A MAZE OF GREED

The next morning came with bright light outside. Everyone was rested well to begin the day as they had decided to go for inspection around the border of Bluemoon pack.

It was already decided that Ruth and Thea would stay in the mansion while Edwin, Lester, Elsie would go into the forest and to the buffer zone between the Bluemoon pack and its neighbouring pack.

While everyone was getting ready for the day, Lester had found a chance to speak with Elsie. She told him the real reason for her coming to Bluemoon town.

Lester was upset after hearing Lord Augustus's irresponsible behaviour. He had spoken with his father about it. Although this time his father did not defend Lord Augustus, nor he particularly criticised him.

However, Lester was very proud of his mate. His respect for her elevated considerably. The way she held herself accountable and thought about her future home and its people touched his heart. He did not hesitate to express his love for her through a passionate kiss.

"Where are they going?" Ruth whispered in Thea's ear as they all ate their breakfast, and the two of them stood behind their chairs along with other maids.

Thea knew that no matter how low they whispered, the people sitting around the table were werewolves and were listening to their conversations easily. Although they all were acting normal and looked busy eating, Thea knew they had heard Ruth.

"I don't know. They must be going for some important work."

Ruth was not convinced by the answer, yet she nodded in understanding.

After they left, Thea and Ruth decided to look around the mansion. Mrs Wright told a maid to accompany them and show them around. Ruth found Lester's parents sweet and welcoming. His father though exuded a dominant aura, but the moment he smiled, he felt like the most lovable uncle in the family.

While roaming around the mansion and the garden around it, Ruth felt underlying tension in the air. Everyone put a smile on their faces, yet she could see how they were tense about something.

Or perhaps she was just overthinking it.

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Edwin decided to ride only one carriage today. All four of them- Edwin, Lester, Elsie and Rees rode in the carriage and out of the gates of the mansion.

Their carriage headed in the direction of the spot where the eagle statue was. Ten minutes into the journey, the coachman abruptly pulled the reigns of the two horses that pulled the carriage.

Lester opened the small slit behind the coachman's head to ask him, "What happened?"

The coachman looked ahead unsurely before replying after tuning back to face Lester. "My Lord, there is a group of people blocking the road."

Another guard that rode behind the carriage opened the door, and Lester stepped out of the carriage.

"Edwin, wait here." He said before walking ahead of the carriage and near the crowd.

As soon as Lester appeared in front of the crowd that consisted of almost more than thirty people- all werewolves- bowed in respect.

"What is the problem? Why you stopped us?" Lester asked in an authoritative voice. His stance was completely different from his normal one.

"My Lord..."

An elderly woman stepped forward with a polite tone. "We all are here to see our leader."

Of course!

How could Lester forget how popular Edwin O'Dell was. He was famous not only in the werewolves because he was their leader, but he was also quite popular in other breeds and humans that sometimes Lester wondered if people were that interested in the King and the queen?

"I-"

Lester was about to politely deny their request, but the words stuck in his throat when he heard the thumping of the footsteps behind him. Then he saw Edwin striding confidently in their way.

He was wearing a black coat today on his burgundy coloured shirt. His hair was combed yet unruly after running his hand through them frequently. His Cerulean blue eyes sparkled under the daylight.

He looked no less than an incarnation of the god whose every cell in body oozed power and danger.

As soon as Edwin stopped beside Lester, every person in the crowd, irrespective of their age, knelt in front of him. They all placed their fists on their chest and bowed in front of their leader.

The humans around- more hesitant and shy- watched curiously at the event unfolding.

Edwin had his shoulders squared, his chin held up and his chest puffed up. He heard the humans around murmuring amongst themselves.

They were confused why their people were kneeling in front of Edwin O'Dell. They had heard many things- both pleasing and non-pleasant but mostly non-pleasant about him.

The curiosity of both the humans and the supernaturals mixed together, filling the air around. Everyone was eager to see the heir of the most respectable O'Dell family. And when they saw who the man in the news was, he turned out to be better than their imagination.

Edwin stepped ahead and held the elderly woman by her shoulders. He slowly pulled her up to make her stand straight.

Rees and Elsie watched them with small smiles on their faces.

When that old woman looked up, she had tears brimming the corners of her eyes. She joined her hands, interlinking her wrinkled fingers together as she looked up at Edwin with such devotion that sent a shudder to his heart.

Was he really worth that devotion?

"My life has become worth now that I have seen you with my own eyes, My Lord!" That woman's voice came thick with emotions.

Edwin held her shaking hands in between his palms, his face softened than before.

"I am glad to meet you too mother!"

The moment Edwin called her mother, broke the dam of her control. The tears she had held back ran freely out of her eyes.

Lester swept his eyes around to see the shock on many faces. They had definitely not expected such humbleness from this man who was known as the epitome of arrogance and pride in both the worlds.

The woman got very emotional. She slowly yet hesitatingly moved her hands to touch his face. Her hands paused momentarily a few inches away from his face. She expected him to step away or swat away her hands, but he did neither of that.

She proceeded to touch his face in adoration. Her rough hands that had worked hard all her life shuffled inside of Edwin. He did not remember the last time he felt that motherly touch.

The image of his mother- Margaret O'Dell- flashed in his mind.

"May the almighty creator always bestow her love and affection on you!" The woman blessed Edwin wholeheartedly.

Edwin was speechless. He did not know what he had done to receive that much love and respect from his people. He cursed all those years he had wasted living a fake life. He could have experienced this way before, yet he was busy paving his way through the darkness that his life was.

But now, he was adamant about being the leader that these people deserved.

"My Lord, we all are here with a request on behalf of the people of our town." A man said, now confident after witnessing his leader's this side.

The group of werewolves was aware of the humans watching them and thus were careful with their words.

"Lord Lester must have informed you about the little girl of our town who has gone missing days ago. We all are here to request you to do something about it, My Lord. Lord Lester is trying his best to find her.

But we all want you too to look into this matter." A woman in her late thirties said.

"We are scared to send our children outside homes." Another woman added.

Lester and Edwin exchanged a look.

Taking a long breath, Edwin looked around every person that was waiting for his response.

"All the residents of Bluemoon town, rest assured that you and your children are safe under the rule of Lord Wright and Lord Lester. I am aware of the kidnapping, and we all are investigating the matter thoroughly.

Your daughter will be back safely. This is our promise!"

Edwin saw the hope rising in their eyes. He pledged at that moment to not let that hope die ever again.

The next hour went in greeting the people as everyone was excited to have interaction with Edwin O'Dell.

When their carriage rode away, and to the forest, they could hear people cheering their next alpha and their leader.

"I never knew that my best friend can be so humble and kind if he decides to." Lester grinned when they came far from the crowd.

"You were right. He did not have those qualities before." Edwin replied nonchalantly.

"Then what changed that moved this giant rock?" Lester raised his brow in curiosity.

Edwin smiled, showing his dimple. "A daisy that managed to grow into the chest of that rock!"