Page 35 of Once You Go Pack
They spent the next hour diving deeper into the archives, and with each book Lyra opened, Mila felt more connected to something ancient and powerful. Stories of humans who lived alongside wolf packs long ago, protecting their secrets and serving as bridges between the human and shifter worlds. The Lunar Veil—an ancient bloodline of humans who could commune with shifters.
“Here,” Lyra said suddenly, pulling out a slim volume bound in midnight blue leather. “This might interest you. It’s about the humans who aided the packs during the great migration.”
Mila opened the book, and her world fundamentally shifted. There, written in the same glowing script, was a name she recognized.Celeste Aylward.Her mother’s maiden name had been Aylward.
“Lyra,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “This woman... Celeste Aylward. She was...”
“One of the most revered human guardians in pack history,” Lyra finished, leaning over to read. “She helped establish the first fragile alliances between humans and shifters. Her bloodline was said to carry the moon’s blessing, making them natural protectors and...” Lyra’s eyes widened. “Aylward. That’s your mother’s family name, isn’t it?”
Mila nodded, unable to speak. The text beneath Celeste’s name blurred as tears gathered in her eyes.
Wow, my maternal line historically lived among wolf shifters.
“This explains everything,” Lyra breathed. “The way Cade’s wolf recognized you instantly, how comfortable you feel here, your ability to read our texts. You’re not just any human, Mila. You’re our legacy.”
The revelation crashed over her in fierce waves. All her life, she’d felt like she was searching for something, some missing piece of herself. The strange pull she’d always felt toward themoon, the dreams of running through forests she’d never seen, and the inexplicable connection to Cade that had ignited the moment they met.
“I’m descended from wolf guardians,” she whispered, testing the words. They felt right, like coming home after a lifetime of wandering aimlessly.
“Not just any guardians,” Lyra corrected, her voice filled with awe. “The Aylward line was legendary. They were the bridge between our two worlds, the ones who could make true unity possible.”
This is why I’m here.The thought settled into her bones with perfect certainty.This is why I couldn’t say no to Gerri’s impossible offer. This is why Cade makes me feel complete.
“Does this change things?” Mila asked, looking up at Lyra with new understanding burning in her chest. “Knowing what I am?”
Lyra’s grin was radiant. “Change things? Mila, this makes everything perfect. You’re not just meant to be Cade’s mate—you’re meant to be our queen.The Ice Moon pack has been waiting centuries for another Aylward guardian.”
“And Cade? Does he know?”
“I don’t think so, but his wolf does. Wolves always know their destinies, even when their human sides are too stubborn to listen.” Lyra closed the book gently. “This is your legacy too, Mila. Your birthright. The question is—are you ready to claim it?”
Looking around the ancient library and feeling the rush of recognition flowing through her veins, Mila knew her answer. She was more than ready. She was finally where she belonged.
TWELVE
CADE
Cade’s morning had been a relentless battle against himself. He’d woken before dawn with the taste of Mila still on his lips and the phantom sensation of her body pressed against his.
What kind of fool walked away from his mate? What kind of coward left her standing there, confused and hurt, without even a proper goodnight?
His wolf snarled in response.The kind who’s terrified of losing control.
He’d thrown himself into training with punishing intensity, determined to sweat out the memory of her soft curves and the way she’d melted into his kiss. The private gym in the castle’s lower levels had become his sanctuary and his torture chamber, the familiar burn of exertion doing nothing to quiet the restless energy clawing beneath his skin.
I should have stayed. Should have explained. Should have claimed her.
That last thought sent a jolt of raw need through him that made his hands shake as he wrapped them around the punching bag. He unleashed a series of brutal strikes, each impactreverberating through his bones, but nothing could silence the wolf’s increasingly desperate demands.
Mate. Mine. Claim her now.
“Enough,” he growled aloud, stepping back from the battered bag with sweat dripping down his bare chest.
If discipline wouldn’t work, maybe his wolf form would provide the clarity he desperately needed. He stripped out of his training gear with efficient movements, letting the familiar pull of transformation take over. Within seconds, his bones elongated, his muscles expanded, and his consciousness merged with the primal instincts of his beast.
The massive dark brown wolf that emerged was anything but calm. The golden crescent marking near his heart seemed to glow with inner fire as he paced the length of the gym, his powerful muscles rippling beneath his thick coat. But being in wolf form only sharpened every sensation, every memory, and every aching need for his mate.
Her scent lingered in the castle air around him—lavender and determination and something uniquely Mila that made his wolf’s heart pound. Even in this form, he could remember the exact texture of her lips, and the small sound she’d made when he’d pulled her against him.
