Page 55 of Once You Go Pack
The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees as Cade’s wolf surged to the surface. His eyes blazed with green fire as he finally turned to face his Beta. “Then he’ll discover exactly why challenging the High Sovereign was a mistake he’ll never live to repeat.”
Martin nodded, clearly satisfied with the lethal promise in Cade’s voice. “Good. Because she’s earned her place here, and the pack knows it.”
As if summoned by their conversation, the sound of footsteps echoed in the corridor outside his office. Cade’s enhanced senses immediately identified the approaching scent.
“Enter,” he called before she could knock.
Mila stepped into the office, her cheeks flushed from training and her golden hair tied back in a ponytail. She wore form-fitting leather training gear that showcased her toned figure, and Cade had to clench his hands to keep from crossing the room and claiming her mouth in a passionate kiss.
“Martin, Cade,” she greeted them with a smile that lit up her entire face. “Lyra said you wanted to see me now?”
“Actually, I need to speak with you privately,” Cade replied, and the way her blue eyes immediately focused on him with complete attention made his chest tight with emotion.
Martin took the hint. “I’ll leave you two alone. Mila, your progress has been remarkable. The pack is lucky to have you as their future queen.”
After Martin left, closing the door behind him, Mila moved closer to Cade. Her scent wrapped around him like a caress, and he reached for her before conscious thought could intervene.
“You’re covered in sweat,” he murmured, pulling her against his chest anyway.
“I’ve been training hard,” she said, her hands splaying across his shirt. “Lyra thinks I’m ready for advanced combat techniques, and some of the warriors are actually starting to treat me like I belong here instead of like a fragile human who might break.”
Pride swelled in him. “Because you do belong here. You were born for this world, this life... with me.”
She tilted her head back to meet his gaze, and the absolute trust he saw there nearly undid him. “I feel it now more than ever. Sometimes when I’m training or walking through thecastle, it’s like I’m remembering things I never learned. Is that normal for mated pairs?”
“No, it’s not normal,” Cade admitted. “Your ancestral connection to this land runs deeper than either of us fully understands.”
“Speaking of things I need to understand...” Mila stepped back slightly, her expression growing serious. “There’s something you need to tell me, isn’t there? I can feel it—you’re nervous about something.”
Damn their mate bond.
Cade had hoped to ease into this conversation, but his fierce, perceptive mate wasn’t going to let him dance around the subject.
“There’s a trial,” he said finally. “The Moonfire Trial. It’s an ancient tradition that proves mated pairs are truly destined partners. As High Sovereign and his future queen, we’re required to complete it before I can officially propose and make you my wife.”
Mila’s eyebrows rose. “And when exactly is this trial supposed to happen?”
Cade winced. “Two days.”
“Two days?” Her voice pitched higher. “Cade, why didn’t you tell me about this sooner?”
“Because you’ve been focused on your training, and I’ve been dealing with the aftermath of my father’s death and taking over as High Sovereign. Plus...” He ran a hand through his hair, feeling uncomfortably vulnerable at this moment. “I was nervous about it myself.”
“What kind of trial is this exactly? A legal one? Because you know I could handle that with no problem,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest in a gesture that was both defensive and utterly adorable.
“No, it’s not a legal trial. It tests our deepest fears and the strength of our mate bond. The trial forces couples to face their worst nightmares while supporting each other through them.” Cade’s voice grew strained with emotion. “I wasn’t sure I was ready to have you see me at my most vulnerable, to risk you discovering something about me that might make you change your mind about us.”
Mila’s expression softened, and she stepped back into his arms. “Oh, Cade. After everything we’ve been through, everything you’ve shown me about yourself already—your grief, your incredible strength—you think there’s something that could make me stop loving you?”
“I know it’s irrational,” he admitted, wrapping his arms around her waist. “But losing you would destroy me, Mila. My wolf and I are completely devoted to you.”
She pressed a quick but fierce kiss to his lips and then took a step back again. “When can we start training for this trial?”
“We can start training now if you’re up for it,” Cade replied quickly, still quietly reprimanding himself for not telling her sooner. “But we have all of tomorrow as well to prepare.”
Mila’s chin lifted with determination, and he caught the fierce spark in her blue eyes that always made his chest tighten with pride. “Of course I want to start training tonight. If we only have tonight and tomorrow, then I need all the time I can get.”
She’s mine. My wolf knows it. My heart knows it.
