Page 23 of Bronx

As he entered the room, he was immediately struck by the sight of Ellie, her eyes wide with fear. She stood frozen at the sight of him, like a deer caught in the headlights—even though he could tell she was a wolf shifter. Bronx’s gaze flickered across the room, his senses heightened as he took in the scent of Ellie’s fear, the rapid thrumming of Cora’s pulse, the blood rushing through her veins.

Before she could speak, Ryker and Steele entered behind Bronx. The air seemed to thicken as their imposing presences filled the room, the combined energy of three male wolf shifters shimmering in the air.

“I’m glad you’re here,” Cora said. “We have something important to discuss.”

“Sorry we’re late,” Ryker apologized, his usual good humor absent from his voice. Steele nodded in agreement. The severity of the situation had stripped away any room for levity.

As the men gathered around her, Ellie’s terror intensified, her body rigid with fear. Sensing her discomfort, Cora reluctantly broke the news. “There’s a faction within the Idaho Pack planning to assassinate the leaders of both packs,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

The room fell silent, every shifter processing the gravity of the situation. Bronx clenched his fists, nails biting into his palms as he fought to keep his emotions in check. A protective surge ripped through him, the instinct to protect Cora and her child overshadowing everything else. He couldn’t let anything happen to them.

“Who’s behind it?” Steele asked, his voice commanding and calm. Cora hesitated, her gaze flicking to Ellie for a moment before returning to the pack alpha.

“Ellie knows more,” she said softly, urging the trembling woman forward. “Tell them what you told me.”

Ellie darted her gaze among the three men, wringing her hands in front of her. “I-I don’t know all the details,” she stammered, fear choking her voice. “But some of the Idaho Pack members have been meeting in secret, planning something. They’re targeting both packs’ leaders…and they might be close to making their move.”

Bronx exchanged glances with Ryker and Steele. The revelation sent a wave of icy terror coursing through him, threatening to consume him. But he couldn’t afford to give in to that fear.

“We’ll keep you safe, Ellie,” Steele said solemnly, acknowledging her bravery in sharing this information.

As the male shifters absorbed the news and began to strategize, Bronx felt a renewed sense of purpose. The stakes were higher than ever before, and failure was not an option. For the sake of his pack, he would do whatever it took to ensure their survival.

“We need Jake here,” Steele said, breaking the tense silence with a decisive nod. “He needs to know what’s going on.” His gray eyes met Bronx’s for a moment before he stepped out of the room, pulling out his phone.

Cora moved closer to Ellie, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Bronx watched them, the protective instinct that had been growing stronger within him since meeting Cora now flaring with the urgency of the situation. He swore to himself that he would keep them safe—no matter the cost.

As Steele spoke urgently into the phone, Bronx noticed a slight tremor in his hands. Even the Moonstone Pack’s alpha was feeling the impending threat. But there was also a steely resolve in Steele’s eyes that reassured Bronx.

“Jake,” Steele said tersely, “we need you in my office as soon as possible. Something’s come up. It’s urgent.”

In the tense quiet that followed, Bronx could almost hear the gears turning in Steele’s mind, calculating their next move. Finally, Steele hung up and turned to face the others, his expression grave.

“Jake is on his way,” he announced. “He’ll be here shortly. We’ll figure this out together.”

“And thank you, Ellie, for coming forward with this information,” Cora murmured, her voice firm despite the fear still lingering in her eyes. “I know it must have been hard.”

Ellie nodded, her gaze lowered. “I just want everyone to be safe.”

“Your bravery won’t be forgotten,” Steele told her sincerely, his gaze sweeping over Cora and Ellie. “We’ll do everything in our power to protect both packs.”

“Damn right we will,” Bronx muttered, clenching his fists as he looked out the window into the darkness beyond. He could feel the restless energy of his wolf stirring within him. The beast wanted action, wanted to hunt down those who threatened their pack. But for now, they had to wait.

Cora’s hand found his, her slender fingers entwining with his. Her presence at his side provided some measure of comfort, despite the cold grip of fear that threatened to consume him. Beside them, Ryker and Steele regarded each other, their faces drawn with grim resolve.

“Jake will be joining us shortly,” Steele began, his voice even as they stood in the alpha’s office. “In the meantime, we need to come up with a plan. There’s no telling when these assassins might strike.”

Bronx couldn’t contain himself any longer. With a low growl, he took a step forward, his eyes ablaze with urgency. “We cannot afford to wait,” he said, his voice harsh and insistent. “We strike first, catch them off guard. It’s the only way to ensure our survival.”

Ryker frowned, clearly wrestling with his own conflicting emotions. “But what if there are innocents caught in the cross fire?” he asked, his voice strained. “If we go in guns blazing, we risk hurting those who don’t deserve it.”

“Better them than us,” Bronx replied, the words tasting bitter on his tongue. He knew that Ryker had a point, but his instincts screamed at him to protect his pack at all costs. And if that meant making difficult choices, so be it.

“Let’s not forget,” Steele interjected, “that some of those innocents might have valuable information about the rogue faction. We need to tread carefully, and we need to do it together.”

As they spoke, the tension in the air grew thicker, more suffocating. They were all acutely aware of the stakes, of the impending danger that loomed over them like a storm cloud.

Bronx studied the faces of his fellow wolf shifters. The urgency in their eyes reflected his own fears, and the feeling that time was running out tortured him.

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