Page 7 of Bronx
“Are you sure?” she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.
“Absolutely,” Amelia assured her with a smile. “I’m happy to help.”
The kindness of these women was more than Cora had ever dared to hope for. Could the Moonstone Pack truly be the home she and Samuel needed?
As they continued discussing the arrangements, Cora watched her son playing with his new-to-him toy truck, his laughter filling the room like a balm for her soul.
Cora’s gaze flickered between Justine and Amelia, her chest tightening with emotion. She bit her lip, trying to contain the tears that threatened to spill out. “Thank you both so much,” she managed, her voice quavering just slightly.
“Of course, dear,” Justine replied, her blue eyes kind, while Amelia nodded in agreement.
“Come on, let me walk you over to the lodge,” Ivy offered, placing a gentle hand on Cora’s shoulder.
“Great idea,” Amelia chimed in, pulling out her phone. “I’ll give the front desk a call so they know to expect you.”
As Cora gathered Samuel and his new toy truck, she glanced at Ivy, who seemed to understand the whirlwind of emotions Cora was experiencing.
“Ready?” Ivy asked, reaching for the doorknob.
“Ready,” Cora confirmed, taking a deep breath as they stepped out into the chilly evening.
The trip to Moonstone Lodge was a short one, but each step felt significant, like a small victory against the past that had tried so hard to define her. As they walked, Ivy regaled Cora with stories of life in the Moonstone Pack, painting a vivid picture of the tight-knit community.
“Everyone here looks out for each other,” Ivy explained, her tone proud. “You’ll see. You and Samuel will fit right in.”
Could that be true?
Would the Moonstone Pack accept Cora and her son, a child fathered by a man who had caused so much pain?
Cora’s limbs tingled at the thought of Blake Deacon, as if preparing to run away from even the memory of the Idaho alpha.
The fight-or-flight response at its finest, Cora thought—even though when Deacon had called for Cora to join him in his bed, the night Samuel was conceived, she had neither fought nor fled. She’d simply frozen, unable to escape the monstrous alpha. She still regretted that.
“Hey,” Ivy said, sensing Cora’s disquiet. “You’ll be okay here. Trust me.”
Cora exhaled shakily, her fingers gripping Samuel’s hand a little tighter. She wanted to believe that everything would be fine, that she and her son would finally find the refuge they so desperately needed.
But fear had a way of lingering in the darkest corners of her mind, coloring even her most hopeful moments.
When they reached the Moonstone Lodge, the yellow glow from the windows seemed to beckon Cora inside, promising safety and belonging. As they entered, Cora felt a flicker of something deep within her—hope, perhaps, or maybe just the smallest spark of courage.
No matter what happened next, she would build a better life for herself and her son.
I swear I will.
“Welcome to the Moonstone Lodge.” The woman behind the counter greeted them with a smile. “We’ve been expecting you, Miss Harris.”
“Hello,” Cora managed, her throat tightening as the reality of their new beginning settled in.
Still, she hoped that maybe they were finally home.
Assuming we’ll ever be able to call anywhere home.
Chapter 3
JUST AS BRONX WASabout to step out of Steele’s office, the door swung open and Ryker burst in, almost sparkling with energy. His eyes danced with excitement, and his grin stretched wide across his face.
“Hey, you two,” Ryker said, barely containing his enthusiasm. “I just got some interesting news I think you’ll want to hear. Especially you, Bronx.”