Trapped by Seven Mafia Wolves novel Chapter 77

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

**Because I’m Me**

**Aurora’s POV**

The sun hangs high in the sky, radiating warmth when I finally step out of Jace’s car. He leans across the console, a playful grin on his face as he tousles my hair, the familiar gesture both comforting and irritating. “You good?” he asks, his tone light, but there’s an underlying current of concern in his eyes.

I nod slowly, the motion feeling heavier than it should. “Yeah.”

“If anything happens, anything at all, you call me, okay?” His voice carries a weight that makes my heart flutter with both gratitude and dread.

“Okay.”

“Promise?” He leans in closer, his gaze piercing through me as if searching for any hint of insincerity.

“Promise.”

With a two-finger salute, he sends me off, and I shut the door behind me with a soft thud. A light breeze dances around me, and for a fleeting moment, it feels like the day might turn out alright.

Almost.

But then, a thought pierces through my hopeful facade: Don’t act like you’re my sister. Or worse—don’t sound so proud, as if it’s something of which to boast.

The sting of those words lingers, a sharp reminder of the truth I try to ignore. It hurts. It still hurts.

Yet, I’m making an effort. Until it all comes to an end.

Suddenly, a hand grips my arm with a force that sends a jolt through me. Fingers dig in so painfully that I can’t help but yelp. I’m yanked around the corner, my back crashing against the cold, unforgiving wall of the empty stairwell.

It’s her.

The girl from the bathroom.

Her eyes are perfectly lined, her lips twisted into a sneer of disgust, flanked by four other girls—each taller, each radiating malice.

I open my mouth, desperate to explain, to defend myself, but the moment I utter a word, she lashes out, her palm connecting with my face in a brutal slap.

CRACK.

It’s hard, harder than yesterday, the impact reverberating through my skull as my head snaps to the side. Her expression is a mask of fury. “Didn’t I tell you? Stay away from him. Luka is mine. You don’t get to be near him, talk about him, or live in his house like you actually matter.”

“I wasn’t— I didn’t—” I stammer, trying to get the words out, but before I can finish, another girl steps forward and kicks me sharply in the shin.

I stumble, the world tilting as I fall to my knees, the cold floor biting into my palms. I cough, trying to suppress the tears that threaten to spill, anger and humiliation mixing in my throat.

“You walk around like you belong here,” one girl mocks, her voice dripping with disdain. “But you’re just a little trash rat Andrei brought home.”

“She probably begged him to take her in,” another one scoffs, laughter bubbling up among the group. “Pathetic.”

“Should we maybe stop, Savina?” The girl with soft reddish-brown hair speaks up, her voice timid and uncertain. “She’s literally on the floor.”

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