Page 27 of Bronx

“More than anything,” she replied, her voice steady and strong, almost as if she was trying to convince herself too. “We’re doing this for Samuel, and for the life we’re building together.”

A momentary hush fell over the room. With a steadying breath, Bronx closed the distance and gathered her into his arms. His embrace enveloped her like a protective shield, promising security and comfort in a world filled with danger.

“Are you ready?” he murmured, his breath hot against her ear.

“I am,” she whispered back.

Their lips met tentatively at first, a gentle exploration born from shared uncertainty. But as the seconds ticked by, his kiss deepened, passion igniting and sweeping through her like wildfire. Bronx’s hands roamed the curve of her waist, drawing her closer, as if she was his last remaining tether to reality.

A soft moan escaped Cora’s lips, her body reacting instinctively to Bronx’s touch. She could feel the heat radiating off him, his erection pressing insistently against her abdomen. The intensity of their connection startled her, triggering a flood of conflicting emotions. But one thought clawed its way to the forefront, demanding attention: the realization that they might not only be bound by duty but also by desire.

“Oh,” Cora breathed, pulling away slightly to rest her forehead against him. Her chest heaved as she struggled to catch her breath. “I… I didn’t expect this.”

“Neither did I,” he admitted, his voice rough with unspent desire.

Cora’s breath hitched in her throat as she stared into Bronx’s eyes, the intensity of their connection tightening her nipples. The room seemed to shrink around them, the air thick with desire and anticipation. For the first time, Cora allowed herself to entertain the possibility that perhaps she and Bronx could actually learn to love each other.

“Let’s take it one day at a time,” Bronx said softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from Cora’s face. “Together, we can navigate this journey and create something beautiful.”

“Something worth fighting for,” Cora added.

“Exactly,” he agreed, sealing their pact with another kiss.

As they stood there, bound by their shared responsibility and the fragile hope of their budding feelings, the world outside seemed to fade away. The only thing that mattered was the heat of their bodies pressed together, the tender touch of their lips, and the promise of a future where love might triumph over fear.

Chapter 11

BRONX STEPPED OUT OFCora’s suite, the scent of her perfume—or was that simply her natural scent?—lingering in his nostrils.

He closed the door behind him, delight and terror racing through his body, leaving his limbs tingling. Cora had agreed to go through with the mating ceremony, but he couldn’t purge the nagging thought that she could never truly love someone like him.

He strode down the hallway, his limp barely noticeable, as thoughts of Cora filled his mind. Her stunning features, those brown eyes, and the way her soft laughter reached into the depths of his soul—everything about her called to him in ways he had never experienced before.

Could it be possible that they shared a mate bond? The mere idea sent chills racing down his back.

As Bronx moved out of the lodge, venturing farther from the safety of the pack’s living quarters and toward the old Victorian-style house Steele was renovating for himself and Mila, he tried to make sense of the undeniable attraction he felt for Cora. It was more than just a physical pull—it was as if their very souls were intertwined, yearning to be closer. For the first time, he allowed himself to entertain the notion that maybe they were meant to be together.

“Maybe this really is what a true mate bond feels like,” he muttered under his breath.

The autumn breeze rustled leaves around Bronx’s feet as he walked, casting eerie shadows on the sidewalk. The scent of damp earth and turning foliage filled his nostrils, emphasizing the feeling of change that was creeping over him.

Does she feel it too?he wondered. He recalled the fire in her touch, the way her body responded to his kisses, but he couldn’t shake the doubt that ate away at his confidence. Mate bonds went both ways, and he feared that even though he felt this undeniable pull toward her, it might not be reciprocated.

As he approached the old Victorian-style house, he admired the progress that had been made on the renovations. It was a symbol of hope and transformation, much like what he wished for himself and Cora.

He paused at the doorstep, taking one last deep breath. He knew a conversation with Steele was inevitable, and he silently prayed his alpha could help him make sense of the whirlwind of emotions coursing through his veins.

“Only one way to find out,” he murmured, steeling himself as he reached for the doorknob. He turned it and stepped inside, the creaking floorboards announcing his arrival. The familiar scents of paint and sawdust filled his nostrils, momentarily distracting him from his thoughts of Cora.

As he stood there, on the precipice of a new chapter in his life, terrified and exhilarated at the possibility of sharing a true mate bond with this woman who had captured his attention, Bronx closed his eyes and jumped…At least metaphorically, he thought with a wry grin.

“Let’s see what fate has in store for us,” he whispered, taking a step deeper into the house and toward an uncertain future.

“Hey, cuz!” Steele’s voice boomed from the living room, jolting Bronx out of his thoughts. Bronx moved into the room, and Steele’s gray eyes twinkled as he handed Bronx a paintbrush dripping with a pale shade of blue. “Join me in giving this living room a new life.”

“Is that an order from my alpha?” Bronx half joked, forcing a smile onto his lips as he accepted the brush.

Steele laughed, shaking his head. “More like a request from your cousin who could use an extra hand.”

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