Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)
Chapter 48 - Identity Of Me… And Her

Chapter 48: Chapter 48 - Identity Of Me... And Her

The walk back to the motel was longer than I remembered. Or perhaps it just felt that way with my mood still soured.

"Or it’s just all the heavy bags."

Imposing, vaulted ceilings and lanes of high shelving filled with books and books had ultimately been a monument... to disappointment.

Upon entry there had been a security checkpoint. When explaining to the older woman behind the desk that I wanted to come inside and read, I was asked for my ’library card’.

Her glasses had been perched on her nose like a barrier between us - as much as the security guard, ’metal detector’, and ’turnstyle’ had been.

She hadn’t even looked up from her computer as she explained how exactly to obtain one. When I was made to realize that there was no way for me to do so!

After that, I’d only stood there off to the side, dumbfounded as the next person in line pushed past me. By scanning their rectangle of plastic and starting to pay some sort of penalty.

> What is with this world and cards? Business, bank, library, identification, even the grocer and the place I just ate at both wanted to sign me up for a rewards card! <

To be honest, I kind of wanted one of them. But when I was asked for an e-mail, phone number, and address all I could say was ’actually, nevermind’ with a smile.

That same sort of problem existed for the library where I learned the harsh truth. They needed a government-issued ID and proof of residence to be able to partake of the public service.

It was probably needed for quite a lot of things. A princess that was accustomed to her mere presence being enough had been quickly thwarted by modern bureaucracy.

In my kingdom, simple recognition of my face by those who mattered could get me anywhere. Here, I’m nobody without the proper documents... which I guess I could compare to the royal seal I carried?

The problem is, I’m not even certain that Helene’s parents have a birth record available for her to prove her lineage. A lot of the pack’s Omegas do interact with human society so it would make sense if they actually had these sorts of things for us.

But then comes the problem of retrieving that... if it exists. Then the more personal problem.

> Sorry, Vrika, but I don’t think I could happily use your past partner’s name for something like that. Even if this was her body, I need to stay being called Citra. <

"I’ll have to go back to the bookstore and look for more information on these things I guess."

After being turned away at the library, I’d spent the afternoon exploring the area since I lost the appetite for books. Using the map interface to mark places of interest to visit in the coming days and businesses that I might potentially frequent.

Like the ’laundromat’ I passed that looks relatively clean compared to two others I’d seen... and would not be that much out of my way when going into the city from its outskirts. Getting a plan ready to keep the few clothes I have fresh was almost as important as purchasing food!

Dusk was approaching and my wolf spirit began to get restless. Occasionally suggesting I should look over my shoulder.

Bringing to attention an alertness I hadn’t consciously recognized in myself. The low buzz of sensation that had been ignored.

My... the system’s Intuition that I had mistaken for the electrical noise of a nearby ’power substation’. I intentionally take a ’wrong turn’ onto a quieter street so that whatever happens will not be seen.

Fewer people were down this way, more seemingly abandoned storefronts. I quickened my pace without fully running.

> Ready yourself. <

My hands grip straps and prepare to slide off my possessions. All of it is pretty important to me, but my life is worth more.

But the feeling didn’t go away even after taking three different turns down places a human might be hesitant to go. Places marked with ’threes’ or less on the map.

The motel was only a few blocks away, but it did not feel as safe now. The [Silverlight Suites], with its flickering neon sign that declared a [Vacancy] had seemed sort of depressing this morning.

Waking up in it once had made me trust it a little more. Yet, such a temporary shelter with a door that locked would not do me much good against a determined werewolf.

Something shifted in the shadows of an alleyway ahead. A movement too deliberate to be random.

I kept walking but expanded my awareness, taking a deep breath to catch any scents on the wind. And a scent is what I found.

Something crisp and cold. Like fresh snow. I almost pause and stop moving forward completely, but manage to only slow myself down.

> Perhaps this is how Alphas operate in this world. Tracking you down, scaring the hells out of you, and then just stalking away without approaching... <

Vrika had done another about face... its alertness replaced with excitement. Tail raised in the air and twitching.

Shameless.

I turned the corner that I’d seen the movement, intentionally taking a route that would put me in her path. I was led right back into a brighter area with more people.

A busier street, where it would be less likely either of us would do something... werewolf-like.

The clean scent of her was closer now. Growing thicker and more intoxicating.

So much so that my feet seem to take me right over to the bench she’d sat down on with a mind of their own.

"If you’re planning to kidnap me, I should warn you that I won’t go quietly."

A soft, feminine laugh answered my accusation and assertion to Kyrie Voss. Sitting there in dark slacks and a deep red hooded pullover that looked so dark it may as well have been black.

"I’d never doubt that for a moment."

Her ash-white hair stood out even more with this outfit. Probably chosen to help her blend in better with the urban crowd and the approaching dark.

> Your Alpha seems to be an experienced stalker. And you think there is no danger to me... <

My wolf practically pranced in circles in my mindscape, yipping as if it could be heard by the woman I stare down at.

"Are you following me after all that you said?"

The tone I used demanded an answer. Not at all in the mood to bother hiding my agitation.

Because I was very agitated. Thinking about how I looked, what she thinks, why I care, and all sorts of very annoying things.