Episode 12.
"I can't pinpoint the exact day, so be prepared at all times. I will inform you when I'm ready to bring her there. But you should arrive discreetly to make it seem like we're not working together," explained Athena, to which Mula readily agreed.
Even though he hadn't heard the full plan, he felt it would unfold smoothly.
"Alright then, I'll be patiently waiting for good news," responded Mula.
"Okay, I should be on my way now," Athena said, and Dean nodded as she left.
As she left the house and got into her car, driving away, Max stepped out from the corner and nodded.
He didn't bother calling Dean; he preferred telling him in person, planning to meet him at their workplace.
Starting his car, he headed to the casino company to see Dean, inform him about Athena, and offer any help needed with the documents still being processed.
•
•
•
The Casino Company.
It was a beautiful area where many men gathered to play gambling games, attracting a large number of customers.
The duplex was spacious, housing various slot machines and games that appealed to both wealthy individuals and young men from the neighborhood.
Shortly after, Max's car arrived at the compound and smoothly came to a stop beside Alpha Dean's car.
As Max stepped out of the car and closed the door gently, he noticed Alpha Dean coming out of the building with a look of intense anger on his face.
"Are you okay? Did something go wrong?" Max inquired as he approached Dean.
"They've had a change of heart," Dean replied, leaving Max puzzled.
As far as Max can remember, They had already made payments for the company and were in the process of finalizing the documents, so how could they possibly change their mind.
"Why?" Max asked.
"Other bidders came in this morning with higher offers," Dean explained.
"Again?! Why are they so interested in this particular casino company? The amount they're proposing could easily establish a new one and still have money left over," Max pondered, gesturing towards the casino. However, Dean was too upset to say more so he silently got into his car and started the engine.
"Where are you going? Aren't you going to do something about it?" Max's voice echoed in Dean's mind, but Dean remained silent as he drove away.
Observing this, Max got into his own car and followed after Dean. It appeared that Dean was considering giving up on the company, which explained his intense anger instead of finding a way to reclaim the property. And it's so unusual for him to give up so easily.
•
•
•
Alpha Dean's Pack.
Upon Dean's arrival, as usual, Athena was the first person to greet him at the door.
It seemed as though she had a knack for sensing their return and was always there to welcome them, a gesture she had started not long ago.
When Dean entered the house, she greeted him warmly as usual, but he walked past her with visible anger, signaling that something had gone wrong.
"Excuse me! What happened? Why is he so upset?" Athena immediately asked Max when he entered the house.
Max responded with a stern gaze, preoccupied with the issue at hand concerning Athena. He could have informed Alpha Dean about it, but given Dean's current situation, he had bigger concerns.
As Max left without a word, leaving Athena surprised, it seemed like they were both upset with her, though she understood that it likely stemmed from a business matter, given Dean's demeanor.
Taking a deep breath, she glanced behind her and noticed Jared, who was meant to be cleaning, standing motionless and staring at her.
"What's going on? Get back to work!" Athena scolded Jared, who nodded and quickly started his cleaning job before she walked away.
Jared also realized she wasn't as harsh with him as before, indicating they were developing a better rapport.
•
•
•
Alpha Dean's Room.
Inside his room, Alpha Dean stared angrily into his mirror.
Shortly after, he heard a knock on his door and recognized Elena's presence.
"Come in," he invited, and Elena entered gently.
"I heard you're back, and I wanted to welcome you," Elena mentioned, eliciting a brief smile from Dean as he approached her, trying to mask his true feelings.
Dean attempted not to burden Elena with his issues, understanding she couldn't help and wanting her to remain carefree.
"You've done well. I've been waiting for the day you would willingly welcome me," Dean remarked, as Elena approached with a faint smile while he gently placed his hands on her neck.
"It seems that day has finally arrived. However, you've returned unusually early today. You usually stay out until night. Is everything okay?" Elena inquired, as Dean took a deep breath, adjusting her head.
"Well, I came back early. Everything is fine, nothing for you to worry about," Dean assured her, gently kissing her neck and then raising her face with his hand to meet her eyes.
"You're a terrible liar. I can sense that something went wrong. You're not being completely honest with me," Elena pressed, while Dean stood his ground.
Though he cherished her deeply, he didn't want to burden her with any troubles, particularly now that he suspected she was carrying his child, even though she hadn't confirmed it yet. He was aware that he had impregnated her and was awaiting confirmation.
"Feelings can be misleading sometimes, so it's best not to always trust them. If I do have issues, it's my burden to bear, not yours to worry about," Dean explained, giving her a tender kiss on her lips.
They shared another soft kiss and then engaged in a deep kiss, eventually falling onto the bed to enjoy some private time together.
•
•
•
Later On At The Parlor.
While Elena remained asleep in Dean's bed, Dean was in discussion with Max and Athena about the pressing issue.
"Athena, you can't be serious. This isn't the Dean we know. You could have taken over that company without paying a cent! That's the Dean we are familiar with," Athena urged, to which Alpha Dean shook his head in disagreement.
Max observed, waiting to hear Dean's response, acknowledging that Athena had a point. Dean seemed to have grown weaker of late. In the past, nobody would have dared to challenge him for that company once he expressed interest.
"You're correct, but the truth is I'm weary now. As I've mentioned before, I want to focus on expanding my family and fulfilling my responsibilities. I simply want to avoid trouble," Dean explained, leaving Max and Athena exchanging glances.
"If that's the case, there are certain things worth fighting for. You should fight for this property; it's for the future of your unborn child," Max suggested before Athena interjected.
"It's as if you're reading my mind," she remarked, gesturing towards herself and then turning to Dean. "If you prefer not to burden yourself anymore, then let me handle this. Who is this man challenging you? I will deal with him. We can't show weakness," Athena declared, prompting Dean to widen his eyes.
Athena's unwavering determination to secure the business for Dean surpassed even Max's, making Dean reconsider any suspicions he had about her.
Mula is a friend of the pack, she's free to visit him, there isn't anything bad about it; he was still very much a part of their group.
"Well, his name is Adam Kindle, a wealthy business mogul," Alpha Dean revealed, receiving a nod from Athena, who had a slight smile on her face.
"In that case, I believe he will be enjoying his wealth at the underworld after a visit from me tonight. Do you have his location?" Athena inquired, and Dean nodded, crossing his arms.
"You can deal with him however you like, just ensure he stays alive," Dean instructed, and Athena agreed without much debate. As the Alpha, his orders were typically followed without question.
This had been the norm when he was a ruthless individual, but now he displayed vulnerability, particularly towards Elena.
"Alright, it's probably lunchtime, and our meal should be ready," Max suggested, but Dean immediately disagreed, checking his watch.
"No, I have somewhere else to be. Both of us, Max, we have a meeting downtown," Dean informed looking at Max and then turning to Athena.
"You can let Elena eat with you, Athena, or you can join us if you'd like," Dean offered.
Athena promptly declined, recognizing the significance of the opportunity she had been presented with.
"There's no need. You already have Max with you. If I accompany you, who will look after the pack?" Athena reasoned, to which Dean agreed.
"You're right," Dean acknowledged, then he and Max left the pack, leaving Athena with a sly smile.
"Perfect timing," she remarked.