Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)-Chapter 32 - Privacy Must Only Be In "Deluxe-Plus"

Chapter 32: Chapter 32 - Privacy Must Only Be In "Deluxe-Plus"
To label the Duskpaw as people from ’rustic backgrounds’ is an understatement. I suppose in a
manner of speaking
, being ’polite’ about something a person
knows is worse
than you mean is actually quite
cutting
.
"Well, that does make sense. You could say I’m a lot more willing to be a part of civilization than they are."
"Yes, you seem *perfectly* willing. Sonya seemed to have given you quite the thorough treatment."
Hmm? More and more breaches of
privacy
. A little subtle
disgust
as well.
The
question
is where she is getting this information. So far I would say, if I just let her
keep talking
... I’d figure everything out pretty quick.
"Why yes, I specifically requested her attention to detail. I could hardly claim to have a full body scrub by letting her avoid too much."
"Did you? How assertive."
Her eyebrow rose with a hand held near her mouth... as if she
caught
me in something
scandalous
. I’m almost shocked by her... acting.
As someone who has gone out of her way to seem different and
more glamorous
than the other clients, her reaction seems
atrociously
overblown.
"Is there something wrong with it?"
Finally, I get what I’ve been waiting for. A light sneer crosses her
objectively attractive
face.
"Most women find it easier to simply accept the standard treatment. Especially when they’re new guests in unfamiliar territory. They know when not to overstep."
As I thought, this is merely a
roundabout
attempt to bully me ’into place’. For most of her unwilling targets, I suspect they either
tuck tail
- or get excessively bent out of shape.
> No, no. I’m plenty calm, so you should be too. <
I sit up and lean forward - raising my chin but lowering my voice.
"Perhaps that’s the biggest difference between us, Ms. Whitecrest."
A deep, clear whiff of her scent ruins my mood even further. Where her pack leader was
clean snow
, hers was more like
curdled milk
on dirty ice.
It ruins her attractiveness greatly. What good is a
pretty flower
that makes you gag to smell?
"You think there are anything but big differences?"
Her confidence is impressive, in a way. What a thing to say with a chest so small.
"Who knows? At least I’ve never found it all that difficult to request the attention or privacy I deserve - regardless of whose territory I happen to be in. Shoo."
The woman’s pupils dilated. The unsubtle dominance in my words had caught the werewolf off guard.
She’s clearly not used to wolves fighting back with words. Her foot began to tap on the floor as she leaned back.
"I wonder if our Alpha knows you’re here. You wouldn’t be so mouthy, then."
"You don’t even know that much? Next time you might want to verify before making assumptions about who belongs where."
"...What do you mean?"
Slowly, I leaned back and crossed my legs one over another. Just as lazily as when she first approached.
"What do you think I mean?"
The implication of a closer relationship than actually, technically existed was deliberate. The color drained from this
Victoria
’s face.
> What ’conquerer’? At least I named you after what you really are, Vrika. <
She stood with more haste than I expected. Smoothing her robe and hair while still trying to glare down at me with a
pale face
.
"How interesting. I’ll be sure to mention our little chat when I see her next."
"Please do. I’m certain she’ll be quite fascinated to hear how you spend your time between treatments at this establishment."
The auburn haired woman gave me one last look before
retreating
to her original alcove. Her posture as she strode away was stiff with barely concealed
indignation
.
I sipped at the last of my second cup of tea. The honey really is delicious.
Satisfaction mingled with the stirrings of
concern
. The
immediate threat
was handled easily.
But I’d also potentially created complications, so it was not a
perfect
result.
> If Kyrie Voss was not the one who sent her to bug me, then she has a problem in her ranks. In any case, I’ve now made an impression on a member of her pack who does not seem to be the type to stay silent. <
In my mindscape, Vrika’s tail now
swished
with what seemed like amusement. Apparently despite the earlier anxiety, my wolf approved of
standing my ground
overall.
As long as it was successful. What a
worrywart
.
The
remainder
of my time in the lounge passed without further interruption. When Tess returned, there was a
change
in her demeanor.
"Your massage therapist is ready for you now."
Avoiding direct eye contact with me. I wondered if word of us having
this exchange
had spread through the staff.
People who I am
supposed
to trust but have already let things slip.
I wonder how much
influence
the Rimecoat really has in this location. Or perhaps it is
specifically
the Whitecrest?
As I followed her, I thought of the royal courts.
Information
was currency as much as any bauble.
Though much more
volatile
than gold or well cut and polished gems. Or
fine silk
, which I have not seen very much of in the city yet.
I’m not sure if that means it is expensive or just
out of favor
in this culture.
"Ms. Whitecrest is one of our most valued clients."
My attendant eventually mentioned
carefully
as we walked. With a
low
voice and still without looking at me.
"I see."
"She’s quite... connected within the greater Vossden community."
"I gathered as much. The daughters of the rich tend to find themselves as socialites."
Which was plenty fine with me. They became
bored
without a toil, seeking out
new pleasures
.
Or trying the ones they’d
always suspected
they would enjoy. I suppose it could be
argued
I was no different.
A Princess looking to
escape her cage
and live as she pleased,
"She seemed quite interested in you."
"The feeling wasn’t mutual. I would have rather been left alone."
Tess’s lips
twitched
in what might have been a suppressed smile. I don’t blame her for trying to
stay out of trouble
.
Besides, the likelihood of me ever returning to this place has
lessened greatly
after what I’ve learned from my
interaction
with that werewolf.
So... I am already somewhat detaching myself from her earlier
friendly behavior
on my own. Kindness that won’t continue is not worth remembering.
They are just
whims
.
"Your massage room is just ahead. Dahlia is an excellent massage therapist. You’re in good hands."
With the door opened to reveal another dimly lit room with a table at its center, I found myself thinking about
leaving
. It was hard to relax with the idea that this place was not as
nice and safe
as it seemed.
Humans and werewolves. Pack politics and city wealth. I feel like an
assassin
is going to be my
next problem
at this rate.
My gaze ticks toward the
human
waiting in the room. A
strong looking
redhead with
green
eyes.
> A pretty color. Like emeralds. Though I like yours better. I’d always had a soft spot for sapphires. <
"Welcome. I hear it is your first time, so we’ll talk all about the process. Are you ready?"
I could say no. There is no
obligation
for me to make full use of what has
been paid for
.
Should that have been the case, I would not have
agreed
to even enter the establishment. The
money
is not mine in the first place, which is already a
sore point
.
Yet, how
involved
the CEO is in that ’Whitecrest’ being here
bugs
me more. She had seemed so accommodating.
So
restrained
. Was that just a
show
? Am I right that she had just been waiting for the right moments to trap me?
Waiting for more
hounds
to
chase the fox
into a corner.
"Yes, please give me the rundown."
My
sudden smile
disarmed the woman known as Dahlia. She
blinks
a half dozen times before speaking.
Another
flower
, Helene’s memory says. At least the humans name their children more
appropriately