Chapter 14
FOURTEEN
CADE
The leather chair behind his father’s oak desk had become Cade’s prison.
Twenty-four hours of sitting in the same spot and breathing in the lingering scent of pine and authority that still clung to every surface in the office.
His father’s reading glasses lay folded next to a half-finished cup of tea, steam long since dissipated, and Cade couldn’t bring himself to move either item.
He was just here yesterday morning, Cade thought, his eyes burning from exhaustion. We discussed the council meeting next week. He was worried about my transition to High Sovereign, but he seemed... stable.
The irony wasn’t lost on him. The moment he’d finally claimed his mate—the moment his wolf had found peace in Mila’s arms—everything had shattered. Like the universe demanded payment for his brief happiness.
His communicator buzzed for the hundredth time that day. Another call he couldn’t ignore, no matter how much his wolf snarled in protest.
“King Cade here,” he answered with the unfamiliar title.
“Your Majesty,” came the gravelly voice of King Thornberry from the Blue Moon pack. “We’ve received word of King Drake’s passing. The Blue Moon pack offers our deepest condolences and pledges our continued loyalty to the Ice Moon throne.”
Your Majesty. The title settled on Cade’s chest like a lead vest. Yesterday, he’d been Crown Prince with the luxury of time. Today, he was King of the Ice Moon pack and High Sovereign of the entire Ice Mountains territory, responsible for three packs and thousands of lives.
“Thank you, King Thornberry. Your support means everything to our pack during this transition.”
The words came automatically, diplomatic responses his father had drilled into him since childhood. But underneath the polite veneer, Cade’s wolf growled, agitated by the endless stream of condolences and political posturing.
The call ended, and immediately another one came through. This time, the caller ID made his jaw tighten.
“Yes, King Zarik?”
“My deepest sympathies, King Cade.” The Shadow Moon leader’s voice carried false warmth that made Cade’s skin crawl. “Such a shock, losing your father so suddenly. I’m sure you’re feeling... overwhelmed by your new responsibilities.”
There was something underneath Zarik’s tone—not quite excitement, but a barely contained anticipation that set every alpha instinct Cade possessed on high alert. Like a predator who’d been waiting for him to show weakness.
“The Ice Moon pack remains strong,” Cade replied carefully. “As does the High Sovereign’s authority.”
“Of course, of course. Though I can’t help but wonder how well you’ll manage the transition without proper... support. A strong mate can make all the difference during times of upheaval.”
The comment hit its mark perfectly. Zarik somehow knew about Mila—probably knew Cade had claimed her yesterday, knew she was human, and knew exactly how vulnerable that made them both in the current political climate.
“The Shadow Moon pack’s concern is noted,” Cade said, ice creeping into his voice.
Zarik’s laugh was low and predatory. “Until the funeral, then. We have much to discuss about the future of the Ice Mountains territory.”
The call ended, leaving Cade staring at the dark screen with mounting dread.
Zarik’s barely concealed eagerness confirmed what Cade had suspected—the Shadow Moon king saw King Drake’s death as an opportunity to challenge the established order.
And with Cade newly crowned and still processing his grief, the timing couldn’t be worse.
I should have had months to prepare for this. Months to train Mila, to solidify our mate bond, and to prove to the council that she could be the High Sovereign’s queen.
Instead, he was drowning in responsibilities while his mate waited in isolation, probably wondering why he’d abandoned her after claiming her body with desperate passion.
Mila.
Just thinking her name made his chest tighten with longing.
His wolf whined softly, craving her warmth and comfort, and the peace he’d found in her arms yesterday before everything went to hell.
But he couldn’t face her like this—raw and vulnerable and barely holding it all together.
She’d come to Nova Aurora looking for adventure, not to nurse a broken king through his grief.
She doesn’t need to see me falling apart. She needs strength, stability, and someone who can protect her from the political storm that’s coming.
But even as he told himself that, Cade knew he was lying.
Part of him was terrified that if he let her see how much he needed her, how desperately his wolf called for her comfort, she’d realize she’d made a mistake.
That a human paralegal from Earth couldn’t possibly handle being mated to a grieving king with enemies circling like vultures.
A soft knock interrupted his spiraling thoughts. “Come in.”
Martin entered with a tray of food that Cade had no appetite for and the carefully neutral expression that meant he was about to deliver news Cade didn’t want to hear.
“The viewing begins in two hours, Your Majesty. The ceremonial hall is prepared, and representatives from all three packs will be in attendance.”
Including Zarik.
“I’ll be there,” Cade said, though the thought of standing over his father’s lifeless body while making polite conversation with political rivals made his wolf howl in pain.
“Perhaps you should speak with Mila first,” Martin suggested carefully. “She’s been asking about you. Lyra mentioned she seemed... distressed.”
Guilt twisted in Cade’s stomach like a blade. Of course she was distressed. He’d claimed her as his mate and then vanished for twenty-four hours without explanation, leaving her to navigate the aftermath alone.
She probably thinks I regret what happened between us.
“I’ll see her at the viewing,” Cade said firmly.
Martin’s expression remained carefully blank, but Cade caught the disapproval in his Beta’s scent. “Of course, Your Majesty.”
Alone again, Cade finally forced himself to stand on unsteady legs. His reflection in the window showed a man who looked like he’d aged years in a single day—hollow eyes, stubble darkening his jaw, and the weight of kingship already etching lines around his mouth.
I need to get through tonight. Show strength to the packs, honor Father’s memory, and somehow find a way to protect Mila from the chaos that’s coming.
But first, he needed to look like a king instead of a grieving son who’d rather lock himself away forever in his father’s office, surrounded by memories of better days.
The formal black suit hanging in his private chambers awaited, along with the crown he’d never wanted to wear this soon.
The ceremonial hall stretched before Cade like a cathedral of grief, its vaulted ceilings carved with wolf totems that seemed to watch him with knowing eyes.
The formal black suit felt foreign against his skin—too rigid and too constraining—while the heaviness of his father’s crown pressed against his temples like a physical reminder of everything that had changed in the span of a heartbeat.
This crown was supposed to be months away, he thought, resisting the urge to adjust the circlet of silver and ice-blue sapphires that marked him as High Sovereign. I was supposed to have time to prepare and to prove myself worthy of it.
The scent of funeral flowers—white aurora lilies and mountain sage—couldn’t quite mask the underlying tension that permeated the hall.
Representatives from all three packs moved through the space with careful politeness, their conversations muted but charged with undercurrents of speculation and ambition.
Every glance felt like an assessment and every condolence was like a test of his composure.
King Zarik stood near the eastern wall, his imposing frame draped in ceremonial black, but his glacial blue eyes tracked Cade’s every movement with predatory interest. The Shadow Moon king’s presence felt like a storm cloud gathering strength, and Cade’s wolf bristled beneath his skin in response.
He’s waiting for me to show weakness. Waiting for any sign that I’m not strong enough to hold this crown.
But it was the sight of Mila that nearly shattered his carefully maintained control.
She stood beside Lyra near the memorial altar, her golden hair swept back in a simple style that somehow made her look both elegant and approachable.
The formal black dress she wore—one from the wardrobe he’d selected for her—hugged her body in a way that made his wolf rumble with possessive pride.
But it was her actions that stole his breath entirely.
Lyra was crying—soft, silent tears that spoke of a grief too deep for words—and Mila had one arm wrapped around his sister’s shoulders, offering quiet comfort with the kind of natural grace that couldn’t be taught.
Her free hand rubbed soothing circles on Lyra’s back while she whispered something that made his sister nod and lean into her embrace.
She’s taking care of my family, Cade realized, his chest tightening with a mixture of gratitude and longing so intense it nearly brought him to his knees. She’s standing there being everything we need, everything I should be giving them, and I’m...
Standing alone. Isolated by duty and the suffocating weight of expectations, while his mate provided the comfort and connection his family desperately needed.
Through their fragile mate bond, he felt her strength like a steady flame in the darkness.
Not the blazing fire of alpha dominance, but the quiet, enduring warmth of someone who refused to break under pressure.
Someone who saw what needed to be done and simply did it, without fanfare or expectation of recognition.