Page 44 of Bronx

It had been her idea, of course, but her nerves were still on edge.

Yet she couldn’t deny that joining the Moonstone Pack would give Samuel the life he deserved, away from the darkness that had plagued their past. And as for Bronx… She was almost certain what they shared went beyond a mere mate bond; it could very well be love.

“Okay,” Cora finally said, her voice wavering slightly with anxiety. “Let’s do this.”

“Are you sure?” Ivy asked.

“I’m sure,” Cora replied. “For Samuel and for Bronx, I’ll do whatever it takes.”

“Even wear a fancy dress?” Ivy asked, her tone teasing.

Cora snickered. “Yes. Even that.”

“Then we better get moving,” Mila chimed in. “The full moon is only a few days away, and we need to make sure our dresses are perfect for the ceremony.”

Cora managed a smile at Mila’s enthusiasm, grateful for the distraction. Together, the three women made their way into the dress shop for their final fittings before the big day. As they stepped inside, the scent of fresh fabric and the soft rustle of satin, silk, and tulle greeted them. Delicate gowns lined the walls, each one more stunning than the last, and anticipation filled the air.

“Remember,” Ivy whispered to Cora as they waited for their turn. “This isn’t just about the battle ahead. It’s about celebrating the love you’ve found with Bronx and the new family you’re creating together.”

Cora nodded, taking in Ivy’s words. She knew she couldn’t let the fear of the upcoming confrontation consume her completely. This was also a time to rejoice in the beautiful bond she was forming with Bronx and the hope for a brighter future that lay before them.

“I won’t forget,” Cora said.

“Good.” Ivy squeezed Cora’s hand.

“There you all are,” Mrs. Thompson said. “I have your dresses waiting for you in the dressing rooms.” She pointed each of the three women toward one of the fitting rooms.

Cora allowed herself to bask in the excitement of preparing for the ceremony, knowing that soon enough, the battle would begin.

Once she’d donned the dress, she stepped out of the small space and stood in front of a full-length mirror, her stomach fluttering with anticipation as she took in the reflection of the dress hugging her petite frame like a second skin.

“Wow,” she breathed, eyes wide as she marveled at the way the pale ivory silk shimmered. The intricate pearl detailing along the bodice and waist accentuated her curves while the skirt flowed gracefully down to the floor. Truly, it was more beautiful than she could have ever imagined.

“Doesn’t it look amazing?” Ivy chimed in, her own emerald-green dress, perfectly matched to her eyes, fitting her like a dream. “I can’t believe we’re going to wear these in just a few days.”

Cora nodded, unable to tear her gaze away from the mirror. “It’s everything I didn’t know I wanted.” She allowed herself a small smile before reality kicked in again. She turned to Ivy, glancing down at their elaborate dresses. “But… What about the fighting though? When the time comes during the ceremony to shift into our wolf forms… What about our dresses? What will you do with your dress if we have to fight?”

Ivy laughed, tossing her head back in amusement. “Oh, honey, I’m not ripping this beautiful thing to shreds! I’ll take it off and then shift. Don’t worry about that—we’ll find a way.”

Ivy’s expression grew serious, and she reached out to touch Cora’s arm gently. “I’m not planning to put on my dress until after the fighting is over,” she said, her voice steady despite the dark topic. “As much as I love the idea of wearing this during the ceremony, I know that keeping everyone safe is our top priority—so we’ll stash the dresses nearby.”

“I guess I never considered that option. It’s just hard to imagine fighting in these.” Cora exhaled slowly, appreciating Ivy’s pragmatic approach amid the chaos that loomed ahead. Her friend had always been a grounding presence, and even now, with their world on the brink of war, she remained unshakable in her resolve. “I hope I can be as strong as you when the time comes,” Cora murmured.

“Hey,” Ivy replied, squeezing Cora’s hand reassuringly. “We’re in this together. You don’t have to face any of it alone. Remember, we’ve got each other’s backs, and most importantly, we’ve got Bronx and Ryker by our sides.”

“Okay,” Cora said, letting out a small chuckle, though her nerves still fluttered like moth wings inside her chest.

“Trust me.” Ivy winked, patting Cora’s arm reassuringly. “When the time comes, we’ll be ready. And knowing that Bronx and Ryker are by our sides? That makes us unstoppable.”

“And Steele,” Mila said, stepping out of her dressing room, wearing a long white gown of her own. “Though I won’t be fighting, if I can avoid it—I’m not really cut out to battle wolves.” She flashed a smile. “But I’ll be happy to guard our dresses with my life.”

“And maybe you could keep an eye on Samuel too?” Cora asked.

“Definitely.”

Cora nodded, drawing strength from her friends’ unwavering confidence. She imagined Bronx’s eyes filled with love, and a glow suffused her body.

“All right,” she declared, tilting her chin up. “Let’s make sure we’re prepared for whatever comes our way.”

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