Trapped by Seven Mafia Wolves novel Chapter 59

**Title: Stars Refuse To Blink by Asa River Knox**
**Table For Chaos**

**Aurora’s POV**

Seated at the sprawling, polished dining table, I feel the weight of expectation pressing down on me, thick and suffocating. One of the maids approaches, her movements graceful yet deliberate, as she places a bowl before me with a flourish that seems almost theatrical. The dish sparkles under the dim chandelier light, a golden glaze shimmering enticingly, topped with roasted almonds that gleam like jewels. It’s a culinary masterpiece, artfully garnished, and yet my stomach twists in discomfort—not from hunger, but from the palpable tension that hangs in the air like a storm cloud ready to burst.

I can’t help but gaze at the food, my heart racing as I contemplate not just its beauty but what it represents in this moment of unease.

With a voice that feels as fragile as a whispering breeze, I finally manage to utter, “I’m not hungry.” The words escape my lips, barely audible yet laden with the weight of my anxiety.

And just like that, the tempest erupts. Nico’s lips curl into a mocking smirk, his eyes glinting with malicious delight. “Oh, here we go. The princess doesn’t like our food?” His tone drips with sarcasm, and I can almost feel the venom in his words as he takes pleasure in my discomfort.

Beside him, Luka chuckles coldly, a laugh that sends a shiver racing down my spine. “Maybe she’s too good for it. Wouldn’t want to break a nail lifting a fork, right?” His words slice through my defenses, and I feel the heat rise in my cheeks, my shoulders instinctively tensing up under the weight of their ridicule.

Before I can even think of a retort, Jace slams his hand down on the table, the sound reverberating through the room like a thunderclap, silencing the laughter momentarily. “Back off,” he commands, his voice low and dangerous, an unmistakable warning that sends a ripple of unease through the table.

Leon, who has been watching the scene unfold with a growing look of annoyance, leans forward, his irritation directed squarely at his twin. “Seriously. One more word, and I’m feeding you the plate. Whole.” His tone is laced with a threat, and I can’t help but feel a flicker of gratitude for his unexpected defense.

“Aw, is she gonna cry again?” Nico sneers, his fork clinking harshly against his plate, a jarring sound that cuts through the air like a knife. “Need big brother to cut your food too?”

“I’m not—” I begin to protest, but my voice is drowned out in the cacophony of laughter and jibes that erupt around the table. Luka raises a brow, his expression incredulous. “You’ve barely been here two weeks and already turned this house into a circus. What’s next? Ballet lessons?”

“Say that again,” Jace growls, already halfway out of his seat, ready to leap to my defense.

Andrei’s voice slices through the chaos, calm yet firm, pulling everyone’s attention back to the present. “Enough.”

But it feels as though my words have fallen on deaf ears; the conversation continues to spiral out of control, each voice vying for dominance, drowning out any semblance of civility.

In a moment of desperation, I whisper, “I’m allergic.”

The words drift above the tumult like a wisp of smoke, fragile yet somehow managing to cut through the noise. Instantly, there’s silence. The world seems to come to a standstill. Nico’s fork hovers mid-air, frozen in disbelief. Luka’s jaw twitches in surprise, while Matteo, who had been a silent observer, finally looks up, curiosity etched on his face.

Even the maids freeze in place, their eyes wide with shock. Jace turns toward me, confusion etched across his features. “Wait, what?”

My cheeks flush with heat, and I keep my gaze fixed on the table, avoiding the scrutiny of their stares.

“There’s sesame,” I finally manage to explain, my voice barely above a whisper, as if saying it any louder would somehow amplify the gravity of the situation.

A heavy sigh escapes from Leon, the sound laden with frustration. Jace groans, his exasperation evident. “Of course they plated her allergy in gold. What is this, a test?”

Leon nudges me gently, a reassuring gesture that warms my heart. “You’re getting more than bread. They’ll figure it out.”

I nod, my throat tight with emotion, feeling the weight of their attention like a warm blanket, yet still suffocating in its intensity.

Then, Raphael’s gaze shifts towards Luka and Nico, his once soft eyes now hard as stone, a silent warning hanging in the air.

“Andrei and I would like a word with the two of you after dinner is over.”

Luka and Nico respond with glares, their forks stabbing into their food with a vengeance, as if they’re imagining it was me on the end of their utensils.

The tension lingers in the air, thick and palpable, as I sit back, feeling like a pawn in a game I never wanted to play.

**Conclusion**

In the aftermath of the chaos, a fragile sense of understanding begins to weave its way through the tension-laden air. As the laughter fades and the glares intensify, I realize that this moment, however uncomfortable, has shifted something within the dynamics of the table. Jace’s fierce protectiveness, Leon’s quiet reassurance, and even Andrei’s softened tone serve as reminders that I am not alone in this unfamiliar world. The weight of their attention, once suffocating, now feels like a shield, offering a glimpse of solidarity amidst the storm. My heart, once racing with anxiety, begins to settle, finding a rhythm in the camaraderie that flickers beneath the surface of our chaotic interactions.

Yet, as the evening unfolds, I can’t shake the feeling of being an outsider looking in, a pawn in a game where the stakes are higher than I ever anticipated. The remnants of their mockery linger in my mind, but they are now accompanied by the realization that perhaps I can carve out a space for myself in this tumultuous family. With each passing moment, I feel the stirrings of resilience within me, a quiet determination to navigate the complexities of my new life. As the stars outside refuse to blink, mirroring the unwavering resolve within, I find myself embracing the uncertainty ahead, ready to transform this chaotic table into a place where I can finally belong.