Trapped by Seven Mafia Wolves novel Chapter 47

**Crossroads**

**Jace’s POV**

I find myself leaning heavily against the cold, unyielding metal of the balcony railing, my palms pressed firmly into its surface. A cigarette hangs limply from my fingers, unlit and forgotten, a mere prop in this moment of uncertainty. I haven’t even entertained the thought of lighting it; it’s not the nicotine I crave, but rather the need for something tangible to anchor my restless thoughts. My mind is a tempest, swirling with chaos, and I seek a distraction—a way to escape the storm brewing within me.

Above, the night sky stretches endlessly, cloaked in thick, ominous clouds that seem to resonate with the turmoil churning inside me. It’s as if the universe itself reflects my inner conflict, a dark canvas mirroring my tangled thoughts and emotions.

And then there’s her. Aurora. Her image haunts me like a ghost I can’t shake off. I can’t help but picture her, her spirit appearing so fractured, as though pieces of her have been scattered like autumn leaves tossed about by a relentless wind. My friends—Nico, Luka, and Matteo—choose to ignore her, to belittle her existence, but I can’t bring myself to do the same. I’ve tried to push aside the gnawing concern that has settled deep in my chest, but it’s a futile endeavor.

No matter how hard I try, I can’t distance myself from the weight of it all. I still care for her. I always will.

Rubbing a hand over my face, I feel the stubble of a day’s worth of neglect. I can’t believe I’ve let it come to this. Aurora isn’t even making an effort to connect with us; she doesn’t smile, doesn’t pretend to be okay. It’s as if she’s closed herself off entirely, and that’s what gnaws at me the most. She doesn’t ask for help or attention, yet somehow, she’s burrowed under my skin, and I can’t quite grasp how she managed to do that.

Nico continues to treat her like she’s nothing more than a nuisance, dismissing her presence with disdain. Luka wishes she would just vanish, erase her from our lives as if she were a bad memory he’d rather forget. And Matteo? He acts as though she’s invisible, not overtly cruel but certainly lacking kindness—just done with the whole situation.

And here I am—lost, adrift in a sea of confusion and turmoil.

With a heavy sigh, I fish my phone from the pocket of my hoodie, my fingers trembling slightly as I scroll through my contacts. I land on Raphael’s name, the one person I believe might offer the guidance I so desperately need.

I press the call button, my heart racing with a mixture of hope and anxiety.

On the second ring, his voice breaks through the silence. “Jace?” It’s a lifeline, steady and familiar, grounding me momentarily.

I hesitate, caught in the whirlwind of my thoughts, the words stuck in my throat.

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