A MAZE OF GREED

The next few hours were full of hustle and bustle. They shifted Edwin in his chamber. The news of a werewolf leader getting attacked brutally by a rogue spread in the supernatural world like wildfire.

As soon as Edwin was shifted in his chamber, Lord Augustus and Lady Theodora marched there with unimpressed frowns stuck on their faces.

Ida had taken Ruth to get cleaned up. She could not run around with Edwin's blood on her. Although it took a lot of effort for Ida to make Ruth agree to it, Lester helped her with it too.

The door was opened and entered the rest of the O'Dell family. Lester, Elsie and Thea were already present in Edwin's chamber, knowing well that he would probably throw a tantrum seeing so many people in his private chamber without his permission when he would wake up.

Lord Augustus threw a condemning glance first at Edwin's unconscious form that lay on his stomach, then he turned his gaze to Lester.

The expressions on his face were enough to know Lester that it was storytime. Lester maintained his composure and recited everything from the beginning.

With every other detail, Augustus's face morphed into displeasing more and more. Theodora had set her lips in a thin line as she frowned at Edwin.

"What the hell you just told?" Augustus snarled when Lester told about Edwin's decision about the rejected werewolves.

Lester stood unfazed as he was anticipating a similar reaction from Lord Augustus. Lord Augustus preferred the traditional ways and was reluctant to change. And, when that change was brought by Edwin, there was no way to get Augustus to agree with it.

"Has he lost his mind, Lester? Letting those rogues live means putting every life in danger! Have you forgotten how dangerous these rogues can be? Have you forgotten what that she-wolf did to a whole town? She was Rees's friend, was not she?" Augustus's face had turned red in anger.

Thea cringed inwardly at the mention of that she-wolf. Rees had told Thea about her story at the night when he marked her. Thea's heart still pained for that unfortunate soul. And, now that she knew who her mate was and what he did to her made Thea more agitated.

"I am well aware of that Lord Augustus. And I have not forgotten any of that. And yet, I support Edwin's decision!" Lester told confidently.

But that only irked Lord Augustus even more. "Lester!" He thundered dangerously with a glare that could burn a person alive.

Yet Lester stood firm on his ground, matching Lord Augustus's heated gaze with his determined one.

"Father, I also support brother Edwin's decision. The Moon Goddess's teachings are about love and compassion. They are not about killing our people. I think everyone deserves a second chance!"

Eloise and Theodora narrowed their eyes at Elsie. This Elsie was different... very different!

Thea felt the adrenaline pump in her system. She too wanted to show her support for Edwin's decision. Although, she was new to their world and was a human. However, she controlled herself from opening her mouth or, she would have been targeted by Lady Theodora for sure!

"You all have lost your mind along with him! This man... look at him. Have you heard any leader defeated by a rogue like this?" Augustus's voice boomed in the chamber as he pointed his finger accusingly at Edwin.

"He is not deafeated Lord Augustus!" Lester took a defending stance for his friend. "He chose this to save a life!"

"Save a life? What if Kevin lose control of his rogue again? What if he harms anyone? Who is going to take his responsibility?" Augustus could not tolerate the opposition he was receiving, especially from Lester.

After all, Lester was his daughter's mate and thus his future son-in-law and the next alpha of one of the powerful werewolf packs. Augustus needed him by his side.

"Edwin has already declared that Kevin and the ones who will decide to take another chance at life, will be his responsibility."

Augustus scoffed at that, "Do you think that a man who can not even take care of his image is capable of taking responsibilities of other lives? You must be joking Lester!"

Lester clenched his fists at his sides.

"Father please! This is not a right time for this discussion. We will discuss this when brother Edwin will be healthy." Elsie tried to mediate, sensing the heavy tension between her mate and her father.

"Elsie! Since when you started interjecting in a conversation when two people are speaking?" Theodora glared at her.

For the first time, Eloise was praising her stepmother in her mind.

"I started that since people began losing the sense of right time."

"Elsie!" Augustus's hand remained raised in the air as before he could hit Elsie, Lester stepped in front of her.

Augustus's body shook in rage. His own daughter was standing in his opposition, and for whom? For the man who had not let him sleep peacefully even for a single night?

Augustus curled his fingers into a tight fist. The veins in his wrist and hand popped out under his skin.

"I see what is going on here. But, let me tell you that this man..." Augustus threw a disgusted glare at Edwin. "can not fulfil any of your expectations. You will soon realise how selfish and self-destructive he is.

He will not only harm you all but will also bring his own end. And then you will realise how wrong you were siding with him. Keep my words in mind!"

After years of waiting, Theodora saw her husband presenting his stance openly and against Edwin. She was waiting for this day since the day she married this family.

"Elsie, you are fighting with your father for a cousin who has not given any happiness to you. And Lester, how can you ignore how much trouble he has caused you since you became friends?

Dear, we are not against Edwin. He is like my son. I have always loved him as much as I have loved my two daughters. But you need to understand that you do not need to trust him blindly.

You do not need to support Edwin in his foolishness. If Lord Augustus thinks that he is wrong then you should know that he IS WRONG.

What is greater- decades of experience or only the title one holds?"

Theodora narrowed her eyes when she noticed Elsie and Lester's eyes staring behind her. She turned her head to see Ruth and Ida standing at the door.

Theodora's face lost all of its tenderness as she saw Ruth there.

"You can tell how reckless and illogical Edwin's decisions are by his recent actions. He can not even recognise the real character of people. Anyone can fool him with their crocodile tears and fake innocence."

Theodora took a jab at Ruth. Ruth and Ida came when Augustus was speaking about Edwin being a self-destructive man.

Ruth was shocked beyond belief to see how much poison Edwin's family harboured in their hearts for him. He was lying there unconscious and severely injured. Instead of caring about him, his uncle and aunt-the only parental figures in Edwin's life- were busy in back-bitching about him.

More than anger, Ruth felt sorry for Edwin. Had he gone through the same all his life?

Ruth considered herself lucky compared to him in this aspect. She always had someone to care for her or no one at all. But she did not face the situation where the people she trusted, rubbed salt on her wounds like Lord Augustus and Lady Theodora.

"I think we should let Edwin rest. And about people talking about it, I will handle that everything Lord Augustus. You should not worry about it!" Lester said, cutting this discussion short.

Augustus grinded his jaws on each other. His facial muscles twitched in displease.

"You are going to regret supporting him Lester! I am sure your father will aslo agree with me. And this topic is not over. Inform me as soon as he wakes up!" Augustus said to Lester.

"His father never brought peace to this family and now his son is fulfilling his void!" Augustus spat with a last glare at Edwin, and then he walked out.

Eloise followed her father without a word and with no worry for her cousin on her face. Theodora matched every person's gaze then stopped at Ruth's.

"Move aside!" She said, raising her chin up in the air although she had enough room to go out.

Ida quickly stepped aside while keeping her head low. But Ruth... she did not move immediately. She took a confident step ahead till she was right in front of Theodora.

Ruth matched her gaze.

"I said move peasant!" Theodora hissed.

"Gladly Lady Theodora! Be careful! The road is slippery." Ruth said, then stepped aside, making a way for Theodora to leave.

Her words held a promise, a silent warning. Theodora had not only wronged Ruth, her father and Bertha. But, she was now also aiming for the man Ruth had chosen as her soulmate.

And there was no way she would let anyone take a dig at her man!