Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)-Chapter 49 - Little Feelings & Little Looks

Chapter 49: Chapter 49 - Little Feelings & Little Looks
She had the decency to
look ashamed
. Her hands slid into the
long single pocket
at her stomach.
"I... was. Following you. Because I was hoping to return something to you."
Slowly her right hand withdrew. Holding a
silver colored device
I immediately recognized.
"You took it from the pawn shop owner, then. Why?"
"I thought it would be better if it didn’t go through official channels."
She extended her hand in expectation that I should take it. My thoughts immediately went to the times our
fingers brushed
.
Which is why my tongue started to
wag imperiously
.
"So you hunted me down tonight for this. You must have a lot of free time."
A flicker of visible emotion crossed her face when I
provoked
her. Without reaching out for what she came
all the way here
for.
Satisfying...
"I wouldn’t call it hunting."
"Stalking, then."
"N-no? More like... ensuring your safety. While respecting your space."
"By following me from a distance, without my knowledge or consent, while hiding in the shadows?"
My chin raised as high as my eyebrow. I was getting into it now, her
scent
either affecting me less or...
maybe more
.
It was hard to say. I just knew that I was...
enjoying
myself.
"That’s literally the definition of stalking."
She
winced
and I felt an expected thrum of delight at having unsettled her. After making me feel like I was
about to be attacked
for that long!
"You’re right. I probably should have found a less direct way to return this."
The Alpha stood to her feet, the half head she had on me immediately flipping
my sense of superiority
. I felt
small and weak
in my legs - even though she was still a couple paces away.
"I just wanted to see you again. May I?"
Her hand raised and held the phone out once more. I hesitated, then stepped forward to take it - extra
careful to avoid
brushing her fingers with mine.
Because I feel like I might just
faint into her chest
after being given that look and... and
slightly hurt pout
. It doesn’t make any sense!
> I’m usually quite strong against begging tactics. This fated mate pull is... is... bullshit! <
The device felt weighty in my hand, potentially valuable in ways beyond its
monetary
worth. I’d seen so many people walking with these that I might have
stuck out
without owning one.
"Thank you. Was there anything else?"
I respond
stiffly
, trying to control my shaking. Up close, I could see the
signs of strain
on her face.
Makeup had been applied under her eyes that
was not there
when we met. The sheen of skin is slightly different there and... hiding
dark circles
, most likely.
Tension in her jaw and flickers of
orange in her eyes
. The Rimecoat leader was nowhere near as
composed
as she wanted to appear to me.
> No sympathy from me... <
"I did want to ask how you’re settling in. If there’s anything else you need."
"I’m fine."
She smiled warmly at my rapid assertion - and I
bite down
on my tongue to keep from reacting to it. Her face looks so cool and aloof from afar, but when it
changes
like that it has...
Devastating
power.
"You were turned away from the library you wanted to go to. That doesn’t sound fine."
My eyes widened before I could
control my reaction
. So, I stop trying and just
cover my face
with the phone.
Too many
emotions
welled up. Upset at the
invasion
, definitely.
But also happy at the... I don’t even know.
Care
?
That I am
important
enough to... use Kyrie Voss’s
valuable
time on. Even after already giving her money to me.
> Why am I trying to rationalize this, it is clearly just this stupid... scent. Clearly she is just enamored because of what this means in her society! <
"You were watching me that long?"
After being quiet, she
shrugged
my question off when I moved the device out of the way to look at her. As if casually admitting to
such lengthy surveillance
was perfectly normal.
"If you ask me, I could help with the documentation issue."
"And what would that cost me?"
I asked
quietly
, without any hesitation, but she only looked at me with what seemed like a
genuinely puzzled
expression.
"Cost... you?"
"Everything has a price, Ms. Voss. Especially generosity from strangers."
Her mouth opened up without a sound before closing. I got the sense that she was about to say something
more emotional
but held it back.
"I’m not a complete stranger, am I? We’ve at least shared names."
Vrika continues to
whine softly
in my mind. Urging me and
pushing
toward her in our shared mental space.
I held my ground.
Refusing
to be
swayed
by either of them.
"What exactly are you suggesting I do? That I should trust you because of this kindness when you are being manipulated by that same, untrustworthy pull, that neither of us asked for?"
Her arms moved away from her sides for a short moment.
Raised out
like they were going to
envelop me
.
With eyes that were
only soft brown
and none of the orange glow that suggested this was her
wolf-half losing control
and trying to mark me. Just Kyrie.. that was going to... hug me.
But she steps back, with a
look of pain
on her face. A look that shoots what surely must be a
similar feeling
down into my stomach.
> I don’t like this. Not knowing whether feelings are me, the system, or else... <
"I’m only suggesting that I can... be used. You’ll need documentation to establish yourself in the city. I have the means to provide that. Like before, no strings attached."
My hand clutched the returned phone tightly. The
seeming naivety
in her words ring out clear to me as... an attempt to
convince herself
as much as me.
That if I
never
come around...
"There are always strings. Always. Even if you don’t intend them. I believe there is a culture in the world that calls it Karma."
She nodded slowly, as if
conceding
the point. A
deep breath
is drawn in as she straightens her back.
My eyes tick to her
exposed neck
and another feeling I don’t like rises in me. Especially because I realize she must have been
enduring
the same thing.
This... ’instruction’ to mark the one before you.
Biological response
to
magical connection
, the Lunar Goddesses in all worlds are so-
"Then how about you consider it this way? I’m offering things that could help you become more independent on your own, not less."
I tear my eyes away from her neck. Then after a
lingering
few seconds... from her
red-dyed wool
covered chest.
> No better than the man at the bookstore. <
My hope is that she is too busy trying to convince me to
pay attention
to that slip. How I really am also attracted to her... to the point of picturing what they
looked like bare
.
That my
little look
just then was someone thinking of ’past experiences’ rather than
fantasies