64

64
Nova's POV
Diego stepped forward, and I followed, feeling the tension still enveloping the atmosphere. “Grandmother, we need to talk about something important,” Diego said, his voice firm yet respectful.

Marian frowned, watching us closely. “What happened?”

Diego wasted no time. "Nova overheard a suspicious conversation between Daniel and a foreign man in the back garden. They talked about an attack that will happen tonight."

Marian suddenly rose from her chair. "An attack? Tonight?" Her voice was filled with tension, and I could see how serious the situation was for her.

I nodded. "I don't know who the target is, but their tone was clear. They are not joking."

Marian began to pace, her mind clearly working quickly. “We can’t let this happen. We need to gather all the guards and plan our defense steps immediately.”

Diego added, “We need to ensure every corner of the castle is secured. If they plan to attack, we must be ready.”

Marian stopped her pacing and looked at us. “You have shown great bravery by reporting this. Now, we need to act quickly.”

Marian's expression changed, her gaze becoming sharp and serious. But before she could speak again, Diego added with a heavy voice, “And I just received a report from the scouts. A group of troops was seen entering the western border, and they are quite numerous, without any clan symbols. They could be rogue groups or, worse, an outside alliance.”

Concern crossed Marian's face. “If that’s true, we must act immediately. We can’t let them attack without resistance.”

“What should we do?” I asked, feeling the tension rise in the air.

Marian took a deep breath, trying to organize her thoughts. “First, we need to set up defenses on the western side. We must ensure all guards are ready and know their positions.”

Diego nodded. “I will gather them right away. We need to move quickly.”

“And I will prepare a backup plan,” Marian said. “If they attack, we need to know where to retreat and how to protect the castle’s inhabitants.”

As Diego stepped away, I felt a mix of fear and determination. “Grandmother, can we really face them?”

Marian looked at me with confidence. “We have strength and courage, Nova. We will not face this alone. Remember, we are one family here, and we will protect each other.”

Marian took a deep breath and walked to the window, looking out toward the dense forest in the distance. “This is happening faster than I expected. Daniel is acting prematurely… and now we must face a dual situation.”

“We need to report this to the Alpha immediately,” she said, turning back to us.

Diego nodded, his face serious. “If he knows about this threat, we can get additional support. We can’t face them alone.”

Marian nodded in agreement. “I will contact the Alpha and inform him of this situation. We need to make sure he is ready to respond.”

“I can help you,” I offered, eager to get involved. “Let me go with you.”

But Diego quickly shook his head. “Father won’t take action unless his own life is threatened. We need a strategy, Grandmother. I will prepare a core team and strengthen the guards on the western front.”

“And Daniel?” Marian asked, her tone quieter and more contemplative.

“I will confront him. But right now, our main focus is to save the clan and prevent this attack before they get any further.”

Marian nodded, realizing the urgency of the situation. “You’re right, Diego. We can’t let uncertainty take over us. We must act quickly and in coordination.”

Diego continued, “I will gather the best guards and split them into several teams. One team will be stationed at the entrance, while the other will patrol around the western area.”

“And I will try to gather more information about Daniel’s plans,” I added. “We need to know what he is planning so we can respond appropriately.”

Marian looked at both of us with assurance. “This is a good step. Unity is our key. Remember, we are not alone in this battle.”

After discussing the plan, Diego immediately stepped away to gather the guards. I followed Marian to the main room, where we could prepare everything.

“Nova,” Marian said, “remember that courage is not just about fighting, but also about protecting the weak. Make sure everyone in the castle feels safe.”

I nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility. “I will ensure they are all ready, Grandmother.”

Marian stared at Diego for a few long seconds, then nodded. “Good. I will send an official warning to your father. In the meantime, gather the troops and prepare the protective lines. It will be a long night, Diego.”

Diego took my hand and held it tightly. “Stay with me,” he said softly, and I nodded, trying to calm my racing heart. War might be coming… and we had to be ready to face it. Together.

With quick and heavy steps, Diego led me back to our room. The atmosphere in the corridor had changed; some guards were starting to stand watch more closely, and I could feel the tension hanging in the air. When we reached the door, Diego opened it and gestured for me to enter. I complied, even though my heart was reluctant to part from him at such a critical moment.

Once I was inside, Diego closed the door slowly but didn’t leave immediately. He looked at me for a moment, as if memorizing every contour of my face. “Nova,” he said softly, his voice full of emotion, “I want you to know that I will always protect you.”

I felt warmth inside my heart. “I know, Diego. And I trust you. We will get through this together.”

He nodded, but his eyes were still filled with concern. “Tonight may be difficult. Stay strong, and don’t hesitate to take action if anything suspicious happens.”

“And you too,” I replied, trying to reassure him. “We’ve prepared for this. We can face it.”

“Nova,” his voice sounded heavier than usual. “Stay here. Don’t go anywhere. No matter what sounds you hear outside, don’t open the door. Do you understand?”

I looked at him, suppressing the urge to protest. But I knew he was doing this to protect me.
“Diego,” I said softly, “be careful. I know you’re strong... but please don’t be reckless.”

He looked deeply into my eyes, then nodded slowly. There was something in his gaze—a mix of determination, worry, and… affection.
Without saying another word, Diego stepped closer. He gently touched my cheek, then leaned down and kissed my forehead warmly. The kiss was brief but deep, as if it contained a thousand words that couldn’t be spoken at that moment.

“I will be back,” he whispered before finally opening the door and stepping out, leaving me standing in a silence that suddenly felt heavy.
The door closed.
And I could only hope… he would truly return safely.