The Human Among Wolves Chapter 141

Aurora

The music swelled again around us, but Zayn didn’t move.

Not until he was sure Charlotte was really gone.

His hand slid back to my waist, pulling me closer than before—as if making up for even the idea of someone else trying to wedge themselves between us.

I lifted my gaze, about to say something—

—but Zayn’s eyes shifted past my shoulder.

They narrowed.

I frowned and turned just enough to see what he was looking at.

Kael.

Standing near the edge of the dance floor, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable. Not smiling. Not angry. Just watching.

Watching me.

His eyes lingered too long.

Too steady.

My stomach tightened.

Before I could process anything, Zayn leaned down, mouth brushing the shell of my ear—his voice a low, quiet threat wrapped in velvet.

“If he keeps staring at you like that,” he murmured, “I’ll gouge his eyes out.”

A shiver shot through me—my wolf humming in dangerous approval.

“Zayn,” I whispered, half warning, half breathless.

“I’m serious,” he added, not bothering to hide the edge in his tone. “He’s been looking at you since we walked in. And if he doesn’t stop, I will fix it myself.”

I swallowed hard, pulse kicking up.

My wolf nudged forward—pleased, smug, claiming.

But me?

I was torn between rolling my eyes and melting on the spot.

“Maybe he’s just… curious,” I managed weakly.

Zayn’s hand slid to my lower back, firm, possessive.

“No,” he said, voice dropping. “That’s not curiosity. That’s a male staring at something he wants.”

My breath caught.

“And you’re not available,” he finished, eyes burning into mine. “Not to him. Not to anyone.”

His thumb brushed my waist. “Even if you don’t realize it yet.”

Heat flared across my cheeks—my wolf practically purring.

“And if he looks at you one more time,” Zayn muttered, gaze flicking back toward Kael, “I’ll make sure he can't ever look at you again.”

“Zayn,” I whispered, grabbing his arm. “Stop.”

He finally looked down at me, jaw tight—then exhaled, tension easing just slightly.

“Fine,” he muttered. “But don’t ask me to be polite about him.”

I bit the inside of my cheek to stop the smile tugging at my lips.

Zayn saw it anyway.

His eyes softened.

“You’re amused,” he accused softly.

“Maybe.”

His mouth curved into that slow, dangerous smirk that made my knees weak.

“Careful,” he said. “I’m already barely holding it together.”

My wolf growled happily.

The music shifted again, softer this time, wrapping around us like a secret.

“Dance with me,” he murmured—less question, more invitation.

I nodded.

And when he pulled me closer, ignoring everyone else in the room except me, Kael’s stare no longer mattered.

Because Zayn’s hands were on me.

And the world shrank to the space between us.

We swayed through another song, Zayn’s hand warm and steady on my waist, his thumb stroking slow circles that made my breath hitch every single time. My eyes kept unintentionally darting to him—his mouth, his jaw, his stupidly perfect face—and every time I did, he smirked like he knew.

I was just starting to relax when a shadow fell over us.

We both turned.

Kael.

He stood a polite distance away, hands in his pockets, posture calm—but his eyes were on me, not Zayn.

“Hey, Aurora,” he said with a small smile. “Can I have a dance?”

Zayn went rigid.

Like statue rigid.

His hand tightened on my waist so suddenly I had to grab his forearm to steady myself. He didn’t step back. Didn’t say a word. He just stared at Kael like he was deciding where to bury the body.

Kael, to his credit, kept his tone soft. “Just one. As friends.”

Zayn’s voice was a low, razor-sharp growl.

“She’s dancing. With. Me.”

“Zayn—” I whispered.

He didn’t look at me.

Didn’t blink.

Didn’t breathe.

Kael lifted his palms, peaceful. “I’m not trying to start a fight. I just wanted to ask her.”

That was when Zayn snapped.

His chest rose in a sharp inhale, beast pushing behind his eyes. His arm locked around my waist, pulling me flush against him like Kael was seconds from dragging me away.

“She said nothing,” Zayn bit out. “Because you asked nothing. You looked at her and assumed you had the right—”

“Zayn.” I pressed my hand to his chest, firm. “Stop.”

He still didn’t look at me, but his jaw clenched.

“Please,” I added quietly.

That got his attention.

His gaze flicked to mine—furious, territorial, and hurting. My wolf pressed at my skin, responding to his.

But I held my ground.

“He’s my friend,” I whispered.

Zayn’s lips parted just slightly, something like disbelief crossing his eyes. “Rory—”

“I’m not leaving with him. I’m not choosing him. It’s just a dance.”

I kept my voice soft but steady. “And he asked nicely.”

Zayn’s hand tightened once more at my hip, a flash of panic slipping through his expression before he hid it.

Kael stayed silent, waiting—patient, respectful, careful.

I stepped closer to Zayn, cupping his jaw with one hand.

His eyes darkened immediately.

“I’m not going anywhere,” I murmured. “I’ll be right here. You know that.”

Something in him eased—just a fraction.

He swallowed hard, breath shaking, beast retreating an inch.

But his eyes dropped to my lips like he wanted to kiss me in front of everyone, just to make it clear who I belonged to.

“I don’t like it,” he muttered.

“I know,” I whispered.

“I don’t trust him.”

“I know.”

His eyes flicked to Kael—warning, lethal—before coming back to me.

“Two minutes,” he said finally, voice low. “And I’ll be watching.”

A shiver ran through me.

“Okay,” I breathed.

Zayn stepped back reluctantly, as if every inch put between us physically hurt him.

Kael extended a hand, gentle.

I took it.

But as he led me toward the dance floor, I felt Zayn’s stare burning into my spine—hot, unblinking, possessive.

And my wolf?

She liked it.

A lot.

Kael’s hand rested lightly at my waist as we moved to the slow rhythm, nothing intimate, nothing improper—just friendly, steady, grounding. Still, I could feel Zayn’s gaze burning into my back like a goddamn laser.

“You two are a thing now?” Kael asked, voice quiet enough that only I could hear, eyes politely forward. No judgment. Just… curiosity.

“It’s complicated,” I muttered, exhaling softly.

His brows lifted just a little, like he expected that answer.

I hesitated, then leaned in the slightest bit closer. “He… he’s my mate.”

I whispered it so quietly even I barely heard it, but Kael didn’t even flinch. His expression didn’t change. It was like I’d told him something he already had a feeling about.

“I thought your wolf is still… hidden?” he asked gently, eyes flicking down to mine.

“She is.”

A beat.

“Was.”

I swallowed. “She started waking up a couple of days ago.”

Kael nodded slowly, like something clicked. “That explains a lot.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, trying not to glance over my shoulder where I knew Zayn was probably plotting a murder.

“You’ve been… different.” His tone was kind, soft. “More alert. More reactive. Like you’re hearing things you didn’t hear before.” His lips twitched. “Your eyes shift more often too. Thought you hadn’t noticed.”

I blinked. I hadn’t noticed.

“And I’m guessing,” Kael added quietly, “your wolf isn’t exactly calm around him, is she?”

I huffed a tiny laugh. “She’s losing her mind.”

Kael smirked. “Yeah. I figured.”

His gaze softened then, almost protective. “Aurora… he’s not going to hurt you. Even when he’s losing it.”

“I know,” I whispered, surprising myself with how true it felt.

Kael squeezed my hand lightly, not flirtatious—just reassuring.

“Good,” he murmured. “Because he’s about thirty seconds from ripping my head off.”

I blinked, startled, and turned my head just enough to see Zayn on the edge of the crowd—jaw clenched, chest rising and falling like he was two seconds from shifting, hands curled into fists at his sides.

“Oh God,” I muttered. “He’s actually furious.”

Kael gave a soft, dry laugh. “Yeah. No offense, but you should go calm your mate before he commits a felony.”

I bit my lip. “He’s not my—”

Kael raised a brow.

“…Okay, fine,” I exhaled. “He’s my mate.”

“And he’s coming this way,” Kael added casually.

I whipped my head around.

Zayn was already halfway to us.

And he looked like someone had dragged him out of hell and told him to smile.

“Go,” Kael whispered with a tiny push. “Before I die.”