Episode 16.

"No!!!" Her mother screamed at the top of her lungs as she stood up and rushed towards Excel, who had fallen to the ground.

Mr. Adam felt weak as he collapsed, crawling to his wife who was holding Excel in her arms. His breath became heavy as his body trembled.

"Excel, answer me!!!" The wife called out, but her hand was already clouded with the sight of the little girl's blood.

"Mmm, I'm so sorry for your loss," Athena said, folding her hands together and shaking her head with a pitiful expression.

Mr. Adam quickly grabbed some clothes from the couch and tore them into pieces to cover Excel's bleeding throat.

The wife took the piece of cloth from him, helping to cover the wound, while they watched the little girl battling with death, struggling to breathe.

"Excel, please stay with me," her mom whispered. Excel tried to speak, raising her hand, but no words came out before her hand fell back down.

Mr. Adam and his wife exchanged a quick glance as Excel fell silent suddenly, while Athena changed her stance, gazing at Adam. He briefly met Athena's gaze before gently lifting Excel's hand, only for it to fall lifelessly.

"No! Excel, no!" The wife screamed in agony, burying her head in Excel's lifeless body, shedding bitter tears.

Mr. Adam was speechless, breathing heavily, his breath so intense it seemed to shake the floor. His eyes captured the knife on the table, and he glared at Athena with anger.

"Don't look at me like that. It's clear you only care about your selfish desires and becoming the richest man in town, not your family," she said, moving closer with her hands outstretched.

"I assured you that no harm would come to them if you cooperated with me, but you chose those documents over her. You could have given them to me, and I would have gladly left in peace," Athena said, reaching out to Excel and gazing at her as she bent down.

"Poor kid, growing up in a family where the father is always careless is never easy. I've witnessed it before," Athena said, gently touching her head. Suddenly, she swiftly dodged an attack that came from behind.

It was as if she sensed it, dodging the attack and seizing the hand that belonged to Mr. Adam, who was attempting to stab her with a knife. She grabbed his hand, her claws leaving a mark on his face.

"Aaah!!!" he screamed loudly, dropping the knife as he tumbled to the side, hitting his head on the table.

"I knew it! You care little about your family, Mr. Adam!" Athena said, staring at him intently before calmly picking up the knife from the floor.

Meanwhile, Adam's wife continued to cry over the lifeless body of Excel, her eyes closed, tears streaming down her face. Her source of happiness had been cruelly taken away from her.

Athena's eyes blazed with fury as she confronted Adam, her knife pressed against his throat. "Hand over the documents, Mr. Adam, or you'll meet your demise!" she spat, her voice low and menacing. Adam's face twisted in a bitter snarl, his teeth clenched in defiance, but he remained silent, his gaze fixed on Athena with a challenging glare.

Athena drew a deep breath, withdrew the dagger from Adam's throat, and stepped back. "You're a greedy fool, I have known" she spat, her eyes blazing with anger. "Let's see who'll be the next to die then. It's not your turn yet" With a swift move, she turned to Adam's wife, the knife pressed against her neck, her gaze fixed on Adam with a fierce challenge.

The woman trembled, her body visibly shaking as she clutched Excel in her arms shedding tears. Little baby Theresa cried on the couch nearby, unaware of what was happening, simply in need of someone to hold her.

"Leave my family out of this. It's me you came for, not them!" Mr. Adam shouted at Athena, who responded with a deadly smile, shaking her head sideways.

"Oh, come on," Athena said, her voice firm and menacing. "I didn't come for either of you. I've already told you what I'm after, and you're going to hand it over or suffer the consequences. Every last one of you will meet your end at my hands today if you refuse. The choice is yours, Mr. Adam." Athena tilted her head, her gaze fixed on Adam with a stylish, defiant gleam in her eye, daring him to make a move.

"Alright, leave her out of this! I will bring the papers!" He promised.

"Finally, he gave it! Maybe you care about your wife a little bit," Athena said, gazing at the wife's face.

"She's beautiful, though," she added before removing the knife she had pointed at her throat.

"Two seconds to get the documents right here," Athena ordered, folding her arms.

•

•

•
Alpha Dean's Pack.

It was 9:00 pm, and there was still no sign of Athena or Elena.

Alpha Dean paced restlessly on the upstairs veranda, scanning the surroundings in hopes of catching a glimpse of the two.

"Alpha, you worry too much. They'll return. If Elena went out with Athena as mentioned, there's no need to fret," Max reassured Alpha Dean, observing him pacing with his hands clasped behind his back.

"I have a strong feeling that something isn't right! I doubt Elena is with Athena. Athena wouldn't risk keeping Elena out this late!" Dean exclaimed, his voice tinged with concern.

An unsettling sensation gnawed at him, his wolf instincts on edge.

"Let's just wait a little longer... they'll be back," Max attempted to soothe him, but Dean cut him off.

"I've lost my patience; I can feel it deep within my bones that something might have happened to Elena. You have to come with me; let's go find her," Alpha Dean said. Max was about to respond when Minerva suddenly walked into their midst with her hands folded together.

"Sorry for the disruption, my Alpha. Athena is back!" Minerva said, bowing her head slightly before turning to leave.

"What about Elena? Is she back with Athena?" Dean asked as Minerva turned towards him, not answering immediately.

When it came to talking about Elena, they were all hesitant in his presence unless she had finally arrived. Dean might end up doing something stupid upon hearing that Elena hadn't returned, especially now that Athena had returned. Mentioning that Elena didn't return with Athena could lead to a serious situation, so whoever was replying had to be careful with their words.

"I'm not entirely sure, Alpha. I saw her alone, and she called me to summon you," Minerva responded. Without hesitation, Alpha Dean ran off immediately, followed by Max.

•

•

•

Athena was sitting on the couch at the parlor, she noticed Dean descending the stairs. Instantly, she rose to her feet in acknowledgment of his presence.

"My Alpha, I bring good news," Athena announced with a smile, opening the documents in her hands.

Elisa and Jared were present, both casting curious glances around the room. Dean, in particular, wore a suspicious expression, anticipating Athena's mention of Elena.

Despite the onlookers' expectant gazes, Athena remained cheerful, indicating she may not be aware of the underlying tension. She continued to smile as she revealed the contents of the envelope, extracting several papers.

"I assured you, Alpha, that these people merely require firm guidance. See for yourself!" Athena handed the papers to Alpha Dean, who scrutinized them before turning his gaze back to her.

"What is this?" he inquired.

"Don't be surprised, take a look. These are the papers from the Casino company that Mr. Adams took from you. I have retrieved them as promised," Athena explained, her smile faltering upon noticing the lack of reciprocation from Alpha Dean and Max.

Perplexed, she glanced around the room, realizing the solemn expressions of those present. "I don't understand. What's happening? Is everything all right?" she inquired.

"Ridiculous!" Alpha Dean exclaimed, tossing the papers to the floor, leaving her gaping in shock.

"Where is Elena?" He asked with a deep, harsh voice, but Athena just stared at him, furrowing her eyebrows.

"I don't understand. Why are you asking me? I've just returned from a hunt, as you can see. How would I know where she is?" Athena replied, making Dean angrily shift his gaze to Elisa, who began to breathe heavily.

"You mentioned Elena left with Athena?" Dean inquired, causing Athena to stare at Elisa intensely, knowing Elisa was a significant obstacle.

"I... um..." Elisa struggled to speak, but Minerva interjected.

"Stop lying and tell us where you have kept her," Minerva said, capturing everyone's attention as she boldly approached Alpha Dean, bowing her head slightly.

"Yes, my Alpha. This evening, I witnessed Elisa leaving the pack's territory with Elena, yet she returned alone," Minerva stated, leaving Elisa speechless as she started to step back.

Elisa shook her head, attempting to speak words that simply would not come out.

"No, no, my Alpha, I would never do anything against you. I swear she's lying!" Elisa pleaded as Dean approached her gently.

"Then why are you already afraid when you know that you are innocent?" Dean asked while Elisa was trembling, then Dean looked around the rest watching.

"Is there anyone else who saw Elisa leaving the pack with Elena or Athena?" Dean asked, giving her a stern look, making her heart pound steadily. Jared raised his hand and stepped forward.

Elisa breathed out a sigh of relief, placing her hands on her chest, finally she had a witness to stand with her.

"Yes.... I saw Elisa leaving the pack with Elena," Jared confirmed, causing Athena to smile and gaze at Elisa, who looked shocked as she stared back at Jared.

It seemed like her ears were deceiving her; she wasn't hearing clearly.