Trapped by Seven Mafia Wolves novel Chapter 36

**Stars Refuse To Blink by Asa River Knox**

**Chapter 36: Betrayed**

**Luka’s POV**

What. The. Hell.

I find myself leaning against the unforgiving, frigid wall of the hallway, my arms wrapped tightly around my chest as if trying to shield my heart from the jagged sting of betrayal that feels fresh and raw. My gaze, fierce and unyielding, is locked on the very spot where Leon had stood just moments ago, passionately defending her. Her.

And Leon—my twin, my other half—had the audacity to raise his voice against me.

For her.

A bitter scoff escapes my lips, sharp and laced with disbelief, as my jaw tightens in frustration.

My fingers dig into my biceps, pressing harder against the wall, grounding myself in a reality that feels increasingly surreal, like a nightmare I can’t wake from.

He actually chose her.

That quivering little bundle of nerves who stumbles through life, drowning in a sea of apologies that spill from her lips like a broken record.

I begin to pace the hallway, my movements frantic and restless, like a wild animal trapped in a cage, yearning for freedom. My heart pounds in my ears, a relentless drumbeat of confusion and fury.

Why? Why does he see something in her that I cannot?

She’s not strong. She’s not sharp, brave, or ruthless.

She’s nothing.

And yet, there’s my brother—my mirror image—buying into her helpless act as if she were a lost puppy in desperate need of love and protection.

Love.

I pause, letting the word linger on my tongue like a bitter poison, its taste acrid and unsettling.

That’s not how we were raised.

That’s not how this house operates.

You don’t protect those who can’t fight for themselves.

Because once you extend your hand, they’ll expect you to keep it there, forever.

You don’t put your neck on the line for someone who wouldn’t do the same for you.

You don’t forget who your blood is.

A harsh laugh escapes my lips, mocking and bitter.

I thought Leon was the one who truly understood.

Who grasped the harsh reality of our lives just as well as the rest of us did.

And yet, there he was—defending that girl with a fervor that left me reeling.

I turn away from the wall, frustration bubbling over like a pot left on the stove too long, and storm off, unable to contain the tempest of emotions swirling within me.

My fists clench tighter with every step, a physical manifestation of the rage that simmers just beneath the surface. No.

I storm down the hallway, my boots thudding heavily against the tile, each step echoing my fury. The heat of my anger boils beneath my skin, white-hot and sharp, urging me to confront the injustice of it all.

I can’t sit with this.

I won’t.

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch a glimpse of Leon turning the corner at the far end of the hall, striding away with purpose, hands shoved deep into his pockets.

He was definitely coming from the brat’s room.

“Leon!” I shout, my voice reverberating off the walls, demanding his attention.

He halts, but doesn’t turn around.

“I don’t expect her to forget. But I’m trying to change that. Are you?”

Something ugly claws at my chest, a dark realization washing over me like a cold wave.

“If that little brat has you wrapped around her finger, maybe you’ve forgotten what you did to her. What we did.”

Leon’s expression turns icy, his eyes narrowing to slits that could cut glass.

“If she ever forgives me,” he says in a low, measured tone, “it won’t be because I deserve it. It’ll be because she’s stronger than either of us ever were.”

I blink, taken aback by the weight of his words.

For a moment, we stand there, locked in a silent battle of wills, two halves of the same whole suddenly torn apart by our choices.

“She’s nothing, Leon,” I hiss, my voice trembling—not with fear, but with disbelief. “You’re choosing her over me.”

“I’m not choosing sides,” he replies, his voice steady, unwavering. “I’m choosing what’s right.”

The impact of his words hits me harder than I anticipated, reverberating through my very core.

Leon steps back, turns, and walks away, leaving me standing in the hallway, trembling with rage and a tumult of emotions I can’t quite name.

And I swear—I’ll make her pay for this.

**Chapter 37**

In the aftermath of the confrontation, Luka stands alone in the dimly lit hallway, the weight of his brother’s words echoing in his mind like a haunting melody. The betrayal cuts deeper than he anticipated, not just from Leon but from the realization that his own heart has hardened against the very notion of compassion. The anger that once burned brightly within him now flickers uncertainly, revealing cracks in his steadfast beliefs. As he grapples with the dissonance between loyalty and righteousness, a flicker of doubt begins to creep in, forcing him to confront the unsettling truth that perhaps he has been blinded by his own bitterness. The walls he built around his heart, once a source of strength, now feel like a prison, isolating him from the possibility of redemption and understanding.

As the echoes of his brother’s departure fade into silence, Luka is left with a choice: to cling to his anger and resentment or to take a step toward the unknown, where forgiveness and growth may await. The thought of Leon’s unwavering resolve stings, igniting a tumultuous storm within him. Yet, beneath the layers of rage lies a flicker of longing for connection, for a bond that transcends the pain of betrayal. In the depths of his turmoil, he begins to realize that true strength may not lie in the ability to fight or protect, but in the courage to embrace vulnerability and acknowledge the humanity in others. As he takes a deep breath, the path ahead remains uncertain, but one thing is clear—he can no longer ignore the call for change, both within himself and in the fractured relationship with his brother.

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

In the upcoming chapter, tensions will reach a boiling point as Luka grapples with the fallout from his explosive confrontation with Leon. With emotions running high, readers can expect a deeper dive into Luka’s psyche as he navigates feelings of betrayal, anger, and an unsettling sense of loss. The fragile bond between the twins hangs in the balance, and Luka’s resolve to confront the perceived threat that Leon’s newfound loyalty represents will lead him down a dark path. Will he lash out in a way that could irreparably damage their relationship, or will he find a way to come to terms with the shifting dynamics of their brotherhood?

Meanwhile, the presence of the girl at the center of this turmoil looms larger than ever. As Luka plots his next move, her influence on Leon will become increasingly apparent, forcing Luka to confront not only his feelings about her but also the unsettling realization that she may be more resilient than he ever gave her credit for. The stakes will rise as Luka’s vendetta takes shape, setting the stage for a confrontation that could shatter everything he thought he knew about family, loyalty, and strength. Can Luka find a way to reconcile his feelings, or will he be consumed by his own bitterness? Prepare for a whirlwind of emotions and a high-stakes clash that promises to change everything.