The Human Among Wolves (Aurora) novel Chapter 100

The Human Among Wolves

Chapter 100

Aurora

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We crunched along the trail, the sound of leaves and twigs under ou boots keeping a slow rhythm. The woods felt thicker here, like the trees were leaning in to listen. Everything smelled like pine and amp dirt, sharp and clean.

Chris was leading the way, practically buzzing with energy. “Alright,uys, first checkpoint should be up ahead. Who’s doing what

when we get there?”

Marcus, who had taken over as our unofficial navigator, glanced at the map and traced the route with one finger. “We should decide who’s good at what before we waste time. Someone on puzzles, someone on the map, someone to carry supplies.”

I felt Zayn close beside me. Not touching, but close enough that I could feel it. My stomach did a weird flip, but I cleared my throat. “I can help with the map,” I said quickly. “I don’t get lost too easily.

Zayn’s eyes slid to me for half a second, unreadable as always, before he nodded. “Fine.” His voice was calm, casual, like this was no

big deal.

The two freshmen were trailing behind, whispering to each other. Laura clutched her water bottle like she was about to faint, and Nova wouldn’t stop talking about how cool this was and how she hoped we saw deer.

The junior girl–Selene–stayed near Marcus. She didn’t talk much but kept glancing around, sharp–eyed, like she was checking for

danger.

We wound down the path until we hit a clearing. And there it was–dur first checkpoint.

A wooden post stood in the middle, with a little box nailed to the top. There was a note tacked under it, flapping slightly in the

breeze.

I stepped forward and read it aloud:

“I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have nobody, but come alive with wind. What am I?”

Everyone went quiet. Chris frowned, muttering to himself. “Man, I know this one. It’s on the tip of my tongue…”

Marcus tapped the side of the box, thinking. “It’s gotta be one of those classic riddles.”

“An echo,” I said, the answer slipping out before I could stop myself

And then-

The box gave a loud click.

I actually jumped back as it glowed softly for a second, a faint golden light tracing the edges before it unlocked and swung open on

its own.

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Nova gasped. “Okay, that was so cool. Did it just–like–do that by itself?”

Chris grinned. “Guess someone just passed the vibe check.”

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Inside were the next set of coordinates, a length of rope, a compass that looked like it was humming with faint light, and a bag of

trail markers.

Nova immediately grabbed the compass and held it to her chest like it was her new best friend. “This is mine now. I’m navigating.”

Chris slung the rope over his shoulder dramatically. “Okay, next stop’s up the ridge. Hope you all stretched this morning.”

We got moving again, the path getting steeper. My calves were already complaining, but the air was cool and fresh, and the magic of

the box had left this weird buzzing energy in my chest.

Zayn stayed just ahead of me, silent but steady, his movements smooth like he’d done this a hundred times before. It should’ve annoyed me, the way he looked so… unbothered, but somehow it made me feel a little less on edge too.

Selene stayed close to Marcus, pointing out random things on the trail–like which way moss grew or where animal tracks crossed the mud. Chris called back every few minutes with “motivational speeches” that made Laura groan.

We were a weird mix of people, thrown together for no reason except luck, but we were already starting to find a rhythm.

And yeah, my chest still went tight every time Zayn brushed past me or leaned close to look at the map, but for the first time in

weeks, it didn’t feel unbearable.

The trail got narrower as we climbed, roots twisting like ropes across the dirt. Every now and then, Nova would stop just to check the glowing compass like she was leading an expedition into uncharted territory.

“Okay, this says we’re close,” she announced finally, pointing up the hill where the path curved between two big boulders.

Chris groaned dramatically. “Close as in ten steps or close as in another mile?”

“Like… close–close,” she said, grinning.

He muttered something under his breath but kept going, and soon we reached a rocky little ledge where the second checkpoint

waited.

Except this one was… trickier.

The box was tied high to a tree branch, a good six or seven feet off the ground, with a note hanging below it.

Chris grabbed the note and read it out loud:

“Your clue is just out of reach. Use what you have. Work as one.”

I stared up at the box. “So what, we just stack on top of each other until someone can grab it?”

Marcus gestured to the rope Chris had slung over his shoulder. “We use that. Toss it over the branch, pull it down.”

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“Easy,” Chris said with a grin, already uncoiling it.

Except it wasn’t easy.

.

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The branch was at a weird angle, and every time he tried to throw the rope over, it either missed completely or got snagged halfway.

“Let me try,” Zayn said finally, his voice quiet but firm.

Chris shrugged and handed him the rope.

I stepped back as Zayn moved past me, his shoulder brushing mine just slightly–not enough to be on purpose, but enough to send a

jolt through me.

He wound the rope once around his hand, glanced up at the branch, and with one smooth motion, tossed it perfectly over on the

first try.

Of course he did.

The others clapped, and Chris let out a low whistle. “Show–off.”

Zayn didn’t reply, just braced his boots in the dirt and pulled, muscles in his forearms flexing as he dragged the box down within

reach.

I stepped forward automatically, grabbing the edge of the box to steady it while he untied the knot. For a second, we were standing

so close I could feel the heat radiating off him.

“Got it,” he said softly, his fingers brushing mine as he pulled the lid open.

The faint golden glow appeared again, and this time, it was even brighter. Inside was another clue card and a little leather pouch

full of colored stones, probably for whatever puzzle came next.

Nova practically bounced in place. “Okay, this is officially the coolest thing ever.”

Marcus took the clue card and read it quickly. “The next one’s down the ridge, near a stream. Shouldn’t take us too long if we

hurry.”

“Downhill sounds like heaven right now,” I muttered, brushing dirt off my hands.

Zayn glanced at me, just briefly, and there was the tiniest twitch of smile at the corner of his mouth

–

like he’d actually heard

1. me.

We headed down the trail again, the group a little more animated now. Laura and Nova chattered louder, Chris cracked jokes about how he was basically carrying the team (even though Zayn had done all the work), and Marcus kept everyone on track.