The Human Among Wolves (Aurora) novel Chapter 118

Chapter 118

“He’s here,” I muttered, half to myself, half to the empty room. “I have to go. Love you!”

The words barely left my mouth before my feet were moving, hurrying toward the door. Mira’s voice followed me down the hall,

sharp and worried.

“Please be careful!”

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I waved a hand over my shoulder without looking back, forcing a small, reassuring smile even though my heart was racing.

The dorm felt quieter than usual as I stepped out into the corridor, my shoes making soft echoes against the polished floors. I moved faster, almost gliding over the stairs two at a time, adrenaline knotting my stomach tighter with each step.

It was only 6:30 pm–long before curfew–but the way my chest tightened and my hands felt a little clammy, I might as well have

been sneaking out in the dead of night. My mind told me I wasn’t doing anything wrong… but the truth was, I was.

The front door of the academy loomed ahead, glowing faintly under the hallway lights, and beyond it.

I stepped outside the academy, my shoes crunching softly against the gravel path that led to the gates. The evening air was cool,

brushing against my cheeks and ruffling my hair, and for a moment let myself inhale it, trying to shake the tight coil of nerves in

my stomach.

The gates loomed ahead, tall and iron–wrought, their black metal almost blending into the shadows as the last light of the sun

faded behind the horizon. I reached out, my fingers brushing over the cold metal latch, and pushed them open with a slow,

deliberate motion, as if the world itself might judge me for stepping out.

And then I saw him.

Kael.

He was leaning casually against the hood of a dark blue Mustang, the glossy surface reflecting the fading sunset in streaks of copper

and gold. One foot rested lightly on the front bumper, arms crossed over his chest, posture effortless but commanding, like he

owned every inch of the space around him. The wind caught a few strands of his hair, tossing them across his forehead, and he

didn’t bother to brush them away. He was entirely aware of the effect he had, I was sure of it, but for once, that didn’t make me roll

my eyes–it made my stomach tighten instead.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped closer, the sound of my boots on the gravel echoing slightly in the quiet evening.

“Evening,” I murmured, trying to sound casual, though my voice came out a little higher than I intended.

He straightened slightly, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. Evening, princess,” he replied, voice smooth, teasing. That

smirk, that tone… it made my heartbeat jerk like it had a mind of its own.

I shifted my backpack nervously, feeling the weight of the books pressing against my back like a reminder of why I was here, and why I couldn’t afford to stumble over my own words.

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Chapter 118

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Kael pushed off the car, his gaze flicking toward me with something that felt almost like calculation, though I couldn’t tell if it was

warning, curiosity, or something else entirely.

“Ready?” he asked.

I nodded, even though a small, stubborn part of me wanted to turn around and run back inside, hide under my blankets, and

pretend none of this had ever been arranged.

But I didn’t. I couldn’t. Not if I wanted answers. Not if I wanted the book unlocked.

“After you,” he said, nodding toward the passenger seat with that faint, infuriating smirk.

I hesitated for a second, then slid into the seat, the leather cool and familiar under my palms. My backpack landed in my lap with a

soft thud, and I adjusted it nervously.

Kael climbed in on the driver’s side, shutting the door with a definitive click. The engine roared to life, a low growl that seemed to

fill the small space of the car. I gripped the edge of my seat for a moment, heart thudding in rhythm with the engine’s hum.