Page 48 of Once You Go Pack
His eyes flashed with something predatory and absolutely certain. “I’m not losing that duel.”
The raw alpha energy radiating from him sent heat pooling in her, but she forced herself to focus on the day ahead. “I shouldgo get ready. What’s the protocol for meeting a council of ancient wolf shifters who probably think I’m a liability?”
“Just be yourself,” he said simply, pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead. “That’s all you need to do.”
An hour later, Mila stood in front of the full-length mirror in her guest suite, smoothing down the sapphire blue dress she’d chosen from her new wardrobe. The color brought out her eyes and complemented the silver gleam of her mate mark, but she couldn’t help but think that she was trying too hard to prove herself through appearances rather than actions.
Stop it,she told herself firmly.You belong here. Your ancestors walked these lands before Zarik was even born.
When she met Cade in the grand foyer, her eyes darkened at the sight of him—his flawless charcoal suit that emphasized his broad shoulders and powerful frame, his dark hair that was perfectly styled, and his crown that sat on his head with natural authority, making her wolf-guardian blood sing in recognition.
“You look stunning,” he said, his green eyes heating as they traveled over her figure. “The council won’t even know what hit them.”
Martin appeared beside them with military precision, nodding respectfully to both of them. “The car is ready, Your Majesty. The council is assembled and waiting.”
As they walked to the royal vehicle, Mila felt the weight of what lay ahead settling on her chest. The council building loomed in the distance—an ancient structure situated near the mountainside, its crystalline spires reaching toward the vast blue sky.
“I’m just a human,” she whispered as they settled into the back seat, her hands trembling slightly despite her best efforts at composure. “How can they ever respect me?”
Cade’s hand covered hers immediately, his touch warm and reassuring. “Once they learn about your ancestral lineage to theIce Moon pack and Nova Aurora, they won’t question your right to stand beside me. Your bloodline has been protecting wolves longer than most of theirs have existed.”
Mila wanted to believe him, but doubt gnawed at her as the council building grew larger through the car’s windows. “I’m not so sure that will change their minds if they’re all convinced I’m weak like Zarik is trying to make everyone believe.”
“Then we’ll prove them wrong,” Cade said, his voice carrying that alpha certainty that made her stomach flutter. “Together.”
The car pulled up to the imposing entrance of the council building, its ancient stone facade carved with wolf symbols that seemed to watch their approach. As they stepped out onto the crystalline walkway, Mila felt the full weight of centuries of tradition and power crushing down on her.
This is it,she thought, straightening her shoulders and lifting her chin with determination she didn’t entirely feel.Time to show them what a wolf guardian’s descendant can do.
Cade offered his arm, and she took it gratefully, drawing strength from the solid warmth of his presence. Whatever happened in the next few hours, they would face it as mates—equal partners in a bond that transcended species and tradition.
“Ready for this?” he asked, his green eyes fierce with protectiveness.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” she confirmed, even as her heart hammered against her ribs.
The ancient stone corridors of the council building seemed to press in around Mila as Cade guided her deeper into the heart of shifter politics. Her heels clicked against crystalline floors that had witnessed centuries of pack negotiations, territorial disputes, and bloodline ceremonies.
The massive oak doors to the council chamber stood before them, carved with intricate wolf symbols that seemed familiar to Mila somehow.
Cade paused, turning to face her. “Remember, you are my mate. My equal. Don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise.”
The doors swung open, revealing a cavernous chamber dominated by a circular table hewn from what looked like a single massive tree. Around it sat figures that radiated such intense alpha energy that Mila’s breath caught in her throat. These weren’t just pack members—these were the most powerful shifters in the Ice Mountains, their eyes gleaming with primal intelligence as they assessed her with varying degrees of skepticism.
King Zarik commanded attention from across the room, his imposing frame draped in midnight blue that emphasized his predatory grace. Those glacial eyes fixed on her immediately, and Mila felt his calculated scrutiny like ice water down her spine. He smiled—an expression that didn’t reach his eyes and held no warmth whatsoever.
“Gentlemen,” Cade announced, his voice ringing with royal authority as he guided Mila to the center of the chamber. “I present my mate, Mila Eldridge, future Queen of the Ice Moon pack.”
The reaction was immediate and varied. Several of the older council members exchanged disapproving glances, their weathered faces creasing with doubt. Whispers rippled through the assembled shifters like wind through winter trees.
“A human mate?”
“How can she possibly understand our shifter ways?”
“The shifter bloodline will be diluted...”
Mila’s cheeks burned as the criticisms washed over her, each word a needle of doubt piercing her newfound confidence. She straightened her shoulders, drawing on reserves of strength she wasn’t entirely sure she possessed.
King Thornberry of the Blue Moon pack, a silver-haired man with kind eyes, nodded respectfully. “Welcome to theIce Mountains, Miss Eldridge. These are... unprecedented circumstances.”
