The Human Among Wolves (Aurora) novel Chapter 196

Chapter 196

Aurora

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The water was hot the moment it hit my skin, steam rolling across the mirrors in thick clouds. I let it run for longer than necessary. Washing him off felt strange–intimate in a different way. Like every drop of water carried a memory from a few minutes ago.

When I finally stepped out, I wrapped the towel around me tightly.

I opened the door slowly, stepping back into the room.

Zayn looked up immediately.

His gaze traveled from the towel knot at my chest down to the bare sliver of thigh peeking beneath the edge. Something in his

expression softened and darkened all at once.

Before I could say anything, he reached for me.

“Come here,” he murmured.

His hand slid to my waist, warm against damp skin, and he guided me backward until my calves brushed the mattress. Then he lowered me onto the bed gently, climbing over me, bracing himself with one arm beside my head.

His weight didn’t feel heavy. It felt grounding.

He leaned in slowly–no rush, no hunger this time–and pressed a soft kiss to my cheek. Then another to my temple. Then the corner of my mouth. Then my jaw. Then the tip of my nose, and he lingered there, exhaling a shaky breath.

“Zayn…” I whispered.

He didn’t stop. His lips dragged lightly along my throat, brushing the sensitive spot beneath my ear. My breath hitched and my fingers curled into the blanket beneath me.

His voice came out low, rough with something that wasn’t lust anymore. Something warmer. “I can’t get enough of you.”

I swallowed, chest tightening.

“Zayn…” I tried again, softer this time. “You have to… stop.”

He paused–not pulling away completely, just resting his forehead against my jaw. His breath warmed my skin. Another kiss followed, gentle, reluctant.

Then slowly, very slowly, he pushed himself up, giving me room to breathe.

I exhaled shakily, lifting a hand to cup his cheek. “We should… go eat.

He huffed a quiet laugh, brushing his thumb along my jaw. “Yeah. Before I forget food exists.”

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Chapter 196

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He sat back, giving me space to sit up. I tightened the towel around myself and forced my legs to move. My clothes waited at the

foot of the bed, familiar and slightly wrinkled.

I slipped into my jeans, tugging the denim over still–warm skin, and pulled my shirt back on, smoothing it down with shaking

fingers. Zayn watched me from the edge of the bed, elbows on his knees, quiet and patient.

When I finished tying my shoelaces, he stood and took my hand without a word.

The walk to the canteen was slow, comfortable. The hallways were busy with students, normal voices and normal footsteps, so painfully different from the forest and cabin that it almost made my chest ache.

We ate together, close but quiet, moving through the space like nothing had changed -even though everything had.

When we were done, Zayn didn’t even pretend to ask.

“You’re coming back with me,” he said simply.

And I did.

Back in his room, the air was dimmer now, softer. I climbed into his bed without thinking, slipping under the blanket. Zayn followed immediately after, pulling me back against his chest with one smooth motion.

He buried his face in my hair, arms locking around me like I might disappear if he didn’t hold tight enough.

I let myself melt into him, breathing in the scent of him, letting it anchor me.

This time, when sleep found me, I didn’t fight it.

I woke up slowly, drifting into consciousness like surfacing through warm water. The room was quiet, dim, and still. For a moment I couldn’t even remember where I was–not the cabin, not the forest, not the nightmare loop.

Then I felt an arm tighten around my waist.