Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)
Chapter 46 - Totes Not Cool...

Chapter 46: Chapter 46 - Totes Not Cool...

I flipped through pages in each of the three books for a while. Even found myself a little impressed at how quickly I could absorb the knowledge.

The clarity of the writing combined with my own educated background - and Helene’s understanding of this world’s terminology - made a ’good enough’ level of comprehension simple.

Of course, I can imagine being scolded by an instructor for my haphazard method. Part of me is actually waiting for the moment one of their voices would interrupt my attempt to study and-

"Excuse me, miss."

I blink and look up to find a young man in a store uniform eyeing my stack of books. The one who had been watching me as I shopped.

"Are you planning to purchase those? This isn’t a library."

"I’m evaluating them before making my final selections. Is that prohibited?"

He seemed taken off guard by my tone. Confident and unhurried, just like I was arguing back to one of my instructors.

It sort of just came out that way because of the mood and environment.

"No, but... five books is a lot to... evaluate when I’ve never seen you in here before."

I closed the pregnancy guide in my lap with deliberate slowness. This was starting to feel like the start of the diner again and I admit I understand why.

Helene knew that theft is an inherent problem in this human society. From that perspective, I can tolerate making decisions that limit its impact.

But my tongue has a mind of its own.

"And how many would be an acceptable number, in your professional opinion?"

My words make the young man uncomfortable and he frowns in slightly embarrassed anger.

"Look, we just ask that people who want to read in our shop for extended periods either purchase the books or visit the public library."

Public library. So there is one nearby. I was hoping the city guide would have that information, but had not gotten around to opening it yet.

I stood up while gathering my stack of chosen books.

"In that case, I’ll purchase these and leave your establishment. Would you mind letting me know where this library might be located?"

He blinked an excessive number of times. Somehow surprised at my immediate capitulation.

> I’m not sure why. I have been quite calm and non-combative. Do customers tend to argue back strongly so frequently that this is more surprising? <

"Uh, three blocks east from here. Big stone building with columns that make it look like a courthouse or something."

"Thank you."

I moved along past him toward the ’registers’, tallying the price labeled on each book as I went. The total would actually be less than half what I’d spent on that single meal yesterday.

Well, I say single but I suppose it was actually many people’s worth...

Regardless, books in my world - real books, not flimsy mass-produced things like these - were worth their weight in silver, gold, or gems. To think that they could be made less expensive than food is somehow startling.

Instead of waiting to see if the man would get his wits and come back to the counter, I picked a different cashier to ’ring up’ my purchases. She barely looked at me or the titles as the ’scanner’ and computer did the majority of the actual work.

When the total was displayed and spoken for my benefit, I handed over Kyrie’s card. The same sort of... of something... I felt when I used it at the motel quaked my heart.

Regret, but not. Gratitude, but different. Whatever it was, I didn’t want to indulge it.

"Bag?"

"Yes, please."

She slid the books into a plastic sack with the store’s logo. As I took it, I realized I now had another problem growing.

> My backpack was already growing full with clothes... especially with the jacket on top of it all. Now I’m buying more things. <

As if reading my mind while I stared at it all in thought, the cashier pointed to a display behind her.

"Right, I was supposed to say we have totes on sale. Buy one, get one free. Interested?"

These were some sort of canvas with long straps that could be worn across the body. Perfect for carrying heavier things like books.

The fact that they bore the store’s ’open book under moon’ logo was slightly unfortunate.

"I’ll take two, then."

I decided quickly. Too quickly. Really, this is going to be a problem.

Justifying everything as an immediate need, when all it happened to be was a minor inconvenience. The plastic bag would have worked just fine... until it tore.

After paying once again, I move off to the side to fold and stuff the extra ’tote’ inside the one I’ll use right now. Settling the plastic bag inside it, I get it arranged over my shoulder - with the strap crossing in between my breasts.

"This is rather less... comfortable than the backpack."

With a small complaint murmured, I sling that over my shoulders next - after making sure the tote set right under it - and head for the exit. The employee who’d confronted me earlier held the door open for me.

Wearing a hint of an apologetic smile on his face even as his eyes struggle to not look a little more south than he perhaps should. Well, I can’t blame him...

> He has good taste. If Helene hadn’t been a werewolf, she probably could have had any number of human boyfriends at her beck and call just for this asset alone. <

Vrika growls, assuring me that it did not appreciate my thinking of her that way. But I meant it as a compliment.

And... pity. For her being born into her pack. For falling for a man that did not appreciate her.

All because some mystical instincts told her to.

"Enjoy your books. The pregnancy ones here are good. My sister swears by them."

Caught off guard by how he pointed out that he noticed what I was reading... I raise my chin and glare for a moment. He probably only thinks I noticed his leering - which I did - because he flushed red.

"Thank you."

I manage to respond, a little sharply, before stepping outside. The noon sun was high behind spotty clouds and the streets had warmed considerably.

After walking a bit down the street toward the east, I focused on the system map to see if it generated a marker like it has done before. Verifying it only tells me that this interface is very insistent on making itself seem trustworthy.

Like it is completely on my side. Or that it has a vested interest of some sort in my survival and... thriving?

The Tasks so far have always been generally things that I might want to be doing anyways. Except forming a connection with... except that.

But if the rewards can give things that make the map more useful, it makes sense that it may do so for every other feature. And if the map itself is meant to help me find the best places to survive through this Apocalypse...

My gaze ticks toward the pack roster, wondering what use it is meant to have. Is it really just keeping stock of ’human resources’ like the grid of boxes does for supplies?

> One problem at a time. First the library, then more food, then... well, then we’ll see what time it is and decide from there. <

I pulled out the Newcomer’s Guide and flipped open the thin book as I slowly walked. Three blocks is not that far but on the way I should at least be able to figure out where is best to focus my efforts on.

At least, that was my plan. I paused mid-step... drawn by a window display that caught my eye.

Despite my determination to head straight to the library.

"No... stop looking at it..."