Chapter 7 Mila
SEVEN
MILA
The grandeur of Cade’s castle struck Mila like a physical force, leaving her breathless and slightly overwhelmed.
Every surface seemed to gleam with crystalline inlays that caught the aurora light streaming through impossibly tall windows.
Tapestries depicting fierce wolves in battle hung alongside intricate stone carvings that told stories she couldn’t decipher but somehow felt connected to.
This is a real castle. On an alien planet. And I’m actually standing here.
Her senses felt strangely heightened, as if Nova Aurora had awakened something dormant within her.
The faint scent of pine and snow drifted through the corridors, mingling with the subtle warmth of hearth fires that crackled somewhere in the distance.
Even the echo of wind through the mountain peaks seemed to resonate in her bones, creating an odd sensation of homecoming that made no logical sense.
But more distracting than the castle’s magnificence was the man beside her.
Cade looked devastatingly attractive in his white henley that hugged his broad shoulders and dark jeans that emphasized his powerful frame.
The casual clothing should have made him seem more approachable, but instead it highlighted the predatory grace in his movements and the barely leashed power radiating from every line of his body.
Focus, Mila. Stop staring at how the fabric stretches across his chest.
“I should probably rest,” she said, hoping her voice sounded steadier than she felt. “Tomorrow I can explore more of your world with fresh eyes.”
She reached for her suitcase, but Cade’s hand intercepted hers with fluid efficiency. His fingers brushed against hers for just a moment—warm and electric—before he claimed the handle.
“Let me,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
The gesture was perfectly gentlemanly, yet something wild flickered in his green eyes. She caught it for just an instant before his composed mask slipped back into place, but it was enough to send heat racing through her.
He’s holding back. But holding back from what?
As they walked through corridor after corridor of opulence, Mila found herself stealing glances at him.
The late hour—nearly midnight—had settled a peaceful quiet over the castle, making their footsteps echo softly against the polished stone floors.
Wolf shifter artifacts adorned the walls: ceremonial weapons with silver inlays, paintings of pack hunts under aurora-lit skies, and ancient-looking medallions that seemed to pulse with their own inner light.
“Your family has lived here for generations,” she observed, trailing her fingers along the smooth wall as they walked.
“Centuries,” Cade confirmed. “Each generation has added to the collection. As you might have gathered, history matters to our kind.”
Something in his tone made her look at him more closely. Tension radiated from his shoulders despite his steady pace, and she noticed how his free hand flexed and relaxed at his side as if he were fighting some internal battle.
What is he not telling me?
Finally, they reached an ornate door carved with intricate wolf imagery. Cade pushed it open and gestured for her to enter first.
Mila’s breath caught as she stepped into the guest suite.
The space was easily as large as her entire ranch house back on Earth, with a living area featuring plush furniture arranged around a fireplace, floor-to-ceiling windows that revealed the aurora-painted night sky, and doorways leading to what appeared to be a bedroom and bathroom.
“This is stunning,” she breathed, turning in a slow circle. “I feel like I should be paying for a place like this.”
A hint of a smile ghosted across Cade’s features. “Consider it part of the royal hospitality package.”
He moved through the living area with confident familiarity, setting her suitcase down on the king-sized four-poster bed in the adjoining bedroom. The massive piece of furniture was carved from what looked like a single piece of dark wood, its posts reaching toward a vaulted ceiling.
For a fleeting moment, they stood beside the bed, and Mila’s pulse spiked at the sudden intimacy of the situation.
The air between them seemed to crackle with unspoken tension, and she found herself hyperaware of everything about him—the way his chest rose and fell with carefully controlled breathing, the barely perceptible tension in his posture, and the heat radiating from his body.
He wants to touch me. I can feel it. But he’s fighting it.
The realization sent a thrill through her that was equal parts flattering and unnerving. She’d never experienced this kind of intoxicating pull with anyone before and never felt like she was standing on the edge of something that could consume her entirely.
Cade’s hands clenched into fists at his sides, and for a heartbeat, his eyes burned with such intensity that she felt her breath hitch. The civilized prince facade slipped, revealing something primal and possessive underneath that made her knees weaken.
He wants to throw me onto this bed and show me exactly what kind of wild lives beneath all that control.
The thought should have frightened her. Instead, it sent liquid heat pooling low in her body. But then his mask snapped back into place with almost violent force. He stepped back from the bed, putting careful distance between them, and tilted his head with formal politeness.
“Goodnight, Mila,” he said, his voice rough around the edges. “Sleep well.”
He was gone before she could respond, the door closing behind him with a soft click that seemed to echo in the sudden silence. Mila sat on the edge of the massive bed, her heart still racing from the intensity of whatever had just passed between them.
What have I gotten myself into exactly?
Mila sank deeper into the plush bedding, her mind a whirlwind of contradictory thoughts that refused to settle. The silence of the castle felt alive around her.
Seriously, what am I even doing here?
The question circled through her consciousness like a persistent echo.
Every logical part of her brain screamed that she’d lost her mind—stepping through a wormhole to go to an alien planet to live with a wolf shifter prince who wanted her as his mate.
It was the plot of some story she would write, not her life.
Yet beneath the surface panic, something else kept pulsing. Something that felt dangerously like recognition.
When Cade had touched her at the café, when his eyes had locked onto hers with that burning intensity, it was as if every cell in her body had suddenly awakened and whispered finally.
But am I too ordinary to be with someone like him? Can I really belong here?
She forced herself to stand, needing movement to quiet the chaos in her head. Unpacking would give her hands something to do while her mind processed this impossible situation.
Her small suitcase looked pathetic sitting on the enormous four-poster bed. As she lifted the lid and began removing her practical clothes—sensible sweaters, comfortable jeans, worn sneakers—the contrast between her simple belongings and the opulent surroundings felt stark.
When she opened the massive wardrobe to hang up her things, her breath caught in her throat.
The closet was filled with clothes. Beautiful, expensive clothes in exactly her size.
Flowing dresses in rich jewel tones, soft cashmere sweaters, elegant boots, and delicate lingerie that made her cheeks warm just looking at it.
Everything perfectly coordinated and everything exquisite.
He did this. He went to all this trouble for me.
Her fingers trailed over a midnight blue dress that felt like liquid silk beneath her touch. The care and attention to detail overwhelmed her—he’d somehow managed to select pieces that were exactly her style, if her style had unlimited budget and confidence to match.
He must really want me to stay. Or at least... he wants me to feel special enough to consider it.
The realization sent butterflies dancing through her stomach.
When had anyone gone to such lengths to make her feel valued?
Her father barely noticed when she worked sixteen-hour days.
Riley took her competence for granted. Even the few men she’d dated had expected her to fit into their lives without reciprocal effort.
But Cade—Cade had seen her for one morning and filled an entire wardrobe with treasures just for her.
She pulled out a silk slip nightgown in pale lavender, the fabric so fine it seemed to shimmer in the aurora light streaming through the windows. The garment was beautiful and feminine and utterly unlike anything she owned.
Her practical cotton pajamas suddenly seemed shabby in comparison. Before she could second-guess herself, she began stripping out of her travel clothes. The sweater came off first, then her jeans, then her simple cotton bra and panties that had seen better days.
The silk slip whispered over her skin like a caress, the cool fabric warming instantly to her body temperature. It skimmed her curves in a way that was both modest and sensual, the hemline hitting mid-thigh and the neckline just low enough to hint at feminine mystery.
She turned toward the full-length mirror mounted on the far wall, and the woman looking back at her was a stranger.
I look... sexy.
The realization hit her with sudden force. The silk clung to her body in all the right places, highlighting curves she usually hid beneath loose clothing. Her blonde hair caught the aurora light, and her blue eyes seemed brighter and more alive.
I feel like a man might actually want me.
Not just tolerate her presence or appreciate her usefulness but genuinely desire her. The way Cade had looked at her—like she was something precious and dangerous and irresistible—made heat flood her body.
She was still staring at her reflection, marveling at the transformation, when a soft knock at the door made her jump.
Who could that be at this hour?
Her heart hammered as she padded barefoot across the stone floor. She opened the door slowly, expecting perhaps a castle staff member with extra blankets or towels.
Instead, Cade stood in the hallway, holding a delicate porcelain cup that steamed gently in the cool air.
“I thought you might want some tea before bed,” he said, his voice carefully controlled. “It’s a local blend that helps with—“
His words died abruptly as his gaze took in her appearance.
The cup trembled slightly in his hands, and she could swear she heard a low growl rumble from his chest. His green eyes had gone dark as they traced the silk clinging to her body.
The mask of royal composure cracked, revealing something hungry underneath that made her stomach flutter.
“Thank you,” she said quickly, reaching for the cup before he could drop it. “That’s incredibly thoughtful.”
Her fingers brushed his as she took the tea, and the contact sent electricity shooting up her arm. He sucked in a sharp breath, his entire body going rigid.
She started to close the door, desperate to put some barrier between them before she did something truly foolish, but his foot slipped into the doorway, stopping her.
“Mila.” Her name sounded like a prayer on his lips. “You’re really beautiful. And you’re making it incredibly hard for me to control myself right now.”
The raw honesty in his voice sent heat through her veins. She could see the war playing out in his expression—desire battling with restraint, need clashing with duty.
“I can tell,” she whispered, her cheeks burning. “I’m sorry if I’m making things more difficult for you.”
“No.” His voice was strained. “You’re not making things difficult. You’re making me want to come back inside your room and forget every rule of propriety I’ve ever learned. But I know that would be too forward.”
Her breath hitched at the naked want in his confession. The silk suddenly felt like nothing at all against her overheated skin.
“That might be a bit rushed,” she managed, though her body was screaming the opposite. “But I do find you very attractive.”
Something like relief and torture flickered across his features. “I should really leave before we do something foolish. Before you’ve had a chance to truly acclimate to this world.”
She nodded. “Goodnight, Cade. Thank you for being such a wonderful host.”
He stepped back reluctantly, his eyes lingering on her face like he was memorizing every detail. “Sweet dreams, Mila.”
The door closed with a click, and she immediately slumped against it, the teacup shaking in her hands. She set it down on the nearby table before she could drop it, her entire body trembling with the aftershocks of their encounter.
How am I going to manage myself around him?
The sexual chemistry between them was explosive and dangerous. Every look and every accidental touch set her on fire. And from the way his control had nearly shattered just from seeing her in silk pajamas, he was fighting the same battle.
We’re going to end up consuming each other if we’re not careful.
The thought should have worried her more than it did. But as she finally climbed into the massive bed, her last coherent thought was a resolution to make things easier for him by maintaining some emotional distance.
He needs to focus on his family and his royal duties. Not on me.
She would put up walls around her heart, and keep things controlled and proper. It was the right thing to do. Even if it might destroy her.