CHAPTER 278: CHAPTER 278 - YOU THINK I PLAN? HOW SWEET...

A/N: Direct innuendo and dressing in lingerie ahead, but didn’t figure it fits the R18 Chapter tagging~

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"Citra? Is everything alright?"

"Oh, everything’s fine. I just wanted to thank you for today. Your response was... effective for my purpose."

"Of course. That sort of thing isn’t welcome in my territory. Especially by those within my own pack."

"Mhm. I believe you. Don’t worry."

My fingers brush and twirl in the end of one of my twintails as I listen to her talk. Idly checking for any signs of damage at the ends. The stylist tomorrow will probably clean it up if so, but it would be nice to prepare mentally to being told.

"Are you sure you’re okay? You sound..."

"Mm? I sound what?"

I found myself smiling at her trailing concern. What could she possibly have read into in such-

"...Like you’re planning something."

...Perceptive wolf.

Blue eyes look at me amused as a black tail wags and sways in contentment. It isn’t pushing me too roughly to do more than just the talking right now, because Vrika understands that this much was already a leap over the little canyon between us.

Or at least, it knows that unless she says something silly, I fully intend to go find her. Or have her come find me? Where should two friends even meet for such a tryst in the city...

"Perhaps I am. Planning... something. I’m actually looking to repay the recent favors, if that’s acceptable. Are you busy tonight?"

A long pause that I could swear ended with a huskily, hastily breathed out ’nine-ten’ ensued.

"I could be available in a few hours. Did you want to meet somewhere, or... maybe get a late dinner?"

"Dinner... why, that sounds like a date, Kyrie. Do you think that’s what I want to get you alone to myself for? A date?"

I’m not sure if she actually knows what part was sent on video to me or not. But I could practically hear her thinking on the other line. Or maybe it’s just whatever that rapid tapping noise coming through the speaker is.

"Friends eat together, too."

"Well, we’re not eating *together* tonight, silly wolf. Though..."

Snickering a bit, I lower my tone further. Trying to leave no room for the very direct innuendo to fail by layering it with as much seductive voice as I can muster.

"It might be said that one of us thinks to eat the other quite well. Are you not willing to be consumed by this vixen again, Ms. Voss?"

Her breath shuddered and the tapping sound stopped. I’m still not sure if it was her fingers on her desk or her foot on the ground. But clearly she was using it to hold herself steady, because the whimpering tone that came out was quite different.

"...Yes, but..."

"Where are you right now, anyway? Still working, I assume. Which is why you need a few hours... that does make sense. Mhm."

I was already on my feet and heading to the bedroom, trying to consider which outfit would best serve my purposes. Something a bit business-like, so that I could pass for an office worker.

"Why do you sound like your planning something else, now?"

"Well, maybe wait and see. If I get in trouble, I might run first... but your security people should probably help, right?"

"Citra, what-"

I ended the call while slipping off my current clothes. Glancing at my entire collection, I decide that the underlayer isn’t *so* important since I don’t intend to really disrobe once I’m there. Yet I still pick up the nice set of lilac lingerie I’d yet to try on.

You never know. It does feel wrong to treat her with the sight of good things if she gets out of hand and makes moves I don’t want. But it feels just as wrong to dress down... urgh...

My wolf’s amused huffs at my indecision were ignored as I arrange the lacework fabrics that seem to be so much more about visual presentation than function. But they do certainly... present.

I snap a few photos on instinct in the mirror before I shake my head. Claire is likely going to make fun of me for my vanity again. But I take a dozen more that show greater detail before I’m through.

"They will make nice... gifts if she behaves good, I suppose. That also tease her for what she didn’t get to see and enjoy... yes, that works quite well."

It was hard to erase the smile on my face as I pulled on a set of ’mismatched’ black thigh high tights - because the lacy lilac set would not look very business. Attaching the lingerie garter belt’s six suspender clips was a new and only mildly frustrating experience.

Next came the dark suit skirt I’d purchased from Crystalline Boutique but had yet to ever wear. A light blue, long sleeve silk blouse I’ve worn a few times by now. And finally... the matching jacket that went along with it all.

"Close. It’s still not right. I guess just covering up with a hood while sneaking around the city is not really as valid as it was in my kingdom..."

With a sigh, I took my hair down while walking over to the vanity. Brushing it out, I almost gagged as I brought it together in a single black hair-tie low on my nape. Like how Ellie wore hers.

Then I reached for something that a certain assistant and Beta had conveniently forgotten while she was here. Her glasses that she took off while sleeping had been left behind after... whatever happened between them on my couch.

No, I do not want to think about it. But I’m sure that the male had more self control than her. And besides, I’m certain she would have bragged by now. Probably.

Putting them on while glancing in the mirror hurts my eyes. But before I rip them away, I raise my phone and blindly take pictures through the blurry vision. Then I rub at my temples after folding and setting the lenses down on the flat

"Goddesses, I know how these are supposed to work, but to think improper magnification would cause that much distress so quickly..."

With that part of my plan a failure, I nonetheless take a look at the photo and decide that it is an indispensable part of the disguise. I’ll simply have to make a stop on the way to buy a pair with none of that prescription quality.

Even if Vrika... and yes, myself... are already anxious to get on the dangerous hunt for a white haired beauty.