36

Nova's POV 

Jimmy, still playing with his fork, seemed oblivious to the weight of the situation. 

However, I could see how important the Alpha's acknowledgment was for Jessica. She wanted her son to be recognized as a future leader, but now her hopes seemed a bit dimmed.

Emily, who had been silent until now, spoke up. 

"Daniel has started helping with the pack’s affairs. I’m sure he will be a good successor," she said, her voice soft but clear.

I glanced at her. Daniel, her eldest son, was already grown and often involved in the pack’s internal matters. He had a strong personality and capable skills, but sometimes I felt he was still searching for his identity amidst the high expectations of his family. 

Meanwhile, her youngest child, Cassie, was still outside the dormitory and couldn’t come out until she finished her education.

The Alpha responded with a nod of appreciation.

"Good, Emily. Having a ready successor is important. Daniel must learn from experiences and take lessons from every decision."

There was a tone of pride in his voice, and I could see Emily smile faintly, feeling supported. Yet, beneath her smile, I sensed the same pressure I felt. The hopes for Daniel weighed not only on him but on the entire family.

The atmosphere in the room felt lighter, but I knew that every praise also brought heavier responsibilities. With the focus on the children, the Alpha’s attention seemed to create a divide between the older and younger generations. 

Meanwhile, I was still struggling to find my place in all this, trying not to be an obstacle to their dreams.

The Alpha nodded again, his expression still flat. 

"Alright. I will observe his development later."

I didn’t say anything, just focused on my meal. Even though I was now Diego's wife, I felt like an outsider at this table. Every conversation seemed to sideline my presence, and the discomfort made me feel even more alienated.

My eyes briefly flicked to Marian. The elderly woman was still eating calmly, seemingly unconcerned with the power play taking place at the table. She appeared wise, watching this family drama with a tranquility that made me want to learn from her. Perhaps she knew that in her silence, she held her own strength.

I realized that everyone here was trying to gain the Alpha's attention, struggling to be recognized and valued. Yet, amidst the crowd, I felt like a neglected voice—I wanted to contribute, but fear and doubt held me back.

The atmosphere at the table returned to calm, but I knew that the tension still lingered beneath the surface. Everyone seemed to work hard to maintain their images.

I tried to enjoy my breakfast, striving to stay quiet to avoid drawing more attention. However, I could feel Jimmy's gaze fixed on me. The boy hadn’t liked me for a long time, and I knew something bad might happen.

Without warning, I felt something cold touch my hand. I turned to see Jimmy, with his innocent expression, deliberately spilling a bit of juice on my dress. I gasped, staring at the orange stain now adorning the front of my dress.

Jessica chuckled softly. "Oh, Nova, you need to be more careful when eating."

Emily smiled faintly, but I could sense the awkwardness in the air. The Alpha remained silent, as if he hadn’t seen anything, his gaze fixed elsewhere. 

My heart raced, a mix of embarrassment and frustration flooding over me. I could feel the eyes of the others on me, and every second felt like an eternity. Jimmy, blissfully unaware of the tension he had created, continued to play with his juice cup, completely unfazed.

"Jimmy," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, "can you please be more careful?"

He looked up at me, his wide eyes innocent and unbothered, as if he didn't understand the impact of his actions. I took a deep breath, reminding myself that this was just a child’s play, but the stain on my dress felt like a mark of my failure to fit in.

Jessica seemed to enjoy the moment, her laughter ringing in my ears. I forced a smile, trying to brush off the incident, but inside, I felt the weight of judgment from the others. This was not how I wanted to be seen—an easy target for mockery in a gathering where I was already struggling to find my place.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. 

"That was an accident, right, Jimmy?" I asked in a steady voice.

The boy pretended to look innocent. "Sorry, I didn’t mean to," he said, though I could see a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Jessica smiled proudly, clearly pleased with her son's antics, while Emily simply shrugged as if she didn’t care. The contrast between their reactions only heightened my sense of isolation.

"Just be careful next time," I replied, attempting to maintain my composure. I didn’t want to show how unsettled I felt, especially in front of the Alpha, who remained silent and observant.

The tension in the air shifted slightly, but the stain on my dress felt like a reminder of my vulnerability. I glanced around the table, searching for a hint of support or understanding, but everyone seemed wrapped up in their own perspectives.

As I tried to focus on my meal, I couldn't help but wonder how these small moments would shape my place in this family. Each interaction felt like a test, and I was determined to rise above the challenges, no matter how trivial they seemed.

I felt my blood boil, but I knew it was pointless to retaliate against a five-year-old. I glanced at Diego’s father, who sat silently in his chair with an expressionless face. He had no intention of reprimanding Jimmy.

I bit my lip, holding back my urge to explode. They all seemed to be laughing at me, enjoying how I had to restrain myself and accept this treatment.

I clenched my fists under the table.