Episode 4.

"Who...? Wait...? What...?" Ryan reacted quickly as he connected the dots to the earlier discussion about Mula's mate. Dean, supposed to be Luna, Mula's mate? Fire!

"Alright, Mula, you need to pretend! You only have a few minutes! Just act normal! Don't react! Stay calm!" Ryan communicated through their mind link, sensing that Mula was on the verge of claiming Elena, which could lead to possible chaos.

"Are you alright, Mula?" Alpha Dean inquired, observing Mula's intense focus on Elena.

Following Ryan's instructions, Mula forced a fake smile.

"Yes, I'm fine," he replied, smiling as he approached Elena.

Their gazes held a hidden intensity, unnoticed by anyone except themselves, as they exchanged a handshake.

Elena subtly blinked, sending a silent message to Mula through the touch.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Elena," Mula said, still holding her hand until she gently withdrew it.

"She's lovely," Mula remarked, glancing at Dean, who smiled back as they all took their seats at the table.

"Yes, I agree! She's not just cute; she's unique. Among all my Lunas, she tastes different," Dean remarked, causing Mula to glare at him with a piercing gaze.

Dean's statement was not out of line, as it was common for them to share their experiences, they usually share their evil things even the good ones though but must especially the brutal ones like this.

They have no secrets for each other, but this revelation deeply wounded Mula to his core upon learning that Dean had already been intimate with Elena.

"Stay calm! We'll find a way. You can't rush in like that," Ryan's reassuring voice echoed in Mula's mind once more, noticing the dangerous intensity in Mula's eyes.

Dean, observing Mula's demeanor, inquired once more, "Are you truly alright?" sensing that Mula was not himself.

Mula's current behavior was a stark contrast to his usual confident and assertive self. He would typically have ordered expensive wine upon his first action since he arrived, but now he was acting strangely.

"I'm fine... I'm just, um... you know," Mula began to stammer, attempting to cover up his true feelings.

As Mula hesitated to explain further, Dean interjected, "I found my true mate before you. I know you may have hoped it was you, but be patient. Your time will come." Dean said to him and so he faked a smile nodding his head accordingly.

Offering a gesture of solidarity, Dean suggested a toast, "Cheers?" as they all raised their glasses of wine that had been served.

Their elegantly arranged table displayed an array of drinks and delectable food, a feast fit for the highest-ranking Alphas, visually appealing and luxurious to match their status.

As they raised their glasses, their hands touched, and each of them took a sip of the wine. Mula and Elena continued to exchange stylish glances, both understanding the unspoken connection between them.

Mula knew it was his turn to take action. Elena had been ensnared, a captive to Dean's power. She dared not disrupt the moment, knowing the consequences of defying Dean, a formidable figure not to be trifled with.

Amidst the celebration, Dean gently grasped Elena's hand, drawing her to the center of the gathering, silencing the room. All eyes were on the Alpha as he prepared to introduce the pack's true Luna, Athena, observing from a distance too.

"It's time to mark my Luna," Alpha Dean declared in a resonant voice, pulling Elena closer as her heart was pounding so fast, the bond is about to be sealed.

Elena's unwavering gaze was fixed on Mula, who felt a surge of conflict within him. His wolf urged him to intervene, unwilling to watch his mate being betrothed to another.

Both him and his mate could not bear to witness their mate being pledged to another, they are Alphas too so they can stop it, why the hell should they be afraid of their colleague?

"You must remain calm! Interfering now will only lead to endless conflict," Ryan's voice resonated once more, prompting Mula to turn towards him.

In a fit of anger, Mula aggressively pinned Ryan against the wall, his eyes glowing blue. "Do not speak of this again! don't make me lose it for you!" he growled, as Athena who was standing near them looked on in surprise.

As she observed the intense interaction between Mula and Ryan, her eyes widening in curiosity as they locked gazes.

"Stay composed. We will find a way to claim her, regardless of whether she has been marked or not. She belongs to you," Ryan reassured Mula through inner minds, then he released him from his grip, both of them breathing heavily.

Then their attention turned to Athena, who was watching them intently, only to be interrupted by cheers from the surrounding crowd.

Dean has completed the marking of Elena as his mate! noticing this shattered Mula's heart and leaving him seething with anger.

"Behold your Luna!" Dean's proclamation was met with applause from various members of the pack.

As the crowd was still busy, Elena briefly glanced at Mula before swiftly leaving the gathering, her mind clouded with confusion. Was Alpha Mula truly her mate? Why did he not come to her rescue then?

She pondered that perhaps the similarities and shared experiences with Dean made him hesitant to intervene, not wanting to jeopardize their friendship. Despite her thought, she believed he should have come to her aid if he is truly her mate, he can't just give her up like that, or perhaps the feeling she had was within her alone.

However, Mula was still so Determined not to give up, so he quickly pursued Elena as she departed, with Ryan following closely behind.

"Mula, what the hell do you think you are doing!! you gotta stop this madness" Ryan's words echoed in Mula's mind but he ignored him focussing on Elena who was already climbing the stairs, though she's yet to notice that Mula was coming after her.

As Mula attempted to climb the stairs too, Athena intervened all of a sudden, blocking his path and he immediately halted but obviously couldn't pretend anymore.

"You are not permitted to follow her up there, Alpha Mula. If you have a message for her... I will do my best to pass it to her," Athena stated firmly, prompting Mula to reflect on his next move.

After a moment of contemplation, Mula composed himself and expressed, "Okay... as a new bride, I understand. I only wanted to wish her a safe and happy marriage."

Athena nodded at him but with so much suspicion on her look as he turned back, making his way towards Ryan, who was waiting.

"What were you thinking?" Ryan whispered to Mula as he drew closer.

"Shut the fuck up! You've just ruined everything!" Mula yelled, frustration creeping into his voice.

"How is that so?" he asked, his hand gesturing widely.

"Why did you stop me from getting her in the first place? I could have rescued her from Dean! she wanted me! I saw it in her face, she was calling for my help!" Mula's frustration was evident.

"He's not like other Alphas. You know what he's capable of...." Ryan tried to reason with Mula, who seemed ready to confront Alpha Dean.

"Like I care? He knows what I'm capable of too," Mula interrupted.

"I was trying to stop you because your actions could have cost you her. We're in his pack. There's no way you could fight through with her. You might lose her, and Dean won't let you near her again," Ryan explained, trying to make Mula see reason.

"What if it's better now? He's already marked her, and won't give her up easily!" Mula's anger was palpable.

"Don't worry, we'll find a way to get her back. we will, I promise, Let's play along for now," Ryan advised, patting Mula on the shoulder before being interrupted by Athena who just stepped into their midst.

Then they immediately pretend like everything was fine once again but Athena still went ahead with her say.

"Not at the table? Is something bothering you both? I could help," Athena offered, noticing the tension between them.