34

Nova's POV

The tension in the room intensified with Marian's arrival. Her authoritative voice echoed, marking her position as unassailable. Jessica and Emily, usually bold, now appeared hesitant. They were silent, but dissatisfaction was clearly visible on their faces.

Marian, with her steady stride, took her seat at the end of the table. She was a figure both respected and feared.

“Nova is Diego's wife, and that means she is family,” she said, emphasizing each word. “If anyone dislikes that, they can leave this table right now.”

Jessica clenched her jaw, struggling between respect and anger. Her eyes flared, as if ready to fight, but she knew the consequences of opposing the Alpha's grandmother.

Meanwhile, Emily looked down, avoiding anyone's gaze. She preferred to stay out of conflict that could end badly.

I felt the tension enveloping the room. Every second felt lengthy, and I could hear my own heartbeat. Deep down, I wished for a way out of this situation. An awkwardness hung over the table, everyone caught in a dilemma.

Marian looked around, waiting for a reaction. The atmosphere became silent, and I knew a decision had to be made.

I also realized that this choice would not only affect me but also the relationships among us all. At that moment, I felt trapped between loyalty and truth, with tension hanging in the air.

I didn’t know whether to feel relieved or more stressed. On one hand, I was grateful that Marian was defending me, but on the other hand, I knew this would only make Jessica and Emily hate me even more. The tension among us became palpable, and I could feel their judgmental stares.

Taking a silent breath, I tried to calm myself. It felt like being in the eye of a storm, where every decision could pull me deeper into conflict. This was just the beginning, and I knew life as Diego's wife would never be easy. The responsibilities and expectations binding me made me feel trapped.

Outside, the noisy sounds of everyday life served as a reminder that the world continued to turn, even though I was trapped in this uncertainty. I missed the simple moments when I didn’t have to deal with family politics and inner conflict.

Marian may have given me protection for now, but I knew it wasn’t enough to erase the existing tension.

Every time I encountered Jessica and Emily, that anxious feeling resurfaced. I had to be clever about building good relationships, but at the same time, I didn’t want to lose myself in the process.

I was just about to take a piece of bread when the atmosphere in the room grew quieter. Heavy footsteps were heard from the direction of the door, and suddenly everyone turned to look. Diego’s father, the Alpha, entered the dining room with a strong aura of dominance.

Everyone at the table instinctively straightened up, including me. His gaze was sharp, sweeping across the room before he finally walked to his chair at the end of the table.

The silence felt oppressive, as if every sound outside had been muffled by his presence. He sat with an arrogant posture, and I could feel the tension rising. Everyone waited, as if holding their breath, to hear his words.

“Is there something to discuss?” His voice echoed, firm and commanding.

No one dared to respond, and the atmosphere grew increasingly uncomfortable. I felt my heart racing, realizing that all eyes were now on me.

Marian appeared calm, but I could see the worry on her face. She knew how precious this moment was and how quickly things could change.

Meanwhile, Jessica and Emily exchanged glances, their dissatisfaction evident.

I felt trapped in the simmering tension. If anything could change this situation, it might be the right words.

However, fear made me hesitant. At that moment, I could only hope this situation wouldn’t lead to a bigger conflict.

Jessica seized the opportunity to draw the Alpha's attention.

“Alpha, Jimmy finished his combat training faster than the other kids his age yesterday,” she said proudly, ruffling her son’s hair beside her. “He truly inherits the blood of this family.”

I glanced at Jimmy, the five-year-old boy who had once bumped into me, nearly causing me to lose my balance. He seemed indifferent to the conversation, busy playing with his fork, scratching its tip against the table with a loud noise. While Jessica tried to make a positive impression, I felt the discomfort between us.

The Alpha nodded, giving slight attention to the praise, but I could see that his mind was still elsewhere.

Jessica was clearly trying hard to gain recognition and support from the Alpha, hoping this would strengthen her position in the family.

Meanwhile, I felt increasingly alienated. Amid Jessica’s pride, a sense of anxiety lingered in my mind.

What if the Alpha’s attention shifted to me?

What would he say about my position as Diego’s wife?

The tension in the room rose again, and although Jessica tried to lighten the mood, I sensed that everyone was still waiting for the next moment.

I knew that in this world, every word and action could have significant consequences. This moment marked the beginning of many challenges I would have to face.

“Is that so?” the Alpha nodded without expression.

“Good. But don’t let him become arrogant. Combat skills aren’t the only thing that defines a leader.”

Jessica looked a bit disappointed with his response, but she didn’t dare to argue. Her face showed a mix of pride and frustration. I could feel the tension enveloping the table, as if everyone was waiting for the Alpha’s next reaction.

He continued, “A good leader must have wisdom and empathy. They must be able to lead not only with strength but also with heart.”

His words echoed in the room, and I felt all eyes back on me.

Was he reminding us of the greater responsibilities?

Or perhaps signaling that he wanted more than just physical ability, especially from our family?