The Human Among Wolves (Aurora) novel Chapter 224

Chapter 224

Aurora

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We agreed we wouldn’t leave right away. Tomorrow would be soon enough. The semester was basically over, and we had a little bit of free time before the academy’s ski trip, so there was no rush. It felt safer that way–having one quiet day to sit with the decision, to let it feel real, to gather ourselves before everything changed.

I find my roommates in our room two hours before we agreed to leave. Lira is sitting on her bed, scrolling through her phone. Riven is half inside the closet like always, and Mira is cross–legged on the oor with a book in her lap. For a moment, I just stand there in the doorway with my backpack hanging off one shoulder, my heart beating way too fast for how still everything looks.

“I’m leaving,” I say quietly.

All three of them look up at once. The room shifts immediately–attention pulled tight around me. I explain it slowly, not every detail, just enough for them to understand why I won’t be here tonight. Why I won’t be here tomorrow either. They listen. No interrupting. No teasing for once. And that alone makes my chest ache.

Mira is the first to stand up and hug me. Then Lira. Then Riven, who squeezes too tight like she always does. I promise I’ll text. I promise I’ll be careful. They make me promise twice.

After that, I step into the hallway and call my parents. I haven’t spoken to them in so long that my hand actually shakes as the phone rings. When they answer, their voices sound older than I remember, softer too. Guilt settles heavy in my stomach. I finally say out loud what I should have said a long time ago–that I overreacted, that I was unfair, that I’m sorry. I promise I’ll see them

tell me to be safe.

soon. Not today. Not yet. They don’t argue. They jus

When I hang up, I feel lighter and heavier at the same time.

Zayn and I pack next. Just the basics. Clothes. Toothbrush. Everything else suddenly feels unimportant. We move around each other easily in the small space, passing things back and forth without needing to speak. When the backpacks are zipped and slung over our shoulders, it finally feels real.

We walk out of the academy together. The doors close behind us with a soft, hollow sound that echoes in my chest. The air outside is cold and sharp, biting through my clothes, and I automatically tense as if preparing for a long walk. In my head, I already see us

going on foot. It just makes sense.

But Zayn slows. Then he stops.

I nearly bump into him. “What-?” I start, confused.

Then I see it.

Parked right in front of us is a matte black Dodge Charger, low and sleek, the dark paint catching the light like it’s alive. For a second, I just stare at it. My brain lags behind the moment.

I stop short in front of the car, my steps faltering as I take it in properly. Then I look at him, slow and disbelieving.

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Chapter 224

“Since when do you have a car?” I ask, my voice coming out quieter than I expect.

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He barely hesitates before rolling his eyes, like I’ve genuinely insulted him. He straightens a little, shoulders pulling back in mock pride. “Baby,” he says, clearly pretending to be offended, “you really hought me–the Lycan Prince–doesn’t own a car?”

1 blink at him. Once. Twice.

“I have dozens of them,” he adds smoothly.

I snort before I can stop myself. “Show off,” I mutter under my breath.

His lips tug into a slow, satisfied smirk. Without saying anything else, he moves past me and reaches for the handle, pulling the passenger door open with an easy, deliberate motion–like he knows exactly how this looks and enjoys every second of it.

I slip into the passenger seat, the door shutting with a solid click behind me. For a few quiet seconds, it’s just me inside the car, the faint scent of leather and something unmistakably Zayn lingering in the air. Then the driver’s door opens, and he slides in beside me with easy confidence, settling into the seat like this is exactly where he belongs.

The engine comes to life with a low purr.

We pull out slowly, the academy gates fading behind us as the road stretches ahead. The silence is comfortable at first, not heavy- but after a few minutes, I feel his eyes flick toward me. I don’t look right away, already knowing he’s studying my face.

“You sure that witch told you the right location of your mother?” he asks at last, one brow lifting as he glances between me and the

road.

“Yeah,” I murmur, then hesitate, the word catching in my throat just enough to betray me. “I’m sure… ish.”

He lets out a quiet breath that sounds halfway between a sigh and a scoff. “Great,” he says dryly, thick with sarcasm, and his mouth curves like he already regrets trusting a single direction we’re heading in.

“Hey–don’t give me that look,” I say, turning toward him even as the road keeps rolling beneath us.

He lets out a short laugh, shaking his head just a little. “Sorry, Rory,” he says, a hint of tension slipping into his voice, “but I really don’t feel like getting us lost in some northern woods crawling with witches.”

I narrow my eyes at him, unimpressed.

“And just a fun little fact you seem to be forgetting,” he adds dryly, tealing another glance at me, “witches don’t exactly love werewolves. And they definitely don’t love lycans.”

I roll my eyes, forcing myself to breathe through the swirl of nerves in my chest. “No one forced you to come with me.”

He snaps his head toward me for a second before looking back at the road. “Like it would be any better if you went alone.”

“I’m half witch,” I shoot back, crossing my arms. “I’ll be fine.”

He lets out a sharp, disbelieving breath. “It doesn’t matter,” he says firmly. “Not to them. Not if something goes wrong.”

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Chapter 224

“Yes, your highness,” I say lightly, dripping with mock respect.

He doesn’t even glance at me this time, just tightens his grip on t

rond ahead. The dashboard lights cast a soft glow over his face, sh

the quiet.

“You better sleep, Rory,” he says, calm but firm. “It’s a long drive.”

I huff softly, leaning back in the seat but not closing my eyes just

and almost soothing, and for a moment, the constant tension in m

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12:23 Thu, Jan 29 BGB

The Human Among Wolves