Page 4 of Once You Go Pack
Mila found herself reaching for her purse before her brain caught up with her actions. Something about Gerri made resistance feel impossible—not through force but through an inexplicable certainty that this was exactly what was supposed to happen.
“I suppose one drink wouldn’t hurt.”
“That’s the spirit!” Gerri’s eyes flashed gold again, and for just a moment, the air around them seemed to shimmer with possibility.
The bar Gerri selected occupied a narrow slice of historic Salem, its exposed brick walls and dim lighting creating an atmosphere that whispered secrets. Mila slid into the corner booth’s worn leather seat, her navy skirt bunching awkwardly as she tried to find a comfortable position. The booth felt intimate—too intimate.
“Two cosmos, extra lime,” Gerri announced to their server before Mila could protest. “Trust me, honey. You need something stronger than your usual tea.”
How does she know I drink tea?Mila smoothed her blouse, hyperaware of every wrinkle that marked her as someone who spent too much time working at a desk.
“You were absolutely brilliant today. Showing me exactly how you managed to orchestrate what should be the event of the year for my foundation.” Gerri’s eyes sparkled with genuine enthusiasm.
Heat crept up Mila’s neck. “It really wasn’t that difficult. Just basic event planning.”
“Basic?” Gerri laughed, the sound rich and warm. “Sweetheart, do you know how many seasoned professionals would have cracked under that pressure?”
Their drinks arrived, the pink liquid catching the bar’s amber lighting. Gerri raised her glass with theatrical flair.
“To hidden talents and untapped potential.”
Mila took a careful sip, the vodka hitting her empty stomach like liquid courage. “I appreciate the compliments, Ms. Wilder, but I’m not sure why you’re so interested in me specifically.”
“Gerri,” she corrected with a wink. “And the reason should be obvious. You’re exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Looking for?Mila set down her glass, confusion threading through the alcohol’s warmth. “I’m sorry, I don’t understand.”
“Of course you don’t, because no one’s ever told you how extraordinary you are.” Gerri leaned forward, her vanilla-and-citrus scent intensifying. “Tell me, what do you know about my real work?”
“Your foundation?—”
“That’s my hobby, darling.” Gerri’s eyes flashed gold in the dim light. “My actual profession is matchmaking. I run the Paranormal Dating Agency.”
“Paranormal dating? What is that?” Mila asked, her voice almost a whisper.
“I pair supernatural shifters with their perfect matches. Wolves, dragons, bears—you’d be amazed how difficult it is for them to find love.”
This woman is clearly insane.Mila’s rational mind screamed warnings but something deeper stirred—a flutter of curiosity.
“I’m not really looking for a boyfriend right now,” Mila said quickly. “My work at the firm keeps me too busy for dating.”
“Oh, honey.” Gerri’s laugh held layers of meaning. “I’m not talking about some ordinary boyfriend. I’m talking about a wolf shifter prince who’s soon-to-be king and who desperately needs a future queen.”
The bar seemed to tilt sideways. “A what?”
“His name is Cade. He’s about to inherit the throne of the Ice Moon pack on an alien planet called Nova Aurora.” Gerri pulled out an old leather notebook, her fingers caressing its worn cover. “He’s strong, intelligent, devastatingly handsome,and completely hopeless at finding a mate worthy of standing beside him.”
Wolf shifter prince. Alien planet. Future queen.The words bounced around Mila’s brain like pinballs, refusing to form coherent thoughts.
“I’ve never even met a wolf shifter here on Earth,” Mila whispered.
“Because you’re meant for something bigger than Earth’s little pups.” Gerri’s voice carried absolute conviction. “Nova Aurora’s wolves are magnificent—powerful, primal, built for ruling kingdoms, and protecting what they love.”
Something electric shot through Mila at the word ‘protecting.’When had anyone protected her from anything?She’d been taking care of herself—and everyone else—for so long she’d forgotten what safety felt like.
“This is crazy,” she breathed.
“Is it? Or is it the first thing that’s made sense in years?” Gerri’s gaze seemed to peer straight through her carefully constructed walls. “Tell me honestly—if you disappeared tomorrow, how long before anyone at that law firm truly noticed?”
