A MAZE OF GREED

Edwin was eager to go back to his mate. He was in regular touch with Ida through the mind link. She was updating him on Ruth's health condition in different words, but the meaning was always the same. She was yet to wake up.

Lester kept encouraging Edwin, but he was also worried about Ruth's health. The carriage raced against the direction of the wind, cutting through the odd roads. The carriage crossed the boundaries of Vincardine at the time of night.

As soon as Edwin stepped out of the carriage, his legs took him to the old building. Lester followed him inside. Elsie ran to him first as soon as she saw him coming her way.

Edwin did not stop to listen to them. His heart was longing to see his mate. He hurriedly skipped the stairs and reached the room she was in.

Ruth was still unconscious, yet a small part of her was visiting the memories that she did not recall till recently.

The man with the big green eyes and a naughty smile asked for her hand, but now she knew that it was not her hand he was asking. It was Theodora's hand he was asking for.

She placed her hand in his. She could feel how happy she was. Then she saw them running. Her breath turned rapid, and her body became sweaty as if she had run a marathon. But fear was the prominent emotion she could feel.

And what followed after that made Ruth thrash in sleep. She moved her head from one side to the other as if she was trying to chase away those memories, but the tears streaming from her closed eyes clearly indicated that she was failing miserably.

Edwin slowly opened the door and peeked inside. His eyes widened in shock at the unexpected sight. Strange sounds came from Ruth's mouth as if someone was strangling her.

Closing the door behind with a thud, Edwin ran to her side.

"Ruth..."

His heart broke seeing her in that state. He sat beside her and moved her hair that had fallen on her sweaty forehead. As soon as Ruth felt another touch, she grew restless. Thrashing her hands, she tried to get away from him.

"Ruth... Ruth stop. Please stop! It is me... it is me Edwin. Calm down!" He pleaded, but he doubted his words reached her brain.

Edwin held both of her hands in his left hand and tried to wake her up. Her skin was burning under his palm. He heard her pick up heartbeats at an alarming level.

Edwin panicked. He had not faced such a situation before. An uncontrollable enemy was easier to handle than his uncontrollable mate.

"Ruth... please open your eyes. tell me what is happening. Please!"

He could see her lips moving slightly. She was trying to say something but Edwin could not concentrate on her words as he was more concerned about the pain she was going through.

He tapped her cheeks, shook her shoulders, but she was not ready to open her eyes. Her face was contorted in such a pain that Edwin wished he could take that and bore it on her behalf. If only he could do that!

Not knowing what to do, he lifted her head and held it on his chest. He hoped that she would listen how his heart pained for her. And miraculously, it somehow helps her calm down.

To his surprise, the Moon Goddess heard his prayers. A minute later, her movements calmed down. But she kept crying on his chest. Edwin ran his hand on her head, trying to soothe her.

When he could not wait for more, he tried standing up and calling the nurse but stopped when Ruth held his hand tightly in his. He sat back on the bed, looking at her with his gloomy eyes.

"Do... do not l-leave me!" She whispered in a very low voice. But Edwin caught on with it with his ability of sharp hearing.

Her words shook his core, making him aware of how vulnerable she was. He knew she was disturbed these days. And after going through everything that happened, he could only imagine how her timid heart was handling it.

"I am not going anywhere, my Luna. I am here... I am always here for you!" He told her gently.

He did not know if Ruth heard him or not. But she wrapped her right hand around his torso and snuggled to his side. Edwin stiffened instantly.

He craved for her touch, for her proximity. He had imagined how it would feel to have her in his arms for a long time. But he had never imagined that it would happen in such a situation where he did not understand if he should be happy or not.

Edwin tried to move her hand because he knew if she was conscious, she would not have done it. Never!

But the more he moved, the tighter she held onto him as if he was her only saviour who could fight her demons and win over them.

He finally gave up and lay beside her with her head still resting on his chest and her hand holding on to him tightly. He noticed her calming heart, but the fever was not ready to go down.

Ruth needed medical help but then, Edwin did not want to miss this moment. He had tried to win her heart but not by wooing her or pretending to be a good man. He did not hide how he was, and he did not hid his anger too.

He wanted her to accept him as he was because he had accepted her the way she was. Even if presented with a chance, he would not change a single thing about her. In his eyes, she was just perfect!

But after the treatment she received from his family, he knew it was going to hamper their growing closeness. Ruth would definitely build another layer of wall between them. After all, his family did not only insult only her but also Mrs Payne, who was like a mother to her.

Although Edwin was angry with her for not taking care of Ruth [roperly, he also thought that she did not deserve that humiliation. Edwin's blood boiled, recalling what Ida told him.

His eyes moved to Ruth's cheek. His aunt Theodora dared to slap her in front of everyone. Edwin shut his eyes close as his wolf made rumbling sounds in his chest. They all would pay for what they did with Ruth.

And that slut Fannie! Edwin's breaths came out in hot waves of air as he thought about her. He caught her scent in the woods, where he found Ruth. How dare that bitch lay her finger on his mate?!

"Stop moving."

He blinked, puzzled, then realised it was Ruth's voice. He hopefully searched her eyes and saw them open in slits. She was still in a daze and somewhere between consciousness and unconsciousness.

But he was relieved that at least she was awake and was talking with him.

"I am sorry!" He mumbled, overwhelmed with joy and relief.

Ruth released a shaky breath before saying, "sorry? it... does not... s-suit you."

Edwin chuckled even in that situation, amused at her. She just did not miss a chance to point her finger at him. Yet he liked it coming from her.

"okay. How are you feeling?" He asked.

"Th-thirsty..." She stuttered.

"Wait, let me get you some water." Edwin tried moving, but Ruth protested by tightening her hold on him.

She shook her head. "No. Stay here."

"But you need water Ruth." Edwin argued.

She again shook her head. "I need s-safety."

Edwin gulped down in guilt. As her mate, he was supposed to protect her, made her feel safe. Yet he failed again. He was not yet over the incident that happened with Harold. That was another bastard he needed to take care of.

"I will keep you safe Ruth, I promise!" He said sincerely.

They both fell in comfortable silence. Although the circumstances were not right, this feeling felt so right, so warm. He wished he could stop time at this very moment.

"say it again."

Edwin frowned but repeated what he had said before. "I will keep you safe! I promise."

Ruth snuggled close to him, sending tingles all over his body. He masked his laugh with a cough.

"Not that."

"then what?"

"Say my name. Say... Ruth..."

Edwin realised that he had never called her by her name in front of her. He always called her Miss Moore. But with the emotions he felt at that time, he said her name.

"Ruth!" He said.

She paused. And he wondered if she fell asleep again. But then he heard her giggles.

Yes, she giggled like a small child.

"Say it again. Say it again." She requested, trying to fight against her drooping eyelids.

Edwin could spend all his life repeating her name if it meant he would receive that reaction from her.

But then he thought of being playful.

"Why do you want me to say it again?" He asked, tucking her hair behind her ear.

"Because... it sounds good in your voice."

Edwin smiled. A full fetched smile, as bright as daylight. As he kept repeating her name in whispers near her ear, she slipped in deep slumber after hearing her new favourite lullaby.

Even after she slept, Edwin still stared at her face. She looked cute like that. Her right cheek was pressed against his chest that parted her lips slightly.

The smile she brought on his lips, did not leave his face long after that.. And that was the moment, he realised that this human who slept peacefully in his arms was his only happiness.