The Human Among Wolves (Aurora) novel Chapter 199

Chapter 199

Aurora

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Classes dragged on forever. Every lecture felt longer than the last, the professor’s voice looping into a dull drone that barely reached my ears. My notebook sat open, pen idle in my hand, as my mind kept slipping back to last night–his touch, his warmth, the way

he’d held me so effortlessly.

I tried to shake it off, focusing on the formulas scribbled across the board, the names of historical events I should have remembered, the shallow questions and answers bouncing through the room. But no matter how hard I tried, my eyes kept darting toward the clock. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Each minute stretched, unbearably slow, and every movement of the hands seemed almost deliberate in

its cruelty.

The girl next to me whispered something about homework, and I nodded absentmindedly, forcing the words “Yeah, sure” out of my mouth without really hearing myself. My fingers tapped lightly on the desk, a nervous rhythm I couldn’t quite control. I kept imagining Zayn–how he would have teased me if he were here, how he would have made the boredom fade with just a look or a smirk. But he wasn’t. And the hollow ache of missing him gnawed quietly at the edges of my mind.

By the time the final class ended, I felt like I’d been running through molasses all day. My backpack felt heavier with every step down the crowded hallways, every passing conversation a dull reminder that life had gone back to “normal“.

Lunch offered no real reprieve. I sat with my roommates, picking at my food while laughter and chatter swirled around me. My eyes scanned the room, half expecting to see him walk in at any moment lean, confident, effortlessly magnetic–but the seat beside me remained empty. A quiet knot twisted in my stomach, one I couldn’t shake.

I tried to focus on my roommates stories, the small dramas of everyday life, but everything sounded hollow. My mind kept replaying flashes of last night, the intimacy of being with him, the warmth, the closeness–and now, the sudden emptiness. Something had shifted, though I couldn’t name it yet. Something unspoken hovered in the space between us, silent and heavy, like a shadow that

didn’t belong.

“You okay? You’ve been spacing out all morning,” Mira said.

“Yeah… just tired,” I mumbled, taking a bite of my sandwich. My mind wasn’t on food, though. It was still lingering in last night, in the warmth, the closeness, the way he’d looked at me. The ache of missing him even though I hadn’t really left his side–it was strange, confusing, and impossible to shake,

We ate slowly, the chatter around me blending into white noise. I tried laughing at their jokes, offering comments, but a part of me kept tensing with every sound, every footstep that echoed through the cafeteria. I realized with a small pang that I hadn’t seen him today. Not even a glimpse.

And somewhere under the surface of the day, a tiny, nagging worry started to grow–he was here, somewhere, but something had changed. Something I couldn’t see yet.

The rest of the afternoon stretched on like that, slow and drawn–out classes and corridors and quiet moments that felt heavier than usual. I told myself it was just fatigue, that Zayn had probably gone off to handle whatever he needed to. But the thought refused to

settle.

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Chapter 199

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The days slipped by in a blur of classes, homework, and the quiet monotony of academy life. I didn’t see Zayn as much as usual, but I didn’t let it bother me. He was probably busy–training, errands, whatever it was he did when he wasn’t… with me. I tried not to think about it, convincing myself that I didn’t need to text or call him. If he wanted to talk or see me, he would. I had my own life

to live, or at least pretend to.

By the time the weekend rolled around, I was exhausted. Classes had been relentless, especially after staying up late a few nights to

finish assignments.

When I returned to the dorm after the last classes before exams, the room was buzzing in contrast to my quiet mood. Mira was pacing, talking a mile a minute, Selene perched on the edge of her bed with a small smirk, Lira’s laughter curling softly around us, and Riven, as usual, sitting quietly, observing everything with that calm, unreadable expression. I hung back, letting the energy

wash over me without really participating.

“Did you hear about the winter dance?” Mira squealed, excitement radiating off her in waves.

I shrugged, forcing a small smile. “I thought I might ask Zayn if he wants to go.”

A few seconds of quiet followed, then a ripple of excitement from the others. Lira’s smile was warm, teasing. “You’re really going to

ask him?”

I nodded. “I’d rather not go alone. And… well… I want him there.”

Mira squealed, Selene’s smirk deepened, and even Riven gave a subtle nod of approval. I didn’t dwell on their reactions. My mind

was already drifting down the hall, toward Zayn.

When I finally made my way to his dorm that evening, my steps felt heavier than usual. My fingers hovered over the doorknob,

hesitation curling in my stomach.

I pushed the door open without knocking.

And froze.

Charlotte was kissing him. Not a shy kiss–a full, certain, deliberate one. Her hands were on his shoulders, her body pressed against

his.

My heart dropped so fast I actually felt dizzy. The worst–case scenario slammed into me instantly, like it had been waiting for the

moment to strike: He chose her.

Zayn jerked back the moment he noticed me.

“Aurora–wait,” he said quickly, breath caught, eyes wide. “It’s not what it looks like.”

But to me, it didn’t matter what he said. I had already seen enough. didn’t need explanations. I didn’t want to hear them. My chest felt tight, like someone had shoved a fist right through it.

Charlotte stepped back with a satisfied little smile, and Zayn shot her a glare–but the damage was done. My stomach twisted so

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Chapter 199

hard I thought I might actually be sick.

Zayn took a small step toward me, hand half–raised.

“Aurora, I didn’t-”

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I didn’t let him finish. 1 cut across the room, words tumbling out because I needed something to hold onto, something to make

sense of the wreckage inside me.

“I actually came to ask you something,” I said quietly. “But… forget

My voice wavered. I hated that it did.

Before he could say another word, before he could reach for me or explain anything, I stepped around him and walked out, keeping

my face turned away so he wouldn’t see how much it hurt.

I didn’t look back.

I couldn’t.