Episode 56.

After a brief discussion, Elisa discreetly tucked the key under her clothesline, but before she could relax, the door swung open, revealing Dean's unexpected entrance.

Both Elisa and Elena were taken aback by his sudden presence. Elisa instinctively averted her gaze to the floor, while Dean eyed them suspiciously.

"Is everything okay?" Dean inquired softly, closing the door behind him and moving closer. Elena, mustering a smile, stepped forward as if brimming with excitement.

"Yes, everything is fine," she replied, flashing a small smile before turning to Elisa, who remained rooted in place.

"I just sent Elisa to fetch some food for me; I'm feeling hungry. You can go now, Elisa," Elena said, prompting Elisa to bow her head.

"Thank you, my Luna," Elisa murmured gratefully before hurrying out of the room. Dean maintained his watchful gaze until she exited, then he lowered his head with a soft expression.

Turning his attention to Elena, who had settled back on the bed beside their sleeping baby, Dean inquired, "How's our baby doing?" Approaching Junior, who slumbered peacefully on the bed, Dean gently asked.

"He's fast asleep now. We're both feeling a bit trapped here; his leaving this room feels like parting with my arms, making things dull for us," Elena expressed, causing Dean to pause and look at her with understanding.

He grasped the message she was subtly conveying — his actions had inadvertently confined her, restricting her freedom to move about.

"If that's the case, then I believe we'll both be venturing into the woods at night during every full moon. However, we'll wait until Athena and Max return from their little journey to take care of the pack for us," he mentioned before rising from the bed, only to be interrupted by Elena.

"Wait, Athena and Max aren't here?" she inquired, to which he nodded silently.

"Yes, I've sent them on an errand to oversee my company and make sure everything is running smoothly. They'll only be away for a short while," Dean explained, turning his gaze fully towards Elena.

"Why do you ask?" he inquired.

"Oh, I was just surprised to hear how you've been managing the pack on your own. It must have been quite challenging," Elena replied, although she wasn't entirely truthful.

She had asked the question because she knew that this was the opportune moment to strike. With Athena and Max absent, there would be no one to support Dean in a fight, making victory all the more possible.

As Elena pondered her strategy, she observed Dean walking towards his drawers.

"Excuse me!" she exclaimed, catching him off guard. He turned towards her, puzzled by her sudden outburst, unsure of her strange behavior.

"Are you alright?" Dean inquired, to which she nodded before rising from the bed and approaching him.

Drawing near, she began to caress him gently. "It's just... it's been so long since I've felt you close to me. I really want us to be together again on the bed. These past few days apart from you have been difficult, and I've missed you terribly," she confessed, causing Dean to smile at her.

He was taken aback by her sudden change in behavior. Elena had previously seemed distant, as if she didn't want him near her, which led him to keep his distance out of fear of upsetting her or making her uncomfortable by pushing for intimacy.

Now, it appeared she was the one yearning for closeness. Upon hearing her words, he kissed her cheek with a smile on his face.

"Are you certain about this?" Dean whispered into her ear, he couldn't notice the hint of uncertainty in Elena's expression. Although she averted her gaze, she did not respond to his question.

But he pulled her closer, gazing into her eyes, and she responded with a smile, trying to appear unfazed. "What are you waiting for?" she asked, prompting him to lift her effortlessly onto the bed and lay beside her, their lips meeting in a deep kiss.

Elena attempted to push him away, annoyed by his persistence, but he paid no heed, his hands starting to wander until a sudden knock at the door interrupted them.

Dean paused, lifting his head, and Elena felt a wave of relief wash over her as she distanced herself from him.

"Who's there?" Dean inquired.

"It's Ryan, the scout, alpha," came the voice, leaving Elena puzzled as Elisa had mentioned Jared would be the scout. How did Ryan end up in this role?

"Alright, just give me a moment," Dean responded, planting a quick kiss on Elena's cheek before getting up to open the door, finding Ryan on the outside.

"I wanted to let you know that Jared and I are all set to head out and track down Minerva tonight. We've gathered supplies and are ready to go," Ryan informed Dean, who nodded with a content expression.

The news was met with elation by Dean, as finding Minerva was paramount to him. While others may not understand the significance, he alone knew how crucial she was to him.

"Alright, you promised to bring her back no matter what, so I'm confident you will do well. As you go, you will go in my name," Dean said, glancing back at Elena, who pretended not to care about their conversation.

However, Dean still did not trust the intimacy of the situation. He stepped out of the room and closed the door to prevent her from overhearing their discussion.

As he was leaving, Elena stood up from the bed and quietly approached the door, listening to everything they were saying.

"No matter where you find her, inform any alpha who has her in his pack that Alpha Dean is the one who sent you to bring her home. If they fail to comply, let them know that our return will not be pleasant," Dean stated. Ryan nodded in agreement, patting him on the shoulder.

Turning to go back into his room, Dean watched as Elena swiftly returned to the bed, acting as though she had not considered leaving.

Just as Dean was about to enter the room, Ryan interrupted him once more, causing Dean to pause and look back at him.

"It seems like you are forgetting something, Alpha," Ryan said, prompting Dean to look at him with a puzzled expression.

"Really?" He inquired, stepping out of the door and closing it behind him. Ryan looked at him, clearly surprised by his reaction.

Was it possible that he had no intention of paying the money they had agreed upon once the job was done? The thought didn't seem to cross his mind at all.

"My alpha, it's about the appreciation tokens you promised me for helping to deliver Mula to you," Ryan spoke up. Dean's expression immediately shifted, his face now serious as he crossed his arms and focused on Ryan.

"What appreciation tokens?" Dean questioned, causing Ryan's eyes to widen in disbelief. Was Dean now trying to go back on his word?

Ryan was confused. Was Dean refusing to pay, or was there something else going on? The look on Dean's face only added to his uncertainty.

Before Ryan could respond, Dean cut in. "I've already appointed you as a scout in my pack, which comes with numerous benefits. When you visit other packs, they will respect you, and you'll attract the attention of many female omegas and sometimes even alphas' daughters from other packs," Dean explained, his tone confident, though Ryan was taken aback.

Ryan felt a deep frustration building inside him. This was not what they had agreed upon. Agreements should be honored as they are made.

"That's all the payment you need. Now, get your things ready as you promised. You and Jared will be leaving," Dean commanded before retreating into his room and shutting the door behind him.

Ryan seethed with anger, feeling a growing sense of resentment.