Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)-Chapter 47 - Leather Purse Logic

Chapter 47: Chapter 47 - Leather Purse Logic
The storefront glowed with tasteful lighting that highlighted a collection of
leather bags
in rich colors. Each one was arranged with an artistic precision on minimalist stands.
Nothing especially
ostentatious
. Just clean lines, quality looking materials, and clearly
skilled craftsmanship
.
My hand unconsciously moved to adjust the
bookstore tote
hanging from my shoulder. Entirely
unfashionable
in comparison, but completely usable.
"This is ridiculous."
> Why am I even worrying about how they look when I’m perfectly content to use the jacket I was given and the backpack I found... is it because I’m technically the one that chose to buy them this time? <
My wolf snorted softly in my mindscape. Whether that was
agreement
or amusement at my
weakness
, I couldn’t tell.
"They’re just things."
I continued to mumble while staring at a
particularly elegant
patterned messenger bag in a
deep burgundy
stained leather that might... go well with the red shirt I liked.
"And they’re not even... necessary things."
The closest bag was displayed at an angle that showed its
multiple interior compartments
. Divided so as to fit
plenty of items
inside with some careful planning.
Adjustable belts with metal rings,
buckles
, and rivets. Not the cheaper,
less premium
plastic adjuster I’d just used.
I realized I
took a step
closer to the window
before I knew it
and back away.
> This is how she’ll get her claws in. Small indulgences that become dependency. Eroding my will to resist. Before I know it, I’d allow her bite to mark me just for more luxuries. I- I won’t be bought with baubles! <
My wolf spirit moved and sat down beside me, head tilting slightly as if questioning the logic of
blame
. Its blue eyes held a gentle challenge to my assertions that it was
somehow Kyrie’s scheme
.
> You think I’m being too harsh again... <
A slow blink was my only
frustrating
answer. Basically ’what do you think’.
Like I
don’t know
what I think deep inside!
While shaking my head, someone from inside the shop was pulling
the most interesting piece
out of the window. Less than a minute later, a
well-dressed woman
pushed open the door of the boutique.
Soft
chimes of a bell
announced her exit - and over her shoulder was the very same burgundy bag I’d been admiring. A sharp and uncomfortable
twist of envy
wrestled with relief in my chest.
Her walk down the street was confident and
thankfully
in the opposite way I needed to go. In heels that
added many inches
to her shorter height and tapped rhythmically against the pavement.
> Even with them, she was about my size. <
I glanced back at the display window to see the attendant was already placing a
replacement bag
on the emptied stand. This one in a deep forest green that
reminded me too much
of the Duskpaw.
But without being
distracted
by its looks, I could actually look at the
price tag
. The amount made me wince.
It could feed me for two weeks at the
sizable portion
I ate at the diner. Purchase dozens and dozens of books.
Or secure me
several
nights in that motel.
But
hunting
in the forest would be free, the library should also be free, and despite
my choice
last night I really could shelter somewhere without using any funds if I had to...
Excuses
. I shook my head at my own
rationalizations
.
"I need to be smarter about using her money. It would be different if I’d earned it myself."
> You really have no concept of economics or pride in collectibles. So maybe you are more okay with... <
Vrika’s ears
flattened
at my
dismissive tone
and I trailed off. I sighed out loud and in the mindscape.
> That was unfair. I know you understand more than I give you credit for after living inside Helene all this time. <
I padded closer to its form, circling around the spirit a few times before sitting at its side with my back turned to it.
Companionably
, somewhat.
> But you know, Vrika... when all I can tell is that you think I’m being foolish... it is easy to become defensive. To think you are the one who doesn’t know anything. <
A paw
stomps
on my tail and I hop to
all fours
.
> Stupid wolf, I’m apologizing not- <
I hurry and remove my fox spirit form out of the mental world before its giant snout could bowl me over onto the ground. Rude, but not meant to be mean.
"Showing you’re still willing to play with me even if I say the wrong thing, I guess."
I
think
about that for a while. The value of a
companion
like this.
The contract we both undertook - a little
under duress
in both our cases - is pretty much fair... and while it could be argued that we needed each other at the time, I’ve worked with
conspirators
before who would never get along like we seem to.
> I’ll take your advice into consideration. <
Logically, I should just
use whatever resources are available
without worrying about the source. Especially because
I have no clue what tomorrow may bring
.
Adjusting the tote bag before continuing down the street, I start to look at the guide again. My
priorities
needed to be
clearer
.
If I were to buy anything as an ’upgrade’, perhaps a more
durable water bottle
than the disposable one I’d acquired. Something that might not be
crushed in my bag
in between fill ups.
"What else..."
As I thought about various camping and survival goods that Helene knew of, I can’t help but
grow anxious
. Every purchase would be another small chip away at whatever
finite number
the bank card represented.
Because it was
limited
. No matter how wealthy a
billionaire
like Kyrie Voss might be, all generosity certainly had a maximum.
Maybe not quickly reached
financial
ones... but
emotional
ones.
I had to be fully prepared for that moment in which she
expected something
in return. Need to establish
my own path
to earned funds and a place to fight or hide before it comes down to repaying favors.
My eyes catch on
various storefronts
on the way to the library.
A ’pharmacy’ that might carry
medicines
that I don’t know if I need, ’thrift shop’ that could have cheaper clothing that I might despise - but most interestingly a grocery store with foods that probably cost far less than
restaurant meals
.
This city held both temptations and
genuine opportunities
. Learning to distinguish between them... learning to control myself appropriately would be crucial to my
independence
.
> I’m already resisting something arguably far harder. It should be easy! <
A fated mate bond from an
impressive specimen
. My wolf’s blue eyes insist this is one of the biggest things
I’m being foolish about
.
Whether I
agree
or not isn’t important!
I know
she helped
when she didn’t have to. I know the
need to become mates
is pulling at her and her wolf just as it tried to pull at us.
However, I’m not ready to trust in the
longevity
of anything quite yet. Not when I
arrived here
right at the break of such an ’intended to be permanent’ bond.
Not when there is even the
slightest hope
I might wake up as the real Citra Lomdi and find this has all been some
coma dream
.
The library came into view exactly as it had been described. A grand stone building with
classical stone columns
that seemed almost out of place among the more
modern structures
surrounding it.
[Vossden Public Library] was even
carved
high above, over the wide steps leading up to the entrance. I paused at the bottom of those steps to check and make sure I have not gained or completed some
new
Task again.
But all that remains there... is that same one I am
absolutely not doing
. Forming more of a connection with the Alpha.
Anyway, at least in a library, I couldn’t
impulsively
spend any money, right?