AUBREY

My bare feet slip on wet leaves as I stumble through the forest, each step sending waves of agony through my broken body. Blood runs down my arms from deep gashes across my shoulders, soaking through my torn dress and leaving a crimson trail behind me. The metallic taste fills my mouth, where I've bitten my tongue to keep from screaming. I had to shift back to human form.

Keep moving. Don't stop. They might still be following.

My vision blurs as pain crashes over me in relentless waves. The silver blade wounds burn like liquid fire, refusing to heal at their normal rate. Every breath feels like swallowing glass, my ribs screaming in protest. But I force one foot in front of the other, driven by pure survival instinct.

Branches tear at my already-shredded clothing as I push deeper into the woods. My left arm hangs useless at my side, the shoulder definitely dislocated from when they threw me against the stone wall. Each movement sends fresh agony through my skull where they'd slammed my head into the ground repeatedly.

How far have I come? How much farther can I go?

My legs finally give out, and I collapse against a massive oak tree. The bark scrapes against my wounds as I slide down its trunk, leaving more blood on the rough surface. Darkness edges my vision, consciousness threatening to slip away completely.

No. I have to keep going. I have to warn them.

That's when his scent hits me—cedar and storm rain, as familiar as my own heartbeat. Knox. The most beautiful smell in the world, growing stronger with each labored breath I take.

"Knox," I whisper, but the word barely escapes my swollen lips.

Through the trees, I see him running toward me, his face twisted with panic and rage. Behind him, Noah and Astor crash through the underbrush, their expressions grim. But I only have eyes for Knox, for the man I thought I'd never see again.

He reaches me first, dropping to his knees in the blood-soaked leaves. His hands hover over my body, clearly wanting to touch me but afraid of causing more damage.

"Aubrey, oh god. What happened? Who did this to you?" His voice breaks on the words.

I try to sit up straighter, using the tree for support. Every movement is agony, but this information is too important to wait. "Knox... listen to me." The words come out slurred through my split lip. "Nora is dead. The woman with the Crescent Pack... she's not who you think she is."

Knox's green eyes go wide with shock. "What? Aubrey, you're hurt, we need to get you to—"

"No." I grab his wrist with my good hand, my grip weak but desperate. "Listen. It's not Nora. It's someone else wearing her face. The Crescent Pack is compromised. Jax... he's—"

The world tilts sickeningly as consciousness starts to slip away. But I force myself to hold on, to get out the most important words.

"They're all in danger," I whisper, my vision going dark around the edges. "Avery... she's going to—"

My strength finally gives out completely. I feel Knox catch me as I collapse forward, his arms gentle despite his panic. His voice sounds like it's coming from underwater as darkness claims me.

"Get the healers now!" he shouts to someone. "Move!"

But I can't respond anymore. The pain and blood loss drag me down into merciful unconsciousness.

***

Warmth. That's the first thing I notice as awareness slowly returns. Warmth and softness beneath my body, the scent of clean linens mixed with healing herbs. And something else—that familiar cedar and storm rain scent that means safety.

I force my eyes open, blinking against the soft afternoon light streaming through tall windows. The infirmary. White walls, the distant sound of healers moving about their business, the sharp smell of medicinal potions hanging in the air.

But what draws my attention is the sight of Knox slumped in a chair beside my bed, his hand wrapped around mine. His dark hair is disheveled, his clothes rumpled like he's been here for hours without moving. Even in sleep, exhaustion lines his face.

I squeeze his fingers weakly, and his eyes snap open immediately. The relief that floods his features makes my chest tight with emotion.

"You're awake." His voice is rough with exhaustion and worry. "How do you feel?"

"Like I was thrown off a cliff," I manage, my throat dry and scratchy. "But alive."

Knox reaches for a glass of water from the bedside table, helping me sit up enough to drink. The cool liquid soothes my raw throat, washing away the metallic taste of blood.

"The healers said you were lucky," Knox says quietly. "A few more hours of blood loss and..." He trails off, his jaw clenching.

I study his face, confusion building. "Why are you here? Why are you holding my hand?"

His green eyes search mine for a long moment. "Lina told me about the blood oath. About what you did." His voice drops to barely a whisper. "I can't believe you would risk your life like that."

"I had to," I whisper. "After everything I'd done, all the lies I'd told... I had to do something right."

Knox's thumb traces across my knuckles, the touch so gentle it makes my eyes burn with unshed tears. "Why?"

The answer comes without hesitation, straight from my heart. "Because I love you."

The words hang in the air between us, raw and honest. Knox's breath catches, his eyes going wide with something that looks like wonder.

"I love you too," he says, his voice thick with emotion. "God, Aubrey, I love you so much it terrifies me."

Before I can respond, he leans down and captures my lips with his. The kiss is soft, careful of my injuries, but filled with all the emotion we've been holding back. When he pulls away, his forehead rests against mine.

"I take it back," he whispers. "The rejection, the harsh words, all of it. I was a fool to doubt what we have."

"Knox—"

"I know what happened wasn't entirely your fault," he continues, his voice growing stronger. "I know someone was controlling you, manipulating you. But when I thought I was going to lose you..." He swallows hard. "When Lina told me you'd sworn a blood oath that could kill you, it erased every doubt I had about your feelings. No one risks their life like that unless they truly love someone."

Tears spill down my cheeks as the weight of his acceptance settles over me. After everything—the lies, the betrayal, the rejection—he still loves me. Still wants me.

"I'm so sorry," I whisper. "For everything I put you through, for all the pain—"

He silences me with another kiss, this one firmer, more possessive. When he breaks away, his green eyes burn with determination.

"We'll face whatever comes next together," he promises. "No more secrets, no more lies. Just us, as it should have been from the beginning."

I nod, my heart feeling lighter than it has in weeks. "Together."

But our moment is shattered when the infirmary door bursts open. Lina rushes in, her usually composed face tight with urgency. Her ancient eyes are wide with something that looks like terror.

"Knox, thank the goddess you're here," she says breathlessly. "I've detected a massive magical surge from the eastern territories. Dark magic, more powerful than anything I've felt in centuries."

Knox is on his feet instantly, his hand still holding mine. "What kind of surge?"

"Ritualistic. Ancient." Lina's voice drops to a whisper that makes my blood run cold. "Avery has begun her ceremony. Whatever she's planning, it's happening now."