Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)
Chapter 31 - A Game Of Cushioned Thrones

Chapter 31: Chapter 31 - A Game Of Cushioned Thrones

Tess led me into a dimly lit room behind a set of ’frosted’ glass doors. A place with more of their opulent seating arranged in a series of small, semi-private alcoves separated by decorative wooden panels.

Gently gurgling water features along the walls left an ambient noise in the quiet room where a few other like-robed figures sat quietly. Some sipped from delicate cups or simply rested with closed eyes.

It reminded me of a room that a certain Duke had within his mansion. Though his was filled only with the beauties he collected as wives.

My eldest brother had no desire to be the next monarch, but he took to forming ties with the aristocracy at large and our royal line quite... enthusiastically.

"This is our relaxation lounge. It’s designed for transitions between treatments. Please, make yourself comfortable."

"I will."

After sitting in the empty spot she gestured toward, a cushioned seat practically consumed me, the woman brought over a cup that looked like the others. I accepted the fragrant tea with a grateful nod.

"This tea with honey is particularly good, I believe. Just let the main attendant here know if you need anything else. Alright?"

With a slow hum delivered her way, Tess nodded back at me. She was likely used to people being too relaxed to bother responding.

"I’ll return in about fifteen minutes to take you to your massage to give time for your skin to rest."

The drink was very soothing, with hints of chamomile and mint that reminded me of the palace gardens. The place I was at before ending up in this world.

> I used to get in trouble for rolling in patches of wild mint on the outskirts of it. <

Soft instrumental music played in the room as an undertone to this environment. A lot of details went into making it all very easy to be at peace here.

Effort somewhat ruined by the presence of certain people. In one corner, a woman with sleek auburn hair had watched me enter with undisguised interest.

Unlike the others, she wore a robe in pale blue rather than the spa’s standard white. The others also paid me no particular attention.

Each of them were wrapped in their own bubble of tranquility that I was sure would soon not belong to me.

> The question is are they here to scope me out because they know something, or is this simply a random encounter? <

I closed my eyes, allowing myself a couple moments of genuine relaxation in the public space before I may be forced to speak.

Stretching out my legs while seated felt amazing. The smoothness of my skin is already so impressive, I can only imagine how supple and glowing I will be after an oil is applied!

"I don’t believe we’ve met."

My eyes open slowly, feigning my lack of concern for her presence. The werewolf in the blue robe stood right at the entrance to my alcove... with one perfectly manicured hand resting on top of the wooden screen.

> Trying to own my space. Are all of the city wolves like this? <

I could see what looked like actual diamonds on her fingers, set on silvery metal bands. Surely they must be of a different construction than it looks - perhaps what they call ’platinum’?

"I’m Victoria Whitecrest."

She introduced herself with a smile that didn’t show in her eyes. Without waiting for an invitation or reaction, the woman took the seat opposite mine with exaggerated grace.

The name struck me immediately. Whitecrest... a name connected to the Rimecoat pack.

One of their prominent families due to two of the last four Alphas hailing from their lineage. While pack dynamics here are a little different at times than human nobility...

It could be very annoying to have to deal with children of legacy in any society.

"I don’t recall ever seeing you at Crystalline before."

"This is my first visit."

My reply is neutral - without giving any wariness or challenge. Though, appearing not to be phased while taking another sip of tea does cause her nostrils to flare in a certain way.

An obvious sign that she is checking my scent in ’our circle’. I kept my face impassive despite this little show.

Because she clearly already knew what I was before she approached me, just as I did when I entered the room with her.

Loud herbal, floral, and other scents can not hide the pheromones that signal our kind. Only whatever strange medical science that made scent blockers could do that.

"How fortunate. Our city’s little sanctuary isn’t exactly advertised to the general public."

The giant sign atop the building would disagree. As well as the friendly way they did not turn me away, despite how I looked.

But I guess she is just ’swinging wildly’? Kind of disappointing, I’d expected more of a verbal spar to happen.

> Vrika, I know I am biased when I call all of you stupid wolves, but one of you is going to have to prove me wrong eventually. <

Willfully, I ignore its insistence that the CEO who sent me here must be rather smart. I wasn’t asking to be corrected!

"A friend recommended it to me."

"Must be quite the friend. The deluxe package isn’t... accessible to just everyone."

I set my cup down gently. She gives her cards away so quickly just to get a little more information.

Unless I’ve misunderstood and this specific lounge is only for those with that ’premium’ designation, I now know that she has some sort of connection to spy on the specifics of others in this place.

So much for a very private location.

"How observant of you to notice my potential connections. And?"

"I make it my business to know what happens in our territory. Particularly when it involves... unexpected visitors."

Her brown eyes flicked to the shoulder where my braid had been earlier.

"You know, I could have sworn I caught a glimpse of you earlier with a rather distinctive hairstyle. From one of the forest friendly packs, perhaps?"

So she’d recognized the Duskpaw braid. While I certainly don’t think I am perfect - really! - I find it odd that I never once noticed her smell until now.

Should that mean she saw me through glass while in another room? No, perhaps on a security camera...

My heart rate had increased slightly, but years of court intrigue against nobles far craftier than this werewolf had taught me how to maintain a perfectly composed exterior. I calmly signal the attendant staffing the room for more tea before turning back.

"You seem to have been paying a lot of attention to me. Could it be because you need something specifically? Perhaps some advice on how to attract a mate?"

Her smile tightened as I held my face lazily in my hand. As nervous as I am provoking her, part of me is thrilled by the danger of it.

> Yes, I know. Something is wrong with me. Just take my side even when things go wrong, because I’ll only push more if you keep trying to stop me. <

My spirit companion barely listens, hopping on top of me as soon as I appear in the mindscape. As if to pin me down and prevent me from making more trouble.

"I’m sure I want nothing to do with the kind of men interested in forest-"

While she did not back away or change her seated position much, she did abruptly hold her tongue during the moments that I was delivered a fresh cup. How interesting!

"I merely noticed because we don’t often get visitors from your sort of rustic background."

> Didn’t finish her other sentence and came back in with a lesser bite. See, she’s not so terrifying when she can’t transform! <

And still, Vrika whines and holds me back...

Some individuals just have no concept of fun.