Chapter 25 - Cora
Cora stood on the steps of the town hall, watching as Bellefleur’s residents gathered in the square below.
Laughter and chatter filled the space, starkly contrasting the fear and tension that had gripped them just days ago.
Banners fluttered from storefronts, and tables laden with food and drink lined the streets.
It wasn’t a large celebration, but it felt like something the town desperately needed—a moment to breathe, to remind themselves of what they’d fought so hard to protect.
“Doesn’t feel real, does it?” Grayson asked as he came to stand beside her.
Cora turned to him, and her chest tightened at the sight of him.
His injuries from the battle had already begun to fade, a prime example of his shifter healing, but she could still see the faint traces of exhaustion in his eyes.
He looked at her like she was the only thing grounding him, and it sent a warmth rushing through her.
“It doesn’t,” she admitted, “I keep waiting for something to go wrong.”
Grayson leaned against the railing. “We’re prepared if it does.”
“Are we?” Cora asked. “Theodore’s gone, but his people are still out there. What if they come back?”
“They will,” he said bluntly. “But they’ll find us ready.”
His confidence was infectious, and Cora let herself believe him, if only for a moment. She looked back at the square, where children darted between tables, and their laughter rang out like music. It was a far cry from the carnage they’d faced just days earlier, and it gave her hope.
“They’re happy,” she commented, almost to herself.
“They’re alive,” Grayson corrected. “And they have you to thank for that.”
Cora shook her head. “It wasn’t just me. We all fought for this.”
“You could have walked away. Let us handle it. You had every reason to. But you didn’t. You stayed, you fought, and you won. That’s on you, Cora.”
She felt the weight of his words settle over her, and for once, she didn’t argue. Instead, she reached out for him. He took her hand without hesitation, lacing their fingers together as they stood silently, watching the town celebrate.
Later that afternoon, Cora found herself in the bakery. She sat at one of the tables near the window with a notebook open in front of her. Her pen tapped absently against the page as she stared at the list she’d been working on—crib, blankets, bottles, diapers.
“Planning already?” Laila’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. Her friend slid into the chair opposite her with a mug of tea in hand.
“I have to start somewhere,” Cora replied, smiling faintly. “There’s so much to think about.”
“You’ve got time,” Laila assured her. “And you’ve got people who want to help.”
“It’s still strange, you know? Feeling like I belong here.”
“You do,” Laila stated. “This town is yours as much as anyone else’s. And that baby you’re carrying? They’ll be the heart of this place.”
Cora’s hand drifted to her stomach, and a sense of calm settled over her. “I hope so.”
“You will,” Laila responded, her tone leaving no room for doubt. “You’ve already proven you’re stronger than most people I know. You’ll figure the rest out.”
Cora nodded, and her heart felt lighter as Laila rose and left her to her planning.
She glanced down at her notebook again, and her mind wandered to Grayson.
He’d spent the morning with Ryder and Zane, working on reinforcing the pack’s defenses.
She could already picture him—focused, determined, and probably forgetting to take a break.
When Cora returned to the apartment later, the sight of Grayson on the couch made her stop in her tracks.
He was sprawled out with his head resting on the back of the couch as he stared at the ceiling.
His shirt was slightly askew, and his boots were kicked off in the corner.
He looked exhausted, but there was a peace about him that made her heart ache.
“Long day?” she asked softly.
“You could say that.”
Cora crossed the room and sat beside him with her legs tucked beneath her. “How’s it going out there?”
“Better than I expected,” he admitted. “Ryder’s got patrols set up, Zane’s working on traps, and the rest of the pack is pitching in. It’s not perfect, but it’s solid.”
“You’re doing a good job,” she assured him, resting her hand on his arm.
“So are you.”
Cora leaned her head against his shoulder, and he shifted to wrap an arm around her. She closed her eyes, letting the steady rhythm of his breathing calm her.
“Do you think we’ll ever get to just…live?” she asked quietly. “Without looking over our shoulders?”
Grayson pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “We’ll get there. It might take time, but we’ll get there.”
Cora tilted her head to look up at him. “I couldn’t do this without you, you know.”
“You won’t have to,” he promised. “I’m not going anywhere.”
The certainty in his voice sent a shiver down her spine. She shifted, turning so she could face him fully. “I mean it, Grayson. You’ve changed everything for me.”
His hand came up to cup her cheek. “You’ve changed me too. More than I ever thought possible.”
The intensity of his gaze made her breath catch, and she leaned in, brushing her lips against his in a kiss that started soft but quickly deepened.
Grayson tugged her closer, pulling her onto his lap until she was straddling him. The heat of his body pressed against hers, and his fingers tangled in her hair as the kiss became more urgent.
Cora’s hands slipped under his shirt, and a low growl rumbled in his throat as his hips bucked up, making her moan. His touch trailed down her spine, and she arched into him, desperate for more.
“Cora,” he murmured, his lips moving against hers. “I love you.”
“I love you,” she whispered, her breath hitching as his hand skimmed her thigh.
“You’re mine,” he said, his voice low and rough. “And I’m yours.”
“Always,” she promised, pulling back just enough to look at him. “No matter what happens, we’ll get through it together.”
His tongue swiped across his lower lip. “I’ll never let anything happen to you. To either of you.”
“I know.”
Grayson kissed her again, and his hand slid up her shirt. She moaned as his thumb brushed her nipple, and he smirked. “God, I love those sounds.”
Cora blushed and pressed her hips down against him. “Then don’t stop.”
Grayson’s eyes flashed, and he rolled her onto her back, pinning her against the couch. “Never.”
His mouth captured hers again, and his tongue explored every inch of her mouth. He ground his hips against her, making her arch up and dig her nails into his back.
Her hands fisted in his shirt, and she pulled him closer until there was no space left between them. Every point of contact sent electricity shooting through her body, and she tore at his shirt, desperate to feel his skin against hers.
Grayson’s hand slid up her leg, and he pulled away just long enough to tug her shirt off, leaving her exposed in just her bra and jeans. He stared at her, his gaze full of lust and desire, and her breath caught.
His hand slid up her body, cupping her breast and teasing her nipple. She gasped, and his lips trailed down her neck, nipping and sucking.
“Grayson,” she moaned, her hips rocking against him.
“What do you want?” he growled, his fingers sliding under the waistband of her jeans.
“You,” she breathed.
He smirked and tugged her jeans and panties down. His lips moved lower, and his tongue swirled around her nipple, sending a wave of pleasure through her. She cried out and gripped his hair.
Grayson continued his exploration, kissing his way down her stomach and dipping his tongue between her folds. Her hips jerked, and she moaned his name.
He licked and sucked, driving her closer to the edge. His fingers slid inside her, stroking her until she was trembling.
“Please,” she begged, her breath ragged.
Grayson smirked and moved his mouth back to her breast, sucking her nipple while his fingers continued to work her. Cora worked at his belt and pants, and he kicked them off before lowering his mouth to her other breast.
Cora’s hands slid down his body, tracing the lines of his muscles. His skin was hot beneath her touch, and he groaned as she gripped his cock.
He pulled away just long enough to kick his boxers off, then lowered himself between her legs again. She was slick and wet, and he pushed inside her, filling her completely.
They moaned together, and Cora’s hands found his shoulders, holding on as he began to move.
“Oh god,” she moaned, her head falling back as he thrust into her.
His pace quickened, and he leaned in, nipping her ear. “Fuck, Cora,” he groaned. “You feel so fucking good.”
“Grayson,” she panted, her legs tightening around him. “Don’t stop. Please, don’t stop.”
His thrusts became harder, faster, and she dug her nails into his skin, leaving marks behind. The tension coiled inside her, and she clung to him, desperate for release.
Grayson’s mouth moved back to her breasts, and his tongue teased her nipple. His fingers slid between them, stroking her clit. The sensation sent her tumbling over the edge, and she cried out as her orgasm hit her.
“Fuck,” he growled, his thrusts becoming more erratic. “Fuck, Cora.”
He came hard, shuddering against her and burying his face in her neck. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him close as their hearts beat together.
“I love you,” she murmured, her fingers tracing patterns on his back.
“I love you,” he replied, pressing a kiss to her temple. “Forever.”
The word seemed to hang between them, binding them together in a way that went deeper than anything else. At that moment, Cora knew they would make it through this. They would find their peace. They would have their forever.