CHAPTER 71 : MELISSA’S POV

As we drove back toward the pack territory, the tension in the car was palpable, thick and suffocating. The boys were oblivious, happily chattering away in the back seat, but I could feel the weight of unsaid words hanging between Knox and me. I wanted to ask him what had happened on that phone call, to dig deeper into why Susie seemed to have such a hold on him. But I couldn’t bring myself to ask.

Instead, I stared out the window, watching the trees blur by as we made our way back to the apartment.

The drive didn’t take long, and soon enough, the familiar sight of the pack's territory came into view. My stomach twisted uncomfortably as we neared the entrance to the main grounds. Knox slowed the car to a stop outside the apartment.

I turned to him, offering a faint smile, though it didn’t reach my eyes. "Thanks for everything. For helping with the boys last night."

He nodded, his eyes holding mine for a beat longer than necessary. "Of course."

I didn’t know what else to say, and the s