Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)

Chapter 463 - Not So Secretly Painted Up: Pretty White On A Lazy Fox

Staring at the Pack Roster, at her name on it... I think about the same sort of recognition it gave Dr. Lang. Calling her a Specialist. One that I was able to grant an ability to.

I can feel myself being stared at for a while. By the two remaining witches here in the room.

I’m not sure if it’s because one is trying to decide whether to accept my offer - or if she’s just waiting for something to suddenly happen to her. Either way, something finally breaks through and generates a smug feeling smirk that spreads across my face.

| SPECIALIST: Magical |

| GRANTABLE PERK: Occultic Reservoir |

Sometimes I appreciate this nonsense entity very much. It might not be true magic, but the fact that it does seem to bend to my will on occasion is extremely... intoxicating. Maybe it’s a good thing I wasn’t great at my own world’s mysticism.

> I would have abused it so badly! <

A mindscape filled with flowers and a still glowing ring-like moat of orange agrees. My heart is too filled by changes, too attached to the world around me, that it lacks the rigor to prevent myself from making choices that I should not.

Even this decision is probably one I might regret, eventually. But...

"You and your other coven leaders can convene and decide together what should stay active and what doesn’t need to be. If there’s a disagreement you can’t resolve amongst yourselves, you may bring it to me."

Clearing my throat, I manage to try and not look too contrite over the next part. I think?

"But I would rather that be rare... which is why I’d prefer you take on the burden of testing. That you control the Augment activation on your end. To optimize these things and let me just... take care of things I am more confident in."

Like holding my son, or feeding my son, or being held by a beautiful Alpha. Nineteen hells, she was right! I thought I was all ’gung-ho’ to get things done today.

But only a few hours later and I just want to curl into her arms. And it makes me so conflicted, because it mixes bothering her work - which is bad, even if she doesn’t mind - and *bothering* her physically.

Which is always good!

"Alright. If you think I can manage it at least as well as you could, I tentatively accept. What do we do?"

"Hm? Oh, I just think it."

She winces soon after I do. Tilting her head up to look into the air, her eyes get that look that I guess my own do when I’m staring off at something only I can see.

"This is... quite a bit of information, dear. I almost feel like I’ve been tricked into whitewashing the fence for you, even if you didn’t once say it would be fun."

"My deepest apologies for being bluntly honest for once. Is it manageable?"

"Oh, I imagine so. As old as I am, running my farm, I’ve had to do accounts and ledgers. If I just think of it as a catalog of orders and these numbers as my funds and costs... yes."

I sigh and realize I was more worried that she would change her mind after seeing it than I expected to be. Well, I did want to delegate for a reason. I want the time to reconnect with people, not experiment with the quirks of a power I didn’t ask for.

"Good. One last matter. Webber seemed to joke about it, but I really would like to extend the Annexation offer to willing members of your covens, through you."

Tapping my finger on the table, I actually stand and start to pace. Giving away part of the worry doesn’t take all of it away. I can still feel the shape of it in the back of my mind, even if it weighs me down less.

"The world has no completely free meals. The numerical values you all provide to the Reservoir compared to the cost of the miraculous effects? I do not want to, but I have *doubts*.

"What sort?"

I’m almost startled by the botanist. She’d been very quiet again and her voice is actually quite commanding when it does belt out.

"There is a very limited number of people that actually belong to... my system’s pack right now. When I talked with both Kyrie and Claire about it separately, they both questioned me if that can be seen to scale in some form."

Paying attention to the values as I annexed each member, I hadn’t noticed the costs shift. However...

"I do not know for sure that it will not do so at some point. But for instance, I am aware of how many thousands of people down there could use access to what I can provide. Even if it were limited to Nurturer’s Tolerance alone for everyone."

"Yes, I see what you are getting at. Should a few dozen people really have the same drain as forty thousand? Or even a thousand... I will pay attention as I can and let you know if there is a change."

"And that is why I trusted you to handle it. If you wish, just contact Claire with updates. I do not think I will rebuff visitations, but there is no need for you to come up all this way unless you need it to be private."

My face twitches at my last words before my gaze falls on the monitor setup again. I guess I can leave it in here... no need to haul it back up, right?

"That is, if you want whatever you tell me to remain secret from anyone but Claire."

"No secrets in this tower. Only things which I have laying around to use as ammunition to nudge people in line."

As I should have expected, the surveillance expert took that opportunity to speak. With a horrifyingly plausible response, from what little I understand of her perspective.

"Please do not say that while valuable allies are in the room with her."

"Oops! Definitely an accident!"

Kyrie’s voice breaking in makes my back straighten and my hand quickly go to my hair. Checking the alignment of the hair ornaments I’ve been wearing... since she put them in for me this morning.

The very nice ones she handed me on our first official date. I... only agreed to wear them today because I should look presentable when meeting with... her allies. Our allies.

> But I’ve been really scared that I’ll drop one - if I have to shift forms and protect my son. Maybe that’s another aspect of this meeting that has been draining me so fast? <

If so, I’ll just settle for only showing off with Edgar’s wife’s dupatta in public. Hm. That is... I find it very important too? But... less.

Recognition that I would be much more inconsolable to lose what she has given me compared to what a kind old man has. Ugh, I might have to give it back to him. Mementos from a person you... loved are too important.

"See, I told you she’s fine. Just staring into space a little while frowning and flushing. Isn’t that normal with a new mom?"

"Can the two of you please not talk about me over a line open to the room, either?!"

"I’ll be there in twenty minutes. Wait for me?"

Tugging harder at my hair, I nod. Then realize that I don’t actually know *where* I am being surveilled from this time and clear my throat.

"W-we will be done by then. If you have to hassle me to wait, I’ll wait."

"Is that hassling these days?"

Hearing Sue’s firm voice turn to Martha and ask... my hand moves from my hair to meet its twin on my face. As I scream in my mindscape for none of them to look at me or judge me!