Chapter 23

AUBREY'S POV "You're being stubborn," Aria growled in my head, finally breaking her silence. Of course she'd choose this moment to start speaking to me again. I strode away from Knox, my boots crunching on fallen leaves as I headed in what I hoped was the direction of the castle. The darkness had settled fully now, making the forest path harder to navigate. "I'm being smart," I argued back. "I can't marry him. We're supposed to be—" "Enemies?" My wolf's tone dripped with sarcasm. "Is that what we are? Is that why your heart races every time he's near? Why his touch makes our skin burn?" "Stop it." I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to ward off the evening chill. "You know why we're here. You know what Jax needs from us." But the image of Knox on one knee wouldn't leave my mind. The way his usual confidence had wavered, replaced by something more vulnerable. The way his eyes had held mine as he asked the question that changed everything. "You hurt him," Aria said softly. "Good." Bu