Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)
Chapter 58 - A Name Is A Home And An Identity

Chapter 58: Chapter 58 - A Name Is A Home And An Identity

He looks momentarily disappointed but then shrugs. Kid was probably just fishing for an introduction after all this.

Just like his cousin.

"Ah... sure, whatever. Anyway, thanks for the photo!"

On his face, the sort of look of a person who has been testing their luck repeatedly and has finally decided to ’fold’ the gamble. A look I know quite well, because I’ve worn it in my youth.

> No, maybe I still wear it frequently every time I push dangerous edges... <

Thinking of a way to do just that, I remember my dead phone as he rushes to leave.

"Actually, before you go. Do you know where I might be able to find a new charger for this?"

"Oh, uh. You could try Welken’s Electronics? It’s on... Lake Drive! They have all kinds of stuff for phones. Cables, cases, uh... uhm... cute accessories..."

"I see. Thank you. I never got your name?"

"P-paul. And... and you?"

> Vrika, avert your sensitive eyes. My bad habits are about to show... <

With my hand posed on the side of my face, I step forward and lean ’too close’ again.

"And what do I get if I tell you my name too? Hm?"

The whole thing clearly makes him overheat - if it were any colder there would be steam rising from his ears. His mouth opens and closes with no response in sight.

While this little Omega is under my vixen ’spell of confusion’, I rise back up and straighten my back. A chuckle that might be a little too close to a cackle escapes my throat, as I cover my face with the box of rolls.

Soon, I finish with my merriment, providing another tilt of my head with raised chin and small sneer.

"I’ll allow you to have it even without any offerings. You stand before one known as Citra."

His eyes grow wide, as is appropriate. Then he... claps excitedly in a way that gets his dog barking.

"Wow... maybe you actually are an actress instead of a model? Have you been in anything?!"

My wolf howls, a deep and long sound that is quite annoying as I am questioning my identity. This is the same introduction I have given so many others in my kingdom!

> But here it’s just... like I’m trying to be a... a character... <

I clear my throat and avert my eyes.

"No, sorry. It was nice to meet you, Paul. Please have a good day."

"Oh, uh... you too Citra! Thank you again!"

Walking away swiftly, I turn my head back before I pass the next corner. There the boy was, already showing the photo to another teenager across the street.

Taller than him... with dark skin in tight pants, hair in dense frizzy curls, and a pretty enough face even from this distance. His girlfriend perhaps?

"Maybe not for long if he keeps jabbering like that about a mature woman to her..."

I can almost smell her annoyance from here. Now then...

If that boy really is related to Victoria Whitecrest, this could become complicated.

> What are the chances she doesn’t like him that much and doesn’t make much of it? <

Vrika’s only response to this line of thinking is what feels like a mental shrug.

⧖ ☾ ❄ ☽ ⧖

As I rounded a cluster of parked cars, I saw him. Same peaceful posture, surrounded by a fluttering audience of pigeons - and this time a few sparrows?

For a moment, I hesitated. Unsure what I was seeking out by actually coming all the way here.

We’d spoken only briefly. Yet something drew me forward, past my wariness.

A little tug from | Mother’s Intuition |, if I’m not mistaken. Which shouldn’t make me want to do it any more than this, but it does.

When I stop a few feet from the bench, he speaks first.

"Good morning."

"Good morning. Have you been well?"

The old man’s head tilted before a smile spread across his weathered face.

"The young things from a couple days ago, aren’t you?"

"Well, I don’t know why you would think I am so young, but you’re not wrong. May I join you?"

"Please do. The birds won’t mind sharing their bench."

I sat on the other end of the bench, leaving some appropriate seeming space between us. Even with that I can already tell that my heart is up to silly things.

Taking the kindness that was shown, wanting to return more back, and longing to get even more back again. From a relative stranger, no less.

> No, from a person that hasn’t turned away from me yet... <

"I brought a simple breakfast along with me this time. Would you like a roll?"

When I sat the paper box between us and opened it, the smell filled the area further and excited the birds. I glared at them while keeping my hand over the opening.

"That’s very kind. For me, or for our feathered friends?"

He held out a gnarled looking hand and I served him one before closing the box swiftly.

"Both, I think. Eat what you’d like and share the rest with your friends."

He nodded approvingly at my instruction before breaking off a quarter for himself and chewing. The rest crumbled between his fingers and was then scattered down for the birds in intervals.

Instead of stuffing it right in my face, the one I sneakily pull out for myself follows his example. At least, pulling it apart with my fingers before devouring it in quarters.

"You sound different today."

He remarked before I could grab for a second roll. They aren’t as absolutely delicious as the danish was, but they are very good in a simpler way.

"Different? How so?"

"More... present. When we first talked, you seemed far away. As if your mind was racing ahead elsewhere."

I considered denying it, then shrugged.

"I was going through a lot, I guess. Still am. Still adjusting... to the city."

"Ah, yes. A new place takes getting used to. I think I told you I lived here all my life, but I’ve still been moved about by the nature of the place."

The birds pecking at the crumbs near his feet hopped closer as they sought any that bounced further away. One particularly bold pigeon waddled right up to my shoe and began eyeing me with what seemed like expectation.

> This foolish creature. If only it knew how many birds I’ve chased down and stolen out of the air. Foxes are omnivorous! <

Vrika snorts when I scatter a small, pinched off section of a second roll for the demanding avian.

"Seventy-eight years in Vossden. The city grows and changes its skin like a living thing. But some places keep their heart."

"Like this bench of yours?"

He laughed. A deep warm sound that made the birds flutter away briefly.

"Exactly like this spot. I’ve been coming here for twenty years, ever since I lost my wife."

There was something soothing about his presence, even with such a sad revelation. No expectations for me to ask about it, as far as I could tell.

Just a statement that was true, that he has come to terms with for some time. A strong soul.

"...I never asked your name before."

"Edgar. Edgar Miles. And yours?"

"Citra. Lomdi."

I only hesitated briefly on providing the full name. Mostly, because part of me wanted to add the title...

"Unusual name. Beautiful. And kind of fitting."

"Thank you?"

"Lomdi is a word that means fox, does it not? My wife was from India and a linguistics scholar, so I remember some... random trivia at times."

I’m a little surprised to hear that the meaning is the same in both worlds. It seems like I might have to do research into this ’India’...

"Well, yes... it does. But why is it fitting?"

"Vossden translates to Fox’s Den. Seems like you found a good place to rest, here."

My face twitches, but it’s not as if he can see it. I dive into my mindscape immediately to confront the spirit.

> So she has the same last name as me in another language... that’s not the only reason the Lunar Goddess here went and attached you and that Alpha’s wolf together as fated mates, is it? <

Vrika just turned his head and his tail brushed against the ground behind him. As one ear droops down, as if I can’t see it from this angle.

> IS IT?! <