Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)-Chapter 50 - Go For a Walk, Girl?

Chapter 50: Chapter 50 - Go For a Walk, Girl?
"You’ll have the ability to get a job if you want. Eventually secure your own housing. Open bank accounts in your own name."
Put that way, it was very hard to dismiss. Though I
kind of hate
that she is learning
how to handle me
so quickly.
> The draw of the term ’my own’. I guess someone that manages people professionally knows how to find their weaknesses... <
Vrika stares at me when I
float above him
, not silly enough to even land on the ground in the mental space and let it try to pressure me into
being reasonable
. It can just keep waiting!
"I’ll think about it."
My face raises up to the darkened sky as my tongue
betrays
me... just to help end these moments of torture. I’m even starting to want to
touch her hand
just to see if that feeling is still there after the day has passed.
There is a feeling in the air that tells me
rain is coming
. Twilight was not too long ago, so clouds must have moved overhead to make it darker while I was
distracted
with this.
So distracted by her I
didn’t even notice
the light was fading. That
time was passing
.
Isn’t that really just... a problem...
"I should get back to my motel. It’s getting late and the weather might turn soon."
When I stepped back away from her, her expression grew
serious
. Somewhat...
unwilling
, even.
"That place isn’t exactly in the best neighborhood. If you let me, I could-"
"No."
I cut her off quickly. I really can’t let myself
be swayed
by her offers to
let me decide
things like this.
Whether it’s guile or just her trying to
accommodate my willfulness
, I’ll probably stop noticing when the choices stop being choices. When I just begin to
do as she pleases
without much thought.
Because that’s what everyone does when they are
enamored
with someone. My parents - the king and queen - are very much like that.
Helene was like that. The
harem of wives
my eldest brother has behaved like that, when they weren’t
backstabbing
each other.
Even if some people may not be such
doormats
as someone like Kyle...
"I can manage lodging myself. You’re already paying for it. I don’t... I don’t want more."
She nodded to accept the
boundary
I set. However,
a lot of concern
was still evident in her eyes.
Annoying
. How it makes me feel.
"Can you at least let me walk you there? I promise I’ll make no more offers or suggestions. Just... for my peace of mind."
My wolf practically howled its approval. Probably wanted more time for me to
relax
and
bask
in her presence.
> Fine. <
"Just to the edge of the premises. And we walk side by side. I neither want you following behind me where I can’t see you nor do I wish to follow after you like I am being led again."
I relented with
plenty of instructions
, starting to be too tired to argue further when I am being
ganged up on
. She fell into step beside me when I started walking down the street.
So
compliant
. It almost makes me wonder... if
anyone else
can simply give her an order like that.
> No, quit thinking! Don’t smile. I don’t like this at all! <
Barks of
encouragement
come from below as my fox form
rolls and kicks
its legs in midair. I wish it would just shush...
"May I ask you something?"
We had walked in silence for a block before she spoke again. Her tone was
slightly
casual, but still with that same carefulness that she has had ever since I
resisted
her in the pawnshop.
"You may."
She glanced sideways at me, her
chin lowering
just a bit to aim her gaze toward mine.
"The name you gave me. Citra Lomdi. Is that really your name?"
The question caught me off guard. When we met, I’d given my
true name
rather
defiantly
.
I
needed to
, because
everything else
in this world and about this body was not me.
"Yes. It is."
And because even in those early moments, there was
something
about this woman that I needed to ’match up’ to. Not the
silly mate nonsense
, but just as a person.
Or two forces of
personality
.
"And the ’princess’ part?"
That question is more
troublesome
, but after only a moment of letting my chin dip down, it is raised that much higher.
"Also true, for all the good it is worth here."
Kyrie Voss only nodded, surprisingly satisfied with my
cryptic answer
.
"Alright. Thank you for telling me, Citra."
We reached underneath the garish neon sign of the [Starlight Suites] before I could think of what to say. The parking lot was mostly empty save for some of the same beat-up cars that had been there when I left.
Only a glossy
white SUV
looked distinctly out of place. Suspicious enough of a new and expensive looking vehicle that I’m certain she will have to
break her promise
.
"Well, I’ve been walked. Are you satisfied?"
The arrogance I employ is
somewhat unnecessary
when I stop firmly at the edge of the property. But I can’t help it, since I’m already anticipating her
changing her mind
about things.
Kyrie panned her gaze over the motel as I watched her. Even with a neutral enough expression, I can already tell what she is thinking and seeing.
Obvious
dilapidation. Peeling paint, cracked windows patched with tape, and a vending machine with half its lights burned out.
And that’s just what
can be seen
from this position.
"I suppose this is where I’d have to turn my back on my words. I’m supposed to offer and insist you take better accommodations."
She said with a
small smile
forming
nearly as fast
as my disappointment.
"But I won’t. And you won’t have to refuse me again. Not tonight."
The
intense relief
I felt was surprising. Maybe it shouldn’t be, but it was.
> Stop looking smug, you weren’t the one who kept your promise... <
"Thank you. For returning the phone."
While I speak, I take a few steps off of the sidewalk and onto the
parking lot
. Wondering if she will keep following.
"Thank you for not throwing it at my head when you saw I’d followed you. I’ve been streaming a drama recently with a scene like that, and I was sort of worried."
She countered with her tired eyes
crinkling
at the corners. Despite myself, I found I could do nothing but
smile back
.
> That was a joke, right? <
"Goodnight, Ms. Voss. Go get some rest."
"Kyrie. If you don’t mind. And goodnight... Citra."
After correcting, then requesting of me gently, the farewell she spoke with my name voiced in that...
that way
sent an unexpected shiver jolting down my spine. No different than if our hands had touched.
I turned
mechanically
and walked swiftly toward the stairwell up to my room. Resisting the urge to look back for
all of four seconds
.
The SUV I had seen remained where it was. But instead of waiting for me to get out of sight and then
sneak into it
... she simply has already started to
walk away
?
Could I have been
wrong
about who owned it... or...
> No... she’s really not... refusing to take her vehicle back because of the rule I said? <
My ears
strain
against the sounds around me. Picking up a familiar voice talking in that
commanding
, corporate tone.
"Claire. Send a driver to... yes, my location. No, there’s nothing wrong with my car. I’ll pick it up tomorrow or... whenever I’m allowed to."
Whether the last part of her sentence
sounded different
only because she was getting
out of range
of my hearing or some other reason...
"Stupid wolf..."
All I knew for sure was that this meeting had been no less
tense
and no less
unexpected
throughout.