Alpha Dean's Pack.
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Underground Dungeon.
The dungeon was dry, and the cell wasn't as bad as she had expected. It was a decent space with a table and chairs. Athena sat down, resting her head on the table.
There were likely other cells in the dungeon that were far worse, reserved for stranger prisoners or lower-ranked members. Athena probably found herself in this particular cell due to her prominence in Dean's Pack.
Despite whatever transgression she had committed against Dean, Athena had always sacrificed for the pack in the past and was still willing to lay down her life for it. As a result, she was respected.
While seated in the cell with her head on the table, Athena's senses suddenly alerted her to something. She lifted her face from the table, taking a deep breath and massaging her hands.
"Why didn't you just send one of the omegas? Why bother bringing it yourself?" she asked gently, looking towards the cell entrance where Dean stood holding her food.
Standing up, she approached Dean and accepted the food, their eyes meeting in a silent exchange. 
"You're right, I could have saved myself the trouble," Alpha Dean replied as Athena quietly took a slice of bread from the plate.
She took a bite of bread as Alpha Dean watched silently, observing her for a few seconds as she chewed.
"What do you plan to do with me now?" Athena inquired as Dean placed his hand behind his back and began to pace, with Athena following closely as he walked around the cell.
"I'm not sure yet, and I don't want to dwell on it at the moment. I can only consider it once you've helped rectify the mess you've caused," Dean responded, causing Athena to furrow her eyebrows as she looked at him.
She chose not to interrupt, waiting behind for Dean to continue, but Dean seemed to have finished stating his piece as they completed their circuit around the cell, returning to where they had started at the entrance, pausing by the door that formed the cell.
"You know I will never help you bring Elena back here. As I mentioned before, I didn't act out of betrayal; I acted in my own self-interest. She was encroaching on my territory," Athena asserted firmly, unafraid of Dean's potential reaction.
She spoke boldly while maintaining eye contact with Dean, who remained silent even after she had finished speaking.
It appeared that he had grown weary of using a harsh tone with her. Elena's departure had clearly left him with a negative impact in every way, leaving him frustrated, weakened, and confused.
"I don't need to know why you did it, Athena," Dean said softly, gripping the cell bars with both hands as he gazed at her.
"I'm not seeking your approval to assist me in bringing her back. You will help me. Enjoy your meal for now, but brace yourself for my return," Dean declared before storming off, leaving Athena to observe him closely until he disappeared from the dungeon.
She sat back down, pushing her food aside on the table. The appetite to eat had completely eluded her.
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ALPHA MULA'S PACK.
Ryan stood under the flower tree in the compound of the house, just a few steps away but still within the pack's territory. The other wolves were on duty, ensuring the pack's safety from any unexpected intruders.
Lost in thought, Ryan noticed footsteps approaching. He briefly glanced back and saw Mula standing beside him. They both stood quietly for a few seconds before Mula turned to face Ryan, who was still lost in his thoughts.
The Alpha, sensing Ryan's concerns, gently tapped him on the back. "What's on your mind?" Mula inquired as Ryan looked up at him.
"I'm sure you already know what's bothering me. Why ask again, Alpha?" Ryan responded, emphasizing respect for Mula as the Alpha, not to challenge his authority but to convey his perspective.
Ryan's words made Mula take a short breath and look away, contemplating silently as he leaned against the tree.
"This is a bad idea, Mula!" Ryan expressed, only to be cut off by Mula's stern voice.
"And leaving my Luna for them is a good idea? is that what you want? She's my mate, and I'll go to any lengths to keep her. I'm not afraid of Dean! He can try whatever he wants, I'll be ready!" Alpha Mula asserted firmly, as Ryan paused to look at him before swallowing nervously.
Ryan took a moment of silence before speaking, knowing it was his duty as the beta to advise the alpha, even though he understood that alphas could be stubborn and reluctant to listen.
"I'm not suggesting you give up your mate for them," Ryan said.
"Then what are you suggesting?" Mula asked, looking at him intently.
"I'm saying you shouldn't harm that baby. I strongly advise you to let her give birth to the baby and then give it to the father. You can live peacefully..." Ryan continued, but Mula interrupted, cutting him off before he could finish his thought, as he already knew what Ryan was going to say.
"I will not allow that! She's not going to give birth to that baby," Mula declared firmly, causing Ryan to look at him with widened eyes.
"Why?" Ryan exclaimed.
"Because she's my mate, not our mate! Why should I share her with Dean? For what reason? I've tolerated him being involved with other girls, but not with my own mate," Mula stated decisively.
"After all, that was the main reason why Elena was still living with us. I told her the pregnancy was just an abomination from Dean and that it would kill her, so she's ready to get rid of it. I must protect her, she must not know that she can really give birth to that child, or else I will lose her," Mula added, while Ryan shook his head in disapproval and disbelief.
He couldn't believe what Mula had just said. Had he truly gone that far just to make her get rid of her baby? That was so unfair. At least he should also think of Elena, who owns the baby, not just Dean.
"Come on, Mula, you went too far. You couldn't have said that to her. What if she finds out in the future that you lied to her and made her terminate her baby? What's going to happen?" Ryan asked, to which Mula remained quiet, looking away instead.
"You see? Still the same. You are still going to lose her. You better tell her the truth now. Just let her know," Ryan advised, but Mula continued to remain silent.
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ALPHA DEAN'S PACK.
Alpha Dean lay exhausted on his bed when a sudden knock startled him. Rising slowly, he glanced towards the door, not expecting any visitors. He had just briefed Max on their next plan and explicitly instructed not to be disturbed, yet here was an unexpected interruption. Anticipating Max, he called out, "Come in," only to be surprised by Minerva's entrance, carrying a covered plate of food.
Dean's expression shifted to annoyance. "I already told Elisa I'm not hungry! Take it back to her," he exclaimed, attempting to recline on the bed.
Minerva once again interrupted him. 
"I'm so sorry, Alpha, for disturbing you," she said, bowing her head slightly. She swallowed nervously, her gaze fixed on Dean, as if she wanted to say something before leaving.
"Alpha, I... I..." She began to stammer, while he watched her quietly, his eyes widening as he sensed her fear.
"Yes, Elisa informed me that you preferred not to be disturbed, but I also noticed you haven't eaten for quite some time... I understand you must be exhausted... You need to eat something. If anything were to happen to you, we would all be lost. My concern is for you first. Please don't refuse the food again. Just take a bite. You can't starve yourself. You will find Elena again," Minerva said, surprising Dean with her words. He hadn't expected such care from anyone, especially Minerva.