Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)
Chapter 158 - Natives Of Dying Digital Worlds

Chapter 158: Chapter 158 - Natives Of Dying Digital Worlds

First things first - I should scope out that meeting location. Then maybe swing by the Oak Knot and gather my backpack of remaining things. After that, I can figure out how to live in a city where everyone else seems to know more about my situation than they should.

> Or maybe I should say a world that knows more than me. Because the system and the Lunar Goddess surely both know way more than they are letting me in on. <

In the case of the first ’person’... well, a day of silence without putting Tasks on my shoulders has not been the worst thing. For now, I had a new address that could be considered mine - and not wherever that mysterious person set up on my ID.

"Makes me wonder if it doesn’t approve of my choice, though. Since it didn’t just give me a sort of mission to do what I was going to do anyway this time, did it?"

It could also be limited in how often it can offer them. I guess there’s not much point worrying about it, other than how it keeps me from marching back in there and retrieving the phone. Actually...

> Maybe it would be smarter to just go without this time. This person is clearly tracking me with it and it would get rid of the temptation to read... ugh, right. The stupid thing is basically my key to get inside this building. <

My wolf huffs at my attempt to avoid the Alpha’s messages. A closed door does not stop our werewolf quality hearing from noticing the chimes of three messages. Steeling myself as best as I can, I rush inside and quickly figure out how to silence notifications.

A quick fix, so that any new ones won’t break down my conviction. I need to start learning how to do that ’ignoring’ that I said I should do days ago.

⧖ ☾ ❄ ☽ ⧖

I pulled open the door and immediately noted how the space smelled of coffee, juice, electronics in use, and... absolutely nothing supernatural. No werewolf scents and no heavy metallic tang of silver - just regular humans and their machines.

Rows of high-end monitors and computers casting blue-toned light across the faces of their users. Many of who were absorbed in whatever digital worlds they’d chosen to inhabit for the evening. The storefront itself promised [Gaming - Internet Cafe - Tech Support].

"Can I help you?"

A young man with elaborate tattoos covering both arms asked from behind the counter as I looked around. Seemingly because the other, older man working the kitchen area itself was elbowing him in the side repeatedly to get his attention.

"Just a juice to go, please. Whatever’s easiest is fine, I’m not picky. Just thirsty."

> I glanced at their online menu, and I really don’t feel like trying to remember all of those game themed options. If it’s citrus, we’ll take a sip and toss the rest. <

While he seemed to rack his brain at my open-ended order, I let my eyes wander back over the layout. Finding lots of open space that would make bolting for the exit easy enough. But the private rooms make me a little nervous since they are on the farthest side

Vrika remained alert as I asked, picking up nothing that concerned the spirit. If this was a place already turned into a hunter’s trap, it was an elaborate one that involved an entire legitimate seeming business as cover.

"I think I’m going to just put you in for a Coconut Cooldown. Alright? That’ll be five bucks."

I handed over a twenty and told him to keep the change, earning a surprised smile. As I waited for him to return with a styrofoam cup and straw, I couldn’t help but watch the customers scattered throughout the space.

Some were quietly working, others were taking a break for a meal near where I was. But I was probably the only one in here that was just stopping by with plans to head right back out. Unlike the group that seemed like they had been here a while and would be longer still.

Teenagers that were clustered around gaming stations at one end of the shop... with excited chatter punctuated by the rapid clicking of keyboards, controllers, and mice. They were playing something that involved teamwork.

> At least I hope that’s why that one is yelling at the other for a ’buff’ and requesting ’tighter rotations’... <

A hollowness formed in my chest as I watched them. When the endless winter of this apocalypse began, would places like this still exist in a year? Would there be ample electricity to power computers for leisure time?

Community. Fun. This may be a higher tech version of it, but they are still the sort of simple necessary joys that children should have access to. Even as royalty, I was allowed - and made - to mingle with other young foxes.

Would the child I was carrying ever get to experience something as innocent as playing games with friends? Or will it be only bleakness that awaits them as everything freezes.

"Here you go."

My spiral of dim thoughts was broken as the cup was place on the counter. I thanked him as I grabbed it and headed for the door, but not before taking one last look at the mix of teenagers.

> That’s what childhood should look like. Learning. Playing. Being safe. Safe enough to spend time on things that don’t ultimately matter, just because they are fun. <

The city felt colder when I stepped back on the street - both evening air and chilled drink. I took a sip, the prickly bright hint of lime made me grimace... but the floral sweet of pineapple made me hold off chucking the cup in the first trash container I passed.

Coconut was a creamy taste that cleansed at the tail end some of what might have been left lingering of the other two. Altogether it was enjoyable enough that I found myself draining it before discarding a few minutes later.

I’d been walking without a clear route, even if I knew my destination. Because every glimpse of normalcy made me feel like I was carrying some terrible secret. One that would destroy all of that behavior for everyone.

> Because we do carry that information. We know what’s coming and they don’t. <

The understanding of that hit me anew as I found myself turning onto a familiar street. Without intending to come by here at all. Ahead, I could see the signage for Silverton Women’s Health Clinic.

If even medical visits were becoming public knowledge in their social circles, continuing to see Dr. Lang here was too risky. I should probably cancel my follow-up appointment at the clinic in the morning, even if that meant giving up prenatal care during a crucial time.

"People had babies before doctors... and beasts know what their child needs. I’ll figure something out."

I turned away, annoyed by how things had just worked out like this. The way to get back on the quickest path to the Oak Knot was right here where I’d confirmed the pregnancy that was at the center of deceptions. Right where a set of rogues decided they would stalk after me...

> And Kyrie rushed to my rescue. Like a- <

Vrika’s sudden alertness made me stand still. My wolf had detected something that made its hackles rise - even more than back then. Something that did not belong in this particular place. Didn’t belong in the city at all....

> Duskpaw. No... not just that. <

Chad.

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