Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)-Chapter 455 - Court Is Neck In Kitchen, Er, Now In Session*

Martha Callaway entered first. As I suspected she would, to scope out exactly what I was planning. It’s the smart thing for a protective leader to do for her people, even if I believe she is nearly as unwilling as I am to keep the role.

Her practical boots padded quietly on the terrazzo flooring, except for a final accidental squeak while I was still arranging treats on a serving platter. She took in the space, with the arranged chairs and the bit of technology I owned waiting to be used.

And I saw in that the eyes of someone capable of the *right* kind of curiosities. Like she saw in me-

"You’ve made yourself comfortable up here."

A housewife. I can feel it in her grandmotherly smile. At least what I assume one of those feels like... and of course that set my hackles up as I adjust my fancier dupatta.

> The irony is not lost on me, that I’m using a grandfatherly gift to armor against her. <

"The Alpha’s mate using the Alpha’s kitchen hardly seems all that inappropriate."

"No, I suppose not. Though I imagine some in her pack, and some in her company structure, would still find it presumptuous."

"Those who find it a problem are welcome to voice their concerns directly to me. I find that directness clarifies relationships and expectations wonderfully."

I poured the Chai into one cup, then back and forth again in another a few times. I didn’t have the bravery to try out the electric frother, so aerating the milk this way was my only natural option. I’d done it before, when sneaking out into the markets.

There, most things were served in cheap fired, unglazed clay cups, plates, and bowls. Items that could be smashed and returned to the earth so that unclean saliva was not shared between strangers.

Here, I use fine enough stainless steel coffee mugs to have been used as any noble’s caṣaka - their personal drinking cup - with white shielding and the Lunarizon logo that suggest this had been the executive’s corporate themed goods.

> Sometimes I do look at the quality of things between this reality and my memory from before I arrive, only to find strange disconnects like that. Plastics in particular are so convenient but so problematic. <

Still, serving them from my own stock of items with the kitchen goods of the Rimecoat leadership was another small statement that cost me nothing but attention to detail. Details like my own fox mug clearly separate from the rest.

I handed her the cup without asking if she wanted one. Because that is what hosting is about, providing for guests without question. If she wanted to be the one and refuse, I would take no offense.

"Thank you. Is that a chocolate bar you’ve crumbled there?"

"Yes. I secured a few before I left. Help yourself."

"Lovely. The search teams have been rationing what they’ve recovered when it comes to things like this, mostly imparting it to the children underground. As one small way for them to feel normal."

Webber arrived next, with another clipboard in hand - and a thick copy of some sort of agricultural reference book under his armpit. He sat it on the table, took a chair with his back against the wall, and pent his fingers together to wait.

As if this were any other meeting about the tower’s current farming logistics, despite the way I thought I’d been clear through the message sent to Martha. Still, I can’t say I expected much different.

"Mrs. Voss."

He nodded at me as I tried to read the title of the book. His cedar and pine hygiene product scents were welcome to my nose that had smelled nothing but meat and warm spices for a little while now.

> ...And snowy-iron-pomegranate. But that was just what I got up to before we parted ways. After- <

"Or is it still Citra in private?"

I can tell he’s looking at the uncomfortable flush in my face and believes I’m thinking of something else. Something actually grounded in why I called them here, which is a pretty big matter to label as private.

Private is more like earlier on her living room couch. Not that I’m going to tell any of them arriving. About what is going to be... obvious to *everyone* else she interacts with today.

Instead, I just dive deep into my soul, curl on the slab of Guardian’s Composure, and scream like someone does... when she is thinking of something she did. Kind of disbelieving of her own actions, so much that she wants to think of herself as a whole different entity entirely. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

> Why did I attack her upper neck for so long? The hickey will stand out! <

It’s her fault! For making me hold Asha when she came back to the apartment. Asking me to sit in her lap as a reward for not being ’too nice’ or ’too mean’ so early in the morning.

Making me feel so safe before she said it was time for her to get to work again. She knows my control is flimsy. She’s goading me into marking her. But my resolve is even stronger now.

Strong enough to take a breath and answer his question after roughly ten seconds pass. Not that I was counting or anything.

"...C-Citra is fine. Formality with those... I’m asking to trust me seems counterproductive. Though your comfort is paramount - and if you’d prefer to keep distance you may call me however you wish in private."

My poise recovered after a few words. I turned around and prepared him a cup next, hoping he was not smirking. Like I can see Martha doing in my periphery.

Really, everyone must have their own matters going on. Their own relationships to worry about. Why must I be the one to be looked at fondly so much?

I understood when I was literal royalty. I guess I am if we’re looking at her as the ruler of this city region now.

> I also understand from the sense that it is a good thing to see a beautiful woman happy, flustered, or... shoo, fantasies. Maybe later, not now. Focus! <

Sighing a bit too audibly, I turned to serve the older gentleman, who had tossed my thoughts into turmoil with only the same [ Mrs. ] that he used the first time he met me. Only to find two women entering whose natures were... less immediately readable.

"Hm. You’re younger than I expected. But I suppose that tracks for a person who would go into modeling instead of using their head."

Smiling and raising my chin, I’d thankfully had a quick debriefing with Claire, or else I might not have been prepared for *this* one.