Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)-Chapter 347 - Sharp Walking Versus Sweet Talking

On opposite sides of the small office, just like we’d been on opposite sides of the bed when I woke up. After the second night in a row of falling asleep wrapped around her like that silly plush toy that my wolf idly chewed on as I dressed myself.

Worse, I’d surfaced slowly and found myself faced the other way. Having moved back onto her side of the bed at some point. Likely... after she must have woken up and tried to give me my own spot.

> Mortifying. <

And finalizing this horrific morning, I’d come to while hearing her whisper ’just another minute’ repeatedly. While stroking and straightening my hair. Obviously wanting to wait to leave until I woke up.

When I did, all she said was good morning and almost left. All of that has made my face hot even as I tried to focus and tell her what I now knew about the rogues and Chad.

"How did you even figure this out?"

My eyes swam away to focus on the shelving to her side, instead of her fully believing face.

"I... went for a run yesterday. Hadn’t transformed in a while, so I just... left the city to satisfy my wolf. Then I just so happened to be near Silvertrap Caves when I overheard some rogues talking. Anyway, I really must hurry."

Bolting from the office the moment I answered, my steps moved toward where my original shipping container sat in the warehouse... covered in the new, framed and packed sections that would pull out and soak up the sun’s rays for electricity. Modern technology really is like magic.

Kyrie followed and a slight look over my shoulder caught the amused smile she wore in my peripheral vision. It made me start to blabber quite quickly, again. Right after the entire box of metal, batteries, and ’voltaic cells’ ceases to be in this reality.

"The electricians need to test the solar installation today, so this has to be moved outside. Having an independent power capability is crucial for any sort of survival preparation in your world. Something that doesn’t rely on the city infrastructure - which has a good chance of deteriorating or failing entirely."

I hear a small sound of acknowledgment, but nothing more. No interruption. No stopping me from how I was clearly being defensive despite her not actually *saying* anything about why I am making this. Whether or not it *is* a Task....

"It’s just practical to have this as my mobile power generation on top of shelter. Especially one that can be repositioned as needed with this ability I have. And... What? Why do you keep looking at me like that?"

"Like what?"

"Like- like that."

Gesturing vaguely at her face instead of attempting to articulate the definition of that stare - not quite voracious and not quite condescending - she returns a soft, single short laugh.

"I was just thinking you’re cute when you explain your preparations."

"Stupid sweet wolf..."

Turning my back again toward the door to the parking lot, I muttered the phrase under my breath. Wanting to get out there before Dave or Davie arrived... but my jaw had needed to work for a moment before I could even form those quiet words.

> Vrika, I think I require your assistance. Put down the toy. The concept of walking without looking like I do not know how has fled my motor skills. Please, take over. <

The wolf spirit’s chuffing laughter echoed in my mindscape, entirely unhelpful as my feet slid slowly on the concrete. Instead of picking up and hurrying, like an adult that knows better than to succumb to one small flirtation.

⧖ ☾ ❄ ☽ ⧖

My phone buzzed, just as Dahlia was working a particularly stubborn knot from my calf against the massage table. The screen sitting on a small table underneath my face lit up with a message from an unfamiliar number...

With a second one less than a minute later that made me sigh and ask the oil masseuse to pause. Even though I was almost feeling all better!

Consuming what Davie considered an ’alarming’ amount of breakfast pastries and protein shakes for ’my size’ had made a dent, too. I’m a bit worried that the Task will ’complete’ and do something to the container, like it did to the other one while I am not nearby.

But enough of me cannot even care about alien, apocalyptic looking stuff and people finding out when I am still dealing with this soreness... I got too used to just ’feeling fine’ thanks to Vrika that I forgot what such an uncomfortable state was like.

> I hate it. Thank you, friend. We need to run together more frequently so that this does not happen again. <

###: [Ms. Lomdi, this is Ember Beau Laurent. Your work on the Frost & Ember editorial exceeded my team’s expectations. I’d be honored if you would consider coming as a guest to our winter line’s runway showcase next week. No modeling necessary, of course.]

###: [Unless you insist, in which case you are genuinely free to make an enemy of your professional counterparts, just like I heard you managed on your second set. Standard rates - a little drama over outstanding results by a newcomer is to be expected and welcomed!]

Magazine modeling was one thing... taking direction and embodying whatever story the photographer wanted to tell through a planned series of images. Yet, a runway show involved infallible live performance, precise timing, and appeal to your actual intended audience in real time.

If I wanted to claim I wasn’t built for it, I would be lying. Even someone who was not born a natural would find it hard to endure the etiquette training of the Fox Kingdom without turning into someone capable of acting and posing as they pleased.

"Everything alright?" 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Yes. Just... work related."

I needed to consult with someone who understood the fashion world’s social dynamics better than internet research could teach me. And despite how meddlesome she could be, Anise knew these things.

After settling with the spa, still using Kyrie’s card because she is a member and I technically never applied, I made my way into Anise’s shop. She was actively pinning a hem adjustment on a client when I entered but her eyes lit up immediately.

"Give me five minutes if it’s not important."

I nodded and wandered through the boutique, eyes trailing over nice fabrics while my mind worked through what to do. The showcase was in a week - and that put it really close to a fortnight before the birth of the pup.

Honestly, I’m quite uncertain what will start happening to me soon. I did think that my fatigue was just overdoing it in my rush yesterday, but it could be a sign of changes. While werewolves show less in their stomachs than humans, it still happens.

But is the pup even going to be as big as a human baby in only two months? I have my doubts, but cannot shake the concern that I should not be in front of people beforehand. Pregnant she-wolves usually stay denned anyway - and combined with my fox instincts, it is only making it worse.

"Alright, what’s got you looking so serious?"