The Human Among Wolves (Aurora) novel Chapter 50

The Human Among Wolves

Chapter 50

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I gave a small nod, trying to sound casual. “For someone who’s not my ‘friend,‘ you sure are protective,” I muttered, letting a small smirk tug at my lips.

Half–joking, half–serious. It was true–Zayn and I weren’t friends. He was only helping me with this one thing, and yet, here he was, his sharp eyes scanning the room, ready to intervene if needed.

He let out a low chuckle, running a hand through his hair. “I know my brother, and he’s… not someone to get involved with,” he said, his tone measured but

laced with warning. “You think I’m bad? You haven’t met them.”

I raised an eyebrow, curious despite myself. “What do you mean?”

Zayn leaned back slightly, folding his arms across his chest, the room suddenly feeling smaller with his presence. “Like I said, I’m the youngest. My

brothers… they were more involved in things. More loyal to my father than I ever was. You can’t trust them, not with anything that matters.”

His words hit harder than I expected. His father… the King. Right. I almost forgot had to ask him.

I swallowed, forcing the words out, my voice shaking despite my attempt to sound steady. “Where did he take you? Did he… hurt you?”

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Zayn’s gaze sharpened, but he didn’t flinch. “Who? My father? No. Not physically His jaw flexed as he added, almost bitterly, “But he made it clear what

the consequences would be if I didn’t get back with Charlotte. So… there’s that.”

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I blinked, trying to process what he’d just said. Not hurt physically, yet the threat alone carried weight enough to leave bruises on his mind. I felt a pang of sympathy, mixed with unease. This wasn’t just family drama–this was the kind of manipulation that left scars invisible to the eye.

“And…” I hesitated, because asking the next question felt like stepping into a minefield. “Did you… did you go back to her?”

“No. Not yet,” he said finally, voice low, almost hesitant, like he was weighing every word before it left his lips. “But I will… eventually. I don’t even know what I’ll do, honestly.” He ran a hand through his hair, tugging at the ends as if could somehow untangle the thoughts in his head.

I frowned, leaning a little closer, sensing the tension coiled inside him. “You… don’t want her?”

He shook his head sharply, jaw tight. “No. I never wanted her. Never. And yet… here we are. Forced into something I don’t want, something I can’t seem to escape, while Zade… he doesn’t even have a mate. And the King? He’s completely fine with it.”

I blinked at him, incredulous. “Why?” I asked softly.

He let out a bitter laugh, short and humorless. “No idea,” he admitted, shoulders lumping slightly. “Maybe it’s because the King wants Zade prepared for the throne. No distractions. No complications. Nothing that could slow him down or make him vulnerable.”

I swallowed, trying to absorb the weight of his words. It wasn’t just about Charlotte or Zade, or even Zayn himself–it was about a legacy, a throne, and a family that used people as pieces in their game. The more he spoke, the more I realized how trapped he must feel, how carefully he had to navigate every

word, every choice, every glance.

“And you?” I asked, almost too quietly. “Where do you fit in all of this?”

He stared at me for a long moment, dark eyes unreadable, then finally said, “Somewhere in the middle, I guess. Too young to rule, too old to be ignored. Stuck between my father’s expectations and…” He looked at me like he wanted to say something more. “It’s late. You should go,‘ he said instead.

The Human Among Wolves