Page 72 of Once You Go Pack
And it was true. The anxious energy humming through her wasn’t fear—it was pure anticipation. Today marked the beginning of everything she’d dreamed of without even knowing she was dreaming it. A partnership built on love and respect. A chance to make a real difference in the world. A future with the man who saw her not as ordinary, but as extraordinary.
The future Queen of the Ice Moon pack and High Sovereign Queen of the Ice Mountains territory was ready to claim her destiny.
Another knock echoed through the guest suite, and her heart fluttered with anticipation. The moment had finally arrived.
“Come in,” she called, smoothing her hands over the flowing silk of her wedding dress one final time.
The door opened to reveal her father, looking distinguished in his formal dark suit, and beside him, Gerri Wilder practically vibrated with excitement. The matchmaker wore a stunning emerald green pantsuit, and her white bob was styled to perfection.
“Oh my stars!” Gerri exclaimed, her hands flying to her chest as she took in Mila’s appearance. “You look absolutely gorgeous! I knew this would work out perfectly, but this—“ She gestured dramatically at Mila’s transformed appearance. “This is even more magical than I expected.”
There’s something in her eyes,Mila realized, studying Gerri’s expression carefully.Like she knew about my ancestral connection all along.
“Did you know?” Mila asked softly, tilting her head. “About my wolf guardian bloodline?”
Gerri’s smile turned mysteriously knowing, her eyes flashing that telltale gold. “Let’s just say I have excellent instincts about these things, dear. Your mother’s spirit called to me the moment I stepped into your father’s law firm.”
Mila’s father stepped forward, his usually composed demeanor softened by unmistakable emotion. “Sweetheart, you look absolutely beautiful,” he said, his voice slightly thick. “I’m so proud of you. You’re going to make a great queen.”
The sight of her father’s eyes growing misty shocked Mila to her core. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen him emotional—not since her mother’s funeral.
“I sure am going to miss having you around the firm,” he continued, clearing his throat. “But you were right about the other paralegals. They’ve really stepped up, and I’m... well, I’m learning to adjust to life without my precious daughter around already.”
Tears pricked at Mila’s eyes as she reached for his hands. “Dad...”
“Your mother is looking down on you today,” he said, his voice growing stronger with conviction. “She’s so proud and happy for you. You know, she always talked about the moon and wolves so fondly. I never understood it before, but now...”He shook his head in awe. “She must have known this was your destiny all along.”
“That’s quite something,” Gerri interjected warmly, “to have such strong women so connected to wolves. It’s a very beautiful thing indeed.”
Mila felt her ancestral connection pulse through her blood like a gentle river of warmth, connecting her to her mother’s memory and to the ancient lineage that had led her here.
“Now then,” Gerri said, clapping her hands together, “we simply must not keep your wolf king waiting any longer, or he might shift and come whisk you away before we can have this proper wedding ceremony!”
All of them laughed, the sound echoing through the guest suite and washing away any lingering nerves.
“Ready, sweetheart?” her father asked, offering his arm with old-fashioned gallantry.
Mila took a deep breath, feeling the weight of Queen Sira’s necklace against her throat and the promise of her future settling into her bones. “I’ve never been more ready.”
They made their way through the grand corridors, past tapestries depicting Ice Moon pack history and crystalline windows that caught Nova Aurora’s twin suns. The ceremonial hall doors stood open before them, revealing a space transformed into something out of a fairy tale.
Hundreds of candles flickered throughout the hall, their warm light dancing off the ice-blue stone walls. Representatives from all three packs filled the seats, along with council elders and visiting dignitaries. But Mila’s eyes found only one person in the entire room.
Cade stood at the altar beside Elder Grimm, magnificent in his formal black suit with gold embroidery that caught the candlelight. His thick dark hair was perfectly styled, and his green eyes burned with an intensity that made her breathless.Despite his commanding presence, she could see the slight tension in his shoulders—her powerful Alpha king, nervous on their wedding day.
The music began—a hauntingly beautiful melody that seemed to resonate in her very bones—and her father squeezed her arm gently.
“Let’s get you married,” he murmured.
They began their procession down the aisle, and Mila was dimly aware of the gasps and murmurs of appreciation from the gathered crowd. But her focus remained entirely on Cade, whose expression shifted from nervous anticipation to pure reverence as she approached.
His eyes never left her face, drinking in every detail of her appearance like a man seeing sunrise for the first time. When she was halfway down the aisle, she saw his lips curve into that devastating smile that was hers alone.
He looks like he can’t believe I’m real,she thought, warmth blooming in her chest.
When they reached the altar, her father placed her hand in Cade’s with obvious reluctance to let her go. “Take care of her,” he said quietly.
“With my life,” Cade replied firmly.
