The Human Among Wolves (Aurora) novel Chapter 327

Chapter 327

I waited.

For his footsteps.

For the weight of him beside me.

For anything.

I told myself he’d come lie down once he cooled off. That he just needed minute. Zayn always did. He never stayed angry for long-not with

1. He’d crawl in beside me, pull me against his chest, mutter something ruff about me being reckless and infuriating, and then kiss my hair

like he always did.

So I waited.

Seconds stretched into minutes.

I hugged the blanket tighter, my fingers curling into the fabric, my heart tudding painfully in my chest. The bed felt too big without him, the space behind me too empty. I kept my eyes closed, pretending I was already asleep, pretending this ache wasn’t spreading through me with

every passing moment.

I just hoped-quietly, desperately-that when he finally did come to bed, he’d still choose to lie beside me.

The next morning, I woke up to light.

Pale, winter sunlight filtered through the curtains, brushing softly across my face and pulling me out of sleep far too gently for how heavy my body felt. For a few seconds, I just lay there, disoriented, my mind slow and foggy. I couldn’t even remember when I’d fallen asleep-only that at some point the tension had finally dragged me under.

I shifted, rolling onto my side.

My heart stuttered as I opened my eyes fully, already hoping-already expecting-to see him there.

But the space beside me was empty.

The sheets were smooth, untouched. Cold.

I stared at the mattress for a long moment, my chest tightening, denial flickering uselessly in my mind before reality settled in. He hadn’t come back to bed. Or if he had, he’d left before I woke up.

I reached for my phone, my movements slow, heavy. The screen lit up my face as I checked the time.

6:32 a.m.

I let out a quiet, humorless breath.

So I’d slept maybe four hours. If that.

1/3

i pumed myumt upright and soning my legs wet the side of the bed, now at my face as exhaustion settled deep into my bones. The room edent, for golet, the Yind that made every thought and finder than thrudd. I stand and headed toward the bathroom, hoping to find Kim there, bearing against the counter. Krishing his teeth. Pretending ning was wrong

But the bathroom was empty too.

by somend. No sign of him.

He was probably already downstairs, surrounded by people, distractions-anything that didn’t include me. The thought stung more than 1 wanted to admit

Why didn’t he wake me up?

The answer came immediately, strp and unwelcome,

Because he’s still mad,

“F**k,” I mattered under my breath, scrubbing a hand through my hair.

I stood there for a moment, frozen in indecision, my thoughts spiraling in low, fired circles. Should I go find him? Text him? Wait? Apologize again? Give him space!

Five minutes passed like that-me standing in the middle of his room, wrapped in uncertainty-before I finally made a decision.

I’d go back to my room.

I grabbed my things quietly, pulling his hoodie fighter around myself, tugging the hood up as if it could shield me from more than just the cold. From questions. From looks. From my own thoughts. I slipped out into the hallway, keeping my head down as I made my way toward the elevator.

The ride felt longer than it was.

A few minutes later, I was unlocking my hotel room door, slipping inside and closing it softly behind me.

Mira was still there. Thank the gods.

She was standing by her bed, already half-ready, pulling on a sweater, her hair still damp. She glanced up when she heard me enter, her eyes flicking briefly to the hoodie I was wearing-but she didn’t say anything.

She knew I’d been with Zayn.

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