Page 11 of Once You Go Pack
“Remember when you were sixteen and tried to impress that visiting bear king’s daughter by showing off during combattraining?” Lyra’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “You ended up flat on your back in the mud, completely covered head to toe.”
Despite himself, Cade’s lips quirked upward. “She laughed for ten minutes straight.”
“And then you tried to play it off like it was intentional,” Lyra continued, grinning at Mila. “Very suave, brother.”
The image of a young Cade covered in mud, trying to maintain his dignity, was so endearing that Mila found herself laughing. Real laughter, the kind that bubbled up from genuine delight rather than politeness.
“At least I didn’t challenge the kitchen staff to a baking contest and nearly burn down the west wing of the castle,” Cade shot back, his own smile becoming more natural.
“That was one time!”
Watching the siblings banter, Mila felt something shift inside her chest. This powerful, intimidating prince had the same kind of relationship with his sister that she had with Riley—loving, teasing, and protective. It made him more real and more accessible.
The conversation flowed naturally after that, touching on Nova Aurora’s beautiful landscapes, the differences between their worlds, even Mila’s work at the law firm. Cade listened with genuine interest, asking thoughtful questions that proved he wasn’t just being polite. His attention was so focused and intense, as if everything she said mattered to him.
When had anyone ever looked at her like that? Like she was fascinating rather than merely functional?
“The proposition,” Gerri said eventually, her tone gentle but direct. “Have you given it any more thought?”
The table fell silent. Mila felt three pairs of eyes on her, but it was Cade’s gaze that held her captive. There was hope there, carefully banked but unmistakable, along with something that looked almost like hunger.
He wants this. He wants me.
The realization sent a thrill through her that she tried desperately to suppress.
“I...” Her voice came out too small. She cleared her throat. “I need some more time to think about it. This is all so overwhelming.”
“Of course,” Cade said immediately, though she caught the flash of disappointment in his eyes. “Take all the time you need.”
“I’ll give Gerri an answer before the end of the day,” Mila promised, surprised by her own certainty about the timeline.
The meal wrapped up with lighter conversation, but the undercurrent of tension never fully disappeared. Every accidental brush of fingers when reaching for water glasses, every shared glance, every moment when Cade’s attention focused on her with that laser intensity—it all built into something that left her feeling breathless and confused.
When they finally stood to leave, Cade helped her with her chair again. The simple courtesy shouldn’t have affected her so strongly, but combined with everything else, it left her feeling cherished in a way she’d never experienced before.
“Thank you for a lovely meal,” she managed as they gathered outside the café.
“The pleasure was entirely mine,” Cade replied, and the formal words carried undertones that made her heart skip.
Lyra hugged her goodbye with surprising warmth, whispering, “I really hope we see you again soon,” in her ear.
Gerri just winked. “You know how to reach me, darling.”
And then they were walking away, leaving Mila standing on the sidewalk watching Cade’s retreating figure. Even from behind, he commanded attention—the confident stride and the subtle power in every movement.
How could I possibly be the kind of woman he needs for his future queen?
The doubt crashed over her as she turned toward the law firm. Back to her ordinary life, her predictable routine, and her safe invisibility.
But her hand still tingled where he’d touched it. Her heart still raced from the memory of his smile. And despite every rational argument her mind could produce, she couldn’t stop thinking about the way he’d looked at her—like she really was extraordinary.
I can’t imagine leaving Earth... and yet... I can’t stop thinking about him. About what meeting him felt like... how alive it made me feel.
FOUR
CADE
The moment they stepped away from the café, Lyra bounced on her toes beside Cade. “Did you see the way she looked at you?” She grabbed Gerri’s arm with excitement. “And when you touched her hand—I swear the air itself changed!”
