"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.
He gazed at her silently for a while, uncertain of what to say. Minerva simply lowered her head slightly.
"I'm sorry, I know I overstepped," she said, preparing to leave, but Dean stopped her.
"Where are you off to?" he inquired. She paused, turning back to face him as he extended his hands.
"Let me have it," Dean suggested. Minerva smiled briefly, bowing her head once more.
"Thank you, my Alpha," she expressed, handing him the plate of food.
Dean graciously accepted it, studying her for a moment before opening it.
The enticing aroma wafted from the plate, heightening his anticipation. Dean picked up a spoonful of the meal and savored it.
"Mmm... this is delicious. Elisa truly outdid herself with this dish today," Alpha Dean remarked after enjoying that first bite.
Initially planning to sample just a couple of spoonfuls to acknowledge Minerva's hard work before returning the plate, he found himself unexpectedly wanting to finish the entire meal. Nodding in satisfaction, he decided to indulge in the feast.
Dean instructed, "You can leave now and come back later for the plate," as Minerva obediently lowered her head.
"As you wish, Alpha, but actually, I made the food, not Elisa," Minerva clarified before turning to depart.
"Hold on!" Dean called out, prompting Minerva to face him once more.
"You made the food? Why? And how?" Dean inquired, aware that Minerva did not typically have access to the kitchen.
Elisa usually took charge of meal preparations, making it unusual for Minerva to step in and cook for the pack, especially considering that she had never done so before. Dean questioned why she would choose to take on a role that wasn't hers.
Minerva explained, "Actually... after Elisa informed me that you had stopped eating due to Elena's disappearance, I felt a sense of guilt for my involvement in Athena's scheme that led Elena into the enemy's hands," she confessed, her eyes fixed on the ground.
Her gaze remained downcast, concealing her emotions from Dean in an effort to demonstrate her remorse for her actions.
"We made a mistake, and I know I owe you an apology. This is my way of expressing it. When I learned that you were unable to eat, I realized that I needed to prepare something special for you as a gesture of my regret," she continued, still avoiding Dean's gaze.
In reality, this apology was not solely Minerva's to offer; it was evidently Athena's responsibility. Dean understood that Athena likely coerced them into their actions, which is why he harbored no resentment towards those involved.
None of them had thought of coming to apologize to him, except for her, who was already here.
Upon hearing her words, Dean gently set down the plate of food he was eating, taking one last spoonful before shifting on his bed, patting the space beside him for her to sit.
Without hesitation, Minerva naively took a seat beside him, ensuring to keep her eyes averted, leaving some space between them.
It was Dean who moved closer to her. "How can I repay the kindness you've shown me?" he asked, to which Minerva shook her head in refusal.
"I'm sorry, my Alpha, but I didn't do this expecting any reward. I did it because I felt compelled to," she explained. Dean gazed at her silently for a moment, then swallowed and moved away from her.
"Very well, you may leave now and return later for the plate," he instructed. She rose gracefully, bowed her head slightly, and exited the room, his eyes following her until she disappeared from his view.
•
•
•
Alpha Mula's Pack.
Elena lay on the bed in her room as the physician, whom Mula had promised, had already arrived and started examining her.
Ryan and Mula stood nearby, observing the physician as he carried out the necessary tests.
Ryan, feeling dissatisfied, kept his hands in his pockets as he watched the examination.
After a few moments, the physician finished the tests on Elena's body, took a deep breath, and turned to face Mula, who approached him eagerly.
"Alpha Williams, can you tell me if she will be okay? Will she be able to deliver her baby?" Mula asked audibly, with Elena listening intently from the bed.
Alpha Williams gazed at Elena, then shook his head solemnly, signaling the severity of the situation as everyone listened attentively.
"Her life is in danger. She will not be able to give birth because there is no child in her womb. There is a dangerous build-up of blood that will threaten her life," Alpha Williams explained, causing Elena to look at Mula with a distressed expression.
Tears welled up in Elena's eyes as she pleaded, "Is there nothing that can be done?" Mula immediately supported her, promising, "We will do whatever it takes to save her. I will pay any price. I just want her to be well. I can't bear to lose her."
"Stay calm, Mula. There is always hope," Alpha Williams reassured them, looking at Elena, who gazed back at him, her breathing steady. He then reached into his bag.
He brought two bottles of a special medicine. One was blue, the other green. Placing the small bottles on the drawer beside Elena, he explained, "These bottles are truly magical. Crafted from the waters of the River Styx under the gaze of the Moon Goddess, a single drop of this elixir each night can cleanse your system of any harmful substances. Be cautious not to exceed one drop, as its potency can be life-threatening if misused."
Williams' words were met with a collective sigh of relief. Elena couldn't tear her gaze away from the enchanting bottles.
However, a sense of unease crept over her. What if she was truly pregnant, and she was unknowingly risking her child's life? Despite her doubts, the physician had confirmed the absence of a baby in her womb. With no choice but to prioritize her own well-being, she steeled herself for what lay ahead.
"Alpha Williams, I am deeply grateful for your assistance. I will find a way to repay you for granting my Luna a chance at a longer life," Alpha Mula expressed, as Elena forced a painful smile through her tears.
"Thank you, Williams. Your help means everything to me," she whispered sorrowfully. Mula embraced her once more, while Ryan stood by in silent support, observing the scene.
"Now that my task here is complete, it is time for me to take my leave," Alpha Williams announced, preparing to depart with Mula.
"I will escort you to the gate," Mula offered, turning to Ryan. "Stay with her, attend to her needs until my return. Ensure she is well looked after," he instructed, giving Ryan a reassuring pat on the back.
"Yes, Alpha," Ryan said, sitting beside Elena.
"Give me a minute, darlin'. I will be right back," Mula said, gesturing to Elena, who nodded. He then joined Alpha Williams as they approached the gate. It was time for William to return to his own pack, where his clan was eagerly awaiting him.
"Alpha Williams, you have done well. I will send my appreciation to you soon. Hopefully, we'll meet again," Mula said to Williams, who nodded and bowed his head slightly.
"Thank you. If you'll allow me to offer some advice, you and Dean have been good friends for a long time. Giving him that baby might bring peace. He would understand that you only needed your mate, and that's all. I also advise you to heed your beta's counsel and not harm the baby," Alpha Williams said, leaving Dean looking at him as he prepared to walk away. He paused and glanced back at Mula.
"You still have the chance to make things right. Those two bottles of medicine on the drawer. The green one is a poison, an abortion pill. The other one will help her deliver a healthy baby more quickly and easily, without the need for a difficult labor. The choice is yours, Alpha," Williams added before leaving the compound, leaving Mula in contemplative silence.
As he reached the highway, a car stopped to pick him up.