A MAZE OF GREED

Rees, Lester and Elsie huddled in the room on the first floor of the old building, located at the end of the property. Edwin went straight there after his skirmish with his uncle.

Elsie and Lester made an excuse that they wanted to go for a night walk. Rees came after making sure that Ruth and Mrs Payne were dropped safely to their homes.

Thea decided to stay a day or two with Ruth and Mrs Payne, to which her parents agreed without a second thought. Mrs Welby and Mrs green promised Mrs Payne that they would visit her the next day.

Rees was relieved to see a changed Ruth. She was much calmer after her conversation with Edwin. She did not talk much, but Rees knew she was a strong-willed woman and only needed some time to process everything.

"Master, we have taken care of everything. The funeral was arranged properly.. I have given the money Mr Payne was promised by the factory manager to Thea. It is not much but in this state, it will be enough for a week or so." Rees informed.

"Very well." Edwin nodded. "And what about the spies?"

Edwin had spotted some spies amongst the crowd that came to pay their last respect to Mr Payne at his funeral. Edwin was taken aback, to say honestly. He thought he had his eyes and ears everywhere, but the recent weeks had changed the picture significantly.

Rees shared a look with Lester, who sat to his left along with Elsie.

"You are right master. They were spies. I sent our men to look into the matter and..."

Turning to face them three, Edwin asked, "And what?"

"We have found an espionage network active in Vincardine."

"What?" It was Elsie's shocked voice. "But... but how? I mean who dared do it?"

"It is not run by a single person, Lady Elsie. Many players are involved in this. When Master disappeared for weeks, the rumours crossed the borders of Vincardine. I do not know how but they did.

Some families got suspicious, while some became worried. Everyone wanted to know the truth. The truth of where Master was and what happened with the investigation." Rees explained.

"But everyone knows who is doing this. Why do not they send their spies to Kinsville? I am sure they will get more juicy gossips to talk from the Garfields." Lester grumbled.

Edwin's mind ran faster than the wind, weighing various probabilities and the possible consequences of his actions.

How could be he so selfish? How could he neglect the safety of his town and people? Granted, he was lost in his pain, remembering and craving for his mate, but that did not justify his negligence.

Was Lester right? Was he putting everything at stake for one woman?

Edwin shook those thoughts from his mind and focused back on the issue at hand.

"Rees, I want details of every spy. From their name, their purpose in Vincardine to their masters- I want every single detail about them." Edwin ordered to which Rees nodded obediently.

"And what are you planning to do with all that information?" Elsie asked.

"Edwin if you do something then they will get alert. You can not blow your disguise just yet." Lester concerned.

Edwin came and sat across the three of them with one leg over the other. Leaning back in his chair, he smirked. "No Lester. I am not going to do anything. We have killer in the woods of Vincardine, remember?"

His cold smile widened Lester's eyes. That man was a cunning bastard for sure, and Lester was proud of him for that.

"And what about the Council, Master? Barret Addington will be here any moment demanding answers. He will not be patient this time." Rees brought his attention to another persistent issue.

Edwin knew he was right. It was a surprise that Barret Addington stayed silent for this long when he had a golden opportunity to humiliate the O'Dell family. Then why did he let that chance slide? There must be some reason, there had to be!

"Brother... in today's meeting father said something." Elsie spoke.

"What did he say?" Rees asked.

"He said he knows who did this."

"Elsie, we all know who is doing the killings. They are vampires- the Garfields." Lester said the obvious.

"And we also know why they are doing this." Rees added.

"No. I mean, I am sure father did not meant it that way. I think he knows who is supporting the Garfields. He said they are provoking us, sending us the warnings."

"And vampires certainly not know what the word patience means. They must be directed by someone." Lester said, putting the two and two together.

Rees was confused. "But the Garfields do not take orders from anyone. They do not even consider royals."

"They are not being directed. They are working in collaboration. They have found a strong ally." Edwin spoke the truth.

"And Lod Augustus knows who that ally is. He said the same thing to Ripon when he came after you lost your control. He was asking about you in details, and looked troubled when Lord Augustus made a story of your business trip. His heart beat on odd beats as if he was not expecting it. I felt something was strange about that man."

Lester recalled Ripon's visit and what happened in that meeting.

"He did not looked surprise to find me in Vincardine as if he expected it. How?" He added.

There were many hows, whats, whys and whens, but no answers at the moment.

"We all need to be careful from now onwards. Elsie I want you to keep eye on your father's actions. What he says, what he does, whom he meets- I want to know everything." Edwin said.

Elsie looked troubled at her cousin's words. "Are you... are you suspecting father?"

"I am not suspecting him for the killings. I know he would not do anything to harm the people of his town and can do anything to preserve the dignity of his family name.

But you have to understand that I am a leader, alpha of all the werewolf packs. And I can not tolerate defiance."

"Brother Edwin!"

"You have to chose Elsie. I am not asking you to go against your father. I am asking you to stay with your leader."

Elsie had a hard time matching Edwin's powerful gaze. She understood what Edwin was saying. She knew one of the spies was her father's trusted man.

What made Lord Augustus send spies in his own town? He had done many questionable things in the past then why now only Edwin wanted her to choose the sides?

She was utterly confused.

Sensing her state, Lester draped his hand around her shoulder and whispered in her ear soothingly.

"Do not worry love. I am always here for you irrespective of what you chose."

"Take your time Elsie." Edwin said with a soft tone. It was her dear cousin talking to her and not her alpha.

She only nodded, fighting back the tears.

"Master the main questions still remains the same. How are we going to deal with the Council?" Rees asked, diverting the topic.

Edwin paused for a minute to gather his thoughts, and then his lips stretched into a wicked smile.

"I have a way!"

Edwin explained his plan that left Elsie gaping at her cousin. While Lester and Rees shared Edwin's wicked smile admiring their leader.

"You must be a devil in your previous life, my friend!" Lester complimented.

Soon Edwin's smile faltered, and worry covered his face. "Rees... does anyone knows that Ruth-"

"No master. Not yet." Rees shook his head.

Relief washed over Edwin's features upon hearing it. When he first saw the spies disguised as acquaintances of Mr Payne, the first thought that crossed Edwin's mind was about Ruth.

He panicked thinking the vampires or his other enemies had found the truth about Ruth. He was even suspicious of Mr Payne's death. He thought the vampires chose their target purposefully.

But his doubt got cleared that Mr Payne happened to be an unfortunate soul and his death had nothing to do with Ruth being his mate.

But now onwards, Edwin was not ready to take more risks. He could not see Ruth so vulnerable and broken again. He could not focus on his duties with her alone in the outside world.

"Lester, I have made up my mind."

Lester watched his friend's determined face. "Ruth is safe when she is near me."

"Edwin, what does that mean? I do not understand." Lester very well knew what Edwin was trying to say. But he did not want to miss a chance of teasing his friend.

"Lester!" Edwin warned.

But his teasing friend only shrugged innocently.

Edwin sighed, pinching the tip of his nose. "I want Ruth in the manor as soon as possible!"

He did not wait to see the 'I-told-you' kind of smile on his friend's face and the two more smiling faces. He rushed out of the room and was in his chamber in 'the great manor' the very next minute.