The Human Among Wolves (Aurora) novel Chapter 73

Chapter 73

Aurora

90%

I hadn’t expected Zayn to stay with me–not the whole day, at least. Honestly, I thought he’d let me sit in his room for a while,

maybe in silence, and then go about his own plans. But he didn’t.

He stayed.

At first, it was quiet between us. He made tea, handed me a steaming mug, and sat down on the edge of his bed like it was the most

natural thing in the world. The silence wasn’t uncomfortable–it was steady, grounding. Eventually, we found something to watch on

his laptop, some random movie we didn’t even pay that much attention to, but it was enough to fill the space.

Somewhere between the first and second movie, we started talking. Not about anything heavy, not about the things weighing on my

chest, but about little things–our classes, professors we didn’t like, and his strange habit of eating cereal at midnight.

Hours slipped by faster than I expected.

When my stomach growled, he smirked, grabbed his keys, and dragged me down to the canteen with him.

And then dinner came, and somehow we ended up eating together again.

I hate to admit it, but for the first time in a long while, I didn’t feel like I was barely holding myself together. I actually felt… good.

Safe, even. Like the world outside his room, outside this little bubble we’d built today, couldn’t quite touch me.

After dinner, I ended up back in his room like it was the most natural thing in the world. At some point, Zayn had casually told me

to use his bathroom if I wanted, and I surprised myself by actually doing it.

The hot shower washed away the heaviness of the day, at least a little, and by the time I’d brushed my teeth and changed into my

pajamas, I felt softer, calmer like maybe I could breathe again.

—

When I stepped back into his room, the lights were dimmed and Zay was already stretched out on his bed, one arm behind his head, his other hand lazily scrolling through his phone. The glow of the screen lit up his face, sharp lines softened by the shadows

of the room.

He looked up as soon as I came in, and for some reason, that simple motion made my stomach flip.

I hesitated near the foot of his bed, clutching the hem of my shirt like it might anchor me. “So…” I started, feeling ridiculously self- conscious. “Should I… uh…” My eyes darted toward the bed and then back to him. “Should I sleep here again? Like last night?

Or…?”

One corner of his mouth curved into a smirk, slow and deliberate. “Do you want to?” he asked, his voice low, almost teasing.

My face went hot, and I looked away, suddenly fascinated by the floor. “I mean… I don’t know. I just didn’t want to assume.”

“You worry too much,” he said simply, shifting over to make space for me. “Get in before you overthink yourself into sleeping on the

floor.”

III

O

1/2

12:01 Thu, Jan 29 GBB.

Chapter 73

90%

I hesitated for a moment longer, staring at the space he’d made for me, my heart thudding in my chest. Then, before I could talk

myself out of it, I climbed onto the bed, careful to keep some distance between us.

The sheets were warm, carrying his faint scent, and it felt strangely comforting. He set his phone aside, the room falling into a

deeper, softer quiet as he turned slightly toward me.

“You’re tense,” he said after a moment, his voice low, almost lazy.

“I’m fine,” I lied, staring at the ceiling.

“You’re not.”

I finally glanced at him, and he was watching me with that steady, unreadable gaze that somehow made me feel both seen and

exposed.

“Zayn…” I whispered, though I wasn’t even sure what I was going to say after that.

Comments