Page 14 of Bronx

Mila noticed Bronx’s uneasiness, giving him a smile. “Don’t worry,” she whispered, placing a hand on his arm. “Cora should be here any minute now.”

“Okay,” he replied, forcing himself to pay attention to the conversation. Still, an all-consuming anticipation gripped him.

As the minutes stretched into an hour, Bronx found solace in the camaraderie around him. He shared a laugh with Ivy over a particularly embarrassing story from Ryker’s past and listened intently to Steele’s plans for the pack’s future.

But every time the door creaked, or the wind rustled outside, his breath caught, leaving him hopeful that Cora had finally arrived. And as the evening wore on, Bronx braced himself for the moment when Cora would walk through the door and into his life.

Or the moment she rejects me.

Either would be a watershed moment, he was certain.

The ticking of the clock on the wall seemed to grow louder with each passing second, its rhythmic beat echoing Bronx’s accelerating heartbeat. He glanced around the room, watching as Ivy and Ryker shared a private joke, Steele sipped his drink thoughtfully, and Mila smiled in his direction. Despite the pleasant atmosphere, a knot of anticipation twisted in his gut.

Bronx’s eyes flickered toward the door every few minutes. The air felt thick with expectation, leaving him feeling trapped and restless.

“Relax.” Ryker nudged him. “You look like you’re about to bolt out the door.”

“Sorry,” Bronx muttered, averting his gaze. “I just… I don’t know what to expect.” His thoughts were consumed by the image of the beautiful woman from the lodge, her dark brown eyes haunting him. “What if she doesn’t like me?”

“Trust me, she will,” Ivy reassured him. “Just be yourself.”

As if on cue, the doorbell chimed through the house, cutting through the tension. Bronx’s breath caught in his throat, his chest tightening. This was it. The moment of truth.

Mila rose gracefully, her gaze holding Bronx’s for a brief moment before she turned to answer the door. Every muscle in Bronx’s body tensed, his hands clenched into fists at his sides as he prepared to meet his potential mate.

“Everyone, Cora has arrived,” Mila announced, stepping aside to reveal the woman standing behind her. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as Bronx’s world shifted on its axis, his stomach crawling up into his throat.

There she was. Cora—even more beautiful than he remembered from the lobby of the lodge. Her eyes met his, wide with surprise as recognition flickered across her face.

“I think you’ve met everyone here—except for Bronx.” Mila gestured at him.

“Hi, Bronx,” Cora breathed as she took a tentative step forward.

“Nice to see you again, Cora,” Bronx said, standing and extending his hand. As their palms touched, an electric current coursed through him, igniting a fire deep within his soul. The world around them seemed to fade away until all that existed was the connection between them.

“Nice to see you too,” Cora replied, her cheeks flushing as she returned his smile.

And in that moment, the fear and uncertainty that had plagued Bronx began to dissipate, replaced by something far more powerful.

Even if he couldn’t yet put a name to it.

Chapter 6

THE CLATTERING OF SILVERWAREagainst plates filled the air, accompanied by the murmurs of discussion as Cora, Bronx, Steele, Mila, Ivy, and Ryker gathered around the long wooden table for dinner. The tantalizing aroma of roasted meat and buttery potatoes wafted through the room, mixing with the underlying scents of nearby Yellowstone Park—evergreen trees, prey animals, and river water running somewhere nearby. Cora flicked her eyes nervously between her fellow pack members, still feeling a bit out of place among them.

Animated conversations flowed around her, like a river of camaraderie and connection she had not experienced in a very long time. But she noticed one thing: everyone was talkative—except Bronx.

Cora found herself stealing glances at him, trying to decipher the thoughts hidden behind those intense eyes.

The clinking of silverware and the low hum of conversation filled the cozy dining room. Cora looked around the table, taking in the lively banter among Bronx’s family members. She noticed how comfortable they all seemed in one another’s presences, something she hadn’t experienced in a long time.

She glanced over at Bronx, who sat across from her, his white-blond hair gleaming under the soft light. He had been quiet throughout the entire dinner, only speaking when spoken to.

“Remember that time when we were kids and raced through Yellowstone?” Ryker asked, grinning at Steele. His lean muscles rippled beneath his shirt as he poured himself another glass of wine. “I swear, I could’ve beaten you if it weren’t for that bison blocking my path.”

Steele chuckled. “You always have an excuse, don’t you, cousin? That’s because you know I’m faster.” He turned his attention to Cora, who was still observing Bronx. “Cora, you should’ve seen us back then. We practically grew up running wild through Yellowstone Park.”

Bronx laughed softly at their banter. It was rare for him to speak, but when he did, his voice carried.

---