The Human Among Wolves Chapter 81

Aurora

I sat on the edge of my bed, my backpack open beside me, hands trembling as I tried to shove the last of my things inside. Today was the day. Kael and I were actually going to meet a witch. The thought alone made my chest tighten. I didn’t want to go. Hell, I didn’t want to have anything to do with witches, or werewolves, or anything remotely supernatural. And yet… here I was, my life twisting into something I never signed up for.

I carefully placed the Latin book into my bag, running my fingers over the worn cover as if it might give me a clue about what I was getting myself into. Then came the other book, the one with my name written inside. I hesitated, my hand hovering over it for a moment longer than necessary, before tucking it gently on top of the Latin book.

Next came the practical stuff: a bottle of water, some snacks, a fresh change of clothes in case things went sideways, and a few other essentials I didn’t even know if I’d need but couldn’t bring myself to leave behind. My hands shook so much that I had to pause a few times, just sitting there on the bed, staring at the pile of items as if that would somehow make it less real.

Finally, I stood and moved to the closet, pulling out a pair of plain denim jeans and a tight black shirt. Clothes that screamed “normal,” as if normal even existed in my life anymore. I changed quickly, ignoring the small, tight knot of anxiety in my stomach, my movements automatic.

When I was done, I sat back down on the edge of the bed, my backpack beside me, and wrapped my fingers around my phone like it was a lifeline. My thumb hovered over the screen, waiting for the message that would tell me it was time to leave—Kael’s text letting me know he had arrived outside the academy. That’s what we agreed on. We didn’t want to draw attention. Quiet. Simple. Safe.

Every few seconds, I shifted, adjusted my grip on the phone, glanced at the window, and then back at the door. My mind kept spinning, replaying everything I’d been told about this witch, about the books, about the spell that would unlock them. Every possible outcome ran through my head, none of them good.

And yet, there was nothing I could do but wait.

I was lost in my thoughts, staring at my phone as if it held the answers to questions I wasn’t even sure I wanted to ask. 

The sudden creak of the dorm door made me jump slightly. My roommates stepped in, bags slung over their shoulders, their voices carrying the faint echo of the canteen. The familiar smells and sounds of them moving around the room grounded me slightly, if only for a moment.

And then I saw Selene. I hadn’t seen her much these past few weeks; she’d been spending most of her time with Alex, her boyfriend, or off on whatever mate-related plans they had. Seeing her now, just walking in casually, made me smile a little, a small flicker of comfort in the chaos of my thoughts.

“Hey,” I said softly, and she gave me a warm nod in return. We didn’t need to rehash everything—I’d already told her all of it days ago. Still, having her here made the day feel slightly less heavy.

“You could’ve gone to the canteen with us. At least to eat something,” Mira said, half-teasing, half-scolding, as she flopped onto the edge of her bed.

I chuckled, though the sound was weak. “I’m afraid if I ate anything, I’d just throw up,” I admitted honestly. My stomach was a tight knot of nerves and anticipation, leaving no room for hunger.

Selene gave me a small, understanding smile. Lira and Riven exchanged glances, somewhere between concern and quiet encouragement.

my phone buzzed sharply against the wooden desk. I snatched it up, heart giving a tiny jump, and read the message:

“I’m outside. Come out, princess.”

Kael.

I rolled my eyes, a small, tired smirk tugging at my lips, even though my stomach was doing a little flip.

Pushing myself off the bed, I hoisted my backpack onto my shoulders, the weight of the Latin book and the other one pressing into my back like a reminder of everything that was about to happen.

“He’s here,” I muttered, half to myself, half to the empty room. “I have to go. Love you!”

The words barely left my mouth before my feet were moving, hurrying toward the door. Mira’s voice followed me down the hall, sharp and worried.

“Please be careful!”

I waved a hand over my shoulder without looking back, forcing a small, reassuring smile even though my heart was racing.

The dorm felt quieter than usual as I stepped out into the corridor, my shoes making soft echoes against the polished floors. I moved faster, almost gliding over the stairs two at a time, adrenaline knotting my stomach tighter with each step.

It was only 6:30 pm—long before curfew—but the way my chest tightened and my hands felt a little clammy, I might as well have been sneaking out in the dead of night. My mind told me I wasn’t doing anything wrong… but the truth was, I was.

The front door of the academy loomed ahead, glowing faintly under the hallway lights, and beyond it.

I stepped outside the academy, my shoes crunching softly against the gravel path that led to the gates. The evening air was cool, brushing against my cheeks and ruffling my hair, and for a moment I let myself inhale it, trying to shake the tight coil of nerves in my stomach.

The gates loomed ahead, tall and iron-wrought, their black metal almost blending into the shadows as the last light of the sun faded behind the horizon. I reached out, my fingers brushing over the cold metal latch, and pushed them open with a slow, deliberate motion, as if the world itself might judge me for stepping out.

And then I saw him.

Kael.

He was leaning casually against the hood of a dark blue Mustang, the glossy surface reflecting the fading sunset in streaks of copper and gold. One foot rested lightly on the front bumper, arms crossed over his chest, posture effortless but commanding, like he owned every inch of the space around him. The wind caught a few strands of his hair, tossing them across his forehead, and he didn’t bother to brush them away. He was entirely aware of the effect he had, I was sure of it, but for once, that didn’t make me roll my eyes—it made my stomach tighten instead.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped closer, the sound of my boots on the gravel echoing slightly in the quiet evening.

“Evening,” I murmured, trying to sound casual, though my voice came out a little higher than I intended.

He straightened slightly, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Evening, princess,” he replied, voice smooth, teasing. That smirk, that tone… it made my heartbeat jerk like it had a mind of its own.

I shifted my backpack nervously, feeling the weight of the books pressing against my back like a reminder of why I was here, and why I couldn’t afford to stumble over my own words.

Kael pushed off the car, his gaze flicking toward me with something that felt almost like calculation, though I couldn’t tell if it was warning, curiosity, or something else entirely.

“Ready?” he asked.

I nodded, even though a small, stubborn part of me wanted to turn around and run back inside, hide under my blankets, and pretend none of this had ever been arranged.

But I didn’t. I couldn’t. Not if I wanted answers. Not if I wanted the book unlocked.

“After you,” he said, nodding toward the passenger seat with that faint, infuriating smirk.

I hesitated for a second, then slid into the seat, the leather cool and familiar under my palms. My backpack landed in my lap with a soft thud, and I adjusted it nervously.

Kael climbed in on the driver’s side, shutting the door with a definitive click. The engine roared to life, a low growl that seemed to fill the small space of the car. I gripped the edge of my seat for a moment, heart thudding in rhythm with the engine’s hum.