The Human Among Wolves (Aurora) novel Chapter 360

Chapter 360

Aurora

“While we wait for the rest,” he continued smoothly, pacing slowly in front of us like a presenter at some glamorous event, “please… take a look at our girls for today. They are exceptional. Carefully selected. Rare.”

He turned slightly, gesturing toward us with an open palm as though unveiling a collection.

“They’re all so beautiful, are they not?”

A low murmur rolled through the hall.

Some nodded. Some leaned back in their chairs, arms crossed, studying us openly. Others didn’t bother hiding the way their eyes dragged over our bodies, assessing, comparing. A few lifted small numbered paddles resting on their laps-testing the weight of them, I realized. Familiar

with the ritual.

Approval.

Interest.

Ownership before ownership was even earned.

My stomach twisted violently.

I felt exposed in a way I had never felt before. Not naked-worse. Displayed. Curated. Measured for value.

I kept my chin lifted the way they had positioned it, but inside I was unraveling.

I’m screwed.

The thought settled heavily in my chest.

No one kne

ve me.

Lows.

More doors opened at the back, and additional guests filtered in. The sound of polished shoes against the floor blended with the low hum of

conversation. Perfume, cologne, something metallic and sharp filled the ai

The seats continued to fill.

My breathing grew shallow, careful not to disturb the perfect rise and fall they expected from us.

And then-

My heart

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Chapter 360

Not slowed.

Stopped.

Because among the figures entering from the far end, walking with quiet authority that made others subtly shift to give him space-

Was him.

The King.

Even from this distance, I recognized him instantly. The way he carried himself. The stillness in his movements. The quiet command that didn’t

require raised voices or dramatic gestures.

He wore a dark

coat, sharp lines framing his broad shoulders. His hair was perfectly styled, not a single strand misplaced. His

expression was calm. Composed. Unreadable.

Like this was routine.

Like this was business.

He didn’t look at the stage immediately. He spoke briefly to one of the men beside him, his mouth curving into a faint, controlled smile.

Then-

His eyes lifted.

And landed directly on me.

Not scanning.

Not browsing.

Straight to me.

Like he had known exactly where I would be standing.

Cold recognition flooded my veins. My pulse roared in my ears so loudly almost missed the next words spoken into the microphone.

The man with the microphone’s smile widened, teeth flashing under the stage lights.

“Today,” he announced smoothly, voice carrying across the vast hall, “we have a very special guest among us.”

A ripple of interest moved through the seated crowd. Bodies shifted. Heads turned.

“He insisted on attending personally,” the host continued, his tone almost playful, “since we are presenting a new… special girl, as he so

graciously called her.”

My pulse began to pound so violently I could feel it in my fingertips.

“Please,” he said, lifting his arm toward the center aisle, “give a warm weldome to His Majesty-King Zorath Duskbane.”

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Chapter 360

Applause erupted.

Not hesitant. Not polite.

Loud.

Enthusiastic.

The sound echoed against the high ceiling, bouncing off polished walls, filling every inch of the space. Some even stood. Others bowed their

heads slightly in respect.

Respect.

For a man who sold girls like livestock.

Zorath didn’t rush. He rose slowly from his seat as though the moment belonged to him—because it did. He adjusted the cuffs of his coat with

unhurried precision before stepping forward into clearer light.

The applause softened into murmurs as he inclined his head, acknowledging them without humility. His movements were measured. Controlled.

Every step deliberate.

His gaze lifted toward the stage again.

Toward us.

Toward me.

The smile on his lips was faint, almost pleasant, but his eyes were void of warmth. There was calculation there. Satisfaction. A predator

observing a cage he personally designed.

The host stepped aside slightly, low his head in deference. “Your Majesty,” he said, offering the microphone with both hands.

Zorath didn’t take it

Then

ead, he let the silence stretch. Let the weight of his presence settle over the room.

round the microphone with effortless ownership.

he began, his voice deep, smooth, and impossibly calm. It didn’t need to be loud to command attention. The entire hall fell silent

It has been some time since I attended one of these evenings in person.”

A few chuckles rippled through the crowd.

“But tonight,” he continued, lifting his gaze slowly-deliberately-until it locked onto mine again, “is not an ordinary evening.”

My breath lodged in my throat.

“There is something rare among you,” he said softly. “Something that has been… eighteen years in the making.”

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A subtle murmur passed through the audience. Interest sharpened. Buyers leaned forward slightly.

I felt exposed in a way that went beyond physical display. Like he wasn’t ust presenting my body.

He was presenting my existence.

Zorath’s eyes never left mine.

“And I assure you,” he finished, the faintest curve touching his lips, “she will exceed every expectation.”

King Zorath handed the microphone back without expression, as if this were a formal dinner rather than a marketplace of flesh. The host stepped forward again, reclaiming the center of the stage with practiced ease.

“Well then,” he said smoothly, voice echoing across the hall. “Shall we begin?”

Applause rippled through the room-controlled, eager.

“The girl number one. Stella Rox. Pure-blood vampire. Step forward, please.”

The first girl in line went rigid.

She wore a long black dress that clung to her narrow ist before cascading to the floor in heavy silk. The fabric absorbed the light instead of

reflecting it, making her skin appear even paler by contrast. When she lifted her head, her eyes caught the stage lights—

Deep red.

Ancient red.

The kind that didn’t need to glow to be terrifying.

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