The Human Among Wolves (Aurora) novel Chapter 208

Aurora

“Zayn… we can’t.”

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The words slipped out before I could stop them–quiet, but sharp enough to slice through the air between us.

He froze, confusion flickering across his face, but I pushed on, my valce unsteady.

“With everything you just told me… about your father, about Zade… I shook my head, trying to breathe around the tightness in my

chest. “I can’t. We can’t.”

The blanket slipped off my shoulders as I stood, and the moment my feet touched the floor, he moved–fast, instinctively–like he

thought I might disappear if he didn’t.

“Aurora,” he said my name softly, almost like a plea.

I couldn’t look at him for a second. His voice, the way he said my name–it tugged at something I wasn’t prepared to feel.

“Don’t do this,” he murmured, taking a step closer. “Please-”

“I’m not going to reject you,” I cut in, spinning toward him before he could say anything else. My voice steadied, even though everything inside me felt anything but steady. “That’s not what this s.”

Relief flashed in his eyes, too quickly, too desperately.

“I just…” I exhaled, rubbing a hand over my face. “I need some time Alone.”

I swallowed, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “Please. I need to think”

The room fell quiet–heavy, but not hostile. Just full of things neither of us knew how to say. He didn’t argue. He didn’t reach for me again. He just stood there, breathing like someone had hit him in the ribs, watching me with a kind of restraint I wasn’t used to

seeing from him.

And slowly, he nodded.

I dressed quietly, every movement feeling louder than it should have like the room itself was holding its breath.

Zayn didn’t say another word. He just watched me the whole time with that steady, unreadable expression that made my pulse trip over itself. I didn’t let myself look back at him too long. If I did, I wouldn’t leave.

I pulled on my clothes, smoothing the wrinkles from the shirt. My hands felt clumsy. Uncoordinated. I could feel him behind me- his heat, his attention, the way his presence always seemed to press against my skin even when he wasn’t touching me.

I slipped out the door before the word mine–unspoken but thick in the air–could swallow me whole.

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Chapter 208

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The hallway was quiet. Too quiet. Every step echoed, and all I could think about was the sound of his voice, the look in his eyes, the way my pulse still hadn’t calmed.

When I pushed open my door, the room was warm and bright, voices drifting inside. Lira sat cross–legged on her bed, braiding her red hair in sections. Mira lay sprawled on her stomach with a book open, glasses sliding down her nose. Riven was perched at her desk, painting her nails a deep midnight shade. Selene’s bed was empty–her blanket neatly folded, as always.

Three sets of eyes snapped to me the moment I walked in.

Lira blinked dramatically. “Oh my goddess, finally. We thought you died in a ditch.”

Mira’s head shot up, eyes widening. “You look… flustered. Why do you look flustered?”

Riven leaned back in her chair, smirking. “She definitely did something.”

I closed the door behind me and exhaled, leaning my head against it for a moment. “Okay. Just–give me a second.”

Lira hopped off her bed and marched right to me. “You were with him again, weren’t you?”

“Yes,” I whispered.

“What?!”

“Tell us everything!”

“Did he kiss you?!”

“Did you kiss him?!” Mira added, already blushing as if she knew the answer.

I sat on my bed, pulled my knees up, and let out a shaky breath. “It’s… complicated.”

“Well, lucky for you,” Riven said, rotating her chair toward me with a grin, “we’re excellent with complicated.”

So I told them.

They listened without interrupting–shockingly. Only small noises slipped out.

“Oh, wow…”

“Holy–okay, that’s… intense.”

“Are you okay?” Mira asked gently.

“I don’t know,” I admitted.

Lira sat beside me, her shoulder nudging mine. “You don’t have to decide anything tonight. Or tomorrow. Or anytime soon.”

Riven nodded. “Yeah. If he’s your mate, he’s not going anywhere.”

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Chapter 208

Mira smiled softly. “Just breathe. We’ve got you.”

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Their comfort settled over me like a blanket. My heartbeat finally slowed, the anxiety unraveling enough for exhaustion to crawl in

its place.

“I think I’m just gonna sleep,” I said quietly.

They all nodded, giving me space, turning down the lights until the pom dimmed into a soft glow. Mira went back to her book. Riven put away her nail polish. Lira climbed into bed, still humming under her breath.

I curled under my blanket.

The moment my eyes closed, the world around me softened.