The Human Among Wolves (Aurora) novel Chapter 294

Chapter 294

I sat up slowly.

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Everything was exactly where it had always been. The stone dresser against the far wall. The weapons rack–empty now, but still standing. The faint scent of smoke and iron, pressed into the room like it had never left.

The door creaked.

Not loudly. Not dramatically. Just enough to announce that someone had entered without asking permission.

I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

“You always did sleep like nothing could touch you.”

Zade’s voice slid through the room, smooth and amused, carrying with it a familiarity I despised.

I turned.

He stood just inside the doorway, one shoulder leaned casually against the frame, dark hair loose instead of bound, eyes sharp with satisfaction. He looked exactly as he always had–untouched by time, by consequence.

“How many times did I try?” he continued, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. “You’d be surprised. Or maybe you wouldn’t. You were always… difficult.”

My jaw tightened. “Get out.”

He smiled, slow and knowing. “Funny. That’s what you used to say every time I beat you in training.”

He moved closer, boots silent against the stone floor.

“Relax,” he said lightly. “This wasn’t easy. Your mind’s a fortress. Locks on locks. Walls reinforced by instinct.” His gaze flicked briefly, almost thoughtfully. “You were never like her.”

Anger flared hot in my chest. “Don’t talk about her.”

Zade chuckled. “Still protective. Even here.”

He stopped a few feet away, tilting his head as if studying a puzzle he’d finally solved.

“You let your guard down,” he said. “Just for a moment. Comfortable. Happy.”

His eyes gleamed. “That’s all I needed.”

I forced myself to stand, grounding my feet against the floor, even as something deep inside me screamed that this wasn’t right–that I

shouldn’t be here.

“You won’t get anything from me,” I said evenly. “Not her. Not where we are. Nothing.”

Zade’s smile didn’t fade.

“Oh, I know,” he replied calmly. “This isn’t about answers.”

12:39 Thu, Jan 29 GGG

The Human Among Wolves