A MAZE OF GREED

Ruth was confused but eager to see the real surprise. Sometime later, The knock on the front door of Greens' home caught her attention.

"It must be Rees." Mrs Welby said.

Ruth caught Thea, giving her a weird look that she could not comprehend.

What was wrong with this girl?

She raised her brows at Thea asking her what was going on in her mind to which the latter replied by shaking her head with a smile which was unsure one. And her eyes, they ask for a silent apology.

Having enough of it, Ruth decided to ask about this from Rees. Putting the glass she was cleaning on the table, she walked out of the kitchen to ask Rees.

Little did she know that her tongue was about to be so heavy to utter a word.

Her heart skipped a beat looking at the blue-eyed monster who had a charming smile on his face, his demeanour contradictory to his original self.

Wait! But did Ruth really know which of his sides was the original one and which one was only a facade?

She stood rooted to her place as Mr and Mrs Green went to welcome Mr Edwin Berrycloth. However, she was not the only one shocked by his unannounced appearance. She saw Mr and Mrs Welby tensed to her side.

The couple exchanged some meaningful glances which only they understood. That made Ruth sure that it was not only her surprise but theirs too.

Coming back to her senses, her eyes frantically searched for the traitor and found her taking refuge at a place where she was sure Ruth would not dare to attack her in front of everyone.

But she was so wrong!

Ruth was too angry... angrier than the first time she met Edwin Berrycloth. She marched towards the small group.

Mrs Green was on cloud nine after seeing him. Her eyes opened wide in excitement which was a danger sign for Ruth. Ignoring her, Ruth turned to face Thea after a fleeting glare at Edwin, who still had that silly smile plastered on his face.

Was he taunting her?

"Ruth... see Mr Berrycloth-"

"Welcome!" Ruth cut off Mrs Green and said to Edwin. "Thea would you mind coming with me? I have something urgent to discuss with you."

Thea glanced at Rees for help, but he subtly stepped behind Edwin to not stand at the end of Ruth's outburst.

"Erm.. now?"

"Yes! Right NOW!"

Leaving the confused crowd behind, Ruth stomped towards the kitchen, Thea hot on her tail.

"What the hell is this, Thea? Do you call it a surprise? It is a damn shock- a horrifying one! What the hell that blue-eyed monster is doing here?" Ruth burst out as soon as they came out of others' earshot.

"Shhh... Ruth! Will you kep your voice down?! He can hear you." Thea said in alarm.

Ruth looked at her incredulously. "What? How can he hear us from another room when the others can not. Unless he has the power of hearing distant voices which I doubt, as he does not even hear the person beside him sometimes.

Trust me, I work in 'th great manor' and, that man is deaf. But you talk something about money or women, he is all ears." Ruth rolled her eyes.

Now was Thea supposed to tell her that he indeed had the power of hearing distant voices? And he was not only the one with that power but, there were three other people who could listen to their conversation without any trouble.

"You both did this on purpose, did not you? And I want to know why? Is not it enough that I have to tolerate that man during the day that you invited him here too?

God! I was so excited about the surprise, but you people ruined it for me!"

Ruth groaned and slumped down in one of the chairs. She was visibly disturbed. It was like Deja Vu. It was happening all over again.

Only this time, the reasons for her getting upset were slightly different, which she would never admit out loud.

Thea sighed and kneeled in front of Ruth. Taking her hand in hers, she said earnestly.

"Ruth, we did not mean to upset you. And this time, we invited him intentionally. And no... this was not your surprise.

I can not tell you much before the right time. But know that his presence is as important tonight as yours. So please, can you stay calm tonight for us? PLEASE?!!!"

Ruth released a deep breath. "Fine! But only this time. And if Mrs Green bring up the topic of setting us up together then I swear I will not be calm!" She warned beforehand.

"Of course!" Thea smiled.

The next twenty minutes in the living room were most uncomfortable for Ruth. Mrs Payne kept asking her to fill Edwin's glass with water, offer him tea and then extra sugar.

And the most frustrating part was Mrs Payne seemed very much impressed by him. His charming smile and, playful words in addition to his insanely handsome look, cast his spell on her too.

And as Ruth watched all of them pampering him and trying to keep him entertained like his servants, she wondered if only she was the one unaffected by his spell?

Edwin was excited for the night. He was more interested in enjoying his mate's reaction after meeting him in the Green's house than the purpose for which he was here.

He had heard Ruth and Thea's conversation. Instead of feeling bad, that his mate was complaining of his presence, his wolf was actually delighted knowing she got affected by him.

The rhythm followed by thumping beats of her heart was the same as he had heard in his office when they were too close to each other. The knowledge that it was not only him but also Ruth gets affected by the bond they shared made him more hopeful and confident.

He kept stealing glances at her face when she was not looking. She was nervous, he could tell. The way she fidgeted with her dress and was running her tongue over her lips made him turn hard down there.

"Dear, I think it is time to serve the food. Our guests must be hungry." Mr Green suggested his wife as the clock hit the mark of eight in the night.

The ladies scurried away into the kitchen while men remained sitting in the living room. Mr Welby caught his son's eyes, and a silent conversation passed between them.

Rees subtly engaged Mr Green in a conversation. Edwin smiled, knowing that it was an intentional move. He followed Mr Welby in the garden.

"My Lord!" Mr Welby put his fist on his chest and bowed his head.

"How are you Master Welby?" Edwin smiled.

"I am very well by your grace, My Lord!" The other man replied.

Edwin could see questions swirling in his eyes. "You do not seem well now. I see you have something importnat to say Master Welby."

Edwin had always been sharp with not only his reflexes but also with his senses. He did not fail to read a person by only one look at them.

"My Lord, Rees told us about..."

"I know. He told me."

Mr Welby looked uncomfortable with the conversation but needed to say something.

"Master Welby. You were one of my favourite teachers in the Academy and you have known me all of my life. You were also my father's friend. So please, do not hesitate to say what is on your mind."

Mr Welby's heart warmed hearing his words. Edwin had always been very polite with all of his teachers. And as Mr Welby shared friendship with his father, he held a special honourable place in Edwin's heart.

"Pardon me, My Lord, but... are you sure that Ruth..."

Edwin was expecting him to say that. Mr Welby was not the first person to doubt Ruth's capability as a Luna and her fate as Edwin's mate. On many occasions, he himself had pondered over those things.

"Master Welby, how a werewolf knows that the other person is their mate?"

Mr Welby answered with furrowed brows. "There is no particular process, My Lord. A wolf knows the moment they meet their mate."

"Exactly!"

"Pardon, My Lord. But I did not get it."

Edwin explained, turning his face away from his mentor. "When I first saw her, I could not get a chance to see her face. I saw only her eyes. And that was enough to stir my wolf.

If she was not my mate, then why would my wolf had grown to take complete control?"

He was right. As a leader of the werewolves, Edwin had to go through different kinds of training which included not only physical training but also mental.

To be a great leader, one should have complete control over their mind and senses.

It was hard to believe that a leader like him, the strongest of all, had lost control over his wolf.

"But... she has no capability of being a Luna, My Lord. She is a nice woman and I like her as much as I like Thea. But she lack that special element in her that a Luna and to be specific, your Luna must have in her, to expense her duties."

Edwin then faced Mr Welby again.

"And what are the duties of a Luna?"