The Human Among Wolves (Aurora) novel Chapter 83

Chapter 83

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Aurora

The days bled together, one after another, in a blur of classes, lectus, and endless study sessions for the upcoming exams. I kept my head down, forcing myself into a routine so tight there was hardly any room left to think and yet, somehow, he still found his

ay into my mind.

No matter how hard I tried to block him out, Zayn lingered in the qet moments. The way he looked at me, the way he touched me, the words he spat at me like knives.

I saw him, of course. There was no avoiding him completely.

At lunch. At dinner. Passing through the hallways.

And every time, he was with her.

Charlotte.

They would sit together at the same table every day, talking and laughing like nothing had ever happened between us. Like I hadn’t given him the one thing I swore I would never give anyone. Like I hadn’t stood in his room with my heart in my hands while he crushed it under his boot.

I tried to ignore them. I really did. I’d sit at the farthest corner of the cafeteria, picking at my food until I could make a reasonable excuse to leave. But every giggle that drifted from their table, every asual brush of his hand against hers, every shared look–it felt like another tiny cut, sharp and stinging.

As for the book… I couldn’t bring myself to open it.

It sat on my desk like a silent reminder of everything I had lost, its weight almost mocking me.

I didn’t know Latin. There was no point in me staring at words I couldn’t understand, not without Zayn to help me. And right now, I couldn’t stomach the idea of asking him for anything.

So it stayed closed.

Collecting dust.

Just like the calls from my parents.

My phone buzzed constantly–Mom’s name lighting up the screen again and again–but I couldn’t bring myself to answer. Not yet. Not when I still hadn’t figured out what I was going to say.

Each day ended the same. I’d return to my dorm, collapse onto my bed, and stare at the ceiling until sleep finally dragged me under.

And even then, I wasn’t safe from him.

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Chapter 83

He was in my dreams.

Always in my dreams.

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The sun had already dipped below the horizon by the time the door to my dorm creaked open, spilling warm light and loud voices

into the room. Mira walked in first, her expression practically glowing with excitement, Selene right behind her with that

mischievous smirk she always wore when she had a plan. Lira and Rien followed, each carrying their bags from class.

Before I could even sit up from where I’d been lying on my bed staring at the ceiling, Mira crossed the room and slapped a brightly

colored flyer down onto my blanket.

“You’re coming with us tonight,” she declared, like it wasn’t a question at all.

I frowned, picking up the flyer. The bold letters across the top read Halloween Bash–Tonight! There was an illustration of a bonfire

under a full moon, people dancing in silhouettes.

“It’s in the woods,” Selene added, plopping down at the foot of my bed and kicking off her boots. “Right outside the Academy gates.

Everyone’s going to be there.”

I blinked at her, still trying to process what she was saying. “The woods?”

“Yes, the woods,” Riven chimed in as she set her bag by her bed and sat cross–legged on the floor. “You know, those tall leafy things

you can see from your window?”

I gave her a flat look. “I know what the woods are, thanks. I just…” I hesitated, glancing back down at the flyer. “Is that even

allowed? Leaving the Academy after curfew?”

“That’s the fun of it,” Selene said, grinning like the rule–breaking was half the point.

Lira, who had been quiet up until now, stretched out on her bed with a sly smile. “Come on, Aurora. You’ve been cooped up in here

for days. You need this.”

I let out a slow breath, staring at the flyer again. “I don’t know…”

“Of course you know,” Mira said, tossing her hair over her shoulder. You’re coming. End of discussion.”

I sat up fully now, hugging my knees. “I just… I don’t get it. Why would werewolves celebrate Halloween, of all things? Isn’t it kind

of… I don’t know… offensive? Like humans dressing up as monsters for fun while you actually exist?”