The Human Among Wolves (Aurora) novel Chapter 86

Chapter 86

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Selene shoved me into the desk chair and started working on my makeup, Mira fussed with my hair, and Lira laid out jewelry and boots. By the time they were done with me, I looked like some sort of dark fairytale witch–smoky eyes, soft waves in my hair, and a touch of glitter dusted across my collarbones.

And for the first time in weeks, I felt… powerful.

Maybe tonight really could be different.

Selene was the first to grab her own garment bag from the closet, giving me a wicked grin as if to say, just wait.

“You didn’t think we were going to let you have all the attention tonight, did you?” she teased, laying the bag carefully on her bed

and unzipping it.

Inside was a dark, flowing dress that looked like something out of a gothic painting–black silk with dramatic bell sleeves and a slit that would show just enough leg when she moved. A silver chain belt glimmered faintly where it rested against the fabric, and she

set a matching crescent moon headpiece on the nightstand.

I blinked. “You weren’t kidding about authentic, were you?”

Selene just smirked. “You’ll see.”

Across the room, Mira was digging through her drawers, already pulling out pieces of her own costume. She had a cropped corset top the color of pale rose, delicate lace gloves, and a skirt made of sheer pink layers that looked like it belonged at some fae court.

“With the hair, I’m going full forest sprite,” she said proudly, running a hand through her bubblegum–pink hair. “I even got glitter for my cheeks. And wings. Real wings. Well, not real–real, but enchanted ones that actually flutter.”

She wiggled her eyebrows at me, clearly delighted with herself.

“Of course you did,” I said, unable to hold back a laugh.

Lira had already laid her costume on the bed, and I glanced over just in time to see it. It was stunning–a long gold dress that

shimmered in the light, like it was made of sunlight.

She looked at me and smiled a little sheepishly, tucking one long golden wave behind her ear. “I’m going as a harvest goddess,” she

admitted.

“It’s… perfect,” I said, and meant it. Lira had this quiet, warm presence that always made her feel like a walking sunbeam, and the

costume only amplified it.

Finally, Riven–who had been unusually quiet, perched at the end of her bed with her legs crossed–stood and stretched before reaching under her bed for a sleek black box. When she opened it, my breath caught.

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Chapter 86

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Her costume was simple but striking: a white silk wrap top, leather pants that laced up the sides, and a cloak that shimmered faintly, as though dusted with frost. She pulled out a pair of silver arm cuffs and slipped them over her wrists, her icy–blue hair glowing almost unnaturally in the light.

“You’re… what? A winter queen?” I asked.

“Close,” Riven said with a sly grin. “A snow huntress. And yes, the bow is real.”

“You’re bringing a weapon?” I blinked.

“Don’t look so shocked,” Mira teased. “This is the first Halloween party you’re going to. You have no idea. Everyone goes all out.”

For the next half hour, the room was filled with the sounds of laughter, zippers, and the occasional curse as Mira tried to get her wings to sit right. Glitter and fabric scraps littered the floor, the air thick with the scent of hair spray and perfume

I watched them all move around me, feeling a strange, warm ache in my chest. For the first time since… well, everything, I didn’t

feel quite so heavy.

Even if tonight went horribly wrong–even if I saw him–at least I wouldn’t be alone.

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