A MAZE OF GREED

Alita soon received news of Darius's departure from the Crinudel. She again sat down and asked for an apple to eat. Tielo served her demand before watching her biting the apple calmly. But the way her eyes were trained on nothingness, he understood that she was thinking about something.

"Queen Alita, may I ask something?" He asked after a few minutes of silence.

Alita nodded her head as she took another bite from her apple and chewed it slowly.

"Why did you tell Lord Darius that you don't have more Painite? As far as I remember, you still have some of it." Tielo was puzzled, not understanding what was running in his queen's head.

Alita sighed. "Tielo, the amount I have is insufficient for Darius's plan. Besides, you know how important Painite is, especially after Darius told about his experiment. I can't risk losing all of it for the sake of his success.

If he can find such an exceptional use of that mineral, then so can we. Besides, my intention of giving him Painite seems to be marching towards success. I don't want to interfere in the next events.

I am done playing my role!" She explained.

Tielo was silent for some time before he asked a little cautiously as he knew how sensitive that topic was not only for Alita but also to every resident of Crinudel.

"Do you really want another war to happen?"

Alita's shoulders tensed instantly, thinking about that possibility.

"I only want peace and equilibrium of power maintained between all the breeds. Our ancestors have fought and sacrificed a lot for this sole cause. We all are born to defend the peace and security in this world.

I don't care if that cause demands another war. It is not our concern. All we should care about is peace and equilibrium of power." Alita's brown eyes blazed zealously.

"And which side you will take if the war happens?" came Tielo's next question.

"I will pick any side but the werewolves'." Alita answered without missing a bit.

Tielo hesitated but dared to say, "But you know that the other side is Vampires and they can not be trusted."

Alita's head turned sharply at him. Her eyes now spat the heat of vengeance.

"I don't care who is on the other side. You know how much we had to lose in the great war because of that werewolf leader- George O'Dell Sr. It was vampires who promised our security in return for our help.

If it was not for them, then our breed might have vanished from this world. You don't know how much every family member of mine has suffered in the loss of our self-respect and our dear ones. I can never forgive the werewolves for any of that!" Her face turned red in anger.

"But Queen Alita, they are already suffering because of the curse your great grandfather put on them. Isn't that enough? The O'Dell men are suffering due to that curse over the centuries."

Alita abruptly stood up in rage. "They deserve it, Tielo! They all deserve it. They ruined everything for us, not only for our family but also for our breed. Do you think our people are happy living this isolated and secretive life?

No, Tielo. No! They hate it. They want the old days back when all the breeds, along with humans, lived in peace and harmony. Is it wrong of them to wish that?"

Tielo was speechless. Although he was not in a favour of another war, and he certainly did not trust the Vampires, everything that Alita said made a fair point.

He understood from where she came. And as a loyal commander of his queen, he would never doubt his queen's judgement.

"Whatever happens in the coming days, I am ready with a plan that will bring our old happy days back. I am not going to repeat my ancestor's mistakes. For me... the only foremost priority is my people, my breed!"

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The two carriages that left Vincardine in the late afternoon crossed the border of Bluemoon pack in the early hours of the morning. They all were tired after such a long journey.

Their bodies were strained, and their minds were tired. They had again switched the positions before entering the borders of the Bluemoon pack to avoid any unnecessary gossiping.

Now Edwin and Thea were in one carriage while Ruth, Elsie and Rees were in the other. Ruth was happy that she got to spend so much time with Edwin after three days of distance.

She constantly had a small smile on her face. She blushed furiously when Thea and Rees gave her a knowing look while they exchanged their seats.

Ruth was excited to explore Lord Lester's town. She had heard many things about it and could not wait to see it all by herself.

Thea yawned while thinking how long it would take to reach the Wright's mansion. She needed a cup of hot coffee and a good five-hour sleep in the arms of her husband.

Her eyes moved to Edwin to see his body stiffened and his eyes darkened in colour. He was speaking with someone through the mind link. Thea waited patiently until his eyes turned back to their natural colour.

"What happened?" She asked slowly, dreading for another good news after seeing the serious look on his face.

After working for him for more than two months now, Thea has gotten used to his mood changes.

"We have to go on the spot directly before going to the Wright's mansion. Lester wants me there first." Edwin told.

"Ohh" Gone was Thea's hopes of getting good sleep.

"You ladies don't need to come with us. I and Rees will go to Lester. The coachman will take you to the mansion. You must need some rest after this long travel." Edwin suggested.

But Thea shook her head. "Lady Elsie hasn't come this far only to take rest in the mansion. I am sure she would like to come with you. And what we maids are going to do without our Masters?" She smiled.

Edwin fought back himself as for some reason, Thea Welby intimidated him. Yes! The werewolf leader was intimidated by a human female, who had a sharper tongue than his dagger. To mask it off, he always behaved reservedly around her.

"Okay."

Ten minutes later, they reached the spot from where the girl was kidnapped. Lester saw the carriages coming to halt, and he walked in their direction to receive his friends.

When he saw Elsie and Ruth, he was surprised. He had not expected their arrival, nor did Edwin inform him about it beforehand.

"Welcome to Bluemoon town, ladies!" Lester smiled at the three of them.

"Aren't we two welcome here Lester?" Edwin cocked his brow at him.

"Does it matter if I say no?"

"It doesn't!" Edwin replied and began walking to where Lester's guards were inspecting the area.

Rees followed them.

"Come on." Elsie said as she watched Lester's turned head.

~"It was a nice surprise, love!"~

~"I know. But now focus on the task in hand. We will talk later."~ Elsie replied.

Lester then turned his head ahead, getting busied in explaining the situation to Edwin.

Ruth tuned out in a conversation with Thea. She did not know why they stopped at such a random place. And how did Edwin know that Lester was here?

Ruth looked around the place while tightly pulling the shawl around her. The early morning cold sent shivers on her body.

Ruth walked a few steps in a random direction, and as the fog thinned, she caught the sight of a dense forest ahead of her. A cold chill ran down her spine. She moved around, observing this strange place.

She felt an eerie familiarity with it as if she had seen it before. But this was the first time she had ever come to Bluemoon pack.

Ruth stood facing the forest for a minute. She could hear her heart beating fast. She removed her shoes. As soon as her bare feet landed on the grass, she felt tinges underneath them. The wet grass blades caressed her feet lightly.

Gulping down her saliva in nervousness, she turned to her right and advanced her feet slowly and steadily.

The pleasant morning did not help her frantically beating heart. As she walked further ahead, she could relate to her recent dreams. She kept glancing at the dense forest while telling herself that it was a mere coincidence.

How could she see a place she had never been to in her dreams?

But how could she also deny the same feel of wet grass due to morning dew, the thick fog around, the dense forest to her left and...

Ruth's steps abruptly halted. She narrowed her eyes at first, but then they grew wide in utter shock. The fog around parted as if it also knew that she had figured the puzzle partially.

A seven feet statue of an eagle carved in grey stone looked down upon her. Ruth could hear her pulse beating in fright in her ears. The shawl around her did not help with the cold shivers that attacked her body.

She slowly turned her head to the left. Her chest heaved up and down in fear. A scream left her mouth before her knees buckled underneath her. She fell down in that wet grass.. Her face was paler than before.