The Human Among Wolves (Aurora) novel Chapter 244

Chapter 244

Aurora

83%

After breakfast, Marcelline didn’t let us leave empty–handed. She moved around with quiet purpose, packing food and water into our backpacks like she’d done it a thousand times before. Enough for a few days, she said. Just in case.

We thanked her–both of us, more than once. It didn’t feel like enough, but it was all we had. We talked a little longer after that, nothing dramatic, just the kind of words people use when they know what comes next won’t be easy. Eventually, there was nothing left to delay.

It was time to head east.

We left the coven and followed the narrow path through the trees, the forest slowly thinning as the air grew sharper and colder. My

boots crunched softly against the ground, and with every step, the silence settled deeper in my chest. Neither of us talked much. We

didn’t need to.

After about an hour, the trees finally opened up into a small clearing Zayn’s car sat there exactly where he’d left it, dark and still,

like it had been waiting for us.

I climbed in first, the cold biting straight through my jacket. I couldn’t stop the shiver that ran through me as I pulled the door shut

and wrapped my arms around myself.

Zayn got in right after me. The door slammed closed, sealing us inside, and the sound felt final in a way I couldn’t explain. He

turned the key immediately. The engine came to

and steady and a second later he cranked up the heat.

Warm air slowly filled the car.

I leaned back against the seat, letting the tension ease just a little as the cold finally started to let go.

“Are you sure you want to continue this trip?” Zayn asked as he started the car and slowly made a U–turn out of the clearing.

I looked at him, really looked at him this time.

“Of course I’m sure. It’s my mother,” I said quietly. Then, after a bear, I added, “But if you want to back off-”

“I would never leave you, Rory,” he cut in without hesitation.

His voice was steady, certain. Like it wasn’t even a question in his mind.

Something in my chest loosened at that, warm in a way the car heater couldn’t touch. I looked out the window, watching the trees

slide past as we drove, and nodded once, mostly to myself.

I pulled my phone out of my backpack, turning it on and watching the screen like it might magically change its mind. No signal.

Still nothing.

I sighed and dropped it back into the bag, zipping it up with more force than necessary.

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12:26 Thu, Jan 29 GGG.

Chapter 244

令83%面

Zayn glanced over at me, probably catching the frustration on my face, and that was when the low fuel warning light blinked on.

He noticed it instantly and let out a quiet breath, eyes flicking down to the dashboard before returning to the road.

“I hope there’s a gas station nearby,” he murmured.

And there was,

After maybe fifteen minutes of driving down the empty, lonely road, a gas station finally came into view. It sat off to the side like it had been forgotten, the sign faded and slightly crooked, paint peeling from the small building beneath it. One of the lights flickered weakly, even though it was daytime, and the place looked mostly abandoned.

Zayn pulled over and shut off the engine. The sudden quiet felt too loud after the hum of the road.

“I’ll be quick,” he said as he opened the door. “Lock the doors, just in case.”

I nodded and watched him walk toward the pumps before locking the car like he told me. I stayed still, hands tucked into my sleeves, eyes following him as he filled the car. Everything about the place felt off–too quiet, too empty–but I told myself I was

just tired.

After he finished, Zayn went inside to pay. I didn’t realize I’d been holding my breath until he finally stepped back outside and headed toward the car. I relaxed only once he got in and shut the door behind him.

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