The Human Among Wolves (Aurora) novel Chapter 103

Chapter 103

Aurora

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By the time we made it back to the clearing, my legs were aching and my throat felt tight in a way that had nothing to do with all

the walking.

The camp was buzzing with noise–teams laughing, professors checking off names, someone shouting across the field. It was jarring

after the quiet of the woods.

Most of the other teams had already returned. A few of them were sitting on the grass in messy circles, comparing stories, their voices carrying easily in the cool evening air.

Our team was there too–Chris waving wildly the moment he saw us

“Took you long enough!” he called, grinning like we hadn’t just been through hell. “We were starting to think the forest ate you.”

I forced a smile, but it felt stiff, almost painful. “We’re here,” I said simply, stepping past him to drop my backpack in the grass.

Nova bounced on her heels, looking between me and Zayn like she wanted to ask something but didn’t dare. Laura just gave me a small, hesitant smile and then went back to fiddling with the straps on her bag.

A sharp whistle cut through the chatter, and one of the professors stepped forward. “Alright, everyone! Gather up!”

Slowly, the crowd shifted closer, teams forming loose groups around their professors.

“You all did great today,” the professor said, smiling broadly. “But one team was the fastest, completing every checkpoint in record

time.”

A murmur went through the students, everyone glancing around to see who it would be.

“The winners of today’s challenge are–Team Four!”

Cheers erupted from somewhere near the front, and I spotted Team our standing together, all grins and whoops. One of their juniors actually fist–pumped the air.

“As a reward,” the professor continued, “Team Four will have first pick of the campfire dinner tonight and get to choose the best

sleeping spots.”

Chris groaned loudly, throwing his hands up. “Seriously? Best spots? That’s just cruel.”

“Should’ve run faster,” Marcus said dryly, though there was the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at his mouth.

The winning team trotted off toward the camp kitchen setup, already arguing playfully about what food to grab first.

I tried to focus on the bustle around me, on anything except the hollow ache in my chest.

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Chapter 103

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The professors started giving instructions for setting up camp–tents would be handed out, groups needed to pick their spots in the open field just beyond the clearing. Dinner would be served after sunset, followed by a campfire gathering.

Mira appeared out of nowhere, throwing her arms around me in a quick squeeze. “Finally! I thought you got lost out there,” she

said, pulling back to look at me. Her brow furrowed slightly. “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” I said quickly, forcing another smile.

She didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t push. Instead, she grabbed my hand. “Come on. Let’s grab a tent before the good spots are

gone.”

We picked a spot near the edge of the field, where the grass was softer and the view of the trees was wide and open. Riven and Lira claimed the spot next to ours, and Selene and Alex set up a little farther away, already bickering good–naturedly about who was

better at hammering in stakes.

By the time the sun dipped low, painting the sky orange and purple, the field was a patchwork of tents and students sprawled out

on blankets, tired but buzzing with leftover energy.

The smell of food drifted from the camp kitchen–grilled vegetables, roasted meat, something sweet baking over the fire. My

stomach growled, but the knot in my chest hadn’t loosened, not even a little.

When the professors finally called everyone over to the giant central fire pit, students gathered in a wide circle, voices blending into

an excited hum.

The fire crackled as it caught, flames licking high, the light dancing across everyone’s faces.

Chris dropped down onto a log near us, stretching out his legs. “Okay, this part I can get behind,” he said, grinning as someone

passed him a plate of food.

Mira handed me mine, and I mumbled a thank you, settling onto the grass with my plate balanced on my knees. The warmth from

the fire licked at my skin, but it didn’t quite reach the cold knot sitting heavy in my chest.

Around us, people were laughing, swapping stories about the checkpoints–who got lost, who solved the riddles first, who fell into a

creek. The noise was loud and happy and almost dizzying after the long day.

I sat there quietly, staring into the fire, letting the sound of everyone else’s voices wash over me.

Zayn was somewhere across the circle, sitting with Marcus and Chris his face half–lit by the firelight.

He looked relaxed.

Like nothing had happened in the woods at all.

Like I hadn’t just been gutted by every word he said.

I turned back to the fire, stabbing at my food with my fork just to ge my hands something to do.

The night stretched on, the fire crackling, the stars winking awake overhead.

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Eventually, one of the professors stood, announcing that once everyone was finished eating, they could stay by the fire until lights-

out–but no wandering off into the woods.

The fire popped loudly, making a few of the freshmen squeal and laugh, but I barely heard them.

I had my chin resting on my knees, the plate of food long gone, my fork stuck into the dirt just because I didn’t have anywhere else to put it. The warmth of the fire should have felt comforting, but it just made my face hot, and my thoughts were still stuck back on

the trail, looping over and over like a song I couldn’t get out of my head.

I didn’t even hear him approach.

Not until I felt the faintest brush of air near my ear, and a low voice said, “You always look like you’re a million miles away when

you’re thinking.”

I jumped, twisting around so fast my knee nearly knocked over my empty plate.

Kael was standing just behind me, his hands in his pockets, that faint amused curve on his lips that I was starting to recognize.

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R Visitor

I love Kael help