Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)-Chapter 203 - Nature And Human Nature

[Welken’s Electronics] sits exactly as I remember it... and it does so for a while longer. The small lake reflecting the afternoon sky and a few scattered benches is where I want to sit for a while to get over the car ride experience.

The peace of the water just reacting to the windy environment doesn’t demand anything from me. Doesn’t try to talk my ear off just because I respond perfunctorily. Or keep asking if I’m sure I don’t want to listen to any music.

> And the apologizing for traffic delays they supposedly had no control over... could have been handled once when I expressed that I understood that first time - instead of seven times. <

I settle onto the bench I’d claimed that first day and finally allow myself to just exist. I do have the next few things to do planned, and that is in the back of my mind, but just taking some time to sit somewhere without doing any of that.

"Just letting my mind wander without seeking to control it feels..."

The water laps gently against the boardwalk area that runs behind the businesses set up against the water’s edge. I watch as a pair of ducks paddle by, trying not to think of them as food. Waterfowl were always enviable to me.

Not that I cannot swim quite well, but when I come out of the water I cannot just take off into the air and fly. Though if I could, I’m not sure where I would want to go beyond just enjoying the new method of travel.

> Please, you do not have to point out every time you notice me thinking something like that. <

My wolf nudged at the thought I’d had. About flying around a white tower and seeing if I could land on top of the highest point around. I didn’t mean anything about it as having something to do with Kyrie Voss.

But of course, Vrika is growing too used to me. It offered a choice between the white skyscraper I’m familiar with and an imaginary silver one that sat beside it and was clearly a half dozen floors higher. And my choice was too immediate and obvious to the spirit.

> You’re annoying, you know that? <

My phone sits quiet in my pocket for once this morning. No messages demanding responses or notifications from apps requiring immediate attention. Just the mostly natural lake and the growing realization that I’m actually starting to think of this city as...

Not home, exactly, but something more than just a temporary spot to shelter in. Vrika sends me similar impressions, the black wolf having settled into a comfortable position on the warm slab of stone at the center of my mindscape.

The contract reforged in necessity at the time of my arrival had plenty of contingencies for either of us to escape it if we began to truly loath this bound state. But we’ve only grown closer since that time.

Getting attached to places, to people, and to the rhythm of a life that might not survive the apocalypse countdown might be emotionally dangerous. But sitting here in the noon light, watching more ordinary people live their lives around the lake’s perimeter, I can almost pretend.

That the timer that represents two things does not exist, waiting behind a snowflake constantly at the top of my vision.

⧖ ☾ ❄ ☽ ⧖

Inside the store, the old clerk barely glances up from what looks like a crossword puzzle when I ask for a long heavy-duty extension cord. To him, I’m just another customer with another mundane problem for the aging man.

> Who is luckily not the same college-age worker filling in for his parents. He was nice enough, but I’m just not in the mood to chat with anyone today. <

He tells me the location as if every available space in the store is memorized and asks to bring it over for him to ring up. It’s indeed a bit hefty, to the point that I’m not very careful and he tilts his head at the ease I hold it up, out, and onto the counter.

Overall, there’s something oddly comforting about the entire transaction. No emotional minefields or excess chatting, just commerce and courtesy. Though he does give some short attempt to seem engaged after ringing up the cord... along with a quality looking surge protector I grabbed on impulse.

> Not that I know what good electronics quality is on a glance, I should really research things first. But it looked impressive and was more expensive than others nearby. <

"Hundred feet should be plenty for most anything. Well, good luck with your setup - and visit us again anytime for your needs."

I’m out the door before I really sigh in relief. I’ve made it two times in there without the supposed wife who would have sold me far more than I needed. Marco was bad enough. Maybe I actually should look into a location closer to the apartment next time.

> Or online purchase? I’ve been a little scared to really get into that and go... overboard with my habits of emptying pocket money as quickly as I can. <

A million dollars was not exactly at risk from just a little splurging... but there are things in this world that cost thousands easily. And as Claire warned me, I have to be careful not to speed through it too quickly while also getting rid of as much of it as possible before it becomes worthless.

Walking back toward a good rideshare pickup point - hoping to try once more and see if I have better luck - I pull out my phone. After placing the request, I begin browsing one of those shopping apps I can find on the ’app store’.

Within minutes, I’m looking at solar generators that cost more than most people’s cars, emergency food supplies that could feed a small army, and survival gear with price tags that make my head spin.

> Stop. Think this through properly instead of impulse buying like you’re still a spoiled princess with unlimited resources. < freewebnσvel.cøm

I close the app and pocket my phone before I can make any decisions I’ll regret. There’s a difference between strategic preparation and panic spending.

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