Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)-Chapter 200 - Admissions & Concessions

"They had rumors, but no proof of anything at all. So I ended that conversation permanently."

I stare out the window, watching people pass by. Normal people with normal problems. They might have fears and issues of their own, but I bet none of them are so worried about what someone they barely know thinks of their being pregnant.

> Well, maybe a few of them...? <

"When you say you ended it..."

"I told them you weren’t pregnant. That any claims to the contrary were false."

"I see."

"Citra."

She says my name so firmly, but pauses. It makes my stomach clench more - and regret that I’ve filled it with milk and meat oils.

"Whatever the reality of your situation might be, it would be your choice to tell anyone. Not theirs to demand answers about."

The careful phrasing doesn’t escape me. She’s not asking me right now, not assuming I’ll tell her, just... providing an out. A shielding lie I can use or not, as I choose.

"I especially felt the need to do so because of a member of my pack who could not mind their own business."

"...I see."

My voice repeating the same phrase as before comes out smaller than I intended. I’m not really sure how I feel. Relieved and concerned aren’t something that are supposed to happen at the same time.

"I’ll admit my first response was more combative. Because they were making ultimatums out of nowhere. And I fear that it could be why Chad Duskpaw escalated things."

She means the last set of rogues. No, if he hired the first set too, then things make some sense. Not why he is so obsessed with Helene or... me now.

> But if he did it once, doing it again was always going to happen. And maybe even another time. <

"I’m sorry, if what I did overstepped. But they had no right to-"

"No."

I clear my gravely throat, finding steadier ground immediately. Assassins and kidnap plots are something I was trained for. It’s a lot easier to handle than an apocalypse.

"No, you did the right thing. Thank you."

"...Alright."

Neither of us speaks. But I can hear her breathing on the other end... and I can almost hear her choosing her words carefully. Almost hear the ones she wants to say - the things to ask. Which is why I ask something probably unrelated instead.

"Should I be concerned about the timing of my choice? This modeling interview puts me around people I don’t know."

"The interview itself should be fine. I’ll have Claire - my assistant - check in on who the designer has connections to. But public visibility in general..."

She trails off and I think of her own situation. Kyrie Voss is a very public figure who has more reasons to have jealous enemies than I do. But she’s also the Alpha of the largest pack in the region.

> People don’t get that position by only speaking well and being nice. Werewolves are not *democratic*, they are wolf bite wolf dictatorships held by power... and the title alone makes people wary to start anything. <

It’s the very reason why accepting something more formal with her would probably keep me safer in some ways. But at the same time, Chad didn’t stop when I was in her territory. After she... responded however she did to the Duskpaw.

Why would he stop just because there is a clearer connection? He never did when Helene was bonded with Jace. I’m really regretting that I never learned to fight all that well and that my arrival here was so chaotic.

> It might have been better to get rid of him quickly and then move on with our lives. <

"I have the Duskpaw situation handled for now. Other packs are going to pressure to wait for the conclave. But tensions still remain and I’d feel better if someone was allowed nearby."

"Nearby..."

"Not hovering. They don’t even have to be in any building with you. Just... keeping them in the area and on the lookout."

Listening to her trying to find the balance between the protection she wants to give and respecting the independence I’ve kept demanding is... this careful way she’s navigating around me. It’s starting to prickle my heart.

I don’t like the feeling. I’d rather just go back to waking up sweating from fantastic dreams.

"What if I agree to check in with you instead? Or allow... your assistant to track my phone."

"That would help me considerably. Claire is very good with technology like that and will be discreet."

She’s doing it already, no doubt. But she is apparently compartmentalizing what is being told to her own boss for my sake. These people are too... frustrating. Especially the relief that colored her tone.

"I’d still rather have someone physically present in the area, but we can work to you agreeing to that. If anything feels wrong while you-"

"I’ll notify you immediately. This is your territory, not mine."

The promise comes easier than I expected while using that logic. While treating myself more like an ambassadorial visitor to another kingdom than someone making a promise to a person that is emotionally invested in me.

"I’m not truly reckless, Kyrie. I know there is a line between a bit of thrilling danger and flaunting my safety."

"...If you say so."

Another silence settles over the phone call, but a bit more comfortable than before. Like an unspoken understanding is now connected between us. One that changes everything and nothing simultaneously.

Trying to picture what sort of expression she is making, all I can think of is that picture. Heat creeps up my neck despite the distance between us. Because I hear her take a deep breath and release it, feeling like it was done right in my ear.

"Can I ask you something, Ms. Voss?"

"Always."

"Last night... that image you sent. How much of that... was calculated to copy me?"

And how much were you trying to make me restless in revenge? I can’t say that.

> Still, she has no original ideas! Photography is my thing and she is *so* terrible at it. Yes, you’re right. She could use practice and instruction. Ah? ... Hm... <

Sometimes I can’t tell whether the wolf spirit is stupid, a little ignorant, or a genius hiding its power. Vrika somehow impressed upon me the idea of ’personal instruction’.

A whole *plan* of forcing her to take picture after picture of me until she gets it right. With a success in a set of tries removing a piece of clothing... and a failure adding one. I have no idea where it came up with it, but-

> ...I’ll keep it in mind. However, do not keep bringing it up, or else I might feel compelled to refuse you out of spite, okay? Shut up, me warning you about that does *not* mean I want to do it very badly! <

"It was... impulse. I’d been thinking about what happened at the boutique. About how you looked down at me when..."

She doesn’t finish the thought. It makes me wonder if she is alone wherever she is? Surely she isn’t just shy about how things happened... right?

> Though that also might be good. The vixen who can make a werewolf Alpha shy... <

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