Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)
Chapter 76 - Waiting To Fulfill

Chapter 76: Chapter 76 - Waiting To Fulfill

As I followed Nancy back out into the waiting area and toward the pharmacy down another corridor, my vision forced me to admit something. The System’s check mark had been pulsing since before I changed back into my clothes.

> I didn’t want to interact with it before. After all, I know what it’s going to say. <

Blue swirled, as always, into a message as I focused on it. And the expected words come.

| TASK: Seek Medical Verification |

| TASK COMPLETION ✓ |

| REWARD IMMINENT ⚝ |

Always keeping me waiting. Honestly, holding back is simply inconsiderate of others.

Some entities just don’t know when to move things along. Actually, don’t I have another one of these rewards that still has not produced anything?

For... well, I suppose I’m actually fine not being rewarded. For that woman forcing her number on me.

> And no, not because it was its own reward, you... you! <

While I take playful swings at the dodging wolf, I quickly slow to a stop - both in my soul and in the real world. The snowflake at the top moved itself directly into the center of my vision of... its own accord.

| TIME UNTIL APOCALYPSE COMMENCEMENT: 51 DAYS, 4 HOURS, 12 MINUTES |

The foxfire glow of the system’s appearance felt more ominous than before. As if now that I’d confirmed the pregnancy, things had been set in motion.

Something inside me was sure that, whatever this cataclysm was, it couldn’t be stopped. After all... the timer had not wavered even slightly in its count as far as I can tell.

> Then what? Is it because the child is important? <

"Is everything alright?"

"...Fine. It’s just been a long day."

Responding to the concerned human cleared my vision quickly. I’m not sure how long I was zoned out at all.

"Understandable. Let’s get you all finished so you can go eat and rest. Okay?"

"Yes. Thank you."

Beginning to follow her again, my mind focused on the space in my lower abdomen. The wolf paired with my soul mirrored the surprising protectiveness toward the tiny flickering light we’d just witnessed on the screen.

The pharmacy connected to the clinic was rigid looking. Nothing like the colorful convenience stores I’d passed on my walks through the city.

A few chairs and aisles, but not much.

White shelves were lined with packages with medical terminology printed on them. Behind the counter staffed by a white-coated pharmacist at the back were numerous amber bottles waiting to be filled.

I handed over the prescription paper that Dr. Lang had given me. The older man accepted it stiffly.

"This will take about eight minutes. You can wait in those chairs if you’d like."

Mutely, I nod to his assurance and drift toward the waiting area... but find myself unable or perhaps unwilling to sit. My mind raced with implications I wasn’t ready to face.

> If I let myself rest, I’ll think more about it. <

Instead, I wandered the aisles while pretending to examine various medical supplies. Pretending I can’t hear the thoughts still hammering from the exam.

"More than a month pregnant."

The words I whisper have kept repeating, dissonantly, in my head. Making no sense against Helene’s otherwise clear memories.

My fingers traced the edge of a clean shelf as I stared at nothing. Again, my vision tunnels.

The urge to fight or flee from something that has no physical form. Only a phantom and a thought.

> It makes no sense unless... unless there’s something I don’t know. Something Helene didn’t remember - or somehow chose not to remember. <

Vrika growled low and deep in my mindscape. Not enjoying the dark turn of my thoughts.

For, in my mind’s eye, I saw Chad again. With his persistent leering and the way he’d followed Helene around camp at times.

The casual way he’d suggest they sneak off together, after she had performed the bond with Jace...

After all those years of being in the same village without being ’attractive’ to him. The look in his eyes when he recorded Jace’s rejection of her on his phone.

> Elated. Like someone who finally got what they wanted. <

"Had he perhaps taken advantage during a moment when Helene was unconscious?"

The shaky voiced thought hit me like a physical blow and my stomach lurched violently. I barely made it to a small trash can near the pharmacy counter before retching into it.

A little bile, once, but the continued dry heaves kept me bent double onto the floor. The plausible explanation wouldn’t let it stop.

How such a thing fits this body’s timeline better... than a two week-old pregnancy...

"Miss? Are you alright?"

A concerned pharmacy assistant approached with a paper cup of water - but I couldn’t answer immediately, even though I turned my head. When I finally straightened, fighting against another wave of nausea, I accepted the water with a shaky hand.

"T-thank you. It’s just... pregnancy sickness."

Half truths heave from me much more easily than long digested food. She nods in understanding.

"It can come on suddenly. Do you need to sit down?"

As she gestures like she is willing to help me over to a seat, I shook my head... quite embarrassed by the display I’d been making.

Though, I’d rather not be able to control my body’s reaction to the horrible thought.

> Whose child was she truly carrying? Am I, now? <

On a whim, I quickly pull up the pack roster. But there seems to be no change.

It still shows the same man’s name. Whether that is proof that I am panicking without need or not...

Slow sips of water and closing my eyes helps. I search for a different explanation that does not involve this line of thinking.

> In my world, beasts had different gestation periods. I’m pretty sure that is the same here. <

Wolves and foxes carried their young in animal form for only a couple months, not the long nine months of pregnancy I’ve been expecting. Shifters... returned to beast forms to mate.

But this body’s natural shape is human. Most of the time.

And as much as I call them shifters here, a human that turns into a beast is not the same as a beast that turns into a human. Surely it stands to reason these forms must follow human patterns?

"Besides... the doctor definitely expressed that the length of term for ’us’ is the same as any normal person. I’m clutching at straws."

Finishing the water, I crushed the cup and tossed it in the little trash before I started wandering. Knowing that at any moment I could be called to the counter again.

It brought me to a display of infant care items - like tiny bottles, pacifiers, and soft brushes.

"Your prescription is ready."

The pharmacist called from the counter and I returned the bottle in my hand to its shelf. Setting down a white bag for me to take, the man started to instruct me.

"Take one each morning. They’ll help with the increased nutritional demands. But they aren’t a replacement for food entirely."

I thanked him and tucked the bag into one of the totes, alongside the books. Then I started walking again and didn’t stop until I felt sharp autumn air in my lungs.

Since I couldn’t return to the Starlight Suites with Kyrie’s scent marking all around it, I really needed a new place to stay. But my stomach growled loudly - like the nausea hadn’t been there just a minute ago.

"And it’s easier to not think about other things when I am shopping for treats..."