The Human Among Wolves (Aurora) novel Chapter 84

Chapter 84

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Selene laughed softly, shaking her head. “You’re adorable. It’s not about the costumes for us–it’s about the night itself. The moon, the energy, the freedom. For one night, we get to run wild. And yes, she added, her smirk widening, “there are costumes. Just…

ours tend to be a little more authentic.”

My brows furrowed. “Authentic?”

“You’ll see,” Mira said, clearly enjoying the look of confusion on my ace.

Riven leaned forward on her elbows. “Please say yes, Aurora. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. Just come, sit by the

fire, eat something, watch everyone make fools of themselves. It’ll be good for you.”

I looked at all four of them, their eager, expectant faces. They were practically buzzing with excitement, like they’d been waiting for

this night all week.

And maybe… maybe they were right.

Maybe I did need this.

But still, there was a part of me that hesitated, a knot of worry coiling tight in my stomach. The idea of being outside the safety of the Academy after dark, in the woods, surrounded by wolves–literal wolves–was enough to make my palms sweat.

“I’ll think about it,” I said finally, clutching the flyer like it might bike me.

“Thinking about it means yes,” Mira said, grinning in triumph.

“Does not,” I muttered, but my voice lacked conviction.

The flyer sat on my nightstand long after the girls had scattered across the room, digging through closets and arguing over outfits.

I just stared at it.

It felt less like an invitation and more like a dare.

A bonfire. Costumes. Music, Wolves.

I could already imagine the night–the crackle of fire, the smoky scent clinging to my hair, the sound of laughter ringing through

the trees–and him.

Zayn.

The name alone made my chest tighten, my heart thudding in a way that was equal parts pain and anger. I could see it so clearly: him standing there with Charlotte, his head bent toward her, that quiet, lazy smirk on his face. Maybe he’d laugh. Maybe he’d touch her. Maybe he’d kiss her–with that same mouth that had whispered my name like it meant something only weeks ago.

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Chapter 84

The thought sent a sharp, cruel ache through me.

I squeezed my eyes shut, but the images stayed. Burned against the acks of my eyelids, mocking me.

“You’re coming, right?”

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Selene’s voice pulled me back. I blinked and looked up to find her standing at the foot of my bed, two tops draped over her arms as she studied them with a dramatic frown.

“I said I’d think about it,” I muttered. My voice sounded flat, even to me.

Selene didn’t miss a beat. She tossed the tops onto Mira’s bed and crossed her arms, her expression all business.

“You’ve been moping for weeks,” she said matter–of–factly. “And, yeah, I get it. Zayn hurt you–I think we all want to punch him in the face on your behalf. But you can’t keep hiding in here forever, Aurora. At some point, you have to stand up, get dressed, and remind everyone–including him–that you’re still here. Still you.”

Her words landed somewhere deep, in a place I’d been ignoring.

I didn’t want to face him. I didn’t want to see him look through me ke I was nothing.

But maybe she was right.

Maybe showing up–letting him see me whole, unbroken–would hurt less than sitting here alone, pretending the world had stopped

just because I had.

I took a long breath, my fingers curling into the blanket beneath me “Fine,” I said at last, pushing myself up off the bed.

Selene’s grin was immediate and victorious.

“Good girl,” she said, already moving toward my closet like she owned it. “If we’re going to a party, we’re not just showing up–we’re

going to make an entrance.”

I rolled my eyes, but I felt it–the faintest pull of a smile on my lips.

As she tossed potential outfits onto my bed, the tight ball of dread and excitement in my chest only grew.

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R Visitor

Am I the only one that remembers her “mom” knew Latin in the first chapter? Why not be strong like she was in the beginning. She also needs to stop being a little cry baby… More

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The Human Among Wolves