Chapter 333: Chapter 333 - Dinner Date To Dissuade, How Did It... pt1
The restaurant Kyrie had chosen was upscale, tucked away on a floor of a building in the city’s financial district. So it is quite close to Lunarizon Tower, actually... since of course all of the other tall buildings housing commerce would want to be beside the richest one.
> Actually, since the white tower is less than a decade old it is probably the other way around, right? After all, Helene knew that at least that building... and that one over there existed in the past. <
And it does feel quite Alpha-like to plant her giant ego in the middle of others to prove dominance. That is one thing Vrika would not gekker or argue with me about! Instead it focuses on the current mutability of my mindscape.
It has not yet settled on something good since that memory earlier. On top of that, I arrived in such an upscale area in this outfit ten minutes early... and felt like I might make one of my nice, naturally straight tails wavy with curls over how much I worried at it.
Feeling nervous to dive back into this world’s version of social games of those with wealth and influence, I forcing myself to stop by wrapping the dupatta over my head. I looked again at my phone and the pictures I found online of where we will be eating.
Muted lighting over dark swirls of grain in a chocolate wood - Eastern Black Walnut according to some of the professional reviewers. It was quite a nice looking place in its more ’public’ section, with a sizeable bar for those who like to drink.
And it was clearly built with as many luxuries as possible to attract the highest class of crowd. Mahogany tables existed for use by their VIP members who wanted the classic reddish wood to grace their meal. Charcuterie boards and doors - to bathrooms and and other private areas - made of yet another limited, premium, and rare wood known as Wenge.
Before I knew it, I realized that I’d been stepping in the direction of the lobby like I couldn’t wait to see it in person. Raising my chin and stuffing my phone back into my clutch, I’m *assaulted* immediately on entry to get to the elevators.
"You look stunning."
I turned to find Kyrie Voss standing only a few paces away, her brown eyes taking me in with an intensity that made my skin warm - or maybe that was the sudden and stressing scent of her. Or perhaps just the white dress she wore, hugging her figure as she held a nice red coat over her own shoulder with two fingers.
> Yes. Every and any bit of it right now. Go lay down, this is human adult time. I’m a vixen not a human? Shh. Shoo, shoo! <
She looked every inch the powerful woman I knew her to be, the CEO and pack leader. And infuriatingly attractive whether she had shown up in *this* or her normal style business suits.
This... might be harder than I thought.
"You’re staring."
Pulling on what arrogance I could muster when I speak that phrase - while hiding my enjoyment of being physically appreciated - a smile still moved her lips... and the corners of her eyes. Like she was actually waiting for me to complain.
"I am. It would be rude not to appreciate such a vision."
I felt heat rise to my cheeks - and cursed my body’s betrayal as I turned to the side and removed the headdress. Not turning back to her after folding it over my arm, I start to walk forward when she moved past me to press the elevator call button.
"Allow me."
My wolf had stirred again, on seeing her hips sway in front of me... even though she neglected to wear heels. I ignored what must have been a very intentional stride to attract me - and my other thought that she was trying to do her best to keep us on more even-heighted footing by going with flats.
Ignore, deny, deny. As I always did. I swept past her into the intimate space the moment one of the three doors opened up. Once inside, I closed my eyes and waited without saying anything as she pressed the right button for the restaurant’s floor.
It did not make things better. For I could only focus on how I heard her step toward me, pause, and then shuffle to my side. Waiting next to me just as patiently as can be. Unbothered by my rude behavior, that was often enough to disillusion the weakest minded of suitors back when-
"I’m a little jealous."
Opening one eye and looking over, I see that she has snuck her hand quite near my bare stomach. For a split second, my body rebels violently as the danger to the child within it exploded in my thought. But Vrika... didn’t listen to my command to start the transformation in full.
By the end of the brief moment, her fingers pulled back and covered her lips. And I heard her mumble something that makes a different kind of danger explode in my heart.
"That others saw this. On your way here."
"Oh. Is that how you really feel? Like my body is yours now?"
Struggling to speak as haughtily as I can while standing just a little straighter on shaky legs, I watch the change she undergoes. As her fingers scratch across the lower half of her face and curl at her cheek as she tilts a bit.
"But also grateful... that I got to see it. Thank you for the beautiful treat."
Moved away from that small embarrassment or shame she may or may not have felt - and right for my figurative throat. I freely admit I am an incredible and vain creature, and-
> No, I did not mean incredibly vain! I am the best amount of it. Leave me alone, you bully of a wolf. <
With eyes flickering orange at me for the first time this evening, I can almost primally tell how much she *covets* me. The first sign that I was right to wear the protection around my neck. Because if she doesn’t take well to my dissuasion later, she just might finally rush things to a conclusion.
"Fine feathers make fine birds. Using your wealth makes it easy to buy whatever I want, so I think I’ll *also* buy the second most expensive one, as well. Next time."
"Hmm. In this case, I think it is more that the fancily arranged fur simply makes a fine fox even finer. But-"
The elevator dinged and I was slipping through the opening again - so fast that my chest scrubbed uncomfortably on the sliding doors - without waiting to listen to whatever unrequested compliments she was trying to ’butter me up’ with!