The Human Among Wolves (Aurora) novel Chapter 297

Chapter 297

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Zayn

I lay there for a while with Aurora tucked against me, one arm draped loosely around her waist, the other resting beneath her head. The room was quiet in that soft, early–morning way, the kind of quiet that doesn’t feel empty but full–full of stillness, of breath, of the slow rhythm of someone sleeping beside you. I watched her chest rise and fall, steady and calm, like nothing in the world could reach her here.

She looked peaceful. Unburdened. For once, not carrying the weight of everything she shouldn’t have had to carry. Her hair was a mess against the pillow, strands brushing her cheek, her lips slightly parted as she slept. It hit me then, harder than I expected, just how much I loved moments like this. The in–between ones. Not the chaos, not the fear, not the plans or the danger–but this.

I leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, lingering just a second longer than necessary.

“Rory,” I murmured softly, my voice low, careful not to startle her. “Wake up.”

She shifted almost immediately, a small sound leaving her as she stirred. Her lashes fluttered, eyes slowly opening as she blinked a few times,

adjusting to being awake. For a second, she just looked at me, still half lost in sleep, like she was making sure I was real.

Then she leaned in and kissed me–soft, warm, unhurried. The kind of kiss that wasn’t about urgency or need, just familiarity.

“Good morning,” she said quietly, a small smile tugging at her lips.

I felt it spread through me instantly, that stupid, uncontrollable warmth. I smiled back without even thinking about it, my thumb brushing

lightly along her jaw.

“Morning,” I replied, just as softly.

She settled closer again, her head resting against my chest like it was the most natural place in the world. I tightened my arm around her slightly, not enough to trap her–just enough to let her know I was there.

I hesitated for a second, just watching her, feeling that fragile calm between us and already hating myself for being the one to crack it.

“Baby…” I started quietly. “I don’t want to ruin this, but I need to tell you something.”

She lifted her head instantly, eyes narrowing as she searched my face. A frown crept in, soft but unmistakable.

“No,” she said at once. “If it’s something bad, I don’t want to hear it. Not et. It’s too early for this.”

I sighed, a corner of my mouth lifting despite myself. “Well, what do you consider bad?”

“Zayn.”

“I’m joking,” I added quickly, trying to ease the tension.

She didn’t look amused. If anything, she looked more serious now, more awake.

“What is it?” she asked, her voice lower.

I took a breath, my hand still resting at her waist, thumb tracing small, absent–minded circles like muscle memory. “Zade was in my dreams.”

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12:40 Thu, Jan 29 GG B

Chapter 297

The shift in her was immediate.

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She pulled back just enough to look at me properly, her body going tense in a way I knew too well by now. Her eyes searched mine, sharp and

alert, like she was bracing for impact.

“What do you mean, in your dreams?” she asked slowly.

I exhaled through my nose. “The same way he was in yours.”

Her lips parted slightly. She didn’t speak right away, and that silence said more than words could. I could practically see her replaying it—his voice, his presence, the way he had found her so easily.

“He tried before.” I continued, keeping my voice steady. “More than once. He couldn’t get in. My mind’s… harder to crack.” I huffed quietly. “Guess I let my guard down.”

I stayed quiet for a few seconds, watching the way her fingers twisted into the sheet, the way her jaw was already tight like she knew something was coming and didn’t want it anyway.

12:40 Thu, Jan 29 BGB.

The Human Among Wolves