Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)-Chapter 396 - What Was Mine, Once... What Is Hers, Now

After sneaking out of the cave, I instructed her to summon the container so we could leave some of the supplies in there for these people. I left that ’terrible’ jacket, but took the bear and ate a meal of theirs.

So I would not feel right without paying them anything that I can currently spare. Considering I could stop and fill it with meat all I’d like on the way back, one crate of MREs is essentially no cost at all. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Two crates won’t go all that far with seventeen people. But it will give them some variety.

"Do you think she’s trying to get you to open a way between worlds?"

A very curious CEO asked this of me, while lifting the box I pointed at next... like a common laborer being directed by a housewife. Especially since the silly wolf picked up the jacket I tried to leave and is now wearing it herself.

"It is possible. However, I get the feeling that this system and her are working toward similar purposes, but not necessarily doing so together. Sending them dreams that lead to a safe, warm place could just be... coincidence."

Should this rift be *stabilized*, that might mean that people could go through it regularly. If the world is not going to get any better than this, I’m not sure the humans would all choose to stay in an icy wasteland if provided an alternative.

"It’s cute that you can sound like you mean that while looking like it is impossible. These people will need help when their supplies run out. Space, food, protection. Where we are going has that."

My world would have that too, though I’m not sure where any travel would leave people if sent. Some kingdoms wouldn’t be as friendly to non-beasts or shifters as others. The insects in particular usually find little use for them.

> Except the ones that feed on blood. Going from cold and werewolves to warm but ’vampires’ would be unfortunate for them. <

In any case, while it is easy to assume that the music I heard really was from my former court’s musicians, that is not a guarantee that each individual would end up in the same location.

"There is no good way available to us to get them all moved to the city."

"No. There isn’t. And my concern is you and your son. But if you ordered me to find a way, I would. Claire could send a team. We could wait for that or we could just let them handle it while moving on."

"Yes, because sending a whole group of werewolves into their hiding place and dragging them back into the giant, overly stressed den of your Rimecoat pack is clearly the best solution for everyone."

With a chuckle, she wiped off her hands and then pet the top of my head that was still a bit messy from sleep. I’d of course awakened once more through the night to let my son feed, though I slithered out of her grip and changed back into wolf form for a bit on that occasion.

> Only because a giant wolf is likely less terrifying than a *giant hybrid*. I can sense that there are changes happening to that form as well. <

"Princess. Hindsight can lead you to best solutions that planning ahead missed, but right now we’re just doing what we can in the moment. If you have better ideas or think what I am doing is ever wrong, just tell me. Okay?"

Physically pulling her hand away from my hair, I open the pouch on her harness and stuff my child alongside the white bear plush already there. Then I engage the shift back into a wolf instead of responding to her reassurances.

My tail thumps against the side of the shipping container as it swished rapidly along the ground. I growl at its stupid subconscious link and pretend with a point of my snout that I was just trying to get her to Stash it away again.

Less than a minute later, we’re off on the run once more.

Toward her home - and putting distance from the possibility of returning to what was once mine.

⧖ ☾ ❄ ☽ ⧖

"Head east through that pass. It’s the more direct route to the city."

Kyrie directed confidently, her bodyweight shifting toward a narrow gap between snow-covered peaks like she was reaching out to point. I followed the guidance and veered toward the landform - while double checking the glowing map.

The snow had crusted over again during the night chill, making our travel all throughout this morning very quiet. Except the few times a heavy paw crushed an air pocket and I yelped. Perhaps that’s why the growling, shouting, and report of a rifle echoed so loudly.

I slowed at the first sounds of the conflict, ears swiveling to pinpoint the source so we could avoid it. But the woman on my back tensed against me... and her murmured words told me why.

"About half a mile ahead. Which will be... the only simple exit of the pass. Sorry."

Her regret for leading us this way was clear. We had my son to protect - and whatever was happening that way ultimately wasn’t our concern unless we chose to get involved. Kyrie’s hand rested on my neck, her fingers curling slightly.

> Claws. Did she partially transform when she heard the noises? <

"We should investigate. Cautiously. Claire, can you hear me?"

I listened to half the conversation that confirmed none of the accounted for Rimecoat wolves and their allies were in the area. We’re also still too far away for the scent to travel in the cold. Though three more rapid shots certainly cuts through the air.

"Those roars are a werewolf. I don’t want this fighting in my territory. Whether that is a hunter or just some survivor."

Huffing in disagreement over the sentiment to let her get involved with violent disputes, I still continued forward at a slow pace. Primal snarls were interspersed with disrespectful curses in English.

We used a copse of whitebark pine on a small rise overlooking the area, crawling forward to keep low until we could finally see for ourselves what was going on below. The standoff was unfolding right on either side of the wide path.

A werewolf that smelled like wildfire ash was backed against a rock face and crouching behind a boulder in his hybrid form - with blood matting the reddish fur on the side I could see. Clearly some of those shots had landed on the male who I’m sure started things.

Considering that a bridled horse lay dead in between them both. I doubt such a predator beast would be trusted on even the gentlest of equines.

Far across from him, sheltered amid a group of quaking aspens, a human male clutched a rifle with a few other tools hanging from a bloody saddle that had been dragged in that direction. Clearly a hunter by the smell of silver and mere fact that his opponent had not easily healed, his breath was coming in ragged clouds of moisture.

"That’s... the Alpha of the Sandhowl. Mateo."

Whispering into my ear, I wanted to ignore the fact that her lips touched the fuzz inside. But I can’t... and my head jerks and flaps, slapping her in the side of white hair!

Freezing while flicking my eyes between the two, I hold in a sigh that it wasn’t loud enough of a sound for them to hear.

This is something I will deal with *later*. When SHE is the one in a delicate situation and I...

> Damnit, that’s just going to be more fun for her, isn’t it? <