Episode 13.
"Perfect timing," she remarked as she followed and waited behind. She made sure to watch them leave the house before returning to execute her plans on how to make it work smoothly.
With Max no longer around, she believed there were no obstacles in her way apart from Elena's servant, Elisa. Dealing with Elisa shouldn't be too difficult for Athena, now that she was in charge of the pack after Elena.
Since Elena was not yet fully experienced with pack matters, it was clear that Athena was the one in charge.
However, Athena understood that Elisa would always be looking after Elena as instructed by the Alpha. Therefore, Athena realized she would need to send Elisa away to gain easier access to Elena.
Without delay, Athena went straight to Elena's room to see her. However, she encountered Elisa in the hallway on her way to see Elena.
"Elisa, there you are. I need you to fetch something for me from the farmer's house down the street," Athena said to Elisa as she approached.
Elisa already had some of Elena's clothes in her hands to wash. She widened her eyes, feeling nervous about the message Athena was conveying. "I'm sorry, but I was instructed to look after Elena. The Alpha said I shouldn't leave her, and I have her clothes..." Elisa began complaining but Athena cut in.
"What's with the long talk? Are you questioning my orders?" Athena snapped, causing Elisa to start stammering.
Elisa tried to speak but couldn't get any words out as she looked at the clothes in her hands.
"Don't worry, Minerva will wash the clothes while you're gone, so where is she?" Athena asked.
"Minerva!" she called out loudly.
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Elena's Room.
Elena was already awake in her room, standing near the window and observing the town's hustle and bustle from the height of the building.
The serene air added to her comfort as she watched the beautiful birds soaring in the sky. She was captivated by the birds until a sudden knock on her door drew her attention away from the window.
"Who's there? Please come in," she called out, surprised to see Athena when she opened the door.
She had expected Elisa, not Athena. However she quickly glanced back at the sky, realizing the bird she had been admiring was now far away before refocusing on Athena.
"Athena... Can I help you with something?" she asked as she approached her, curious about the reason for her unexpected visit.
"No, not really, my Luna," Athena replied. Elena took a deep breath, anticipating more words from her, moving closer to gaze directly at Athena's face. However, Athena passed her and went straight to the window, looking out.
Elena followed suit, joining her at the window. "Lately, the window has become my closest companion," Elena remarked to Athena, who glanced at her briefly.
Nodding understandingly, Athena responded, "I comprehend the feeling of being confined against one's will, feeling trapped like a ship, a prisoner longing to escape." Her words left Elena looking at her with a slightly puzzled expression.
Elena blinked, trying to comprehend Athena's words. "I'm not sure I understand what you're saying," Elena admitted.
"I'm simply suggesting that it can be lonely up here. I know you must desire to venture out and enjoy yourself too," Athena remarked, while Elena shrugged and sat on her bed, gazing at her.
Elena hoped she had grasped Athena's intentions. "You're right, but unfortunately, the Alpha has forbidden it," Elena explained, but Athena cut in.
"Come on, the Alpha doesn't need to know everything. We can both step out for a bit of fun and return quickly. I don't like seeing you cooped up here alone," Athena proposed, but Elena eyed her suspiciously.
She remained silent, watching as Athena began to leave the room. "Alright, if you don't want to, I thought I could help you get some fresh air outside. But if you're fine here, I'll leave you to it," Athena said, turning to exit the room, prompting Elena to speak up.
"No, wait! Please wait!" Elena called out, causing Athena to stop and face her.
"I'm sorry, I'm just surprised by your kindness. But are you certain Alpha Dean won't find out and react negatively?" Elena inquired, as Athena smiled, shaking her head.
"You are the Luna. He only prohibited you from going out because he fears you might run away. He cares for you. If you go out and return, he would not be angry. Instead, he'd be pleased to see you more content here," Athena reassured Elena, who took a deep breath, studying Athena, who nodded once more.
"Okay, I'll call Elisa then..." Elena started to say, but Athena interjected.
"No, there's no need for anyone to know until we return" Athena said leaving Elena gazing at her with her eyes widened.
"Look, they won't even realize we're gone. Just get ready, let's go out. A drink or two outside will do us good," Athena suggested, to which Elena shrugged and nodded in agreement.
"Alright, I'll get dressed quickly. But how do we leave the house without being seen by the others around?" Elena inquired.
Athena glanced at her from head to toe, giving a slight smile, then headed to the door, silently exiting the room.
As she passed the doorway, she paused, turning back to face Elena. "Meet me outside the pack. Just get dressed, I'll be waiting for you in the woods. You shouldn't be late. No one will question you because you're the Luna. Remember that," Athena instructed before leaving the room.
Elena let out a gentle sigh, gazing at the sky briefly before nervously biting her fingernails and then focusing on her drawer.
She rummaged through her clothes, selecting a simple dress to wear. She wanted to avoid raising suspicion among the others in the pack about her departure.
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Few Minutes Later.
Elisa's return was unexpectedly swift; she completed the task Athena assigned her in just 30 minutes, despite the expectation that it would take an hour due to the work at the farmer's house.
Upon her return to the pack, Elisa sought out Athena to deliver the message but found she was nowhere to be seen. She then decided to check on Elena, thinking that maybe Elena might be able to hold onto the message.
Heading to Elena's room, she discovered it empty, surprised by Elena's absence she glanced at the clock showing 5:50 pm, Elisa realized the alpha would be returning soon and had warned her sternly to keep an eye on Elena and not let her out of her sight.
As fear crept in, Elisa frantically searched for Elena throughout the pack but couldn't locate her. Concerned, she speculated in her mind, "Where could she have gone? Perhaps Athena took her out," Elisa mused.
Spotting Minerva washing clothes at the entrance of the house, Elisa hurried over to her. "Excuse me, Minerva, have you seen the Luna?" Elisa inquired, prompting a confused expression from Minerva.
Blinking in confusion, Minerva replied, "I don't understand. wasn't it the both of you that went out? Why are you asking me when I've been here working all day?" Elisa widened her eyes, taken aback by Minerva's response.
"What do you mean? I was sent on an errand, and when I returned, she was nowhere to be found," Elena replied, causing Minerva to pause in her washing.
"What are you saying, Elisa? I saw you together leaving the house..." Minerva started to say.
"Your eyes must have deceived you! I..." Elisa began to explain, but they were interrupted by the sound of Alpha Dean's car horn, signaling his return. The situation was now tense, and Elisa realized she was in serious trouble, having been mistakenly accused. She knew she needed to find a way to reach Alpha Dean before things escalated and turned dangerous.