Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)-Chapter 168 - Shared Frustrations Between Friends

All that being said, I think failing finding the hunter’s hideout would not have changed her reaction once I got here. Kyrie still would have scented me out after I arrived, eventually. A new rogue in her territory, one as quick to stand out as I am, would have brought her to see me.

Though who knows if I could have got cleaner before that hypothetical different first meeting. Well, at least I’d hope not to be even more filth covered in such an alternate reality. Just like I hope none of them fell into the debt without finding a way out like this!

"It’s not about selling them, exactly. You don’t even have a bank account yet, let alone any sort of brokerage or other fintech platform that connects to the most secure trading methods for it."

Her concern becomes clearer. Certainly, with that sort of money, keeping it on your person would become questionable for most people. People that don’t have a | Single Parent Stash |!

"I really should have handled that for you - a bank - but I thought you might... I dunno like doing some parts for yourself. So I just did the credit score."

"Oh. I’d like to thank you again now that we are in person. Having proof of my legal place in this... city is very helpful."

She leaned back in her chair while studying me. I suppose it’s not every day in this world that you tell someone that they are now a millionaire and they do not scream in excitement. Or call for celebrations.

"Might not be any of my business, but where exactly did you ’find’ all this?"

"Estate sale. Previous owner had a few interesting hobbies."

I responded immediately with my prepared excuse.... and Brook’s laugh was rather knowing. I’m using the man’s screenname on the forum after all. But there was surprisingly no judgement in the laugh?

"Right. Well, that unlucky soul had the wisdom to hold onto his investments. Now you’re a fairly rich woman for a few years. Longer if you reinvest some of it and hit it big again. Might want to hold onto a few of the crypto, in case the price hikes again."

> I only need to be rich for a month or so. So that seems like plenty. Plus, what are the chances of me gaining more money in time to spend it on things during the apocalypse? <

⧖ ☾ ❄ ☽ ⧖

As she worked on setting up an online banking account for me and properly transferring the funds into it so that I could actually access them, our conversation drifted over the fifteen minute wait from the fine technical details to simpler personal talk.

"So, you mentioned your boss is Kyrie. Tell me about that."

Maybe it was the relief of having another substantial financial windfall, but I found myself actually relaxing for the first time all day since Victoria spoke in the boutique. Though it was probably just that stupid pendant.

> It’s even calming me down, now. I wonder if I could buy one from her. I might ask before we are done.<

"She’s... intense. Brilliantly business savvy and protective of her people, and she has this way of making you feel like she can see right through your goals. There’s also the whole ’could literally tear me apart with her wolf hands’ thing, but so can you. Damn."

"That bothers you?"

Glancing up at me with a strange rueful smile

"It should, right? But honestly... It’s kind of sexy and exciting, since I know she’s so stupid fucking nice when you are on her good side. So are you, actually. All of that."

"Uh... thank you."

Not for the first time since being in this world, I’ve noticed that I have had no particular sense of libido towards almost anyone or any situation. Almost... I thought about Kyrie’s eyes blazing orange as she’d defended me.

"Maybe we’re both a bit insane after all."

"What do you mean?"

After shaking my head to clear it, I asked her that follow-up.

"I’m in a similar situation as you, actually. Probably a lot reversed, now that I think about it harder... but we both have feelings for someone that takes it upon themselves to protect us, right?"

"... I really don’t want to answer any of that."

The way I spoke was more tongue-in-cheek than anything else. Playful and relaxed instead of getting bent out of shape about her continuing to claim I had ’feelings’ or ’love’.

"The person I’m totally not in love with is her Beta. Who thinks I’m fragile and breakable and treats me like I might shatter if he looks at me wrong. Three years of him hovering, making sure I’m safe, while being unfailingly kind and gentle...

A deeply frustrated noise came out of her and startled my wolf once more.

"He’s like a golden retriever who thinks I’m made of glass."

"Have you tried telling him you’re not actually fragile?"

"Oh, I never would have thought of that! Of course I did! We’ve had relations a few times already, so I think he knows. But still, nothing significant to show for it."

We sat in silence for a while, as just two women knowing the particular frustration of wanting someone who insisted on treating them like delicate flowers. Twice now, that Alpha has interrupted my learning what this form is capable of against rogues.

> Whether that is a better result with the child in my stomach in mind isn’t the point. <

"You know what’s really pathetic? I’ve been fantasizing about trying to make him jealous lately. Like maybe if he thought I was moving on to someone else, he’d finally make a serious move."

"That’s... strategic."

I trie not to think too hard about how much sense her plan made to me. I’d never intentionally tried to make a suitor jealous, though it happened more times than I cared for in my old world.

"Right? Though the opportunities for a hermit like me are somewhat limited. So what I’m getting at Citra... want to help me with a little photographic psychological warfare?"

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