Episode 19.

Alpha Dean's Pack.

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"We searched for her yesterday. Nobody in that club seems to have seen her before. She might have gone far away by now," Max said to Alpha Dean in a soft voice as they stood on the veranda, gazing at the fields.

"I have given her everything—my life, happiness. I promised never to hurt her, to ensure she's okay. Yet she ran away from me. What have I done wrong?" Alpha Dean spoke slowly, with a tinge of sadness, to which Max nodded.

"Nothing. She probably just needs more time to adapt here. If she had stayed a bit longer, maybe she could have understood. But I fear she left the territory too early, seeing it as her only escape," Max replied, folding his arms.

"Well, she could have run to wherever she feels safe, but I will find her. I'm going to find her. I just want her back, and that's all. I must have her back," Alpha Dean vowed, taking a deep breath.

"What about the girl, Elisa? Has she been able to provide any useful information?" Dean inquired, and Max shrugged.

"She hasn't changed her story, and I believe she's telling the truth," Max said, as Dean relaxed on the varanda case, his expression determined, arms folded.

"So, are you suggesting that Athena might truly be involved in Elena's disappearance?" Dean asked, as he took a deep breath.

"I didn't say that. Both Athena and I have been with you for a long time. It's hard to think she would be involved in something that brought you unhappiness. But if you want my advice," Max said, looking directly at Alpha Dean and pausing briefly.

"It's time to put everyone to the test. Not excluding anyone while investigating. Maybe you could uncover some truths yourself," Max suggested, leaving Dean to ponder for a moment.

After a brief contemplation, Dean put his hands in his pockets and retrieved his phone.

"You might be right, Max, but you will have to return to the Casino Club this morning and search for this lady," he said, showing the picture to Max.

Max furrowed his brow, studying the image intently, but in the end, he realized he had no idea who the person in the picture was.

"Who is she, and why should I be looking for her?" Max inquired.

"I don't want to turn this into a nightly affair for one reason, but now I need you to go back there and find her; she works at the club," Dean said, gazing at the picture and brushing off Max's question.

However, as he observed Max patiently waiting for an explanation, Dean hesitated before continuing.

"Alright, that night when we were searching for Elena after you called me, I noticed some signs," he began, returning his hand to his pocket and glancing at his phone once more.

"I spotted her; she was staring at us intently," Dean said, lifting his phone and displaying the girl's picture again, pointing at it.

"The way she looked at us made me believe she knows something about us. I want you to go back, find her, and discover what she knows, peacefully or by other means," he concluded. Max remained silent for a moment, then gently took the phone, studying the picture.

The lady in the image appeared innocent and unaware of their situation. Despite his unassuming demeanor, Max knew he had to obey the Alpha's command, so he nodded respectfully.

"Very well, I will investigate. Please send the picture to my phone," Max requested, handing the phone back to Dean.

"Of course," Dean replied, taking his phone back.

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Alpha Mula's Pack.

Elena found it difficult to adjust to her new surroundings. She felt out of place and doubted that staying there would bring her any peace.

Mula had not really been right about Alpha Dean. He had shown her kindness and affection, making Elena question why Dean would ever want to harm her.

As she sat in her room, battling with conflicting thoughts, her wolf urged her to stay. It insisted that this was the right place for her, even though she longed to return to Dean.

Despite making new friends in Dean's Pack and carrying his child, Elena couldn't shake the feeling of unease. The revelation from Mula that Dean might not allow her to give birth to the baby weighed heavily on her. Would staying here ensure the safety of their unborn child? The uncertainty overwhelmed her, leaving her unsure of what to do next.

Elena began to consider confiding in Alpha Mula about her pregnancy. If he was willing to accept her and the baby, she would stay willingly. If not, she hoped he would at least give her the choice to leave.

"You haven't eaten in a while..." a voice interrupted her thoughts. It was Mula, entering with a plate of food.

Sitting beside her on the bed, he gazed at her, gently placing his hands on her cheeks.

"I understand your concerns about being here. But please, don't worry. I hope that in time, you will see that we are truly meant to be. I hope I can prove that to you someday," Mula said, setting down the plate and offering her some bread, which Elena hesitantly accepted.

"Please, you have to eat something. I can't bear to watch you starve," Mula pleaded as Elena swallowed hard.

"That's not my main concern right now. There's something I need to tell you, something that will determine whether I stay or not," Elena said softly, causing Mula to set the plate aside, ready to listen.

"Go ahead and tell me," he urged. Elena nervously averted her gaze, focusing on the floor.

"That night after Dean bought me, I was drugged. I was unaware of my actions. I don't know the purpose of the drug, but I woke up the next morning, naked in his bed," Elena explained, tears welling up in her eyes.

"It was not consensual. I have been waiting for my true mate, enduring mistreatment from my stepmother. Until that night he bought me, I was on the brink of suicide upon realizing it. It was heart-wrenching," Elena continued, causing Mula to swallow uncomfortably and was not truly understanding what she was saying. He was both angered and unsurprised by Dean's involvement. He was familiar with Dean's true nature.

"I know him. That's why I warned you. He doesn't truly care for you. He harbors darkness beyond your understanding, but that's in the past now..." Mula was saying, but Elena cut in with a firm voice, tears still streaming down her face.

Her emotions resurfaced, recalling that fateful night. She might not have survived if her dead mother hadn't intervened.

"No, it's not fine. In fact, it's even worse now. I'm unsure how you'll react to what I'm about to tell you. This will determine whether I stay here or not," she said. Mula swallowed hard, already sensing her thoughts and having an idea of what she was going to say. He bore it, gazing at her, waiting for her to speak for herself.

"I'm pregnant, Mula! After that night Dean and I were together, I realized he'd gotten me pregnant. Will you accept me and my baby and take care of us?" she asked, as Mula kept his eyes fixed on the floor, clenching his teeth in anger.

"If you can't, then that's even more reason for you to let go off me, so I can go back to him. I won't get rid of this child. Don't even consider it for a moment," Elena stated, looking at Mula, tears now falling from his eyes.

Mula looked back at Elena, shaking his head as he returned his gaze to the floor. Elena was surprised to see him crying. As the Alpha, he should know how to handle this without tears.

Elena felt he didn't need to cry. If he truly loved her, he should accept her without hesitation. If not, he should let her go without shedding tears. She should be the one crying, not him.

"Stop making it seem so hard, Alpha," Elena urged.

"This is the toughest situation I've faced!" Mula exclaimed, rising to his feet with frustration evident on his face and in his gestures.

"This is what I've been fighting to prevent. I didn't realize it was already too late," Mula exclaimed, prompting Elena to respond in a slightly harsh tone.

"For me not to pregnant? it was forced upon me! you could've taken me with you that night not letting that wedding happen, I couldn't have been impregnated" She said her voice rising.

"No, not because you are pregnant, it's because you're already dead! It's just a matter of time!" Mula shouted, leaving Elena staring at him in confusion for a moment.

"What do you mean?" She inquired.

"That thing growing inside you isn't a baby! It's just a parasite transferred by Dean. He used you! He did the same to the other female wolves he mated with. They never truly give birth; they always die in labor. The situation is dire now," Mula cried out in anguish, while fear gripped Elena upon hearing this revelation once again.