Episode 8.

"Wait, Elisa, I..." Elena began, only to realize it wasn't Elisa who had served her but another female omega. The omega hesitated but refused to turn her face.

"Excuse me, look at me!" Elena demanded, causing the omega to slowly turn towards her.

"Minerva!?" Elena exclaimed in surprise. Minerva immediately lowered her head a little.

Then Elisa stepped into the dining room amidst chaos. "My Luna, I hope you are enjoying your meal," Elisa asked, unaware of the tension.
Elena looked at Elisa briefly then back at Minerva, still stunned to see her there.

She wondered how Minerva ended up here and what she was doing.
"I don't understand. What are you doing here? How did you get here?" Elena asked.

But before Minerva could respond, Elisa interrupted.
"Do you know her?" Elisa asked. Elena nodded, feeling a mix of urgency and surprise.

"Of course, she's my step-sister!" Elena replied. Elisa's mouth fell open in astonishment, shrugging her shoulders.

"Actually, the Alpha brought her in as the new cleaner," Elisa explained.

"New cleaner?!" Elena could only stare in surprise, at a loss for words, unsure of what to say in that moment as she took a deep breath.

Why does Alpha Dean have to take in her stepsister as a cleaner? did he want to revenge for her? but she doesn't remember telling him anything about her family, even though she wanted to for revenge. It seems karma has already taken its toll before she could act.

But the target wasn't her stepsister; it was her stepmother, the one responsible for all her suffering.
"Right...? But I just saw the other guy cleaning the parlor earlier. Why wasn't she the one doing the cleaning instead or she just came in?" Elena asked, feeling confused.

"Actually, Jared said she was inexperienced..." Elisa began, but Elena cut her off.

"Alright, leave us. I would like to talk with her alone," Elena requested. Elisa bowed her head slightly and left the dining room immediately.

Elena gazed silently at Minerva, whose face was down in shame. Minerva couldn't bring herself to look directly at Elena.

"Look where fate has brought us together again my dear Minerva," Elena remarked, pulling the plate of food closer to herself to eat.

"Have a seat, my dear," she offered Minerva, who sat in one of the chairs.

As Elena prepared to eat, the delicious aroma filling her nose, but she paused, looking at Minerva.

"You know, I was wondering why you weren't surprised to see me in this position here. You and the other woman thought I was going to die. Believe me, I thought so too," Elena said, as Minerva took a deep breath, touching her own fingers slowly.

"I wasn't surprised because I was here that night when you were crowned Luna in front of everyone, I was so surprised" Minerva muttered softly. Elena paused, setting her spoon down once more.

She was even more surprised to learn that Minerva had been there all along, unnoticed by her. It seemed she had been hiding from her.

"Seriously? And I couldn't notice you? By the way, what happened? Why are you here now? What brought you here? Did something go wrong?" Elena inquired, as Minerva swallowed nervously.

She found it difficult to explain the reason for her arrival, unable to respond to the question.

"It's a long story, just issues with my mom, some debts I have to pay. It's more than enough money, a very tough situation," Minerva replied. Elena nodded, showing little concern, treating it as a casual conversation.

Minerva hoped Elena would inquire further about why she was there, as she needed help to be freed from the pack or else she's gonna continue serving as a cleaner for long, but she hesitated to ask for help from Elena, her conscience wasn't letting her because of the way she had treated her when she had the upper hand.
Elena too was not ready to press for more details after Minerva mentioned it was a long story, she left it at that.

"So, your mom? Where is she?" Elena asked, picking up her spoon again to start eating, but Minerva's response stopped her.

"She's at home, probably wounded" Minerva replied. Elena paused, looking at her. She easily believed that this must have been a serious situation for her mother to be wounded on the process.

"Wounded?" Elena inquired, setting down the spoon of rice she had already taken from the plate.
"Yeah," Minerva confirmed, tears welling in her eyes all of a sudden.

"She should be recovering now, but not without me by her side," She added. Elena took a deep breath and ate a spoonful of her food.

"Of course, how can she recover without her favorite pet? At least she's okay now, thank goodness. I would have been happier if she were here instead of you," Elena remarked as she continued eating showing no much sign of sympathy to her.

"Anyway, have you had your meal?" Elena asked, and Minerva shook her head, indicating she hadn't eaten since morning.

This was an unusual and challenging experience for her, a life she never imagined witnessing. In her mother's house, she used to eat more than three times a day, but now it felt like hell for her.

"Why have you not eaten?" Elena asked, surprised because she knew Minerva was a foodie who can't go a minute without having something to eat.

"The Alpha said I was only allowed one meal a day," Minerva revealed leaving Elena looking at her in surprise Wondering what the gravity of her mother's offence could be to the extent that she's only entitled to one meal a day.

This time around, Elena felt the urge to ask her what really transpired, but she chose to keep her emotions hidden.

She couldn't bring herself to care for someone who had shown her no mercy and had made her a slave in her own home. It was time for payback. Although Myra's time would come but let her deal with Minerva first, she was determined to make them all pay but nevertheless, they are still sisters, she don't have to hid her heart that far from Minerva.

"Don't worry, you can have my food," Elena said, pushing her plate toward Minerva, who looked at her with immense gratitude. She couldn't believe that despite all she had done to Elena, thinking she would die, Elena was still showing her kindness.

"Thank you so much, Elena. You are truly kind-hearted. Even after all I've done to you, you still show care for me," Minerva said, taking the food and eating hungrily while Elena watched.

It was surprising to see how Minerva had matured into the strong young woman she was meant to be, no longer the crying child clinging to her mother. Now, far from home, she was acting mature, understanding that life had become tough for her.

•

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Athena In Her Room.

Athena couldn't stay still due to this dilemma, standing by the window in her room watching people pass by on the street.

Her mind was filled with doubts about Mula's offer, considering it might be a test by Alpha Dean, who was known for his unpredictability.

She pondered if she should betray her Alpha or wait for him to finish sacrificing Elena, then she will possibly take over afterwards, knowing he wouldn't harm her as she was already part of his inner circle.

These thoughts swirled in Athena's mind, presenting various perspectives, reasons, and actions, leaving her unsettled.

"I should be more clever than this. Dean wouldn't harm Elena, he never intended to, I know him well. But even if he plans to sacrifice her later for the usual ritual, I won't be patient enough to wait that long, till she makes a child? no! that's a whole lot of months," Athena whispered to herself.

She returned to the room, approaching the mirror to gaze at her reflection.

"I'm too beautiful and classy to be contesting for the alpha with that lowly girl. I should assist Alpha Mula because the longer I wait for Dean to act, the more impatient I become and the more time slips away," she declared, firm in her decision. Then she knew that she needs to be strategic in her actions from now on since she have decided to involve herself in this dangerous game.

A knock sounded on her door, interrupting her thoughts as she turned to face it. "Come in," she called out, and the door swung open as Jared entered the room.

"I've finished cleaning the entire house as you requested. I wanted to inform you that my task is done. I would appreciate it if you could allow me to go and rest now," Jared said, watching Athena closely as she smiled and nodded.

Jared couldn't help but wonder what was amusing her. It was the first time he had seen her smile so openly, revealing her teeth. Was she trying to tease him, or was there something else on her mind? She walked over to him quietly, her hand reaching out to touch his cheek gently, leaving Jared puzzled about her intentions.

"Jared, my dear, I know I've put a lot of pressure on you, and I understand your desire to be free from my burdens. There is only one way for you to gain my freedom," she said, her voice taking on a softer with more intimate tone.