A MAZE OF GREED

"It was not me Rees. I did not ruin that dress."

Thea's words put Rees in a state of confusion.

"You... did not?"

Thea shook her head.

"Then who? Who ruined the dress?"

That was what Thea was thinking since the morning. It was not her then who ruined the dress?

"Did Young Master sent someone?" Thea asked.

"No, Thea. Although Master wants Ruth in 'the great manor', he would never do that."

"Then Lord Lester?"

Rees thought for a moment, then shook his head. "If he planned doing that then he would have definitely told me."

"Then..."

They both pondered with furrowed brows, and suddenly their eyes widened in realisation.

"ZOE!" They said in unison.

Of course, it had to be Zoe! Who else was there in the room besides Mrs Payne?

"Oh God! That witch!"

"Thea, how many times I have told you-"

"to not use witch as a curse word. They do not like it. I know! Do not repeat it again Rees!" Thea was very upset.

If she saw Zoe right there, then she would have thrown the cat in a water tank and rub her body to clean her till she cried and begged for mercy. Or she would have not given the animal her favourite food- fish and milk. She would have-

"Stop coming with the ways of punishing Zoe in your head Thea. Whatever it was at least she saved you the guilt of betraying your friend." Rees reasoned.

"Still. She had no right to do that with Ruth. Did you know how she was humiliated in front of everyone?" Thea turned her head as tears moistened the brim of her eyes.

Rees sighed. He placed ginger under her chin and turned her to face him.

"I know you are upset Thea. I also am. But we both know why it was important. In fact, we should thank Zoe for doing that and saving you from the guilt. Now at least you do not need to shy your gaze away from Ruth."

Thea understood what Rees was trying to say and nodded her understanding.

"By the way, who told you that Ruth is fired from her job?"

"Zoe." Rees shrugged his shoulders.

"Oh, so that is what the cat was busy with."

Thea muttered under her breath.

"So, have you brought up the topic of working in 'the great manor'?" Rees asked after two long breaths.

"Yes, I did. But she is adamnat on her descision. She said she can not work anywhere around Young Master."

Rees pursed his lips with scrunched brows. "I thought the dimensions of their relationship changed after that conversation in the woods."

"Rees. For a relationship to take place, it should be two ways and not only one way. If you want to know anything that falls under the tag of the relationship between them, then it is only misunderstandings and hate.

Sometimes I wonder how they are going to spend their lives together. Usually, the misunderstandings and allegations happen after the marriage or declaration of love.

But here, there is everything but love!"

Thea was so frustrated with everything that if she could then she would have vent up her frustration on Moon Goddess's face.

Rees did not say anything after that, for he knew whatever he said was not making sense to himself. He just pulled her head to rest it on his chest as he stood playing with Thea's hair.

The peaceful silence gave them a breather to sort out their thoughts.

"I am also going to quit the job and stay with Ruth." Thea said after some minutes.

Rees pulled away from her to look at her. "You are not going to do any such thing." He told her sternly.

"And why not?" Thea challenged.

"Becuase we can not afford to fail this chance. This is the best opportunity to agree Ruth for working in 'the great manor'.You know Master needs her close to him." He reminded.

Thea had enough. "Why it should always have to be about your master and not my friend?" She glared at Rees.

"OUR friend, Thea! I love Ruth as much as you do. And this is not only about Master but also about her. You do not have any idea what is happening around you." Rees became serious, and Thea knew that she should not push him further now.

"Wh-what do you mean? Are there vampires in Vincardine?" Thea's eyes widened, and her voice came as a shriek.

"Thea! I have told you before to not say their name." Rees chided her.

"And no. They are not in Vincardine... yet!"

"What do you mean by yet? You said you and Young Master will take care of everything. Then why are you saying that they are not here yet? Does that mean they CAN get into Vincardine? And wait... is this all related to Ruth in any way? Tell me everything Rees!"

"I will if you stop for a breath, Thea!"

"Okay. Yes... right! I.. I am calm and fine. Yes! Now tell me!" Thea took some deep breaths to calm her nerves.

Rees could not tell everything that happened in the darkroom of the old building. Especially the things that happened and were said by the spies of the Council and the Garfields.

"Thea, love. You do not need to worry. Okay? We are looking into the matter and will soon find out a permanent solution to this problem.

And for that, we need a Master's complete focus and efforts in that way. It is possible only if his wolf is assured that his mate is safe and near him.

That is why we thought of doing everything in the first place, Right? If not, then why would Lord Lester have come up with a plan of getting Ruth fired from her job?"

"But the Vamp-"

Rees placed a finger on her lips. "They or anyone can not harm Vincardine as long as Master is here. He will not let anything happen to his people. Please trust him, trust us! And forget about quitting your job to stay with Ruth.

If you stay with her, then she will get one more reason to keep running away from Master. And after our wedding, you can be with her in 'the great manor'. Okay?"

Hearing Rees's words calmed down Thea a little. She trusted every word that Rees said.

"Okay!"

"I will meet Ruth tommorrow morning before going for the duty and try to convince her." He told her.

"Hmm" She only nodded.

Rees could feel her worry. "Thea, I love you, my dear mate! Just trust me!" He whispered, tucking her hair behind her ear.

She looked beautiful sitting on the tree like a fairy. Rees slowly dipped down his head and kissed her softly, enjoying and ravishing the taste of her lips.

Thea's body relaxed slowly, her eyes closed in bliss. She draped her hands around his neck, and putting her thoughts aside for a minute, reciprocated his actions by moving her lips slowly against his.

"I love you so much Rees!" She mumbled against his lips, not breaking the kiss.

*

*

*

Edwin was pacing in his chamber, restless and worried.

"Brother, please stop pacing around it is making me dizzy." Elsie, who was sitting on the chair watching him, complained.

"Then tell me the details." Edwin paused.

"I hvae already told you everything I know." Elsie grumbled.

"Was she hurt? Did she get scolded?" Edwin was desperate to know what happened with Ruth.

"I do not know brother Edwin. Rees only told me that Ruth has lost her job as per our plan. He did not tell me the details for he himself do not know them yet. He has gone to meet Thea. Maybe she will tell him more."

Edwin could not sit peacefully in one place. He knew from the beginning how stupid Lester's plan was. It would put Ruth in trouble and pain. He should not have agreed with the trio- Lester, Rees and Elsie.

He should have talked with Thea and tell her that she did not need to go by their plan.

But a selfish part of him- a major one- kept silent and agreed to their plan. And now that the damage was done, he could not help but worry for Ruth.

Elsie observed her brother keenly. She had never seen his mighty brother, her alpha and the leader pacing around with a worried face. She had never seen him so desperate, so... vulnerable.

'What if all our efforts go in vain? What if Ruth finds someoneelse before brother makes her fall in love with him?'

Elsie shuddered at those thoughts. As a human Ruth could choose anyone as her life partner and live her life with the man happily. However, that option was not available for Edwin as a werewolf.

He would either turned into a rogue or die one day in the pain of rejection. And with the power as much as Edwin had as a werewolf leader, she only prayed that nothing of that sort happens.

The one time his wolf lost control, Edwin did not hesitate to attack his own family.. She could only imagine what blunder he would bring upon himself and the world if Ruth did not agree to work in 'the great manor' and somehow not fall in love with him.