Page 12 of Bronx

“Here you go,” Nick announced cheerfully, setting down the plates in front of them. Samuel’s eyes widened with delight at the sight of his pancakes and sausage, while Ivy and Cora exchanged smiles.

“Thanks, Nick,” Ivy said.

As Nick turned to leave, he paused, his gaze flickering between Cora and Ivy. “I overheard you two talking about job opportunities. We could actually use a new server here at the café. I can bring you an application form if you’re interested.”

Cora’s eyes widened. It was perfect—a chance to work close to Samuel, and maybe even get to know the people of the Moonstone Pack better. But uncertainty practically consumed her.

“Um, I don’t have any waitstaff experience,” she admitted hesitantly.

Nick waved her apprehension away with an easy grin. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll train you myself. You seem like you’d be a quick learner.”

He disappeared again into the kitchen, leaving Cora to grapple with the sudden opportunity. Her hands trembled slightly as she picked up her fork, her mind racing. Could she really do this?

“Go for it,” Ivy encouraged gently, sensing her friend’s apprehension. “You never know unless you try.”

Cora knew Ivy was right, but she feared the possibility of failure. Still, she had to be brave—not just for herself, but for Samuel as well.

“Okay,” she said shakily. “I’ll do it.”

When Nick returned with the application form, Cora accepted it with trembling hands. The paper felt like both an anchor and a lifeline, offering stability amid the whirlwind of change that had consumed her life.

“Take your time filling it out and let me know if you have any questions.”

Cora nodded, grateful for Nick’s kindness. She glanced at Ivy, who was watching her with pride, and then at Samuel, happily munching on his pancakes as he played with his toy truck.

She began to fill out the application right there at the table. Each stroke of her pen felt like a step forward—a promise to herself and Samuel that she would do everything in her power to build a life for them here.

Chapter 5

BRONX’S BOOTS CRUNCHED ONthe gravel as he strolled through the streets of Moonstone. A sense of tranquility washed over him. For his entire life, this small town nestled near Yellowstone Park had always been his sanctuary, even with the responsibilities of being the head guardian of the Moonstone Pack.

He scanned the surroundings, taking in every detail—the colorful awnings, the flower boxes adorning the windows full of the remnants of autumn blooms, the soft laughter of locals sharing a morning cup of coffee.

And as he passed by the town’s café, a familiar face caught his attention.

Bronx spotted Ivy, his cousin Ryker’s mate, seated inside, enjoying breakfast with the beautiful woman he had met at the lodge.

Cora.

The one Steele wants me to take as a mate.

A pang of curiosity nagged at him as he watched them share a warm conversation.

Cora’s laughter filled the air like wind chimes. It was impossible not to dwell on the image of her dark, straight hair framing her beautiful face, her eyes sparkling with humor as she spoke animatedly to Ivy.

“Morning,” a passerby greeted, momentarily pulling him from his thoughts. Bronx offered a curt nod in response, his mind still preoccupied with the scene unfolding before him.

Watching the pair interact stirred up emotions he rarely experienced—fascination for one, and something more profound that he couldn’t quite pinpoint. It gnawed at him, an itch he just couldn’t scratch.

As he continued walking, his thoughts were consumed by Cora. It wasn’t often that someone managed to captivate him so completely. Yet here he was, unable to shake her from his mind.

For the first time in years, Bronx found himself grappling with uncertainty. The woman’s connection to Ivy, the undeniable allure she held, Steele’s request that Bronx take a mate—it all left him feeling anxious and off-balance.

The memory of Cora’s smile lingered in Bronx’s mind as he walked down the street, leaving him with an unsettling sense of yearning. The autumn air brushed against his face, carrying with it the scent of fallen leaves and distant woodsmoke. Despite the comforting familiarity of Moonstone, his usually unwavering concentration seemed to have deserted him.

“Damn it,” he muttered under his breath, shaking his head in an attempt to dislodge the thoughts that plagued him. His eyes narrowed as he resolved to put Cora out of his mind for now.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he drew it out to see Steele’s name lighting up the screen. Pushing aside his lingering thoughts, Bronx answered the call. “Steele, what’s up?”

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