Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)-Chapter 360 - [K] Arriving Too Late For Plans Not Made

Chapter 360: Chapter 360 - [K] Arriving Too Late For Plans Not Made
***[POV: Lover Of All Things This Fox]***
I’d pushed through the last of today as quickly as I could, driven by a desire to see her in her element. Even if from a distance. Even if she didn’t know I was there.
When I arrived, the end of the performance was still underway. And the messages from Luca came in. Letting me know she’d left forty-five minutes ago.
My disappointment for using almost that same amount of time getting dressed in something I thought she’d like was turned toward something else. Victoria was circling her all evening. And she looked upset when she left.
I forced my expression to remain calm. Even as my wolf latched onto that causation. As it snarled in my heart to stop taking her disobedience.
After counting, I found myself drawn to the displays of my mate’s photos, despite knowing I should at least pretend to watch the last bit of the event. That I should be circulating among the other big names.
But there she was. The woman I wasn’t in time for. My fox posing in her furs. And this spot smelled like she’d stood here for a while. Wild forest and mint salts.
I didn’t get to reach out and take her hand tonight, in that lovely red dress Claire showed me the footage of. However, I can at least touch the edge of a poster with her likeness at a public setting.
"Ms. Voss. I was hoping you’d make an appearance when I was told you’d purchased a ticket."
I turned to find the designer Ember Beau Laurent approaching. Two champagne flutes in hand, offering one with his warm smile. I accepted it more for something less embarrassing to do with my hands rather than any desire to drink.
"Mr. Laurent. Your event is as well put together as always."
He looked over my outfit, a dress similar to the one I wore on my only *official* date with Citra. Then back at the poster. At where I was touching. Well, it could have been someone less discreet.
"You missed quite the performance. Your... friend here did exceptionally well."
"She walked on the stage?"
Too excited to realize I was being baited, too confused that Luca didn’t mention it. He smiled knowingly at me while shaking his head.
"She drew half the room with a photo session right here. By the way, my crew for this magazine’s shoot took quite a few candid shots themselves throughout that day. There was this one image - Ms. Lomdi at lunch, red in the face with her eyes closed after texting with... someone. But I would bet all my monograms I know who, now."
I wasn’t sure what to say to that. Admitting anything felt too exposed, but denying it felt dishonest to what was growing between us - even if Citra insisted on calling it nothing.
"I’ll have them send all the photos. The camera loves her. It won’t mind sharing."
"...I mind. She’s remarkable."
"Indeed, she is. Not that my offer just now is related, but I was actually hoping to discuss the Winter Gala with you. I know it’s still weeks away, but I’d be honored if you’d consider wearing one of my designs during it."
The request struck me. I’ve been preparing and knew what may come. But this is the sort of thing that Citra has been dealing with, isn’t it? Knowing that there may be an endpoint to all the things people around her are experiencing.
"The Gala may not... I’ll keep it in mind."
The start and retreat both came out sharp-toned. Telling him wouldn’t change anything much. Getting him to believe me requires effort and bravery. That was clear the night she first told me.
"Of course if Anise wants to pour her heart into making a matching set for the two of you..."
Movement in my peripheral vision as he teased me caught my attention - someone approaching from the bar with the kind of purpose that usually meant they wanted something. I turned to find what appeared to be one of the evening’s models in a fitted cocktail dress for her mingling time after the show.
"Good evening, Ember. Ms. Voss. It’s been a while."
"Has it?"
I kept my tone pleasant even as something about her set my instincts on edge. Not quite like she was a danger, but quite like my wolf did not appreciate how close she was to me. It had been doing a lot of that with human women lately.
"At least two years. Does the name Nadine ring a bell?"
Not one bit. And she could see it on my face, judging by the frown and turn toward the pictures beside us. Taking a sip of her own drink and continuing to push her agenda. Pointing her pinky at my mate.
"You know, I noticed you never requested any companionship with their upper proportions quite so generous. At least not while I worked for the service."
My head tilted a bit when I finally understood. This woman - I’d spent time with her once. Maybe twice? An escort when such casual encounters were enough to sate my curiosity and get me by.
"Are you here alone? Perhaps you’d be interested in-"
"I wouldn’t."
The words came out low and cold enough that she actually took a step back. I hadn’t meant to be quite so harsh. Yet the implication that I was looking for company in front of these pictures... and the unsubtle poke that Citra’s body type was something I could not crave in the past?
"But you are right. I did not make special requests. I also don’t recall ever singling out a desire for women whose thighs match the circumference of their arms."
Her face went white, then red. Ember finally made a soft sound from the other side of me. One that was definitely a poorly concealed laugh.
"I... I should go. Excuse me."
She fled back toward the bar and I immediately regretted my lack of composure. That had been cruel, to attack her looks. It wasn’t like me at all.
"Well. Bravo? That was direct."
He raised his glass in a small salute before draining it. I did the same after shaking my head.
"No. That was inappropriate of me."
"Perhaps. But effective. Do enjoy the rest of your evening. And do give my regards to Ms. Lomdi when you see her next. She did leave before I could wish her well."
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"I’m surprised to see you here. I thought you’d be too busy with your other obligations."
"I make time for important events."
She found me the moment I started to pretend to care about making my own rounds with these people. Victoria Whitecrest. Sipping her drink and studying me over the rim like she could catch me in a lie.
"Your little rogue looked rather unwell when she left."
"I was informed that was thanks to you."
"Don’t you mean it was thanks to her... delicate condition?"
There was the seed she’d been waiting to plant. But I have no intention of watering it or letting it take root. After all, the only thing she knows how to do is sew weeds in fertile fields.
It would be easier to deal with if she were truly out to damage the pack. I would have an excuse to do something with all her ’good intentions’.
"You were sighted with Mr. Eschenhorn frequently tonight. Care to tell me what that was about?"
"Damien is a member of my pack. I speak with many pack members that come to these social events, unlike you."
A grin on my face is apparently not what she expected. Because her eyes flicker orange.
"Yes, unlike me. But I wonder if you know exactly what all of them are up to these days. After all, I tend to know more than people assume I can. And the company you keep says quite a bit."
"...I’m not sure what you mean."
Stepping into her space, she holds her ground well. As my fingers take the glass out of her hand. As she lets me while only avoiding my eyes slightly.
"You’ve always been so concerned about outsiders encroaching on pack business. Barking about it in my office every time you get slightly offended. Yet your friends seem to have looser boundaries than the ones you claim to value."
"I choose my associations very carefully, Alpha."
Our whispers draw no particular attention before I turn and reach out to set her unfinished drink on a nearby table. And I left without responding. Finding Luca near the entrance, waiting for me after he made sure to trade his role with the new guards.
"She’s at Perigee. Looked a bit better after she made her stop."
"Good."
I climbed into the car he’d already brought around and drove us back to the tower. To the empty penthouse. Trying to convince myself that keeping my patience would be enough.
That she’d trust me, eventually, with her last secrets.