Page 11 of Bronx

“Mommy?” Samuel’s voice pulled her from her daydream. “I’m all clean now.”

“Good job,” she praised, helping him step out of the tub and wrapping him in a fluffy towel. She dried him off and dressed him in his cozy pajamas, tucking him into the sofa bed in the living-room area. “Sleep tight, my little wolf.”

“Night night, Mommy,” he whispered, his eyelids already drooping.

With a soft smile, Cora retreated to the bathroom and began to fill the tub once more. As she submerged herself in the hot water, her mind continued to drift toward the idea of a mate. She pictured her imaginary partner, his lips pressing tender kisses against her skin as they lay entwined in each other’s arms.

But when the fantasy began to turn sexual, she shook herself out of it, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. This was not the time for such thoughts; she needed to work on building a life for her and Samuel here in Moonstone Lodge, with or without a mate.

Climbing out of the now lukewarm water, Cora wrapped herself in a towel and padded into the bedroom before pulling on an oversize T-shirt. She crawled between the soft sheets of the bed, hope suffusing her body for the first time in years.

Maybe the first time ever, she realized.

As she closed her eyes, she sent a silent prayer to the universe, asking for guidance and strength in the days to come.

The next morning, Cora woke with a start, uncertain where she was. Then she glanced around and remembered. She glanced at the clock on the nightstand and sighed. It was time to face the day—a new day in Moonstone Lodge.

“Samuel, sweetie, it’s time to wake up,” she called out gently, her voice still thick with sleep.

Samuel groggily rubbed his eyes before giving her a sleepy grin. “Breakfast!” he exclaimed, clutching his new toy truck tightly in his small hands.

“Yep, we’re meeting Auntie Ivy for breakfast at the Moonstone Café,” she told him.

At the front desk, they asked for directions. Walking the few blocks to the café, Cora watched the people they passed. Everyone here seemed so open and friendly—a stark contrast to the Idaho Pack shifters.

As she and Samuel entered the café, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon rushed over them. They spotted Ivy sitting at a booth by the window, and she waved them over.

“Hey, you two,” Ivy said with a smile as they slid into the booth opposite her. “How did you sleep?”

“Like a log,” Cora said.

“Me too!” Samuel chimed in, clambering onto the seat next to his mother.

A waiter approached the table with a friendly smile. His sandy brown hair was pulled back into a bun. “Good morning. I’m Nick, and I’ll be your server today. What can I get you?”

“Samuel wants pancakes and sausage, please,” Cora said, her cheeks heating as Nick’s gaze lingered on her just a little longer than necessary.

“Of course. And for the lovely ladies?” he asked, never looking away from Cora.

“Um, just some scrambled eggs and toast for me, thanks,” Ivy said, smirking at the exchange between Nick and Cora.

“Same for me, please,” Cora added, her blush deepening as she avoided making eye contact with Nick.

“Coming right up,” he promised, giving her a wink before disappearing into the kitchen.

“Mommy, look!” Samuel exclaimed, rolling his toy truck across the table.

“Be careful,” she warned gently. “We don’t want to disturb the other customers.”

As Samuel entertained himself, Ivy leaned in toward Cora and lowered her voice. “So have you thought about what you’re going to do for work?”

Cora bit her lip, her anxiety bubbling to the surface. “Not really. I just hope I can find something soon.”

Nick emerged from the kitchen, carrying a tray laden with steaming plates of food. Cora’s stomach growled in anticipation, and she admired the ease with which he balanced their orders.

“Hey, don’t worry,” Ivy said as she leaned back to make room for the plates. “I’ll ask Ryker if he knows of any job openings. I only got my job at the clinic because of him.”

“I appreciate it.” Hope and fear threaded through Cora’s voice.

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