A MAZE OF GREED

An hour had passed, and yet there was no call from Edwin. Rees waited patiently outside Edwin's private chamber with wheels turning in his mind.

By this time, everyone in 'the great manor' had woken up to begin another day.

A thought of knocking on the door had crossed Rees's mind but he decided to not disturb Edwin and let him have the time he needed.

Steady footsteps clinked on the marble floor of the corridor and Rees saw Augustus walking in his way. Rees was confused to see him there in the morning, his senses alert and mind link blocked.

Rees hurriedly stood up then bowed down as Augustus neared him.

"Good morning, milord!" Rees said in a polite manner, his eyes cast downwards.

"Good morning! Is my nephew still sleeping?" Augustus's tone was accusing.

As if he knew that his words were right and there was no chance that the case might be otherwise.

"No, milord. Young Master is awake but he is not feeling well today." Rees maintained his face straight and his voice steady.

Narrowing his grey eyes, Augustus asked, "What happened to him? Couldn't get a right woman last night?!"

Rees's body stiffened but he knew Augustus well. He was a good observer, his eyes didn't miss the details. Thus Rees tried his best to not let anything out to his grey eyes through his features.

"He is having a headache. He has not shifted into his wolf form for quite some time and thus his body is worn out." It was the most logical reason he could come up with.

And as per Augustus's knowledge, it was true. He didn't know what Edwin did behind his back and thought that for once his nephew had listened to him and had not shifted into his wolf form for days.

His face softened a little, his grey eyes darted to the closed door of Edwin's chamber for a second then found Rees's face again.

"Let him rest then."

"Milord, is there any message to convey to Young Master?" Rees asked.

Augustus paused for a brief moment thinking about something but then his face turned serious again and he spoke, "No. There is no message and... don't tell him that I came here." Then he left.

Rees was puzzled. Lord Augustus was a mystery to him. One moment he acted as if he despised his nephew and then the next, he cared about him discreetly.

Rees had clear opinions about every member of the O'Dell family but this man, the leader of the family, was still a puzzle. Confounding and perilous.

Rees sighed, at least he managed Lord Augustus barring him from chewing his nephew's brains.

Another fifteen minutes passed and still, there was not a single sound from behind the doors. Rees grew impatient and was thinking about an excuse to check on his master when the opportunity came.

He saw Theodora walking his way along with her trusted maid Fannie.

"Good morning, milady!"

"Good morning Rees. Lord Augustus told me that Edwin is not feeling well?"

She was dressed impeccably as usual. Her hazel eyes were harmless yet scrutinising.

"Yes, milady! He just needs some rest that's all."

Nodding her head slightly she glanced once to the door. "I will check up on him and see if he needs anything."

Rees alarmingly stepped between her and the door, broad and tall. Theodora arched her brows, her already thin lips thinned further to form a straight line.

Rees was quick to mask his gall action with a polite bow. "Forgive me, milady but Young Master has ordered to not let anyone disturb him. He is not in his... best state of mind right now."

His eyes shifted to the excited Fannie behind Theodora while speaking the last sentence. It didn't take Theodora long to understand what Rees meant.

Fannie was a human. Although she was Theodora's secret keeper, she was kept away from the biggest secret of the O'Dell family, their true identity.

Theodora was very careful when it came to that sensitive topic and didn't trust anyone outside their pack. Yes, she was also a human but she was the wife of Lord Augustus, one of the most respected werewolves and uncle of the leader of the entire breed.

She had learned that secret on the very first night of their wedding. Augustus himself had revealed it to her and she accepted everything gladly. She was always supportive of everything he did, everything he was and everything he wanted.

That was what helped her to keep Augustus wrapped around her finger even after years of their marriage.

"Very well. I have brought his breakfast. Fannie?" She looked to the maid through the corner of her eyes.

Fannie's face had brightened up again, which had fallen after Rees told that Edwin didn't want to meet anyone. When Theodora called her name, she thought she would order her to go inside the chamber and put the breakfast for Edwin.

She had not seen Edwin after their unpleasant encounter on the day when Florence came to meet him in 'the great manor'.

She was restless to meet him, to catch a sight of him. Over the years, she had been crushing on him secretly. And the night of celebrations was a dream come true for her.

Edwin had dragged her to the isolated part of 'the great manor', and had blessed her with his presence, and touch. That was the most beautiful night of her life, but after that, he had changed.

He didn't look at her the way he did that night. He was distracted and disinterested. And after facing his anger some days ago, she was certain that something was bothering him, and that was nothing but that slut Florence.

Rees's brown eyes held hostility as he watched Fannie.

"I will take care of that." Saying that Rees stepped ahead and took the tray of breakfast out of her hands.

Fannie had not expected this. She was angry. She wanted to scream at Rees for coming in between Edwin and her. He always did that. He always made sure to not let her come near Edwin.

She threw daggers at him through her narrowed eyes, fuming inside.

"Okay then. Inform me if Edwin needs something." Theodora said, then turned to leave.

Fannie followed her wordlessly, her fists tightly clutching the side of her dress.

Now Rees had a good excuse to go inside Edwin's chamber and see if he was alright.

Inhaling a deep breath, he lightly knocked on the large door. There was no response from the other side, and reluctantly Rees had to use his supernatural powers to hear Edwin's steadily beating heart.

Taking his best chances, Rees slowly opened the door to find Edwin looking out of the balcony of his chamber, his back faced towards Rees. He didn't turn, nor did any sound. But Rees knew that Edwin was aware of his arrival after hearing the change in the rhythm of his heartbeats.

Rees stepped ahead then put the breakfast tray on a nearby table. He opened his mouth to call Edwin when he saw the small wooden box opened on the nearby chair.

His body instantly tensed.

"You knew it, didn't you?" Edwin's voice was calm, but the words held the sharpness of a sword. He was yet to turn around.

He just stood his back facing Rees, his shoulders broad and square. He had not changed into other clothes yet.

Rees dared to peek into Edwin's mind even though his heart knew that it was futile. Edwin was very careful with these things. Whenever he had something on his mind, there was no one capable of breaking through his mind link.

Rees paused, weighing the possibilities. He didn't know what Edwin was referring to. He shuffled through his memory to guess what he might have hide from Edwin, but he came up with empty hands.

"Pardon me, Master! But-"

The words remained stuck in his throat. His eyes widened for a split second when Edwin caught him with surprise.

In a blink of an eye, Edwin was right in front of Rees's nose. His claws pierced into Rees's neck. His eyes looked murderous, blood flames on fire in the obsidian orbs.

His sharp and long teeth bared at Rees in a warning and declaration that he had no choice of seeking shelter under the lies or half-truth.

"Master?"

"You knew it! Yes or no?" Edwin growled loudly, and for a second, fear touched Rees's heart.

Something caught Rees's attention, and his eyes moved to his left to look at a big brown book, its pages opened, flapping with the force of the wind.

"You... you read it?!" Rees gulped down his saliva.

Of course, Edwin wanted to read the book. That was the reason why Rees had to do something that still made him feel guilty. He was the one who got that book for Edwin.

But Rees had not expected Edwin to read it immediately. He should have talked to Edwin. He should have spoken his suspicions, but he was afraid to initiate something that not even Moon Goddess would end.

And now Edwin had found out the truth. And his reaction had proved Rees's suspicions right.

"SPEAK!"

"I... I guessed that." Rees stuttered.

He was not afraid to face Edwin's wrath because he knew that Edwin would never hurt the people he cared for! But what frightened him was the aftermath that was bound to happen.

Edwin's nostrils flared, hot breaths gushing out of them in waves. His eyes darkened even more. His claws moved deeper into Rees's skin.

"Then why the hell you didn't tell me that she is my MATE?"