to seeing none in some sections of the city. One struck me as being a likely Rimecoat pack member on patrol, but not the other two. They were all clothed nicely enough, so were less likely to be rogues.

> May have even been the Cloudtail themed scarf on the second male. I hope they are mostly passing through, but if I have to have supernatural neighbors, so be it. Just keep paying attention. <

My destination rose up from one corner of a quadrangle - and the closer I got to it the more it seemed like an example of everything I’d been denying myself. No doorman here like that hotel, just opaque glass doors with a fancy technological lock system.

Opened with a simple swipe of the application that was available to download - and the access card they’d attached to my account. The lobby floor gleamed with polished tile under the not too harsh lighting.

"Elegant and welcoming. Not terrible."

For longer than I’d like to admit, I stood and cut my eyes between the elevator and the stairwell. But riding to the fifteenth floor was an interesting experience. The initial jolt and motion made me queasy.

> I can get used to it. I’ll have to. <

When the doors opened with a soft chime, I could see a dark carpeted hallway that smelled faintly of vanilla incense and new paint. The Oak Knot had been cleaner than the Starlight Suites, but there was still a lot of lingering stale cigarette smell there.

"Another improvement."

Stepping out of that potential deathbox - why humans were so keen to give up such control of their survival to machines on the regular just to save time was beyond me - I made haste to apartment 15-02.

The door had a digital lock and needed the access code punched in on a keypad. Half-expecting it not to work despite the confirmation email that her card had been charged, the lock clicked open with a beep and I turned the handle before it relocked.

"Better."

Praise again escaped before I could stop it. Floor-to-ceiling windows made up the exterior wall, offering an exciting view of that side of the city. The sightline, where buildings were not in the way, even stretched all the way to the forest where I’d spent the last few days.

Without the switch flipped to engage the automated drapes, light from the late afternoon made it’s way through and set the interior of the living area in a deep yellow glow. An area furnished with clean-lined furniture in neutral tones.

A taupe colored sectional sofa faced a thin, wall-mounted television that felt three times the size of the one the motel had - and fifteen years newer. The coffee table was made of some sort of dark wood that felt solid and expensive under my fingertips.

> This is what money beyond poverty actually buys in any world. Not just shelter, but beauty. <

Vrika padded through my mindscape as I replicated my visual experience fully for it to enjoy. Even a beast could appreciate the qualities of greater space. It may have been called a single bedroom apartment, but the whole place is probably more than twice the size and it shows.

I set my shopping bags down carefully on the coffee colored granite ’island’ that partially separated the kitchen from the living area. Gleaming stainless steel appliances and deep countertops were a big difference from the kitchenette.

A gas range that looked like it belonged in a restaurant just makes me realize that I’d only really microwaved a few things so far. The size of a real fridge... makes me wonder how I was making do.

> A normal person could store weeks of food in there. I’d still only have to go shopping every week for fresh food, now. Instead of every other day with a mini-fridge. <

The bedroom was also impressive. What the listing said was a queen-sized bed was seen with crisp white linens when I opened the door. Next to it, sat a white vanity with a mirror and more space for belongings than I could need.

"Maybe I should look into make-up. Might be nice to enjoy it before it’s gone."

Another window faced out of a whole different wall side, thanks to the corner unit’s location. I glimpse out at a certain structure for only a moment - because of course I’ll be able to see her tower from my new bed, with this goddess cursed luck.

As a distraction, I walk to the attached bathroom to look at a shower that was large enough that I wouldn’t bump my elbows on the wall. An issue that has happened a few times. My head tilts as I admire the premium fixtures.

"Two people probably... wouldn’t bump elbows either..."

I shake my head and leave that room which was proving to be a worse choice for my thoughts. Instead, I pulled out my phone and aimed it right at the original offender. The city spread out below Lunarizon Tower in the distance.

Snapping pictures, deleting those with problems and picking one I liked best. Sent out with a message that I didn’t hink too hard about. Because what use is thinking hard about something that isn’t going to amount to anything soon?

C: [Moved to a better place. One of your recommendations. The view includes your tower. Well played.]

After dropping the phone face-down on the bed and closing the bedroom door, I found myself standing in the center of the living room and brushing through my let down hair. Whatever Kyrie’s response would be, I wasn’t ready to deal with it yet.

> Addressing her question about a meal? <

My lilac eyes stare at the inquisitive black wolf in my mindscape, before I turn away and begin to pet through the cream colored hair of my original form. No longer sure if I’m accurately recalling the texture that it had.

Because it’s starting to feel a bit too much like what I’m feeling out in reality.