Episode 17.

Elisa let out a sigh of relief, her hands resting on her chest. Finally, she had a witness to support her.

"Yes... I saw Elisa leaving the pack with Elena," Jared confirmed. Athena smiled and looked at Elisa, who appeared shocked as she gazed back at Jared.

It felt like her ears were playing tricks on her; she couldn't hear clearly. Nervously, she looked at Jared and shook her head.

The astonishment in her eyes spoke volumes. "No! It's not true! Jared, you... you're with them?" she whispered softly.

"Yes, I chose to tell the truth. You wanted me to join you in lying to the Alpha that Athena took Elena, but you did," Jared asserted boldly, his expression unwavering.

"She assisted Elena in escaping the pack, and they had been planning it since the day Elena arrived here," Jared added, increasing the tension for Elisa.

Max observed the unfolding events closely, his gaze alternating between Athena and Elisa. There was a particular intensity in his look towards Athena, one that Athena reciprocated as they locked eyes, almost as if they were adversaries.

"No! He's lying! Everyone is conspiring against me!" Elisa exclaimed, tears streaming down her face as she sank to her knees, visibly trembling.

"Stop pretending, Elisa. You did it because you wanted to put Athena in trouble as payback for bringing you here to serve as a slave," Jared added, escalating the tension.

The Alpha shot her an angry look as he moved closer, kneeling in front of her and locking eyes with her.

"Please, just tell me where I can find her. I promise no harm will come to you. You will be free and no longer an omega. Please, I'm begging you," the Alpha said softly, gazing directly into Elisa's eyes.

Elisa, still shedding tears and shaking her head, struggled to catch her breath.

"I swear I have no idea where she is! I don't know, I swear! I'm not lying," Elisa protested. Dean, standing up, couldn't sense dishonesty in her words, but the evidence against her seemed overwhelming.

He had placed great trust in Athena and knew she wouldn't betray him. Athena had even risked her life to retrieve documents for the Casino company he had lost to his rivals. Dean couldn't suspect Athena, but for now, he held Elisa accountable.

"Maybe you should just tell us where you last saw her so we can track her from there. Please, Elisa," Dean implored gently.

"I swear, I do not..." Elisa began, but her words were cut off by a forceful slap from Dean that left her with a bloody mouth, causing her to fall to the ground.

"Damn it!" Dean bellowed, his voice fierce with urgency. "You're going to tell me where to find her, or I swear I'll tear you apart!" He glared at her, his eyes blazing with intensity, as she sobbed uncontrollably.

"Take her to the dungeon! Come back, let's see if we can trace Elena tonight," Dean instructed Max before storming out in anger.

Athena caught Max's eye, and with a smirk, she followed Dean out of the room. Max watched Athena walk away, then took a deep breath, scanning the surroundings still filled with the other pack members.

"Alright, everyone, back to your tasks now!" Max commanded, and in an instant, they all vanished.

Approaching Elisa gently, Max asked, "Look at me and tell me the truth. Do you have any idea about Elena's disappearance?" Elisa met his gaze, shaking her head tearfully.

"No, I swear I have no idea what happened to her," Elisa replied softly. Max scanned the area, then turned back to her.

"And you think Athena has a hand in it?" he inquired, and Elisa nodded.

"Nobody believes me, but Athena sent me away on an errand. When I returned, Elena was gone, along with Athena," Elisa explained.

"Did you inform her that the Alpha instructed you to watch over Elena and not let her out of your sight?" Max questioned.

"Yes, I did, but she insisted. I'm telling the truth. The witnesses..." Elisa started to say, but Max interrupted.

"Athena and the witnesses conspired to shift the blame onto you," Max stated, leaving Elisa surprised. It seemed like he already had an inkling of what had transpired.

"Don't be surprised. I know Athena well. I understand her capabilities, and that's why I trusted you. I assure you, I will keep you safe. But for now, you must come with me to the dungeon," Max said, leaving Elisa nodding tearfully, breathing heavily.

"Please, don't take me there. I beg you. I am innocent! I cannot bear to go there. I might not survive," Elisa pleaded earnestly.

"I'm sorry. I believe in your innocence, but this is an order from the Alpha. I have no choice," Max explained, gently guiding her as she cried and begged desperately.

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After locking her in the dungeon, he hurried outside to join Dean and Athena, who were waiting for him.

"What took you so long?" Alpha Dean inquired as soon as Max approached.

"I was discussing matters with the girl," Max replied. Athena glanced at him, and they both feigned normalcy.

"What were you discussing with her? We have all the evidence we need. It's evident she's lying to protect Elena," Athena stated, looking at Max, who responded promptly.

"What if she genuinely has no knowledge of what happened to Elena? What if she was telling the truth?" Max asked, sparking a rise in Athena's voice, indicating her frustration.

"Jared confirmed it. She tried to hurt me for bringing Elena here, and that's why she did it," Athena retorted, her eyes widening assertively.

"What makes you think Jared was telling the truth?" asked Max.

"Because no one was closer to her than him. You heard that she planned it with him. He just doesn't want to get himself involved, so he told the truth," Athena said loudly, her voice tinged with annoyance.

"Can everyone please be quiet! This is not the time for this!" Alpha Dean yelled. Athena and Max calmed down and shifted back, breathing gently.

"Athena was right about the girl, but we can never be sure. We will get to the root of this. We will follow up and find the truth, but for now, we have work to do," Alpha Dean said, clasping his hands and looking at Max, his right-hand wolf.

"We have all night to trace Elena. You and Athena can search the city for any possible clues, while I will visit her family to see if they have any ideas. If Elena runs, she will likely run back to her dad," Alpha Dean said, sounding confident.

"I can make her dad tell me where she is, but I won't know if he actually knows until I try. Keep me informed if you find any clues," Alpha Dean advised. Max obediently nodded without questioning. Then, Dean turned to Athena.

"You're going out with Max now. Follow his lead. Do you understand?" he said. Athena glanced at Max and nodded, a small smile on her face.

"Of course, my Alpha," she replied. They all headed off in different directions to search for Elena.

Max and Athena transformed into their wolf forms, blending into the shadows, while Alpha Dean drove to Elena's family home.

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Max and Athena strolled through the town streets, seemingly guided by an invisible force. Max's steps were leading them towards the casino club, although they hadn't reached it yet.

"It's late at night; it's quite absurd to search for her now. Tomorrow morning would have been a better time," remarked Athena to Max.

"Perhaps you should have shared that sentiment with the Alpha," Max retorted. Athena swiftly grabbed his arm, halting his progress.

"You never tell me where we're headed! You just keep walking without a clear destination. If we're searching for Elena, we should look in market squares, villages, or places connected to her," Athena insisted as Max shook his head.

"Remember, you are meant to follow my lead without question!" Max snapped, striding ahead.

"Are you seriously looking for Elena at a club? She doesn't frequent such places!" Athena's voice rose but Max was already taking another route heading away from the casino club. His steps faltered upon hearing her words, prompting him to turn back to face Athena.

"What do you know about Elena?" Max's eyes widened in curiosity.

"She's my friend, we used to..." Athena began, but Max cut her off.

"Thanks for the update; I seemed to have lost my way!" Max quipped, returned his direction towards the Casino Club. Athena stood rooted to the spot, realizing she had made a mistake.