66

66
Nova's POV

I felt a chilling tension. All hope seemed lost, and despair filled the space around me.

"I won't let this happen," I whispered to myself. I had to do something. We couldn't let this betrayal end in such a tragic way. With renewed determination, I stepped forward, trying to overcome the fear that gripped me.

But Emily's soft voice was met with a cold stare from her son. "He was never a father to me, Mom. For years, I lived in his shadow. And now he brings an illegitimate child into this castle and wants to make him Alpha?"

My heart sank. I knew who she meant. My head spun, my heart raced. I felt like I was going to vomit, not because of pregnancy, but because of the fear swelling in my chest.

"Daniel, please!" Emily cried, her voice filled with desperation. "He is your father, and you can't let this anger lead you to make the wrong decision!"

Daniel remained unmoved. His gaze was fixed on his father, who lay sprawled on the ground, and the anger on his face flared hotter. "He ruined my life. I won't let that illegitimate child take his place!"

Hearing those words, I felt deep sorrow. This was not just about power; it was about a shattered family. "Daniel, if you kill him, you'll destroy everything! What will be left for you?"

He glared at me, as if weighing my words. Yet, in his eyes, I saw deep hatred. "You don't understand. This is an opportunity to start over, to erase everything that's wrong."

Emily stepped forward, facing her son with courage. "Daniel, you must choose wisely. This isn't just about you; it's about everyone who depends on you."

Once again, the moment felt tense. In my heart, I prayed that he would listen. Pain and fear swirled around me, but there was a small hope trying to grow.

"If you do this, you'll become the monster you hate," I said, trying to hold back tears. "Don't let hatred take control of you."

Finally, Daniel lowered his sword slightly, hesitating. "You... you don't know what he did to me," he said, his voice starting to waver.

"Daniel, please..." Emily's voice was hoarse and desperate again.

But Daniel wasn’t listening. "Give the throne to me!" he shouted loudly at the Alpha. "Or I will destroy everything in this castle!"

I didn't know what to do. I wanted to run to them, scream, do anything to stop this. But my feet felt glued to the floor. My stomach felt heavy, and my mind was a chaos. I couldn't let this happen. I couldn't let a son kill his own father for power.

"Daniel!" my voice finally came out, though weak. "This isn't the way! It will only bring more suffering!"

He turned to me, his eyes flashing with anger and confusion. "You don't understand! All this time, I lived in his shadow. I deserve my place!"

"But not like this!" I cried, trying to convey all the emotions flowing within me. "This family is falling apart, and you will only deepen the wounds. We can find another way!"

The Alpha was silent, his breath coming in gasps. He looked at Daniel with eyes full of hope and love. "My son, I never meant to make you feel this way. We can fix everything together."

"No!" Daniel yelled, his voice shattering the silence. "You have no right to apologize after everything you've done!"

My heart raced faster. I felt the tension in the air, as if all hope depended on this moment. With the courage I had left, I stepped forward, trying to get Daniel's attention.

"Listen, Daniel! If you kill him, you will never find peace. You will live with regret for the rest of your life," I said, trying to touch his humanity.

The sound of footsteps echoed through the castle hall, accompanied by the rapid, orderly march of troops. I froze in place, turning as the main door of the hall suddenly swung wide open.

"Daniel!!"

The voice echoed, heavy and filled with anger I had rarely heard from Diego. His figure emerged from the darkness, followed by his troops who rushed into the fray, taking down Daniel's followers who had surrounded the castle.

Chaos erupted instantly. The sounds of clashing weapons and screams echoed around us. Daniel was taken aback, his gaze shifting from his father to Diego approaching him. "What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice full of confusion and anger.

"I'm here to stop all this!" Diego replied, his voice firm and commanding. He moved quickly, leading his troops with skill, pushing back Daniel's stunned followers.

Emily and I exchanged glances, hope starting to appear on her face. "Maybe we can win this," she whispered, though the tension still hung thick.

Daniel looked torn, anger and confusion swirling in his eyes. "You don't know what you're doing, Diego! This is a battle for power!"

"This is a battle for family!" Diego retorted, fighting back against the enemy with courage. "You have let hatred control you, Daniel. This is not the right path!"

Amidst the chaos, I felt that moment. Daniel needed to be saved from himself. "Daniel!" I shouted, trying to reach his heart. "Look at what you're doing! This will destroy us all!"

Flashes of weapons and the roar of footsteps crescendoed, causing Emily to scream and retreat in panic, shielding her husband’s bloodied body on the floor. I was frozen, watching it all unfold. One by one, Daniel's troops were incapacitated. Some fled, but Diego continued to advance toward his brother, his body stiff with rage, his golden eyes glinting sharply.
"Enough, Daniel!" Diego shouted, standing directly in front of his brother. "If you want the throne, fight me. One-on-one. Not by attacking an injured father. Not by sneaking like a coward."
Daniel's face tightened, his jaw clenched. "You think you're better than me, Diego?" he said angrily. "You think just because you're Marian's favored child, you can take everything so easily?!"
Diego scoffed. "I'm not taking anything. But if you want to prove who deserves to be Alpha, don't hide behind your troops. Face me on fair ground."