Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)
Chapter 88 - Resourceful Mouth & Mind

Chapter 88: Chapter 88 - Resourceful Mouth & Mind

The woman behind the counter nodded and began tapping at what some might consider an ancient-looking computer. But it’s probably not much older than this body or at least the years I’d lived in my world - and that just kind of irks me.

"I’ll need a payment card and some ID."

I quickly began to hand over Kyrie’s white plastic lifeline, but faltered at the request for identification. This really is a problem I need to deal with somehow.

"I... don’t have an ID with me."

The woman looked up and I could catch her expression shifting from business friendly to privately wary. A kind of look that suggested there was a story there.

"We require ID for check-in."

"I understand. Mine was stolen recently. As you can see, I have a lot on me and was... an easy target. I intend to start the process of replacing it, but I’ve only been in the city a day. I’m just grateful that I never keep this in that wallet..."

She frowned at my improvised story as I clicked the card on the table with a downcast expression, clearly debating whether to turn me away. I could see the calculation in her eyes - known risk versus questionable reward.

Finally, she sighed as the sense of being a good samaritan and a bad business owner sunk in. And my wolf whined at me like I’d done something heartless!

"I’ll need an extra deposit, refundable when you check out. And if there’s any kind of trouble, you’re out immediately. No refunds."

"That’s perfectly fair. I just want a place to rest, not cause trouble in."

She ran the card, eyes twitching and looking at the rectangle over whatever she saw on the screen. But she said nothing to me about it and... after a moment of reaching into a cabinet, she handed it back.

Along with a key attached to a plastic tag with the number 217 stamped on it.

"Second floor, far end. Quietest room we’ve got. Housekeeping comes on Wednesdays unless you put the Do Not Disturb sign out. Checkout time is 11 AM."

"Thank you."

I took everything and gathered my bags on the floor with a slight grimace that didn’t go unnoticed. She landed the ’bad news’ with a half apology - while putting her glasses back on and picking up what I see now is a romance novel.

"Lift is broken. Has been for months. Stairs are at the end of the corridor."

⧖ ☾ ❄ ☽ ⧖

It was basic just like the other motel... but cleaner, just as promised. A full-sized bed with a faded floral comforter dominated the space, flanked by two nightstands with dated lamps according to Helene’s knowledge.

> Seventies...? <

A small table with two chairs sat in one corner near the curtained window in a style that might be from two decades later... and then there was a dresser with a TV that had probably been ’cutting-edge’ technology fifteen years ago.

"Am I judging the space more because I paid to stay for so long?"

The ’kitchenette’ was little more than a mini-fridge, microwave, coffee maker, and a small sink. But it was a lot more than the other place had and would allow me to prepare simple meals rather than eating out each time.

I dropped everything I carried onto the bed with a groan of relief... then immediately collapsed beside them. For several minutes, I just lay there, letting my muscles unwind from the long day...

And allowing my brain to wander around it all without ever truly touching on anything that happened. In some ways, today felt longer than all the others since arriving here combined.

"I walked around just as much as I did out in the forest, but interacted with so many people today. Carrying oneself as an ’extrovert’ when I have no reason to, other than my training as a princess, is surprisingly draining."

When I finally found the physical and mental energy to sit up, I began the task of unpacking and organizing my possessions. Clothing went into the dresser drawers and emptied out much of my backpack.

Toiletries that I’d obtained were arranged in the small and significantly more hygienic looking bathroom. Food items found homes in either the mini-fridge or the counter around it.

Books went on the nightstand where I could easily reach them without getting out of bed. Though, the hunter’s journal I tucked into the drawer underneath the room’s ’bible’... out of sight of any potential snoops.

As I did all this, I found myself appreciating the strange comfort of having a space and making it my own, even temporarily. The thought of not having to carry everything I owned everywhere I went was unexpectedly liberating.

> Or is it just that I’m growing more and more spoiled now that I remembered werewolves are not immune to the fatigue of carrying extra weight all day... <

My mind kept drifting to the problem that highlighted with one of my backup plans. The hunter’s cabin and all the valuable items I’d left there all weighed a lot together.

Silver weapons and wolfsbane tinctures that could offer protection - or revenge - against hostile werewolves. The other normal tools and equipment I could sell for actual money of my own, reducing my dependence on Kyrie’s card.

"Of course, things like the werewolf claw totem have not really proved of value yet, but I already understood that was a long shot. I might need to even just toss it somewhere to prevent being... implicated..."

But how to get everything else? The cabin was at least a day’s journey from Vossden, and I could hardly carry a hideout’s worth of items back by myself.

Even with a large suitcase or duffel bag, I’d be limited to what I could physically transport at one time. A taxi or something might pick me up closer to the forest’s edge, but I’d still have to hike the rest of the way there and back.

> And it would be suspicious to make all those trips like that to the same spot, with empty then full suitcases... while also making it pointless because I’m still using her funds just to go get the items! <

Renting a car would also solve the transportation issue, but that still required money and identification I didn’t have. Kyrie could probably arrange something, like she said, but the mere thought of asking for yet another favor made my pride sting.

Even as the idea of her smiling brightly and ’jumping to’ at my request sends a little jolt of... something up my spine. I begin to pace the small room, feeling caged despite having more space than I’d had in days.

Money worries were important and so was independence from her and everything this bond potential is making me feel. But it was really one main matter in my head.

The memory of being confronted in the alley flickered through my mind. If some random werewolf had tried to intimidate me or worse today, others might try tomorrow.

Having weapons designed to harm my kind would provide a level of insurance against future threats that I need. To feel safe.

"Because despite my bravado, there was a good chance that I did not, in fact, have everything handled. And underestimating me may only work once or twice until rumors spread."

And then there was Jace. If he was likely going to come looking for me, in revenge or madness someday, I wanted to be prepared.

I stopped in front of the mirror, studying my reflection. Helene’s face but more of Citra’s expression to it... a fox princess that always liked to claim she was resourceful and could find ways out of all kinds of situations.

"This is ridiculous. There has to be an easy way to bring back more than I can physically carry."

I muttered to my reflection... and the system again demanded attention. Blue misty glows drew me to the task list.

Like it had a solution to my pressing problems.

Just like the two times before.