Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)
Chapter 81 - Clumsy Points Of Interest

Chapter 81: Chapter 81 - Clumsy Points Of Interest

Whenever I pulled myself from staring a little, I would notice how people on the street reacted to her. Some did double-takes from afar, others nodded respectfully.

A few on the sidewalk even stepped aside as if making way for royalty. It was an oddly familiar experience.

That particular kind of deference that I’d known from my own world. Except there, I’d been the one receiving it as well.

> Even if more of that was shown to my mother, father, or brothers. I guess if I just treat it like that, it doesn’t bother me. <

We walked in silence like this, without too much hurry, for about a block. Then Kyrie gestured to the convenience store bags in my hands.

"Would you like me to carry those for you?"

"No. I’m perfectly capable of-"

"I know you are."

She interrupted me, though her voice was gentle. Somehow that made me feel even moreannoyed.

> As if I’m the one being unreasonable... <

"You’ll want hands free to eat and there are not always a lot of places to sit at this time of day. It was just a practical consideration, that’s all."

For ten steps I stared at the ground as we walked. Then very reluctantly, I handed her one of the heavier bags while keeping the other firmly in my grasp.

A small concession that didn’t mean anything, I told myself. Vrika, naturally, had other ideas.

The wolf’s smug satisfaction at my giving in, even that much, radiated through my mindscape like sunshine over tundra. Really, how can I consider this thing as a friend?

Uncomfortable after comparing the spirit’s personality, drives, and desires to my own...

"Thank you for stepping in earlier. Though I still believe I could have handled it."

I said this suddenly, petulantly, and Kyrie glanced at me - with a smile. I shouldn’t have said anything!

"I have no doubt. But I would do the same thing again."

"...You sound like you don’t think I can take care of myself."

"Not really. I’m impressed. Most wolves rely too heavily on their transformations. But you thought ahead. That shows you are trying your best."

The cynical side of me wants to point out that, for all her words, thinking that I’m ’doing my best’ does not mean I am capable in her eyes. But I just softly bite my tongue while pointedly glancing somewhere else.

That continued until I heard a rustle and turned to see the woman shifting the bag in her hand. Looking sideways at me already makes me think... was I... just lured?

"By the way, I don’t know if you saw it, but I hope my message earlier didn’t seem too forward. About your hair."

Heat rushed to my cheeks and I cursed inwardly. With all the fleeing, I’d nearly forgotten that I’d eaten that pretzel just to stop thinking about such a text.

"It was... unexpected. But it was just a compliment. I... I get them all the time."

A soft sigh escaped through her nose as more of that vulnerability played in her eyes.

"Good. You deserve getting them. And I enjoyed your messages. As well as that photo."

"...I actually didn’t mean to send it, exactly. I was still thinking when my circumstances grew out of my control."

Admitting that much was already a lot. There is no way I’m saying that I somehow did it just by being flustered and putting the device in my pocket!

She already thinks I’m incapable of protecting myself, providing for myself, and now she’ll think I’m just clumsy. Like that silly fox in the game tripping over every log it touches...

"Oh. Well, even if it was a mistake, I’m glad I got it. Seeing you brightened my day."

"I... see."

Flashes of how I felt when I scrolled over that corporate website and saw her likeness buzzed in my head. Suggesting a similar feeling of comfort and attraction that extended past the bestial parts of us.

> Or it’s just the human side tricking itself because of how the animal side feels. We already combine and hybridize our physical forms... it’s well accepted in my world that both halves of shifter lives will bleed into each other very strongly. <

"Even if you did look rather annoyed with me in it?"

"You deserved seeing my irritation after acting like I was already yours."

So I said, but without any real heat in my voice. Her cheek twitched, hiding a smile as she tilted her head.

"I probably do deserve it. I’ll... work on that."

A converted parking lot with string lights crisscrossing overhead came into view. Seven colorful trucks were arranged in a large semicircle.

Wooden picnic tables were scattered throughout the central area. With patrons making their own arrangements to eat at them - much like what I believe a mall’sfood court is meant to be like.

I could smell it all while coming this way, but up close the scents wafting through the air made my mouth water. Grilled meat and spices most of all, though plenty of cooked vegetables as well.

"What are you in the mood for?"

Kyrie asked me after I stopped walking. The names on all the trucks weren’t always so helpful, but most had an image on the logo that made it clearer what sort of cuisine they served.

There were also lots of examples to see from the people already eating near them. My stomach growled plenty loudly enough for her to hear it, then shrugged.

"All of it looks good."

While eyeing the lines of people waiting at each one, I came up with an idea on the spot. I approached one of the longest of all currently available to serve as another slight test.

To see how she might react with her patience put under pressure. But also, any wait this long must mean the product is worth it?

"Excellent choice. The bacon cheeseburger here is very good."

"I had one of those recently, so that is tempting. But that... man’s breath makes me not want any bacon this evening."

Her remark had seemed chosen to make it further clear she has been at this location before. Personally... or did just just send her assistant to purchase things?

When we joined the line, I found myself studying her out of the corner of my eye, again. While pretending to look around as if anything else was more interesting.

In the golden light of the ambient hanging lights, with her white hair catching the yellow glow... She looked rather warm compared to the scent of snow coming off of her body naturally.

Vrika’s urges to nuzzle that warmth and submit to whatever happened next are out of the question. But what about pretending to trip into her?

She’d probably catch me, not wanting to let go quickly after her hands are on me. Then I nip at her, sound off a few times as if I am angry, and lead her on a short chase where she-

> Damn it. Focus. Why am I thinking of slutty fox behaviors when I’m not even in heat? Is this because of the human half of this body? <

My internal scolding was interrupted by a soft chime from Kyrie’s pocket. She pulled out a slim phone in a matte white case, glanced at the screen, and frowned slightly.

"Do you need to go?"

I thought I would sound smug for the long line plan showing a result, but it came out... differently than I intended.

"No, but I might take a call later. I won’t go anywhere."

As she tapped at her ear, moving hair out of the way to show off the earpiece she wore, plastic crinkled in my hand. Gripping the bag tighter because-

> Great now she thinks I was begging her to stay! <

My wolf just gave me a look that said - weren’t you? - when I appeared... and started trying to find that hole it was digging before, to go hide in.