Page 20 of Bronx

“All right, all right,” Nick conceded, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “I’ll back off. For now.” He winked at her before turning his attention to a customer who had just entered the café.

As Cora resumed her work, she stole occasional glances toward the door where Bronx had exited. She wondered what was going on beneath his stoic exterior, what thoughts and feelings lay hidden behind his eyes.

And when Cora finally left, Nick staying behind to lock up the café, the streets of Moonstone were quiet. Even with the beauty surrounding her, a nagging dread settled in her chest, tightening like a vise.

Her thoughts kept drifting back to Bronx. Why would he act as if he might actually take her as a mate when he seemed so uninterested?

And if he wasn’t interested in her, why had he come to spend her break with her?

She shook her head, trying to clear it, and jumped when her cell phone rang, cutting through the brisk evening air. She glanced at the caller ID and frowned—Ellie Anders, a fellow shifter from the Idaho Pack. Anxiety twisted her stomach; it was unusual for Ellie to call. “Hey, Ellie,” she said, forcing her voice to sound steady. “What’s up?”

“Can I… Can I come see you in Moonstone?” Ellie’s voice trembled, her fear echoing through the phone.

“Of course,” Cora replied without hesitation. “What’s wrong?”

“I’ll tell you when I get there. It’s not safe for me here.” The desperation in Ellie’s tone sent a shiver through Cora that raised goose bumps on her arms—a reminder of how miserable she’d been in that pack.

“Okay, don’t worry. I’m staying at the Moonstone Lodge, room 214. You remember how to get here?” Cora asked, her own protective instincts kicking in. Ellie had been a favorite of the last alpha, Franklin Ellerson, and it had left her emotionally fragile.

“Y-Yes, I remember. I’ll be there in an hour.” Ellie hung up, leaving Cora with a sense of dread.

As the call ended, Cora gripped her phone tightly, her knuckles whitening. Her heart pounded in her ears, almost drowning out the sounds of the world around her. Whatever had frightened Ellie so much, it must be serious.

“Get it together,” she whispered to herself, taking a deep breath. She needed to be strong for Ellie, to help her friend face whatever was causing such terror. But beneath her resolve, worry still vexed her, threatening to consume her.

As she made her way back to the lodge, thoughts of Bronx resurfaced in her mind. Despite her lingering confusion about his motives, she found herself wishing he was by her side. She didn’t know why, but she felt certain he’d take care of whatever was worrying Ellie.

For now, though, she had to rely on her own strength and courage. And she would do everything in her power to protect her friends and her new pack, no matter how terrifying the threat might be.

Cora hurried through the lodge to pick up Samuel from Ivy’s care. Dark thoughts swirled in her mind. She knew she needed to find a more permanent babysitting solution for her son, but there were more pressing matters at hand.

“Mommy!” Samuel’s delighted shout broke through her troubled thoughts as she entered Ivy and Ryker’s suite. His small face lit up with joy, and for a moment, Cora felt the tiniest spark of happiness amid her fears.

“Hey, sweetheart,” she said, scooping him into her arms and hugging him tightly. “What are you doing still awake?”

“I couldn’t go to sleep without you there,” he said solemnly.

Sorry, Cora mouthed at Ivy.

“Not a problem,” Ivy said. “We snuggled on the couch and watched cartoons together.”

“Yeah? Did you have fun with Ivy tonight?”

Samuel nodded enthusiastically, his eyes shining. “Ivy says next time I can meet some other shifter kids! Can I, Mommy? Please?”

“Of course, darling,” Cora said, stroking his dark hair. Deep down, she was relieved that Samuel would have the chance to make friends his age within the pack. But her fear for Ellie’s safety overshadowed any relief she might feel.

Samuel’s excitement was infectious, and Cora smiled as they left Ivy’s suite. And as they walked toward theirs, Samuel’s tiny hand clutched hers, soft and trusting. Cora’s thoughts raced, her chest tightening as she wondered what danger Ellie might be bringing to Moonstone. She had to stay strong for her son and for Ellie—she owed them both that much.

“Hey,” she said. “I’m going to put you in my bed. I need to talk to Aunt Ellie, and I don’t want to keep you up.”

“Aunt Ellie is coming to visit?”

“Yes, she is,” Cora said, hoping her fear didn’t show on her face. “She should be here soon.”

“Yay! I like Aunt Ellie,” Samuel said, grinning up at her.

“Me too,” Cora murmured, trying to keep her voice steady.

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