A MAZE OF GREED

*Flashback*

"He has turned into a rogue and will remain so until he finds some way to get back into the pack."

Disappointment washed over Alpha. How could he expect anything better from Edwin O'Dell?

"But"

Kevin stopped crying and looked up at Edwin.

"I offer you a motive in life Kevin. You are a skilled warrior, a loyal person who cares for his people. I, leader of the werewolf breed, need someone like you to work for me."

Lester gaped at Edwin, and slowly he put two and two together. And when he figured out why Edwin did not kill Kevin, a smile broke on his face.

"Lord Edwin!" The alpha called his name in surprise.

"You will come with me to Vincardine Kevin. I will then give you a motive you will live for from nowonwards. I am confident that you will not disappoint me. I can not let a warrior like you go to waste. I am too selfsih to let that happen." Edwin smiled.

The crowd looked at him with open mouths. They did not know that their leader could smile and look so charming with it.

"And about living alone... I do not think you will need to face that loneliness Kevin."

Kevin was confused. "Pardon, My Lord, but I do not get it."

Edwin walked towards the young girl who was fidgeting nervously. Putting his hand over her shoulder, Edwin announced in a loud voice.

"You have got someone who loves you for the who you are Kevin! You do not need your mate to love you. You have someone who is not your mate yet she will always keep you happy. Learn to love!"

The girl looked at Edwin with wide eyes and a pale face. The crowd erupt into a murmur.

Kevin turned his attention to the girl beside Edwin. He knew her as his pack member but nothing else than that. He blinked with a straight face, still trying to wrap his head around the happenings.

"I have seen the look in her eyes for you that any man would like to see in his woman's eyes. Build your relationship, accept your emotions with open arms and cherish each other for a lifetime.

And this way, you will not need to live a life of a rogue since then."

The crowd erupted in cheers and claps. Every pair of eyes clouded with happiness and joy.

"I, Edwin O'Dell, the leader of the werewolf breed, announce that from now onwards we will not lose our people, only because they are rejected by their mates.

We will provide them with another chance at life. We will embrace them as ours, help them in finding their goals in life and provide them with ones if needed. But we will not destroy our own generation with our own hands!"

The crowd roared in loud cheers. Clapped and showered Edwin with praises. Lester only stared at the man in front of him as if he was looking at an altogether different person.

He was a different Edwin. He was Ruth's Edwin!

Their eyes met, and Edwin knew what his friend was thinking. He was proud of him!

The celebrations paused abruptly. Frowning, Edwin turned his face to see every person looking at something to his right.

Edwin's eyes moved to his right to see the alpha of the Wildline pack on his knees, his fist on his chest, and his head bowed low.

"Lord Edwin, please accept my apology for every defiance and insult I have shown towards you. From this moment onwards, the Wildline pack's loyalty will remain at your feet.

We all are siding with our leader! Our Alpha!!"

"Live long our leader!" Someone cheered from the crowd. and, that cheer spread like a wildfire.

Lester immediately told the Beta to arrange medical attention for Edwin's wound. He turned around after discussing it with the Beta to see the empty spot where Edwin was.

Lester cursed when realisation dawned upon him. His Alpha had gone far away to meet his Luna!

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*Present*

The physician came after Lester locked Ruth in a room. He knew he was being heartless, but he knew that if Ruth saw Edwin's wounds, then she would have many questions.

And she was not yet ready to get all of those answers. He saw those blue stoned earrings in her ears. And the way Edwin spoke not long ago in front of the Wildline pack, Lester was sure that they both had accepted their feelings for each other.

If only they could have their moment the way they had imagined!

Lester's main concern was Edwin's wolf. He had just got into a fight... an indecisive one. If during the treatment he decided to come out, then he did not want Ruth to witness it, not when Edwin's human had no control at all.

"Lord Lester"

He looked up at the physician.

"I am afraid to say that Master has lost plenty of blood. The claws have cut him very deep. And Master ran in that state, which has made the situation complicated. I have treated his hand's injury, and it will heal except for occasional pain.

But I need to operate on his back injury and see that the claws' poison has not spread in his system and blood."

The physician informed in a grave tone.

"Do anything that you need. But I want him awake as soon as possible. Do you get it?" Lester warned.

The middle-aged man nodded while gulping in nervousness. He rushed again inside the room where they had kept Edwin.

Lester could not help but peek inside. His face contorted in pain as he saw Edwin laying on his stomach. His right hand was wrapped in the bandages, yet he could see bloodstains on it.

But Edwin's back looked disgusting, with that malicious wound covering the major part of it. Lester could see his inner flesh and muscles protruding out the cuts. A large pond of blood-covered his body.

Lester had seen many gruesome scenes before. But watching his best friend in that state churned his insides painfully. He felt like vomiting and thus rushed away from the door.

Hours passed as he sat on the cold floor despite requests from the guards to sit in a chair. How could he care about where he sat when his best friend was so injured and bleeding?

Although Lester was hurt for Edwin, he was also very proud of him too. What he did for Kevin was not only commendable, but it also raised people's respect for him.

And his next announcement was something that no leader had ever thought before, not even Walter O'Dell. By saving the future generation of the werewolf breed, Edwin proved that he was different from his father, in fact, he was better than any of those previous leaders.

Kevin's case would be served as an example that love can win over any darkness. Love can save a life!

"Lord Lester"

Lester hurriedly stood up, running his hand over his face as the physician walked his way.

"I have treated the wound on Master's back. Fortunately, the poison did not spread much in his system. I have changed the contaminated blood. But due to heavy blood loss, he may take time to get consciousness.

The next few hours are crucial. Although I have taken out all the poison, we need to see there are no more traces of it remaining. I will keep checking on him every hour and monitor his progress."

Lester did not realise the breath he was holding until now. He visibly relaxed after hearing the physician.

"Okay. Do let me know if you need anything else."

After discussing the medicines and further treatment with the physician, Lester could finally think about other things.

As he began thinking about them one by one, he realised that he had to deal with tonnes of things now.

By this time, he assumed that the news of what happened in the Wildline pack must have reached all ears. Lester now needed to eliminate the rumours, see if other packs also agreed with Edwin's decision, if not, then he needed to speak with them.

Then there was Lord Augustus. Lester rubbed his head in frustration that now he needed to deal with him. Before he got to know about Edwin's health, Lester needed to shift Edwin into his chamber. He could not let Lord Augustus or Lady Theodora come into the old building and see that Edwin had established his own world in that dilapidated building.

And then he remembered about Ruth. Oh no!

By the way, she fought with Lester when he dragged her away from Edwin, Lester was sure that he would not be forgiven easily. He could not just go in there and have a civilised conversation with Ruth.

He was a little harsh with her. He needed help. And he knew who would be useful for him in this situation.

~"Elsie... Elsie..."~

Lester hoped that Elsie had her mind link open. He peeked outside to see the Sun rose in the sky hours before.

~"Lester? Where the hell are you and brother Edwin? Do you know how worried I am? And Ruth... how can brother Edwin disappear when she was about to express her feelings for him? What is going on Lester?"~

He saw it coming before he decided to contact her.

~"Calm down ELsie. I will tell you everything. I am waiting for you in the old building. Bring Ida with you and do not say anything to your parents.... at least not now."~