The Human Among Wolves (Aurora) novel Chapter 69

Chapter 69

00%

So, no–he hadn’t left. He was here the whole time.

He spotted me sitting up in his bed and paused, one brow lifting like he hadn’t expected me to be awake yet. “It’s six–thirty,” he

said finally, voice rough from sleep, “on a Sunday. You could’ve slept little longer.”

I shrugged, feeling suddenly self–conscious under his gaze, “Then why didn’t you?”

The corner of his mouth curved, just barely, and he gave a soft buff a laugh. “You snored.”

My jaw dropped. “I do not snore.”

“Oh, you do,” he said, far too casually, as he crossed the room toward his dresser, pulling out clothes like he hadn’t just dropped

that on me. “It was kind of impressive, actually.”

I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt, but I could feel the faintest heat crepping into my cheeks. “You’re making that up.” I said, grabbing

the nearest pillow and throwing it at him.

Zayn caught it one–handed, not even flinching, which only annoyed me more. “Wow,” he said dryly, tossing it back on the bed.

“Such violence this early in the morning.”

I crossed my arms, refusing to let him win this one. “I don’t snore.”

“You do,” he insisted, now pulling a black t–shirt over his head. It clung to him for a second before falling into place, and I had to

look away, pretending to be deeply interested in the blanket bunched around my legs.

“You’re just saying that because you like getting under my skin,” I mattered.

That earned me a quiet laugh–not mocking, but warm, almost amused. “You make that too easy.”

I grabbed another pillow, threatening to throw it again. “Keep talking, and I will hit you with this one.”

He looked over at me, smirking like he wasn’t the least bit intimidated. “You can try,” he said, slipping into his sweatpants.

I narrowed my eyes. “You’re impossible.”

“And you’re dramatic,” he shot back, grabbing a chair and dragging over so he could sit across from me. He leaned forward,

forearms braced on his knees, watching me with that infuriating calm of his.

For a second, neither of us said anything. The air between us felt different somehow–lighter, softer–like the sharp edges of last

night had dulled, leaving just the strange, quiet pull that always seemed to exist between us.

Finally, I broke eye contact, clutching the blanket tighter. “Do you own actual clothes? Or is the half–naked thing, like… your

aesthetic?”

Zayn gave me a flat look but the corner of his mouth twitched like he was trying not to smile. “You’re the one who showed up here

|||

<

1/2

12:01 Thu, Jan 29 GBB.

Chapter 69

crying and climbed into my bed, not me.”

My jaw dropped. “You offered!”

“You didn’t exactly fight me on it.”

I grabbed the pillow again and chucked it at him. He caught it–agal

and crossed the small distance between us until he was right at the

א

$90%

but this time he didn’t throw it back. Instead, he stood up

age of the bed, towering over me,

“You’re brave when you’re under my blanket,” he said, his voice just ow enough to make me swallow.

I immediately scooted back, glaring at him because my heart was doing something it had no business doing. “You’re annoying.”

He smirked. “You keep saying that. Still here, though.”

I huffed and looked away, suddenly aware of how warm my checks felt. “Maybe I like annoying things.”

“Good to know.” He finally stepped back, giving me space, and went to grab a hoodie from his chair. “Want breakfast? Or are you

planning on hiding in here until your roommates start looking for you?”

I hesitated. I hadn’t thought that far ahead. “Breakfast sounds… good,” I said finally, my voice softer than I meant it to be.

He nodded once, like he’d expected that answer all along, and grabbed his keys. “Alright. Get up then. I’m not dragging you out of

bed.”

I rolled my eyes but slid out from under the blanket. “You’re bossy.”

“You like it,” he said over his shoulder, and I hated that I couldn’t come up with a good comeback before he opened the door.

Comments