Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)-Chapter 351 - [C] …Toward The Confused Beta That Broke (It), Too

Chapter 351: Chapter 351 - [C] ...Toward The Confused Beta That Broke (It), Too

***[POV: Confidently Claire]***

"Is this everything?"

Asking just to be sure, I guess. Even though I never... rarely, give her less than she asks for. I nod yes twice while taking back my device.

"Semi-trucks stolen from rest stops in cities outside Vossden, mostly. Data entry I did suggests he’s gathering supplies for at least fifty people. Probably more, since I was using conservative estimates."

"How conservative are you talking?"

"I didn’t include any guesses on how much is being used immediately and assumed this a part of their smart rationing over the long term. I’m willing to bet they are a lot stupider than that, if she said they were talking about raids on a city they are already not operating much in because of you."

Her eyes got that look. The... I want to hunt him down and solve this with teeth and claws look. It helps that her hands usually do go slasher-wolfy when she’s really that upset. Easy to read.

"If I knew where he was..."

"You’d march there and handle it directly, I know. But he’s either holding in Duskpaw territory where you can’t just walk in without starting more than ending... or, if he’s smart which has yet to be proven based on everything I have seen - he’s moving constantly."

I leaned on her desk with my back turned. Feeling every second of the lack of sleep as I exhaled again. I really could use a break. Maybe I’ll clock out early tonight?

"You know what’s making me stir-crazy, like that is for you? It’s not the apocalypse. I’ve accepted that we’re all probably going to die or wish we had, that’s kind of life. Not the system, because fine, it’s weird, but it has rules apparently. Not even Chad being another Chosen, because at least that’s an addition to the threat model I can understand."

"Then what?"

"It’s that every time I think I understand the rules, they change. Feeling like every A+ test rating just unlocks a new difficulty layer. Is something else going to tell me everything I thought was right is actually wrong as soon as I account for that? That’s what’s stressing me. "

Kyrie Voss, our adaptable and charismatic CEO was quiet as she locked her fingers together over her desk. Soft eyes look at me when I turn back, as if her justifiable anger a bit ago was something so easily sat aside if it was for a friend.

"I should have told you about Citra’s origin earlier. It’s relevant context for everything else. But I’m learning as I go along, too. About the woman who shows me a portable survival shelter, tries to push me away while pulling close, and then hides where she disappeared to for most of a day. So trust me, Claire. I’m not exactly at peace here either."

Oh. Right. I didn’t really mean to come in here and blame her. But she would take it that way.

"Sorry."

My voice felt extra quiet as I turned my head. And her chair felt extra loud as she got out of it and came around the desk.

"You’re allowed to be overwhelmed. I just need you to not stay overwhelmed if you can help it. Because I need your brain working. We all do."

"My brain is always working. That’s part of the problem."

"Then I guess I need to ask you to find a way to make it stop and rest."

Immediately, such a way comes to mind. I take that photo of her desk and flash the screen at her. Showing I added it to my chat with her Princess.

"...I think I can do that. But you’ll have to help me handle... whatever happens."

"Do I want to know?"

"The details? Probably not. Just like I don’t need to know what happened in this office the other day." 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

With what sort of items were asked for and that Mrs. Herrera looked uncertain when I asked if she had met the new office assistant... I could make some guesses both of them probably would not like.

⧖ ☾ ❄ ☽ ⧖

I nearly collided with Luca in the 33rd floor hallway. But he held up a hand when he saw me. Swinging me around to avoid my injury. And I stared at the floor tile, trying not to make myself too obvious.

He was on his phone, giving someone instructions about perimeter patrols. Holding onto me until he ended the call. Because he always made sure I didn’t go anywhere before he could talk to me, when I looked a bit manic like this.

"You alright? Kyrie run you ragged again?"

I looked up at him. Tall, competent, frustratingly hesitant to not only my advances... but also oblivious to more than half of what was going on. Luca. Coordinating security and managing pack problems while remaining unaware of everything we are.

Ignoring anything happening outside his immediate sphere of responsibility. Including me. Except when he just can’t, because I’m in front of him. My lips part and my flat, work voice comes out because I’m nervous.

"We’re probably all going to die in a month. There’s an evil werewolf with basically magic powers building an army of bad guys. Citra is royalty from another dimension or something. And I... so yeah, Luca. I’m great."

He blinked at me. Took his hand off my side and slicked back his blonde hair.

"...Another dimension?"

"Doesn’t matter. Are you busy right now?"

I grabbed his wrist with both hands when it dropped, and started pulling him down the hallway. He started letting me pull him, so that I wouldn’t hurt myself.

"I’m coordinating security rotations for-"

"Not anymore, you aren’t. In here. Now."

The supply closet I knew was nearby on the was yanked open dramatically. Something impossible unless I’d disengaged its auto-lock. For once, he didn’t resist... just looked confused. After I hit him with those other details.

The automatic light flickered on. Shelves of printer paper, toner, and a spare copier. Cleaning supplies. And a table I could lean into, perhaps? So very romantic.

"What’s this about?"

"This is about how you’re an idiot. And I’m done waiting."

I grabbed the front of his shirt and climbed. Kissed him while wrapping my legs around his stupidly sturdy build that I CAN climb in the first place...

For about half a second, he stood there frozen. Then his brain apparently came back online like a server rebooting... and he secured me while pulling away from the kiss.

"That’s not how normal people show affection, Claire."

"I’m not normal people. I’m me. Now shut up and kiss me again before I blackmail you into the rest of it. You would not believe what I have on you."

I had nothing. He’s clean as a whistle. Which is why I crave him so much. And he knows it too.

All of it. His innocence, my bravado, my need. Which I guess makes him not so innocent after all. Because it’s his fault that he gave in the first time.

So when he frowns and lifts my neck, biting softly and growling lightly...

I know he’s giving in again. Finally.

That I’ll be able to rest very well tonight, no matter what is ahead.