The Human Among Wolves (Aurora) novel Chapter 131

Chapter 131

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I nodded, still looking around, the warmth from the apartment slowly seeping into me. For the first time that night, I let myself

breathe.

“So…” I started after a few minutes of quiet, my voice sounding too loud in the stillness of his apartment. Kael had dropped onto

the couch, scrolling absently through his phone, one arm slung lazily over the backrest. I shifted my weight from one foot to the

other, not really sure what to do with myself.

“So… what?” he asked, not looking up.

I fiddled with the strap of my backpack, feeling suddenly awkward. “Can I, um… take a shower or something? I feel kinda dirty

after…” I trailed off, realizing how stupid that sounded. After what, exactly? The witch? The woods? The three a.m. emotional

breakdown? All of it?

Kael finally lifted his gaze, one brow arching as he studied me for a second before nodding. “Yeah, of course. Let me get you some

clean towels and a change of clothes-”

“Just a towel’s fine,” I interrupted quickly. “I brought clothes.”

He tilted his head a little, like he was about to argue, but then shrugged. “Suit yourself, Princess.”

With that, he pushed off the couch and disappeared down a hallway. I heard a door open, a faint clatter of something, then running

water–probably checking the temperature for me, which, annoyingly was kind of sweet.

A moment later, he reappeared, holding a neatly folded towel that looked way too soft to actually be used for drying anything.

“Here,” he said, handing it to me.

“Thanks,” I murmured, taking it carefully from his hand. Our fingers brushed for the briefest second, and my stomach gave a weird,

uninvited flutter. I quickly stepped back, pretending to focus on my bag instead.

I set it down on the couch, unzipping it and pulling out a fresh set of clothes–a plain oversized shirt and black leggings. Thank God

I’d packed something comfortable. I dug around for my skincare pouch and my hairbrush, lining them up neatly on top of my

things, anything to keep my hands busy.

“Bathroom’s the first door on the right,” Kael said, his voice quieter now. He was watching me, not in a creepy way–more like he

was trying to make sure I didn’t just crumble right there.

I nodded, clutching the towel to my chest. “Got it.”

Steam filled the bathroom, soft and thick, curling along the edges of the mirror. I turned off the shower and listened to the quiet

drip of water echo against the tiles. My skin was warm, my hair dripping wet, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I could breathe without feeling the weight of the night pressing against my chest.

I grabbed the towel from the hook and wrapped it tightly around my waist. It was warm and soft, smelling faintly like Kael’s

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12:08 Thu, Jan 29 GBB.

Chapter 131

detergent–something clean, like cedar and rain, I wiped a small circle on the mirror, meeting my reflection. My cheeks were Nushed, eyes tired, hair clinging to my shoulders.

“Yisah.” I muttered quietly, “You look like you’ve been through hell.”

I crouched to grab my change of clothes from where I’d placed them earlier–a big black T–shirt and leggings, both soft and comfortably oversized.

That’s when I realized it.

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I’d forgotten my underwear.

1 froze, my eyes flicking to the pile of clothes, then to the door, then back again. No. No, no, no. I’d packed them. I definitely had.

Except… I’d left my backpack in the living room.

“Of course you did,” I whispered, dragging a hand down my face.

I groaned softly, glancing at the towel wrapped around me. I could either stay here and hope my underwear magically appeared, or I could go get them. And since magic apparently hated me tonight, I didn’t have a choice.

“Okay,” I muttered to myself. “Just walk out there. Grab them. Come back. No big deal. He won’t even notice.”