Chapter 21

AUBREY'S POV I stared at Knox's back as he walked away, my heart pounding so hard I could barely breathe. The words I'd spat out in anger—"I despise Knox"—hung in the air between us like poison. "Knox, wait—" The words slipped out before I could stop them. He paused, turning back to face me. The torchlight caught his features, highlighting the hurt I'd glimpsed earlier. Something in my chest twisted painfully at the sight. No. I couldn't let myself feel guilty or let myself soften toward him. The crow's words echoed in my head—Jax needed me. The manor needed me. And Knox... Knox didn't need a Luna who might betray him. "We need to finish our conversation," he said, his voice carefully controlled. I shook my head, taking a step back. "There's nothing to discuss." "Really?" He moved closer, and despite my best efforts, my body responded to his proximity. His scent—pine and smoke and something uniquely him—filled my nose. "Because I think we have quite a lot to discuss." "I need to meet w