The Human Among Wolves Chapter 101

Aurora

“So… what did you need to talk about?”

I asked once we found a table tucked away in the far corner of the canteen. The noise of the room seemed distant here, but the stares definitely weren’t. Eyes flicked toward us every few seconds—curious, judgmental, whispering.

Of course they were. Kael never did subtle. And after that stupid photo going around? They probably thought this was some follow-up episode to the scandal.

I kept my gaze on him anyway, refusing to shrink under it.

Kael leaned back in his chair a little, watching me with that annoyingly unreadable expression of his. “I wanted to ask how you’re doing,” he said finally. “I saw the photo yesterday. And I honestly have no idea who took it.”

I shrugged, even though the memory still made my stomach twist. “Yeah. I’m fine.” My voice sounded steadier than I felt. “But why do I get the feeling that’s not the only reason you wanted to talk?”

One of his brows lifted slightly, an amused spark flickering in his eyes.

“What are you now, a mind reader?” he teased.

I snorted, rolling my eyes. “Very funny.”

His smile widened just a little, but he didn’t deny it. He didn’t have to. He was clearly holding back more.

And suddenly, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to hear it.

“My brat of a little brother saw the photo,” Kael said after a few minutes, irritation slipping into his voice, “and guess what? He snitched on me. Straight to my father.”

I stopped mid-breath.

Slowly, I lifted my head to look at him, searching his expression for any sign that this was some kind of joke.

It wasn’t.

“What?” The word came out tight, barely a whisper. “What do you mean… snitched?”

Kael’s jaw flexed, and he let out a humorless laugh, eyes narrowing at some memory I couldn’t see.

“Exactly what it sounds like,” he muttered, leaning forward slightly. “He saw the picture and couldn’t wait to run and tell on me.”

My fingers tightened around my drink, a cold knot forming low in my stomach.

Kael dragged a hand through his hair, frustration rolling off him so clearly I could almost feel it in the air.

“My father already hand-picked the perfect little princess I’m supposed to marry,” he said, his voice sharp with annoyance. “Some high-status Lycan girl born into power. One of those precious bloodlines he worships so damn much.”

I blinked, the knot in my stomach twisting tighter.

“And… that’s a problem why?” My voice was steadier than I expected.

He scoffed, leaning back in his chair, his gaze cutting to mine like it was the only solid thing in a room full of noise.

“Because apparently,” he continued, sarcasm dripping from every word, “I’m not allowed to even look at a girl unless she’s been pre-approved and gift-wrapped by a royal council.”

His eyes flicked down to my lips for half a second—quick, almost unnoticeable—before meeting mine again.

“And you?” he said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “You’re definitely not on the approved list.”

“And that bothers you?” I asked quietly.

Kael leaned in then—elbows on the table, shoulders relaxed, expression carved from equal parts irritation and temptation.

“Yeah,” he said. “It bothers me a hell of a lot.”

My breath caught.

He smirked, sensing it.

“So now,” Kael continued, his tone shifting into a dangerous kind of amusement, “my father has questions. About you. About why I’d be wasting my time with some nobody girl.”

His eyes softened at the last part—like the word 'nobody' tasted wrong on his tongue.

My heart thudded painfully.

“And what did you tell him?” I asked.

Kael’s jaw clenched, but his voice was smooth when he answered:

“That he should really mind his own damn business.”

He exhaled through his nose, staring down at his hands like the words were fighting their way out.

“My father already has my entire life boxed and labeled,” he muttered. “Who I’m supposed to marry. Who I’m supposed to protect. Who I’m supposed to stay away from.”

He lifted his eyes to mine, and for a heartbeat, the annoyance faded—replaced by something raw.

“And then you showed up.”

My pulse stuttered.

He leaned forward, elbows on the table, shoulders tense.

“You weren’t part of the plan, Aurora,” he said quietly. “You’re… the complication.”

I frowned, unsure whether to take offense or not.

“A complication?”

His jaw flexed.

“Yes. Because he saw that photo and decided I must be losing focus. And maybe…”

He paused, voice dropping lower, rougher.

“Maybe he’s right.”

The world narrowed to the space between us.

Kael didn’t look away this time.

He didn’t try to hide the frustration tightening his features or the way his eyes kept flicking to my mouth like he was losing a battle with himself.

“I keep telling myself I shouldn’t want anything more from you,” he said, each word controlled like he was afraid of what would happen if he let go.

“But then you look at me.” His gaze held mine. “And suddenly I do.”

He leaned back slightly, dragging a hand through his hair as if annoyed at himself.

“You’re going to get me into trouble,” he muttered.

I swallowed. “With whom?”

He gave a humorless laugh.

“Everyone,” he said.

“And I don’t even care.”

“Kael…” I shook my head, heat crawling up the back of my neck. “Stop.”

His stare was still fixed on me—intense enough that it made breathing feel like work.

I tried to laugh it off, to break the tension tightening between us. “So what?” I said, forcing a light tone I definitely didn’t feel. “Your father gonna hire a hitman on me or something?”

The joke fell flat the second it left my mouth.

Kael’s expression didn’t change.

“You think I’m joking about my father,” he said quietly, almost like he was disappointed. “I wish I was.”

The air between us thickened, my heartbeat suddenly too loud in my ears.

I swallowed, my smile fading.

“That bad?” I asked, voice barely above a whisper.

His jaw tightened—a tiny movement, but it said more than any words could.

“You have no idea,” he muttered, eyes dropping to the table for just a moment… almost like he was debating how much of the truth I was allowed to hear.

“And believe me,” he added, gaze lifting again, “if he ever saw you the way I do—” He cut himself off, biting the inside of his cheek.

“It would be worse than a hitman.”

A shiver crawled down my spine—not from fear, but from the way his voice softened on 'the way I do.'

I looked down, fingers curling around my drink to keep them from shaking.

“Um…” I cleared my throat, desperate to pull us away from the direction that conversation was heading. My fingers fidgeted with the edge of my tray.

“What about your mother?” I asked quietly.

For a moment, Kael just stared at me—like the question caught him off guard.

His jaw worked once, a muscle ticking there before he finally answered.

“My mother?” He huffed a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “She’s basically a puppet. A perfect Luna with a perfect smile. Says whatever my father wants her to say. Does whatever he wants her to do.”

He rested his forearms on the table, his eyes darkening.

“She doesn’t get a choice. Not in anything.”

His tone was flat—but underneath, I could hear something else flickering. Frustration. Resentment. Maybe even a little grief.

I swallowed, unsure how to respond, unsure if I should respond.

Kael let out a slow breath, leaning back in his chair and tilting his head, eyes focused somewhere far beyond the walls of the canteen.

“She used to fight,” he said softly. “I remember that, when I was a kid. She used to argue with him. Stand her ground.” His fingers tapped once against the tabletop. “But now? She just… exists. In his shadow.”

A silence settled between us. Heavy. Meaningful.

“I don’t want that kind of life,” he murmured. “Not for me. And definitely not for the girl I choose.”