Chapter 72

AUBREY’S POV The first rays of dawn filtered through the curtains as I slowly woke, cocooned in Knox's warm embrace. Everything felt heightened after the awakening ceremony—my senses sharper, more attuned to every little detail around me. His woodsy scent surrounded me, stronger and more intoxicating than ever before, and I was acutely aware of his steady heartbeat against my back. The silk sheets whispered against my skin, each thread somehow distinct and noticeable. The events of last night's ceremony replayed in my mind—the glowing pool, the wolf spirit's appearance, the surge of power that flowed through us. The residual energy still hummed beneath my skin, making every sensation more vivid, more intense. Even the early morning light seemed different, each beam carrying traces of golden magic. Carefully, I turned in his arms to study his sleeping face. The soft illumination played across his features, highlighting the strong line of his jaw and the dark sweep of his lashes. My gaze