Chapter 5

Aubrey's POV The thought of rejecting him didn't feel so outrageous right now as we glared at each other—not after what he had done. My wolf whimpered at the thought, but I silenced her. We didn't need someone as shallow as Knox in our life, mate or not. "Hold up there, wild child," Aria's voice echoed in my head, my wolf trying to be the voice of reason. "Yes, I admit our mate was a jackass that night, but rejection? That's a bit extreme, don't you think?" "Extreme?" I whispered back through our mental link, my hands clenching into fists. "How about the fact that he's suspected of being behind the massacre of our pack? Of Mom, Dad, and James?" My voice cracked on my brother's name. Even though the details of that bloody day were frustratingly fuzzy in my mind, the ache of loss still burned fresh. The idea that my mate, my supposed other half, might have orchestrated their deaths... It felt like someone was twisting a knife in my chest. "He doesn't deserve us," I continued. "And besides, how am I supposed to be mated to the very person I was sent to spy on? It would ruin everything, and we can't do that to Jax. Not after everything he's done for us." Tears stung my eyes, and I forcefully cut off our connection before Aria could argue further. Some decisions didn't need debate. "I, Aubrey..." I started the rejection words, but the King's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Why don't we all take a breath and calm down before saying things we might regret?" His tone was diplomatic, but the look he gave me spoke volumes. He knew exactly what I was about to do, and his disapproval radiated off him in waves. Rich, coming from someone who couldn't even wait for his own mate before being intimate with someone. "The only thing I'm going to regret is not saying it first," Knox sneered, and I arched an eyebrow at him. Gods, what an asshole. To think the Moon Goddess thought we'd be perfect for each other—she must have been having an off day. The King turned to his son, shooting him a warning look that Knox answered with a weary sigh. "Let's continue this discussion in my private study," the King suggested, though his tone made it clear it wasn't really a suggestion. I was tempted to refuse, to let my defiance stand as a statement, but then reality crashed back in. He might have been acting cordial, but he was still the Alpha King. There were lines even I shouldn't cross, no matter how much I wanted to tell them both to go to hell. I gave a stiff nod and started walking toward his study, my boots silent on polished stone. I had passed the door to his study many times before, its heavy wooden frame and intricate carvings impossible to miss. Once we were all inside—me, the asshole, and his parents—the tension in the room became almost suffocating. The King and Queen sat on the plush sofa, their posture regal and composed, while Knox and I stood on opposite sides of the room, our eyes avoiding each other. The King was the first to speak, his deep voice commanding our attention. "Before either of you makes the mistake of rejecting the other, why not try being mates first? We could crown Au—" "No! That's not fucking happening," Knox snapped, cutting his father off before he could finish. "Language, son!" Queen Grace scolded, her sharp tone filled with disappointment as she glanced at him. There was a flicker of something else in her eyes, though—an unfortunate acceptance of his reaction. Then, she turned to me. Her gaze softened as she walked over, her elegant gown swishing lightly with each step. She was dressed impeccably in deep emerald green, the fabric hugging her form and reflecting the status she wore like armor. Her dark hair was pinned back in a sleek twist, and her perfectly composed demeanor contrasted starkly with the chaos swirling around us. I stiffened as she approached, thrown off by her warmth. She was too nice—welcoming, even—as if her son hadn't just declared his desire to reject me to my face. "Don't let him upset you, dear," she said with a smile so soft that it bordered on maternal. "He's just hurt that you wanted to reject him first. Men and their egos." I forced a small smile, unsure how to respond. Jax's words echoed in my mind: Never trust the image of the Queen. He had warned me about her more than once, though he'd never explained why. Her kindness felt almost calculated, and I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more beneath her polished exterior. "The mate bond is a beautiful thing," she continued, her tone gentle yet persuasive. "I really think you and Knox should consider giving it a chance. Once you're comfortable as his mate, we can crown you princess. But there's no rush." I opened my mouth to respond, but the words caught in my throat as another thought crashed into me. Why was I so determined to reject this? This could be the perfect opportunity to get closer to Knox—and closer to the information Jax needed. Being Knox's mate and the future crown princess would grant me access to secrets I could never reach as just his personal guard. How could I have been so blind to this advantage? "No! You shouldn't use the mate bond like that," Aria's voice suddenly chimed in, sharp with disapproval. "Are you going to tell him?" I rolled my eyes, dismissing her concern. "No, but—" "Exactly, so shut up." I severed the connection with her, shutting down her protests. But as I refocused on the room, I realized I had missed part of the conversation. The King's voice rose, cutting through my thoughts like a blade. "I forbid you from rejecting her," he declared, his tone brooking no argument. "You're of age and have found your mate. She will be acknowledged and move into your quarters. That's final." His words hit me like a blow, and I turned toward Knox, expecting him to explode in rage. His fists were clenched so tightly his knuckles were white, and his nostrils flared as he tried to contain his fury. But instead of lashing out, he said nothing. Without a word, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the study, his broad shoulders rigid with barely restrained anger. I watched his retreating figure, stunned by his silence. A sharp, searing pain suddenly flared in my chest, making me gasp. I pressed a hand to my ribs, the ache unbearable. It was the mate bond—his anger and rejection burning through the connection between us. Fuck. This wasn't going to be as easy as I thought.