Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)-Chapter 240 - An Experiment With Systematic Care, pt2

"I really don’t want to cost you for something I might not eat..."

"We’ve been over this. When an adult offers to feed you - and you trust them and the dining establishment - your job is to let them try. End of discussion."

She nodded, though she still looked confined by my statement. I understand of course... I didn’t like adults telling me what I should be thinking or feeling either at that adolescent age.

"It’s not even that I feel I know better than you, you must understand. Adults are inherently selfish and do not wish to feel guilt. Not providing hospitality and care to you where I can would ruin my own day, Zoé."

Paul reached over and squeezed her hand supportively. It was sweet... but my mind was already elsewhere again, weighing the pros and cons of what I was considering.

> She’s just a teenager. Adorably cautious and as far as I know... not involved in any pack politics that could complicate things. If she had a strong backer, the guards would not have been so... well, guard like. <

If I’m going to test whether the Monitor’s scan works or fails on others, she’s about as safe a subject as I could ask for. The rational part of me knew I should explain what I could do and get consent.

Be the responsible adult about it. But the part that was endlessly curious and just a little bit manipulative-

> No, it is not the fox part of me! Silly wolf. I wish I knew what to do to make you stop... no, I’m not inviting her to have lunch with us. She is surely too busy! <

"Excuse me, please."

Without overthinking it - because I was trying to avoid thinking about Vrika’s suggestions - I reached across the small table slowly and placed the back of my hand against her forehead in the accepted way of checking for fever.

All while mentally triggering the system interface. The touch lasted the six required seconds... even though the green glow had dispersed instantly. Just in case. But no information on the monitoring area popped up at all.

> Not even a warning about the Limit. Hm... <

"You don’t seem to have a fever."

I murmured while frowning about the failure. Which is when I hear the girl offer a suggestion quietly.

"My mom always checks with her wrist instead. Because I... we run hot and her hands can be too cold. She thinks I just have a condition..."

"She sounds kind, for believing that and working around it."

The idea to ’convince’ myself similarly that things are a certain way starts to expand. I’m not comfortable with forcibly thinking of her as part of my pack. She is a lovely child, but I barely know her.

> Yet, all shifters are interconnected, aren’t they? Through the pantheon of deities that rule over them and were responsible for their... I suppose they would call it ’mutation’. <

In some deeply fundamental way, werewolves are also all part of the same divine ecosystem connected to the Lunar Goddess in this world. While I may no longer be in my original fox form, rarely do I not still feel like that same Princess.

> Therefore, helping her is just responsible leadership. What any royal should do for one of their people. <

A large black wolf huffs like a child in my mindscape, before sitting on its haunches and trying to radiate that same sense of haughty grandeur that I try to display as my cream colored fox. Blue eyes shine at me in a way that shows it approves and agrees with the sentiment.

Though it’s still unhappy that I’m not picking my ma- our... uh. That CEO friend of ours. One with the benefit of... shut up. I hate that the spirit has learned to gekker - it is not something a wolf should be doing!

"Then, if you don’t mind... I’d like one more try."

My mindset difference was definitive as I engaged the green glow again. The person before me was not just a random werewolf I’m testing abilities on. But a young beast under my care who needs looking after.

The distinction felt important. It felt right. And this time it did not disappear as I held my wrist to her forehead and cupped my palm near her head. Humming as I maintained the pretense and letting the scan finish.

> Ah. Actually, was all of that necessary? Could it have been just because my hand was turned around the first time... <

The system interface bloomed in my peripheral vision, displaying some of the information I expected to see. I blinked at it all as I pulled my arm away... allowing myself to once again be surprised that there are ways around the apparent rules.

| TARGET: Zoé Morin |

| SPECIES: Werewolf |

| VITALS: Minor Gastritis, Stress-Related |

| RECOVERY NOTES: Rest, Bland Diet, Stress Reduction | 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Stress-related stomach issues in a teenager? That usually meant deeper problems than just a bad meal. Patting her cheek gently twice, I sit back in my seat with a soft smile.

"Well, you should definitely try and eat something if they bring you what I ordered. If not, get something bland to eat tonight. Oh, and avoid citrus. And don’t be polite about asking for any medicine you think you might need, alright?"

She nodded, looking startled by my thorough concern - but showing no signs that anything else blatantly obvious had happened... when the scan proceeded this time. At least nothing happened on her end.

"Thank you."

"I didn’t expect her to sound so much like your mom! She’s a great actor, isn’t she?"

"Who is acting? You’re both just kids trying to figure things out in life. Any good adult should be looking out for you."

Paul beamed at me like I’d just offered to adopt them both on the spot. So of course, that left me done with it and flipped my switch carefully away from any permanence. At least on my end.

"Though if you’re going to be a good partner you should learn how to handle little details like this too, hm? Or at least learn how to nag her into finding that help on her own."

A coughing sound came from Zoé once more, and now I’m certain that this is her choking on what I do or say. Is she also allergic to my personality like Vrika was at first?