The stranger moving directly toward me had an almost
regal
bearing. Ironic, considering I was the
actual
princess here.
Unless she is one too? Do the werewolves have a royal family that Helene didn't know about?
Her ash-white hair was cut in a short, clean style that sharply framed her features. Brown eyes that were
almost orange
.
Eyes that bore into mine with
uncomfortable intensity
.
The pristine white business suit she wore looked to be specially
tailored
. Jacket and skirt hugging her form unlike premade could. It fit her
so well
compared to what I was wearing...
And looked like it could be expensive enough to
feed me for months
, based on the prices I noted of the
cheap clothing
in this store.
A vibrant red top - the
color of royalty
in my kingdom - lay beneath the white. Contrasting heavily with her
perfect skin
.
I really felt it matched and enhanced the
domineering
gleam in her gaze.
That very kind of look forced that feeling in my spine hot and cold in turns.
Everything about her screamed
corporate
power, assured control, and
supernatural
danger.
"Can I help you?"
My attempt to be brave and talk things out sounded
exhausted
. I was definitely fed up. This tall, ash-white haired
intruder
was standing between me and any transaction I might have made.
The woman's eyes flicked down to my
pack-mandated
style of braid. Dirty and
unwashed
, I felt immediately exposed as a rogue wolf. Because my pack did not just wander to the city.
My hand
unconsciously
touched the hair hanging on my shoulder - a gesture I immediately regretted for showing such
vulnerability
.
I'd wanted it gone, to remove the
connection
, but spending the time to undo it hadn't been a priority. It had been
perfectly serviceable
until-
"You look like you could use some... assistance."
Her voice was neither quiet nor loud. As crisp and
cool
as that scent. The tone itself was evenly balanced between a truthful observation and clear offer.
Yet, I narrowed my eyes at her, even if it was
unwise
. The word just landed on me like a
challenge
. In my previous world, 'assistance' meant having servants who anticipated my every need.
It also meant this was a potential trap. Debts, favors, and
expectations
.
"I believe that I am perfectly fine."
I replied with no little bite. Trying not to, but still letting the
princess's pride
bleed through. In my current rough circumstances, it must look
ridiculous
.
But I was just so
agitated
. The wolf inside me was unusually alert, pacing around my mindscape like it was
looking for an exit
. That was not helping my current situation at all.
I took a step back to gain distance and the stranger's
brown eyes
tracked my movement, with pursed lips. Her posture suggested she was
restraining
herself.
Like a predator carefully controlling its impulse to attack.
Then she stepped forward toward me, leaving us a
little closer
than before. Her heels struck the flooring with a loud click this time.
Looming
.
She stood a half-head taller than me... and the closer she came the more that little distance felt like a
white tower
jutting into the sky as I looked up at it.
"There's a spa not far from here. Professional-grade cleaning. Full changes of clothing. I could have you processed and ready for the day within the hour."
To me, it almost sounded like she was describing management of inventory. Not personal care. And what does ready
for the day
mean? My suspicion spiked.
After what just happened with this body's previous pack, my trust of
werewolves
isn't exactly high right now. Which is why each of my next words was edged sharply with
skepticism
.
"And why, might I ask, would you need to do that?"
A sensation I couldn't quite identify rippled through me when she smiled. Not unlike the feeling from the system. That | Mother's Intuition | ... but different.
My pacing wolf stirred with what felt almost like recognition and began to
sound off
with barks at me. It was
distracting
!
> What is wrong with you now? First you act like there are fleas in there. Now you're bouncing around like some excitable pup? <
That wolf, usually so dignified despite my
taunts
, was practically writhing in my mental space. With something that looked disturbingly like... joy? Excitement?
It whines and yips in my head. Maybe this is
pack fever
? I will not be joining another group of wolves just because you're suddenly so socially desperate around the first
obvious Alpha
we meet!
"Consider helping you as a strategic investment on my part."
The woman took
another
small step as she answered.
Part of me bristled again at the implication that I
needed help
, and the other part was
coldly
assessing the potential advantages and risks. Because I did need a lot of things.
Safety
foremost
, including
from her
as of this moment.
But...
"I'm not sure what sort of return you think I'm capable of offering."
A slight smile played at the corner of her
pretty lips
when I said this. Not quite a smirk, but something....
knowing
. Something that suggested she knew something I didn't - or that thought I knew more than I did.
Perhaps she understood. That my wolf was practically singing
a capella
in her presence - another term that is confusing Helene knew. She was not a singer or into
music
so much that this should have stuck...
Still, it was absolutely not normal behavior for the beast I'd come to know so far. It was starting to stress me out.
"...However, I am sure that I can take care of myself."
I added with a tone that made it more of a
challenge
than a statement. It was not my intention, but as expected, the
defiance
only made her step closer. Very close.
Like she knows I might try and run any second now.
"I have no doubt that you can. And I can take care of you better."
The last bit of distance faded and her scent assaulted me from up close. The crisp snow was built over a sharp iron twist. Purity, strength, and
blood
.
As well as a more
indefinable
quality. A pheromone that made the feeling up my spine rush to my head. Made
my legs weaken
further.
The near shift to the hybrid form I kept waiting at the edge fled with the rest of that strength.
I
pushed her away
with what miniscule force I could muster... shocked by
this body's betrayal
.
"What. Was. That?"
I
snarled
each word. The woman didn't step back from me any further than I'd pushed. If anything, there was a sort of
satisfaction
in those eyes.
My wolf looked back at her almost the same way, resonating with her. Practically purring
like cats
in a way that made me want to bite both of them and run.
"Personal space is a concept that clearly means nothing to you."
I hissed a complaint instead, because all my energy had been spent on the push. Whatever she just did made me feel
subdued
. I felt cornered. Felt pure, bristling
defiance
at another thing trying to take my choices away.
How quickly my life has become
another cage
. To end up in this world. This body. With this burden... and now-
"Actually... maintaining appropriate distance usually means quite a lot to me. It's the professional way to handle things. But this is a special matter, Miss...?"
Unfazed
by my hostility and fishing for my name? What a cad! I glared as if to get that opinion across - she only smiled and
waited
.
Of course, I didn't really have to go by
this
body's name. The records of this body were probably registered under Helene somewhere, but I had no intention of relying on the genealogy registry of a pack that
disowned
me.
Plus... for some reason, it felt like
losing
to this person to provide anything less than my
true identity
.
"Citra. Citra Lomdi. Princess... Citra Lomdi."