Trapped by Seven Mafia Wolves novel Chapter 68

**It Still Hurts**

**Aurora’s POV**

The day begins to slip away from me, ensnared in a thick, suffocating fog of sleep that clings to my mind like a heavy blanket. My dreams swirl chaotically, a dizzying dance of colors and unsettling sounds that provide no solace. They crash against my consciousness, loud and jarring, a cacophony that refuses to allow me the peace I desperately seek.

Confusion reigns within my subconscious, sharp and relentless, echoing the inner turmoil that has taken residence in my heart.

Suddenly, a sharp knock at my door pierces the fragile remnants of my slumber, followed by a voice that slices through the silence like a blade. “Hey, Sleeping Beauty, time to wake up!” Jace’s teasing tone carries an insistence that is impossible to ignore. “We’ve got things to take care of.”

With a reluctant sigh, I prop myself up, my limbs feeling heavy as if weighed down by the burden of emotions that cling to me like a second skin. Blinking against the fading light streaming through my window, I can sense the shadows of yesterday still lurking ominously in the corners of my mind. Jace stands just outside my room, a mix of urgency and familiarity radiating from him. “Come on, we need to sort out your school uniform. The twins are waiting for us in the garage.”

A knot of anxiety twists in my stomach at the mere mention of Luka’s name. “Why is Luka going?” The question escapes my lips before I can rein it in, my voice barely above a whisper, laced with an unease that tightens around me like a noose.

Jace shrugs, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt, a nervous energy emanating from him. “Apparently, Andrei’s mad at him for bailing on something. He had no choice but to come along. Think of it as his punishment.”

Punishment. The word hangs in the air, heavy and foreboding, settling like a dark cloud over my already tumultuous thoughts.

I quickly throw on the most comfortable outfit I can find—loose jeans that feel like a second skin and my oversized green sweatshirt that envelops me like a warm hug, a fleeting comfort in this storm of anxiety. Tying my hair back into a low ponytail, I take a deep breath, trying to shake off the dread that coils tightly in my stomach, a serpent poised to strike.

As I step into the garage, the familiar scent of oil and leather greets me, mingling with the metallic tang of countless cars. I spot Leon already leaning against a sleek black sports car that looks far too expensive for my taste, casually tossing the keys into the air and catching them with practiced ease. His grin lights up the dim space when he sees me, a beacon of warmth in the chill of my apprehension.

But then there’s Luka. He stands beside Leon, arms crossed tightly over his chest, his dark eyes narrowing as they lock onto me. The intensity of his gaze feels like a physical blow, hard and unreadable. My heart sinks; he still harbors resentment towards me.

Probably even more now… especially after I screamed.

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