The Human Among Wolves (Aurora) novel Chapter 313

Chapter 313

A soft laugh escaped me despite everything. “Thank you.”

479%

Zayn went next. He passed a box to my mom, then one to my dad, polite and composed, letting them open theirs first. Mom received a silk scarf in deep lavender tones, her eyes lighting up as she unfolded it. Dad got a sleek, understated watch–nothing extravagant, but clearly

chosen with care.

“That’s very thoughtful,” Dad said, nodding approvingly.

Zayn smiled. “I’m glad you like it.”

Then he turned to me.

This one was wrapped differently–black paper, tied with a thin silver ribbon. My fingers hesitated for half a second before pulling it free.

Inside was a book.

Not just any book.

It was an old, worn copy of a collection of folklore and myths, its edges slightly yellowed, the spine cracked from use.

Tucked inside the front cover was a handwritten note in Zayn’s familiar, slightly slanted handwriting.

For all the stories you love–and the ones you haven’t found yet.

My breath caught.

“There’s more,” he said softly.

I looked back into the box and found a second gift beneath the book–a small velvet pouch. Inside was a ring. Simple. Silver. A thin band

etched with subtle markings I didn’t recognize, not flashy enough to draw attention, but heavy enough to feel real in my palm.

“It’s not-” he started, then stopped himself. “I just wanted you to have something. Something that’s yours.”

I couldn’t speak. I just nodded, blinking rapidly, and slipped the ring onto my finger. It fit perfectly.

“I love it,” I whispered.

He smiled, and for a second, everything else fell away.

I handed him his gift next. He opened it carefully, revealing a dark wool sweater folded neatly inside–soft, warm, practical. Beneath it was a

small box containing a leather bracelet, simple and sturdy.

“For when you don’t want to wear the same jacket every day,” I said quietly.

He huffed out a soft laugh. “I’ll treasure it.”

The rest of the gifts followed slowly–small things, thoughtful things. Socks and scarves, books and mugs, laughter that felt almost convincing

if you didn’t look too closely.

1/2

12:43 Thu, Jan 29 GG B

Chapter 313

79%

Wrapping paper piled up at our feet, the tree lights blinking patiently above us, unaware of everything they were meant to distract us from.

On the surface, it was perfect.

Christmas morning.

Smiles. Gratitude. Warmth.

But underneath it all, my pulse stayed sharp, my thoughts restless, my anger coiled tight and waiting.

We spent the entire day with them–talking, laughing when it felt appropriate, sharing lunch, then later dinner. Everything followed the

familiar rhythm of a holiday I’d lived a hundred times before. Plates clinked, chairs scraped softly against the floor, the television murmured in

the background.

Normal. Almost painfully so.

But no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

About them.

About the words Zayn had spoken, lodged deep in my mind like a splinter couldn’t pull out. They’re not human. I wanted it to be wrong. I

needed it to be wrong. I watched them closely–my mother’s hands as she moved around the kitchen, my father’s voice as he told an old story-

searching for something, anything, that would prove it wasn’t true.

I found nothing. And somehow, that scared me more.

Zayn stayed quiet beside me for most of the day, his presence steady, protective. He didn’t push. He didn’t repeat himself. He didn’t need to. He was never wrong about things like this. Never.

That night, I barely slept.

In the morning, before the sun had fully risen, we gathered our things. Goodbyes were said, hugs exchanged, smiles worn like armor. I held

onto them a little longer than usual, memorizing the feel, the sound, the familiarity–just in case.

Then we left.

The road stretched out ahead of us as we headed back to the academy, the house shrinking in the distance until it disappeared entirely.

And with every mile between us, the weight in my chest only grew heavier