Page 30 of Bronx

“Great! We’ll meet you in the lobby in twenty minutes.” With that, Mila hung up.

Cora swiped off her own phone. She was committed now, but her misgivings clawed at her mind like a hungry wolf. In the Idaho Pack, alphas were cruel, their mates abused and frightened. Cora had never known a different dynamic, and the thought of spending time with the Moonstone alpha’s mate filled her with anxiety.

She paced the cozy room, her breaths short and shallow, images of the Idaho Pack swirling through her thoughts like a dark storm cloud. Could the Moonstone Pack really be so different? As her nerves threatened to consume her, Samuel’s laughter echoed from where he played, reminding her of the happiness they’d found here.

Be brave, she told herself, clenching her fists at her sides.For Samuel.

When the time came to meet Mila and Ivy, Cora stood in the lodge’s spacious lobby, wringing her hands nervously. Justine had shown up ten minutes earlier, taking an excited Samuel with her.

Now the scent of the lodgepole pine used to construct the building, along with the smell of the leather furnishings, wafted through the air, providing a sense of comfort—yet her stomach churned anxiously. She watched the entrance, barely able to suppress her trembling.

Finally, Ivy and Mila appeared, their smiles kind and genuine. Cora’s pulse raced, but she tried to focus on the feeling of belonging she longed for. Ivy approached and enveloped Cora in a hug.

“Congratulations on your upcoming mating ceremony,” Ivy murmured softly.

Cora stammered, struggling to find her voice amid the whirlwind of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her.

Mila joined them with a reassuring smile. “We’re so glad you could come with us today. I think it’ll be good for all of us to spend some time together.”

As they spoke, the stark contrast between Mila and the downtrodden mates Cora had known in the Idaho Pack hit her like a physical punch to the gut. The joy in Mila’s eyes, the confidence in her posture—everything about her radiated strength and love.

Maybe, Cora thought hesitantly,there truly is a different way of life here.

“Shall we go?” Ivy asked, gesturing toward the door. Despite her anxiety, Cora found herself nodding.

“Let’s go,” she said softly, her voice brimming with newfound courage. Together, the three women stepped out of the lodge, each of them seeking solace and strength in one another as they embarked on their journey toward friendship and acceptance.

“So,” Ivy said as they headed down the sidewalk toward the downtown area, “we have a surprise.”

“We’ve actually come to take you shopping for a wedding dress,” Mila said with a bright smile.

Cora’s eyes widened in panic, and she glanced at Ivy, searching for some reassurance. The thought of wearing a fancy dress, of drawing attention to herself, filled her with terror.

Ivy seemed to sense Cora’s fear and quickly offered an explanation. “Since Steele decided to take a human mate, the Moonstone Pack mating ceremony has begun incorporating more human traditions—including wearing a fancy dress.”

Oh no!Cora wailed internally. She didn’t even know how she was going to pay for her next meals—the idea of having to figure out how to afford a wedding dress made her stomach clench with nausea.

At Cora’s continued silence, Mila’s kind expression tightened with understanding. “Steele says he wants an excuse to celebrate the joining of the two packs, so he’s using Moonstone Pack funds for it—including our dresses.”

Ivy leaned in, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “But according to Ryker, it’s the kind of thing he does for pack members all the time. It’s Steele’s way of showing us we’re truly part of Moonstone now.”

The revelation left Cora feeling even more vulnerable than before, but she couldn’t ignore the expressions on Ivy’s and Mila’s faces. It was clear both women wanted to help Cora feel welcome, to ease her into this new life. And as much as she feared the unknown, there was also a part of her that longed to embrace the change.

“What about the Idaho Pack rebels?” she asked. “Do we have time to do something so…so frivolous as dress shopping when the pack is under such a threat?”

Mila’s lips firmed. “Doing something lovely is more important than ever now—we need to remember that we’re a pack, not lose ourselves in always fighting. That’s no way to live.”

“Are… Are you sure?” Cora asked, her gut twisting with something between excitement and sheer terror.

“Absolutely,” Mila reassured her, reaching out to squeeze her hand. “It’s a wonderful way to celebrate your new life with Bronx, and we’ll be there to support you every step of the way.”

As Cora looked into Mila’s eyes, she found herself believing the sincerity in her words. She reminded herself of the protection Bronx had promised her and her child.

“Okay,” she said, nodding. “Let’s do it.”

“Great!” Ivy exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “I promise, this will be fun.”

The three women made their way through the streets, headed toward the dress shop. Cora’s anxiety slowly began to dissipate as they chatted about the upcoming ceremonies and the shared experiences that had brought them together.

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