Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)-Chapter 377 - Door To Door Deities

Chapter 377: Chapter 377 - Door To Door Deities
The wind outside blocked off windows howled with a fairly unnatural ferocity, like whistling clockwork to judge the passing of time. Like nature decided it had enough of keeping the sun’s warmth on its surface at all.
"And then the system just went and put it in me instead. Figur...atively speaking."
Though I wouldn’t put it past this weird not-magic to be stabilizing my temperature somehow by siphoning the needed amount from somewhere strange. Maybe even just conserving the excess I put off?
My thoughts drifted a lot lately, especially since the power went out in this mere ’7’ survival rated large abandoned ’LTER’ living area. Another two weeks have passed since the solstice. Since my son was born.
Since the world began freezing over entirely, as far as I can tell. Which is as far as you can see within the constant flurries.
Snowdrifts had long ago worked their way up to this long-term ecological research station’s walls - and broken into doors - which caused it to be too much work to go hunt. And besides, I was too terrified of leaving the child alone for more than a half dozen seconds at a time.
> Yes. Scared of making more mistakes. Of failing in the one thing I stubbornly chose to hold onto. <
Vrika barks twice and I nod. Two indeed, counting the spirit. Even if my silly, manic-and-crashing hormones over the existence that came out of this body has not made us the best of friends lately.
In fact, if it didn’t care for Helene and children in general, I’m sure it would have tried to-
> Quit that. I know. I’m sorry. <
Tapping softly on its nose while wincing at its warning bite on my arm, I leave my mindscape. The black wolf had taken to nipping at my soul any time I spiraled into thinking... that it would have left me if not for its connection to them.
A soft whine told me my minutes of depression were up. My son was stirring from his three hour nap, also quite reliable for keeping time. So I walk towards the messy jumble of tables I stacked and arranged to retain some more of the heat.
I’d also padded a picnic basket I’d looted from someone’s room with torn blankets. And thermal-insulating mylar foil. Just for the short periods where I needed a moment or few to myself.
And then, as proud of my survivalcraft as I was...
I still kept my arm inside it all for the first several dozen times of ’leaving’ him there. Sharing the system aided warmth for fear that the nice, still powered and heated (at the time) building wouldn’t be enough.
"I’m here, hold on."
It didn’t particularly like not laying right on my chest at first, where it could feel my heartbeat and smell milk. But I was slightly more stubborn than it was. After the first four or five tries to actually not give in, anyway.
Stroking its soft fur as I began to transform - because letting it bite human-form flesh *once* was enough, thank you - I began to wonder when it would open its eyes. I seem to remember it was within a couple weeks, but it’s already been that long...
My hand glowed green before I double checked with | Matron’s Monitor |. Like I did before every feeding to make sure everything was fine. It satisfied my worries, even though I know I shouldn’t trust it implicitly.
Almost the moment the cycle of sleep, feed, soil itself reset... the sharp crack of a not too distant branch outside sent me instantly alert. Nothing should be moving in this terrible weather. Everything should have found somewhere to shelter by now.
> Or something is deliberately seeking me. <
Without any hesitation, I positioned myself between the door and my son when I heard what sounded like snow being dug away. Only for a gentle knock to rap on the door.
"Citra? Are you in there? Please, I need help."
The voice accompanying this situation sent a shiver down my spine. I haven’t really watched any of the ’horror’ movies that Helene did, but that doesn’t stop me from imagining all of them involving *science gone wrong* at once thanks to the stupid full memory of her entire life.
Mira Thornfield. Her scent somehow penetrated the gasket sealed steel door - and that made even less sense. But it was definitely her voice I was hearing.
> What is it? Why does it feel so... false? <
Low growls from Vrika filled my mindscape, confirming what I already felt. This wasn’t right. Something... is messing with me. Have I finally gotten the attention of one of this world’s fae creatures?
"Citra, please. I’m freezing."
It’s not just that she should never have found me out here. The tone was too clear within the howling wind. Too steady for someone who should be half-frozen as they claim.
"I have news about Kyrie. She’s looking for you."
My heart clenched painfully at the name, but I got ahold of myself. This was bait. This was-
The door hinges groaned. The steel lock folded and split apart as if it were made of paper. And snowflakes swirled around copper hair that moved as if underwater.
Something that looked like Mira stood in the doorway, with eyes glowing like the silver of moonlight refracted through a glass bead. Those eyes locked onto mine and I felt what she was immediately.
My hybrid form faltered - fur receded, bones shifted back to shape painfully. Returned to a human in looks and capability... because Vrika could not bare its fangs against its own creator. But even gasping on one knee, able to speak now... I *could*.
"...Get out. Leave us."
"So protective! As a mother should be."
She stepped further inside and the utterly broken door lifted and shut behind her, with more of a gesture rather than a physical touch. Metal parts simply jumped off the floor and reseated themselves - like nothing had ever happened.
"Why are you here? Why... Mira?"
A *wrong* kind of smile spread across the somewhat familiar features of the individual that was *something* like a friend. At least a good acquaintance. But of all the people why this single Pineheart werewolf?
"I am borrowing her body as she is very, *very* devout in a way few are anymore. Prays to me often. Even prayed that things would work out for you and another that I like. Her spirit sleeps safely, unaware of what currently occurs."
Rising to my feet or transforming again felt impossible. Not yet. My whole form felt weakened in her presence. But at least its a form of mysticism I’m comfortable engaging with. Mostly.
Interacting with deities of the pantheon in my old form was one thing, as they did not individually have as much sway as such a singular entity. But if I knew anything from those times, it was never to buckle.
Never to lie intentionally. Saying what you think and feel is the only path to come out unscathed and respected - because they know what you do when you are in front of them. Probably even when you are not.
Even if they have their foot on your back as you prostrate, grinding you into the ground, they want you to tell them they are pretty, or strong, or that you came to them for a favor. Hiding intentions cleverly was a fox’s royal game, but even the Queen Mother instructed I be forthright.
"You could have approached this far differently. Return her to her senses and leave."
"Hmm, now, is that any way to address the one who brought you here? Who gave you a purpose in this dreadfully changing world... Princess?"
The Lunar Goddess - or at least a representation of her - looked infuriatingly smug as she said that title. Nothing about it was as endearing as when a sweet wolf said it.
"Besides, I hardly think you want to be stuck taking care of her if I did that. She doesn’t have your benefits."
Luckily, unless pressed on the matter, it is good enough to show her I was made angry without explaining too much about why. She knows why anyway.
> Who would be calm when it is admitted to them their life was purposely interfered with? <
"What do you want?"
Silver eyes finally looked away from me, toward the basket that *would* have been hidden behind my back. If she didn’t use her authority to make Vrika tuck tail and cover its snout, my child would be safe!