The Human Among Wolves (Aurora) novel Chapter 160

Chapter 160

Aurora

The knock came like thunder after a storm that had finally gone quiet.

Sharp. Repeated. Relentless.

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For a few seconds, I didn’t move. My mind was slow to catch up, heavy with the kind of sleep that comes after too many sleepless

nights. Then the sound came again–louder this time–and I groaned, burying my face against the warmth under me.

That’s when it hit me.

Warmth.

Steady heartbeat.

Zayn.

I blinked, reality sliding back into place all at once. I was lying half on top of him, my arm draped across his chest, his hand resting

loosely on my waist like it had been there for hours. For a second, neither of us moved. The quiet between us felt oddly… peaceful.

Then came another round of pounding at the door.

Zayn stirred beneath me with a low sound that was half growl, half exhaustion. “What time is it?” he muttered, voice rough with

sleep.

I squinted toward the clock on his nightstand. “Five thirty.”

He groaned. “Who the hell knocks on doors at-”

“Kael,” I said before he could finish.

That earned another groan, this one heavier. “Of course it is.”

I reluctantly pushed myself up, brushing the wrinkles from my shirt and trying to make myself look somewhat alive. My hair was a disaster, my eyes puffy, and there was a faint, traitorous warmth still sitting on my lips from last night.

The thought made my stomach flip in a way I hadn’t felt in… I didn‘ even know how long.

It wasn’t like when Kael kissed me–his kisses had been careful, calculated, like he knew exactly what effect he wanted to have. Zayn’s kiss hadn’t been that. It had been raw, unplanned, full of something that didn’t ask permission but somehow still felt safe.

And even now, standing barefoot in the middle of his room, I couldn’t stop the quiet hum of happiness sitting under my ribs. The ache that had been there for months felt–just for once–a little lighter.

Zayn sat up slowly, rubbing a hand down his face, eyes half–lidded and hair an absolute mess. The sight made me bite back a smile.

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Chapter 160

“Don’t look at me like that,” he said, voice still hoarse.

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“Like what?” I asked, already heading for the door.

“Like you forgot how annoying I am.”

I didn’t answer. Mostly because the stupid grin I was trying to hide said enough.

When I opened the door, Kael was standing there–dressed, alert, ang looking like he hadn’t slept at all. His sharp gaze flicked over

me in an instant, taking in the messy hair, the oversized shirt, the obvious lack of sleep.

And then his jaw tightened. Just slightly.

“We’re leaving in twenty,” he said. His tone was clipped, efficient. “Pack what you need. Food, water, anything you might want if

things go sideways.”

“Morning to you too,” I said, fighting a yawn.

He didn’t smile. His eyes narrowed instead, studying my face. “You look… different.”

“Different how?”

He hesitated, head tilting just a fraction. “You’re smiling.”

I blinked. “No, I’m not.”

“Yeah,” he said quietly. “You are.”

And there it was–the faintest crease between his brows, confusion mixing with something that looked suspiciously like irritation.

Zayn appeared behind me, shirtless, stretching one arm lazily over his head.

Kael’s gaze flicked past me–and his entire expression darkened.

“Fantastic,” Kael muttered. “Now I see why.”

Zayn gave him a slow, deliberate smirk. “Morning, sunshine.”

Kael ignored him, looking back at me. “Twenty minutes, Aurora,” he repeated, tone leaving no room for argument. Then he turned

and walked off down the hall.

I stood there for a moment, the tension from that brief exchange sti humming in the air.

Zayn leaned against the doorframe beside me. “He’s fun before breakfast.”

I shot him a look. “You don’t exactly make mornings better.”

His smirk deepened. “You didn’t seem to mind last night.”

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Chapter 160

Heat rose instantly to my cheeks, and I shoved at his shoulder. “You” e insufferable.”

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He caught my wrist before I could pull away, fingers warm against my skin. “You sure you’re okay?” he asked quietly.

I hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah. For the first time in a while… yeah.

He searched my face for a moment like he didn’t quite believe me, but eventually let go, stepping back to grab his jacket. “Then get ready,” he said. “If we’re doing this, we’re not doing it without coffee”

I rolled my eyes, but I was still smiling as I turned toward the small pile of my things on the chair.

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