Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)-Chapter 364 - Danger Speaks, Citra Listens

He smiled predatorily, all teeth and no warmth as my hand slid into my purse. Fingers wrapped around my knife hilt - one of the silver ones in a nice sheath meant to mask the scent of the metal, just like my dickey - as I kept my own expression as blank as I could.

"I wasn’t aware Victoria was at all involved with Ashen Threads. Not that what she does in her life matters to me. Or who."

He chuckled at my provocative words, taking a step closer. I knew I should have worn the emitters as well. I’m not sure if I can activate them while putting them in my ears quickly enough.

"Oh, this isn’t about fashion. This... is about the pack’s hierarchy."

Another step. Fully playing up the menacing atmosphere. Are suits supposed to be imposing in the first place? Those pieces of clothing that people get all upset over with the slightest stain on them...

"And also about teaching certain Alphas about the consequences of leaving what they want... unclaimed."

So that’s it. I heard more than saw Natalie slipping out through the same door the ’assistant director’ had. And then a sound like a heavy something being dropped against the door. So much for trusting humans more than wolves.

> And I guess this is proof that Intuition works on direct malice but not indirect. <

Because it is buzzing all through me right now, like the growl from Vrika struggling to keep from my own partially transformed throat. Taking a step back to maintain distance, I tried to assess my options.

The room was small, but at certain angles I could probably summon the Stash as a barrier if I can kick that tripod out of the way. This underground area is potentially blocking my phone signal like the caves did. And I’d slipped my security detail again for this.

Basically, I’ve made every bad decision I could in pursuit of this... swan song. I hate swans anyway, so I don’t know why I did this! With those elegant necks and their tendency to not only pair bond for life, but to also never shut up about how happy it makes them!

"I have no desire to be claimed, so I think I’ll be leaving now. If you’d kindly do your best to get out of my way."

Damien moved with unsurprising speed before I stepped, positioning himself between me and the exit that the others had used. Does that mean it doesn’t lock... or that he doesn’t trust whatever they put in front of it can’t be pushed out of the way?

"I’m afraid that’s not possible. You see, I’ve gone to a lot of trouble to arrange this private meeting. And I’ve been quite curious about the she-wolf who’s caught our intolerable Alpha’s attention."

His eyes gleamed with something that had nothing directly to do with his wolf. Dripping with contempt. Surging with ambition. It was a social climber’s eyes... and a sadist’s smile that widened along with his arms.

"Others have seen you come down here with me. Alone. Willingly. What would Kyrie think about that testimony, I wonder? About her little Duskpaw pet agreeing to meet a male in private under her very roof?"

An understanding of his goal subsumed me, like falling into a break in lake ice just because you wanted the fish you saw underneath. This wasn’t just about intimidating me to go away, like Victoria kept doing - it was about creating a situation that would hurt genuinely hurt Kyrie.

> He wants to make her think I’d been ’unfaithful’. <

Rage bloomed inside me. At my own stupidity. At the system not giving a clearer goal that would help avoid this moment. At the realization that this man thought me so easily used. A sacrificial princess as a mere pawn in his schemes.

"If you think Kyrie Voss cares who I meet with, you’re sorely mistaken. We have no claim on each other."

"That’s not exactly what I’ve heard. Victoria says our mighty Alpha practically whimpers when your name or packless status is mentioned in their meetings. I’ll admit, I was expecting someone more... impressive, thanks to that."

His gaze raked over me in a way that fully belied his attempt to put me down. Vile lies and more vile truth. Even though I don’t want to, I can picture that sweet wolf reacting when she didn’t mean to... but this body is plenty desirable and he knows it!

> No, I know, this is not the point I should be focusing on, but it makes me even madder than the rest of this! <

"What exactly do you want, Mr. Eschenhorn? I have no intention to give it to you, but it is only polite to let those who intend to monologue do so. Have at it."

As expected, a dark chuckle and flourish of his hand through his hair. A fellow narcissist. It ’takes one to know one’, as they say.

"You are a message. Or you will be. The pack has traditions. Standards. We don’t appreciate strays being brought in to warm our Alpha’s bed while she neglects her duties. While she rejects taking one of ours as mate."

Lips curled in the sort of disgust I knew to be from men who disdained women with other women. I could see his canines growing slightly as his eyes glowed. Close enough that one of us could reach out to the other at any moment - and my hand slides halfway out of my purse.

"Especially not Duskpaw rejects. Did you think we wouldn’t find out where you came from? That you were mated, impregnated, and rejected? Tossed aside like the garbage you are?"

How I did not try and stab him in the throat then, I do not know. But he backed off. Whether because he sensed danger or just to keep up his villainous speech going is anyone’s guess.

> No, I’m lying. It’s the latter. It’s always the latter. <

"It’s worse than that, though, isn’t it? There are so many photos ready to release... playing all sides, aren’t you? Naughty girl. Does Kyrie know how... friendly you’ve been with other men in her territory?"

His voice took on a mocking tone as lies spewed from his mouth. As he held up a device that flipped through real, if distant, photos with some of the people I’ve met with throughout my time here. The kind that a private investigator may have taken with an expensive zoom lens.

As well as photos of more intimate moments. Kisses, hugging, and worse. Much worse. Doctored, ridiculous photos of scenes that made my blood boil. Because even if it was Helene’s appearance they used... he was claiming that was *me* with men.

> I’ll kill him. Even if I don’t get out of here. I’m sorry. But are you with me? <

Asking this even though there was no need, for in my soul we were already one. Already hybridized. Ready to shift like the lightning that frightens me before he could even think to. And the blue glow shining off of his screen tells me this isn’t a well hidden secret.

"When you entered Rimecoat territory, when you accepted our Alpha’s protection, you made yourself pack business. And the pack? Has decided you’re a problem." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

I heard movement outside the main door now, with my hearing near maximally enhanced - multiple sets of footsteps. Reinforcements for him, undoubtedly. Letting go of the knife and reaching for my phone, I pressed the Emergency SOS tied to the device for the first time.

Perhaps I should have done it at the first sign of trouble. Even if it might not work here. Even if there might not be time. Because if I remember reading on the hunter’s app right, it also engages the audio recording function.

> The evidence might have been useful. A shame. <

"So you are saying the Rimecoat pack wants to get rid of me? Or just you and Victoria... or are you perhaps just her little crony?"

"She speaks for many of us who remember what this pack used to stand for."

His eyes flashed orange with anger but he didn’t fully ’bite’. Or rather, he nibbled, but it was to reinforce his pretty unlikely story.

I’ve met many men like this in my kingdom. Subordinate to the whims of a woman? Never.

If he is talking to her, it is because he intends to *use* her. Always.

Raising my chin, twisting my wrist, and pointing my index at him... I allow myself a sneer and smile. If things are going south, I may as well upset him as much as he upset me. Get my own ’punches’ in to even us out.

"You mean... before a woman took charge. Before she stopped you from throwing your weight around as you wanted? And led you to be so, so *fearful* that you cannot even challenge her directly. Is that the gist of what you stand for now, then?"

The taunt had its intended effect. Damien cracked, a growl escaping his throat as he snarled. Features transforming so slowly that one would think he has performance anxiety. But it allowed himself a final set of words before the wolf inside him merged outside.

So I will give him points for theatrics.

"I think it’s time you learned your place. If that lucky bitch won’t mark what’s hers, perhaps someone should show her how it’s done."