Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)-Chapter 358 - Auburn Haired Bull Charges Into A Cream Colored China Shop

Chapter 358: Chapter 358 - Auburn Haired Bull Charges Into A Cream Colored China Shop
I played my part perfectly, offering just the right balance of modest acknowledgment and confident presence to everyone I was introduced to after the small shoot. The exchange of pleasantries that promised nothing of continued interactions flowed easily.
An only slightly modified political dance I’d perfected a long time ago, in a palace far, far away.
> I guess this night was more like being a princess than I bargained for. <
When I finally extracted myself, I slipped toward a quieter corner of the ballroom dining - where less alcohol was being served, and therefore less people. I needed a moment away from the performance.
A subtle but persistent ache in my breasts had been growing throughout the evening. I tried discreetly to press my hand against the side of one while retrieving a flute of water. But I can’t tell if it is the outfit or if this is... some other sign of a change. The very sort I’d been so worried about.
"Uncomfortable in the spotlight?"
I stiffened at the familiar voice, turning to find a werewolf with a flute of champagne in her manicured hand. Her silver-gray cocktail dress looked deliberately chosen to complement the event’s generic winter theme.
Unlike mine, which splashed Christmas red with a fiery passion that had sat eyes on me all evening. I suppose the dress is doing the job Anise wanted. I’d heard a number of people question others if they recognize the designer.
"Never have I ever been shy of eyes appreciating me. I didn’t realize you had an interest in fashion."
"I have an interest in many things that happen in the city. Particularly... unexpected transformations of its new residents. Pack runaway to fashion model in mere weeks? Quite the reinvention of your life’s dull trajectory."
Sipping her champagne, her eyes swept over me. Like she was assessing me for the first time and finding me lacking, when I know she has been stalking me all evening. What an amateur attention seeker.
"I prefer to think of it as adaptation. Leveraging skill and qualities effectively in an environment that finally allows it."
"Mmm. I suppose our Alpha arranged this opportunity for you? Considering your... dalliances. She does have extensive connections in the industry."
If she does, that’s the first I’m hearing of it. Would not surprise me, as fashion insiders should want to link with those who attract publicity.
But her weak kind of insults strike herself more than me again, because if *she* is so important as she thinks? Then this Victoria could have reached out to her own contacts for proof of this kind of ’back-door dealing’..
"Actually, no. A different friend I made reluctantly sent a picture of me to Ember. My look apparently suits their aesthetic, so I was contracted directly. Not that I’m obligated to defend myself from you."
Her meticulously plucked eyebrow rose, looking slightly comical in that make-up. Shocked faces with heavy product just makes one look... ’clownish’. But whether it was caused by my truth or because of my chilly attitude, I can’t say.
"Hired directly. How fortunate. You know, one can’t help but wonder what your former mate might think of all these photos. The Duskpaw aren’t well known for their progressive attitudes toward female independence. Have you-"
"I don’t particularly care what he thinks. What any of them do."
Biting back with an interruption, she chose to step closer into my space. Here comes her final salvo. The ’smoking gun’ that she felt confident enough to approach with. Yet still lowered her voice to werewolf whisper.
"No, I suppose you wouldn’t, with your sort of aspirations. You’re lucky, you know. If you actually *had* gotten pregnant by that dimwit mate who could not even drag you back to your village like he should have, I doubt our Alpha would be so... accommodating."
Oh? So she is an adherent of the more patriarchal ways and thinks I should have stood there and taken their behavior? How - unsurprising.
> At least she is not touching me. I wouldn’t want to be infected with that willful stupidity. <
"You’re making me smell you a lot tonight. What exactly are you trying to do?"
Wide smile that reminded me of the real ’vipers’ of the court back home - not the snakes, who were actually usually nice... but those shifters whose smiling teeth and twisting tongues were all polished venom. Or to put it more simply, as this world might - a true bitch.
> A word I’ve reserved solely for her. Because I’ve never met another woman so unpleasant in this world. <
"Why, simply to tell you that Kyrie has made her preferences quite clear over the years. Her disinterest in male suitors. Her research into making the human’s in vitro practices viable for our kind. And of course that a pregnant she-wolf, carrying a child not chosen especially for surrogacy... wouldn’t align with her broader interests for wolves at all."
I felt Vrika rising anxiously in my mindscape, matching my own internal alarm. Did Victoria actually know something concrete? Had someone from the clinic released some kind of record? Are these... changes I’m sensing affecting my pheromones in a clear way that others can tell?
"Well. Good thing that’s not an issue then. Since I am not pregnant."
Deliberately bored sounding in my reply, despite my racing heart gradually slowing thanks to | Guardian’s Composure |, she still stared at me for a while longer. Eyes flickering orange - like glistening, rotting fruit of the same name.
Then she turned her wrist and glanced at her watch. The same kind I’d seen on the Alpha before. Done in plain view, as if trying to show off the connection between them.
> What a small, ridiculous attempt at mirroring the behavior of someone she hates and respects all at once. To make me jealous? <
"You know, I hear Dr. Lang’s follow-up appointments are very thorough. Enjoy the rest of your evening, Helene. While you can."
Implied threat delivered while setting her half finished glass in the middle of the water-only table, Victoria Whitecrest turned away before I could... respond in any way that wouldn’t betray my concern. Which is lucky, because I’m not sure my face was all so blank.
My stomach feels like it is knotting with anxiety as she melds into the crowd. The suggestion that she knew about my rescheduled clinic visit, even if I had no intention of going again was bad enough.
But the connection... the cliff in the path she’d drawn to Kyrie was even more unsettling. While it had been a worry at the start, I’d kind of stopped fearing it so much for some reason.
Would Kyrie Voss truly reject me over the existing pregnancy? Or would she look past it, but then get rid of the child once it arrived? Is that why she won’t bring it up on her own despite... how we left that conversation weeks ago?
The very thought sent an unexpected pang through me. I’d been so determined to maintain my independence, to resist the pull between us on my terms, that I hadn’t fully acknowledged how much her good opinion had come to matter.
How devastated I’d be, already, if she changed her mind right now and decided that I wasn’t worth her time any more. That she couldn’t afford consorting with me.
"Citra? Are you alright? You’ve gone pale."
Luca’s concerned voice pulled me back to the present and away from Ravi. Sonya also stood beside me, frowning with her camera lowered. Even though the Beta had asked me the question, I reassured the woman instead.
> I’m terrible, I know. But worried females take precedence. They just do. Not just because they are prettier, but because they will often make much bigger scenes. <
"I’m fine. Just a bit tired of socializing. I think I might leave early, if that’s all right."
My voice lacked conviction as her eyes searched mine. I don’t usually look away first, but this time I couldn’t help it. For I’m not sure I can hide this feeling I barely understand in my chest from showing in this body’s traitor eyes.
"Of course. You came as a guest tonight, go get rested if you need. But I’ll still tell Maia and Ember."
The walk back out was slow. Taking my time to not seem like I was fleeing at speed. And dealing with the black wolf in my soul who was trying to make me feel better without knowing how.
> Stop nibbling on me, I don’t have fleas! <
I touched my abdomen lightly, secretly as I waited for the valet with Luca. A perceptible firmness exists beneath my fingers that I’m sure was not there two weeks ago. A reminder of what grew within this body.
Unwanted complication to things I shouldn’t even want. But an obstacle I was determined to protect. And I’m sure as can be, since this conviction was developed before I met her, that it is not just an excuse.
Which is why I have to get out of the city. Away from everyone who might harm it.
Including... perhaps? The woman I’d been trying so hard not to be attached to...
That I ignored what her being the one to keep falling means. To me.
Damn it to all nineteen hells, Citra. You’re going to be a mess no matter what.