The Human Among Wolves (Aurora) novel Chapter 71

Chapter 71

Zayn leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. He didn’t rush to answer, which only made my chest tighten.

Then, finally, he said, “Because I figured you’d tell me if you wanted to.”

I blinked at him. “That’s it?”

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“That’s it.” His gaze was steady, almost disarming. “I’m not in the business of forcing people to spill their guts. You were hurting.

You needed… I don’t know, somewhere to go. So I let you in. End of tory.”

I swallowed, heat creeping up my neck. “Most people would’ve at least asked.”

He smirked faintly. “I’m not most people.”

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help the little exhale that slipped ou–relief, gratitude, maybe both. “Still… thanks. For not

pushing.”

His smirk softened into something that looked almost like a real smile. “You’ll tell me when you’re ready. Or maybe you won’t.

Either way, it’s not my job to drag it out of you.”

The words settled over me like a blanket, heavy but warm. No expectations. No demands. Just… space.

For the first time that morning, I actually managed a small smile.

*****

Breakfast was over before I even realized it. My plate sat empty, my coffee had gone cold, and still, I felt like I hadn’t really been

there–like I’d been moving through the morning on autopilot.

Zayn stood first, shoving his hands into the pockets of his hoodie, and I followed him out of the canteen. The hallway outside was

quiet, the usual weekend chatter echoing faintly from somewhere deeper in the academy.

I trailed a step behind him, my fingers brushing against the strap of my bag, my thoughts loud and restless. I wasn’t ready to face my roommates yet. I wasn’t ready to talk about it yet. I loved them, really did, but sometimes they were just… too much. Too loud, too nosy, too eager to pull me into their whirlwind of energy when all I wanted was quiet.

We passed a group of students heading in the opposite direction, laughing about something, and I found myself shrinking a little closer to Zayn’s side, as though he could shield me from being noticed.

“Um…” My voice came out softer than I meant, so I cleared my throat and tried again. “Um… can I ask you something?”

He slowed his steps and glanced at me over his shoulder, one brow raised in silent question. The look he gave me–patient, steady,

waiting–made my heart thump strangely in my chest.

“Can I…” I hesitated, my fingers fidgeting with the strap of my bag, suddenly hyper–aware of how quiet the hallway felt with just the two of us. My throat felt tight, but I pushed the words out anyway. “Can I stay in your room a little longer?”

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Chapter 71

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The second the words left my mouth, I cringed internally. It sounded wrong–too forward, too desperate–and my cheeks burned

hot.

“I mean.” I rushed to add, my words tumbling over each other in my hurry to explain, “not like… stay–stay. I just–I don’t want to go

back to my dorm yet. I’m not ready to talk to my roommates, or deal with… anyone, really. And you- I gestured vaguely at him, at

his quiet, steady presence. “You don’t share your room with anyone, so it just… felt like maybe I could…”

I stopped, my voice faltering. The longer I spoke, the more ridiculous I felt, and my face was on fire now.

“You know what? Forget I asked,” I muttered, shaking my head, suddenly wishing the floor would open up and swallow me whole.

“That was stupid. You probably don’t want me hanging around anyway.”

I started to take a step ahead of him, as if to walk away and erase the whole awkward moment, my chest tight and my stomach

knotted with embarrassment.

Before I could take more than a single step away, a warm hand closed gently but firmly around my arm, halting me in place.

“Do you always talk that much?” Zayn’s voice was quiet, almost lazy, but there was a thread of amusement running through it that made my heart stumble in my chest.