Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)-Chapter 216 - We’ll Move... To A Second Location

"Lakeside Park."

I call out while kicking my feet in the water, working to bring myself toward the pool’s steps. When I feel them underneath one of my palms, I shift to a stand and walk up to the top with all sorts of sashay.

"The wooded trail entrance. Thirty minutes."

"Wait. What are you talking about?"

"You’ll need to go back home and shower off that chlorine. Maybe change into something appropriate. Something easy to take off and put back on for... *our* kind of outdoor activities. And Kyrie Voss?"

Not bothering to hide the smirk on my face as I turn and call out over my shoulder as I reach for the exit... I fix a look on her. Still in the water and staring with confusion and need - as evidenced by the fact that she has not bothered to fix her swimsuit.

> No we are not diving back in. No I did not almost want to! Shoo, shoo. <

"You can’t follow me back to my apartment. Not tonight. Thirty from when I open the door. Don’t keep me waiting."

With what I hope looks like confident satisfaction rather than the barely controlled desire that’s *actually* coursing through me, the door shuts behind me. I’m halfway down the hallway toward the stairwell before I realize that the air cooling my still damp skin is... abnormal.

> Brilliant, Citra. Really maintaining that image of perfect control. <

My wolf barks its laughter as I recall my towels sitting unused by the lounge chair. Both of them. Still where I’d dropped them in my haste to show off to Dahlia - and the greater haste to pull the CEO into the water and now go shower.

With a frustrated huff, I turn back toward the pool area even though it will ruin my exit. I push open the door as quietly as I can and... watch the Alpha struggling to adjust her bikini top with shaking hands.

The white fabric seems determined not to cooperate as she seems to be having trouble getting everything... back into place while treading water. Probably trying hard not to just shift and break the fabric entirely?

> She could just take it off and put it all back on. Why make it so hard? It’s frustrating to watch! <

I clear my throat as she makes it to the pool steps, one hand finally giving up and just covering herself while the other grips the start of the railing. She looks up at me with startled eyes that quickly turn to hope - probably wondering if I’d changed my mind about making her wait.

"...Forgot something."

Walking past her with that simple phrase to collect my towels, I toss them both over my shoulder. But when I turn back, she’s standing up there in the shallow end, water dripping from her hair.

And looking like she’s not entirely sure how to get out of the pool gracefully while I’m there. Without really thinking too deeply about it, I approach the steps and extend my hand toward her.

"Here."

She stares at my outstretched palm long enough that I can practically see the ’epic war’ going on behind her eyes. We both know that accepting my help means even more physical contact. More opportunity for her restraint to finally snap.

> Yes, a chance for her to pull me back into the water with her and turn the tables. <

More temptation to take from me what I’ve been offering and denying in equal measure. But she reaches up and takes my hand anyway, her fingers so warm and slightly pruned from the pool water.

Pulling as she climbs the steps, when she’s finally standing fully on the pool deck... I lean forward and undo the ties at the base of her neck. We’re close enough that I can see every droplet of water clinging to her eyelashes as I look up at her face. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel-com

Wait for the dreadful moment everything changes. Close enough to feel the way her entire body is still trembling. She doesn’t let go of my hand immediately... and I don’t pull away.

Instead, I reach up with my free hand and gently cup her cheek. Letting my thumb brush across her skin in a soft, deliberate caress that I know is only going to inflame her more. I can feel the white furs growing out on her hand even as I speak...

> Low, sultry, and with such promise that will either break her or calm her down. It’s exciting me to see which. <

"You’re being so good. Thank you. If you show up where I told you to..."

I begin to move around her side - and while she tightens her grip for a short half second, it lets go without me telling her to. Adjusting her white top from behind... tying the strings just like I remember seeing it.

> From so close that I could have bit it off with my teeth. If you hadn’t kept telling me to, I just might have you stupid beast! Just watch quietly already. <

"I promise I’ll make you feel so much more... relaxed."

Finish my statement as the ribbon knot pulls tight, my hand trails along her ribcage as I take a step around her without looking at her eyes. Because I don’t think I can take any more of her looking at me like that.

And I really don’t want to be the one who loses their limit first. I bark out a final reminder as quick feet flee like a fox should to start a chase.

"Thirty. Trail entrance."

⧖ ☾ ❄ ☽ ⧖

The shower in my apartment is performed very quick and very thorough. Long enough to wash as much of the chlorine from my hair and skin as I possibly can. I’m already trying to figure out what to even wear as I towel off.

I settle on a sweater-dress with a ribbon at the center of the chest that is long enough to cover me effectively, but will be quick to slip off before I shift. Minimal complications. And I don’t really like the color tone all that much anyway.

So I don’t care if it gets dirty or ripped depending on how anything goes. The emptied backpack sits on my bed waiting... but I pause for a moment at seeing it. I meant to bring it to hold our clothes before what I have planned, but...

My eyes drift to the scent neutralizer bottles on my dresser. The hickey I left on Kyrie’s neck will fade with her healing. I’m not sure how long... or if she has enough control to prevent it from fading any quicker than a normal human even when we shift.

But the scent of our encounter? That might linger. If someone from her pack catches wind of what we’ve been doing just because I didn’t bring what I could have...

> She’s risking enough just by meeting us. The least we can do is give her options. Right? <

I grab one of the bottles and toss it into the backpack. Better to have it and not need it than the other way around. Or something. I really don’t care to search Helene’s memories for the right phrase at the moment!

As I make way out of the door, I catch my reflection in the hallway mirror. My hair is still damp from haste, cheeks still flushed from what could be water warmth, but eyes are bright with a blue edged glow of anticipation.

I look like exactly what I am - a woman on her way to seduce a beautiful Alpha twice in one night.

> Three times? Okay, I guess the picture counts. It was night. Good catch, Vrika. Now just shut up and watch me work. <

Fifteen minutes and counting. If she’s late...