Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)
Chapter 49 - Little Feelings & Little Looks

Chapter 49: Chapter 49 - Little Feelings & Little Looks

She had the decency to look ashamed. Her hands slid into the long single pocket at her stomach.

"I... was. Following you. Because I was hoping to return something to you."

Slowly her right hand withdrew. Holding a silver colored device I immediately recognized.

"You took it from the pawn shop owner, then. Why?"

"I thought it would be better if it didn’t go through official channels."

She extended her hand in expectation that I should take it. My thoughts immediately went to the times our fingers brushed.

Which is why my tongue started to wag imperiously.

"So you hunted me down tonight for this. You must have a lot of free time."

A flicker of visible emotion crossed her face when I provoked her. Without reaching out for what she came all the way here for.

Satisfying...

"I wouldn’t call it hunting."

"Stalking, then."

"N-no? More like... ensuring your safety. While respecting your space."

"By following me from a distance, without my knowledge or consent, while hiding in the shadows?"

My chin raised as high as my eyebrow. I was getting into it now, her scent either affecting me less or... maybe more.

It was hard to say. I just knew that I was... enjoying myself.

"That’s literally the definition of stalking."

She winced and I felt an expected thrum of delight at having unsettled her. After making me feel like I was about to be attacked for that long!

"You’re right. I probably should have found a less direct way to return this."

The Alpha stood to her feet, the half head she had on me immediately flipping my sense of superiority. I felt small and weak in my legs - even though she was still a couple paces away.

"I just wanted to see you again. May I?"

Her hand raised and held the phone out once more. I hesitated, then stepped forward to take it - extra careful to avoid brushing her fingers with mine.

Because I feel like I might just faint into her chest after being given that look and... and slightly hurt pout. It doesn’t make any sense!

> I’m usually quite strong against begging tactics. This fated mate pull is... is... bullshit! <

The device felt weighty in my hand, potentially valuable in ways beyond its monetary worth. I’d seen so many people walking with these that I might have stuck out without owning one.

"Thank you. Was there anything else?"

I respond stiffly, trying to control my shaking. Up close, I could see the signs of strain on her face.

Makeup had been applied under her eyes that was not there when we met. The sheen of skin is slightly different there and... hiding dark circles, most likely.

Tension in her jaw and flickers of orange in her eyes. The Rimecoat leader was nowhere near as composed as she wanted to appear to me.

> No sympathy from me... <

"I did want to ask how you’re settling in. If there’s anything else you need."

"I’m fine."

She smiled warmly at my rapid assertion - and I bite down on my tongue to keep from reacting to it. Her face looks so cool and aloof from afar, but when it changes like that it has...

Devastating power.

"You were turned away from the library you wanted to go to. That doesn’t sound fine."

My eyes widened before I could control my reaction. So, I stop trying and just cover my face with the phone.

Too many emotions welled up. Upset at the invasion, definitely.

But also happy at the... I don’t even know. Care?

That I am important enough to... use Kyrie Voss’s valuable time on. Even after already giving her money to me.

> Why am I trying to rationalize this, it is clearly just this stupid... scent. Clearly she is just enamored because of what this means in her society! <

"You were watching me that long?"

After being quiet, she shrugged my question off when I moved the device out of the way to look at her. As if casually admitting to such lengthy surveillance was perfectly normal.

"If you ask me, I could help with the documentation issue."

"And what would that cost me?"

I asked quietly, without any hesitation, but she only looked at me with what seemed like a genuinely puzzled expression.

"Cost... you?"

"Everything has a price, Ms. Voss. Especially generosity from strangers."

Her mouth opened up without a sound before closing. I got the sense that she was about to say something more emotional but held it back.

"I’m not a complete stranger, am I? We’ve at least shared names."

Vrika continues to whine softly in my mind. Urging me and pushing toward her in our shared mental space.

I held my ground. Refusing to be swayed by either of them.

"What exactly are you suggesting I do? That I should trust you because of this kindness when you are being manipulated by that same, untrustworthy pull, that neither of us asked for?"

Her arms moved away from her sides for a short moment. Raised out like they were going to envelop me.

With eyes that were only soft brown and none of the orange glow that suggested this was her wolf-half losing control and trying to mark me. Just Kyrie.. that was going to... hug me.

But she steps back, with a look of pain on her face. A look that shoots what surely must be a similar feeling down into my stomach.

> I don’t like this. Not knowing whether feelings are me, the system, or else... <

"I’m only suggesting that I can... be used. You’ll need documentation to establish yourself in the city. I have the means to provide that. Like before, no strings attached."

My hand clutched the returned phone tightly. The seeming naivety in her words ring out clear to me as... an attempt to convince herself as much as me.

That if I never come around...

"There are always strings. Always. Even if you don’t intend them. I believe there is a culture in the world that calls it Karma."

She nodded slowly, as if conceding the point. A deep breath is drawn in as she straightens her back.

My eyes tick to her exposed neck and another feeling I don’t like rises in me. Especially because I realize she must have been enduring the same thing.

This... ’instruction’ to mark the one before you. Biological response to magical connection, the Lunar Goddesses in all worlds are so-

"Then how about you consider it this way? I’m offering things that could help you become more independent on your own, not less."

I tear my eyes away from her neck. Then after a lingering few seconds... from her red-dyed wool covered chest.

> No better than the man at the bookstore. <

My hope is that she is too busy trying to convince me to pay attention to that slip. How I really am also attracted to her... to the point of picturing what they looked like bare.

That my little look just then was someone thinking of ’past experiences’ rather than fantasies.

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