"You called for me," she managed to whisper, her voice trembling with fear.
Alpha Dean sat up, his gaze meeting hers. "Minerva? Ah, yes, I did call for you. I'm feeling exhausted and thought you might be the perfect person to help me relax with a massage. I hope I'm not causing you too much concern," he said, noticing Minerva's struggle to find her words.
Sensing her unease, Alpha Dean decided to lie back on the bed, allowing himself to unwind.
"You're free to go if you're not comfortable with this," he offered, prompting Minerva to speak up immediately.
"No, I'm fine. I was just... a little nervous at first, but I can definitely help you," she replied, mustering up her courage. She approached him, hesitating briefly before placing her hand on his back, searching for the right spot to begin.
She chose not to climb onto the bed, wary of the potential intimacy it might bring. She wanted to maintain control over her emotions, knowing that his alluring physique could easily stir up desires she wasn't ready to confront.
Gently, she started massaging Dean's neck, feeling a sense of euphoria wash over her as she lost herself in the moment, breathing deeply as she worked on easing his tension.
"Hmmm," Dean moaned, his voice sending shivers through her body, which was already tingling with anticipation.
"Wow, so this is what Elena was being begged to enjoy. I wish we were given that privilege. Maybe if we had known, we could have asked Mom to sell us to the Alpha instead," Minerva's wolf whispered in her mind as she massaged the alpha.
"But he's not our mate," Minerva replied quietly to her wolf.
"It doesn't matter. Why don't we take this chance and try to win him over? He already has feelings for us," her wolf urged, leaving Minerva momentarily stunned. She paused, taken aback by her wolf's suggestion that the Alpha was starting to fall for them.
Minerva knew her wolf couldn't deceive her; it had a connection to the Alpha's spirit and could sense his emotions towards them. If this was true, it presented a golden opportunity to divert his attention from Elena to herself, which had been her plan all along. And it seemed to be working.
These thoughts consumed Minerva's mind until Dean interrupted.
"Why did you stop?" his voice broke the silence, bringing Minerva back to reality as she resumed massaging him.
"I'm sorry, it was a mistake," she apologized.
"Why aren't you on the bed?" his question made her heart skip a beat, the implications not lost on Minerva.
"Alpha?" She replied, attempting to ignore his words.
"Your hands aren't reaching where they should because of your position and avoiding the bed," he explained. She paused, then continued.
"Okay, Alpha, maybe I should..." She began, but Dean cut in.
"Climb onto the bed. It'll be easier and less stressful for you," he suggested. She hesitated, meeting Dean's captivating blue eyes, causing her heart to race.
"Alright then," she said, relieved, climbing onto the bed to start massaging him.
"Ah, that's it! You're getting the hang of it now," Alpha Dean praised as she continued massaging him. He then took her hand in his, making Minerva feel a bit nervous as she swallowed hard.
"I'm sorry, Alpha. Is there anything else you'd like me to do?" she inquired following the act that Dean tried to grab her hand, and Dean turned to her.
"Of course, I need you to help me relax," he said, pulling her closer and kissing her. 
Meanwhile, Athena stood outside the door, listening intently. Despite hearing what she wanted, she left feeling annoyed.
Now she knew who her true enemy was – the person she had trusted as an ally. She realized she had been fighting an innocent girl all this time.
•
•
•
The Next Morning.
It was the crack of dawn, with everyone still lost in slumber, the darkness enveloping the world outside. The first light of morning was yet to grace the sky, a gradual process that could take minutes to hours.
As Minerva lay in peaceful slumber, a gentle touch stirred her awake. Blinking her eyes open, she found Alpha Dean seated at a distance, his gaze fixed upon his reflection in the mirror.
Perplexed, she scanned the room in bewilderment. Someone had roused her from sleep momentarily, the sensation of a presence lingering. If it were Dean, it seemed impossible for him to have crossed the room to the mirror so swiftly.
"Why linger there? Rise from that bed and depart at once!" Alpha Dean's voice was stern, urging her to cease her bewildered glances.
His commanding tone jolted her into action as she swiftly rose, hastening to clothe herself. With a sense of urgency, she opened the door, ready to leave when Dean's voice echoed once more.
"Let silence cloak the events of last night. Any whisper to another will be your folly," Dean cautioned, his words firm, prompting her to nod in compliance.
"Understood, my Alpha. I vow to guard our secret," she affirmed before exiting the room, a sense of contentment accompanying her strides back to her quarters.
Her heart brimmed with joy, relishing the clandestine liaison with the Alpha. The notion that Dean might be developing feelings for her stirred her soul, attributing his occasional displays of aggression to the typical alpha male posturing towards his chosen mate.
•
•
•
Alpha Mula's Pack.
The day had already broken, and the beautiful birds soared over the pack, filled with joy at the light of the brand new day, a blessing like no other.
Alpha Mula stood in his room, gazing at Elena who lay on the bed. He stood near the window, watching her. Although she appeared asleep, the look on his face suggested something more. He felt uneasy, far from happy or relaxed; there was a deep concern weighing on him.
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door, knowing it was his beta outside.
"Come in," he said, and Ryan entered immediately. Taking in the scene, Ryan understood what was happening as he glanced between Mula and Elena, who lay in bed.
Approaching Ryan, Mula and Ryan both stood watching her.
"I'm scared, Ryan. I... I'm just so scared," Mula confided, causing Ryan to look at him once more before turning his gaze back to Elena.
"You did what you felt was right" Ryan responded.