The Human Among Wolves (Aurora) novel Chapter 217

Chapter 217

Auroca

The music swelled again around us, but Zayn didn’t move.

<84%

Not until he was sure Charlotte was really gone.

His hand slid back to my waist, pulling me closer than before–as if making up for even the idea of someone else trying to wedge

themselves between us.

1 lifted my gaze, about to say something-

-but Zayn’s eyes shifted past my shoulder.

They narrowed

I frowned and turned just enough to see what he was looking at.

Kael.

Standing near the edge of the dance floor, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable. Not smiling. Not angry. Just watching.

Watching me.

His eyes lingered too long.

Too steady.

My stomach tightened.

Before I could process anything, Zayn leaned down, mouth brushing the shell of my ear–his voice a low, quiet threat wrapped in

velvet.

“If he keeps staring at you like that,” he murmured, “I’ll gouge his eyes out.”

A shiver shot through me–my wolf humming in dangerous approval.

“Zayn,” I whispered, half warning, half breathless.

“I’m serious,” he added, not bothering to hide the edge in his tone. “He’s been looking at you since we walked in. And if he doesn’t

stop, I will fix it myself.”

I swallowed hard, pulse kicking up.

My wolf nudged forward–pleased, smug, claiming.

1/4

12:22 Thu, Jan 29 BGB.

Chapter 217

But me?

I was torn between rolling my eyes and melting on the spot.

“Maybe he’s just… curious,” I managed weakly.

Zayn’s hand slid to my lower back, firm, possessive.

“No,” he said, voice dropping. “That’s not curiosity. That’s a male staring at something he wants.”

My breath caught.

“And you’re not available,” he finished, eyes burning into mine. “Not to him. Not to anyone.”

His thumb brushed my waist. “Even if you don’t realize it yet.”

Heat flared across my cheeks–my wolf practically purring.

“And if he looks at you one more time,” Zayn muttered, gaze flicking back toward Kael, “I’ll make sure he can’t ever look at you

again.”

“Zayn,” I whispered, grabbing his arm. “Stop.”

He finally looked down at me, jaw tight–then exhaled, tension easing just slightly.

“Fine,” he muttered. “But don’t ask me to be polite about him.”

I bit the inside of my cheek to stop the smile tugging at my lips.

Zayn saw it anyway.

His eyes softened.

“You’re amused,” he accused softly.

“Maybe.”

His mouth curved into that slow, dangerous smirk that made my knees weak.

“Careful,” he said. “I’m already barely holding it together.”

My wolf growled happily.

The music shifted again, softer this time, wrapping around us like a secret.

“Dance with me,” he murmured–less question, more invitation.

I nodded.

84%

2/4

12:22 Thu, Jan 29 BGB.

Chapter 217

And when he pulled me closer, ignoring everyone else in the room except me, Kael’s stare no longer mattered.

Because Zayn’s hands were on me.

84%

And the world shrank to the space between us.

We swayed through another song, Zayn’s hand warm and steady on my waist, his thumb stroking slow circles that made my breath

hitch every single time. My eyes kept unintentionally darting to him his mouth, his jaw, his stupidly perfect face–and every time I

did, he smirked like he knew.

I was just starting to relax when a shadow fell over us.

We both turned.

Kael.

He stood a polite distance away, hands in his pockets, posture calm but his eyes were on me, not Zayn.

“Hey, Aurora,” he said with a small smile. “Can I have a dance?”

Zayn went rigid.

Like statue rigid.

His hand tightened on my waist so suddenly I had to grab his forearm to steady myself. He didn’t step back. Didn’t say a word. He

just stared at Kael like he was deciding where to bury the body.

Kael, to his credit, kept his tone soft. “Just one. As friends.”

Zayn’s voice was a low, razor–sharp growl.

“She’s dancing. With. Me.”

“Zayn-” I whispered.

He didn’t look at me.

Didn’t blink.

Didn’t breathe..

Kael lifted his palms, peaceful. “I’m not trying to start a fight. I just wanted to ask her.”

That was when Zayn snapped.

His chest rose in a sharp inhale, beast pushing behind his eyes. His arm locked around my waist, pulling me flush against him like

Kael was seconds from dragging me away.

3/4

12:22 Thu, Jan 29 B GB.

The Human Among Wolves