A MAZE OF GREED

Ruth was both excited and nervous as she walked in the direction of the old building in the dark. It was fifteen minutes left for eleven as she walked carefully while glancing behind every now and then.

She was surprised when Mrs Payne went to sleep earlier than every day. Usually, the sleep did not come easily to her, but tonight she was fast asleep as soon as she hit her back to the mattress.

Ruth released a sigh of relief as soon as she safely reached the old building. She was relieved that nobody saw her going there.

She decided to stand, taking refuge behind the wall of a building, just to be sure. She kept glancing at the way she came while her slow steps were directed to the wall.

Now that she had safely reached there at the right time, she only needed to wait for Edwin. She turned around, and her heart almost jumped out of her chest, her eyes popped out of her skull.

She would have screamed for her life if it was not Edwin's mouth suppressing the sound in her mouth before it made its way out.

Ruth instantly recognised his masculine scent and the warmth of his body. She immediately relaxed as his body pressed her into the wall behind.

She let him have his way as their lips moved against and with each other with great familiarity.

She could never get tired of his ways. She smiled against his lips before they pulled away. Edwin gazed lovingly in her eyes which looked almost black in the dark.

But his twinkled like the stars in the faraway sky.

"I love you!" He whispered, pecking on the tip of her nose.

Ruth giggled softly, as she found his actions too adorable to resist. "I love you too!" She replied with a smile.

"Ready?" He asked.

"Yes!" She replied enthusiastically, even though she had no idea of what to expect from this situation.

Edwin glided his fingers on the length of her hand before intertwining his fingers with hers. Palming her hand in his, he led her to the entrance of the woods.

He sensed her tensing instantly. It was her natural reaction after her last awful experience in there.

"Do not worry! I am not letting go of your hand." He assured her with a smile.

After walking for five minutes into the woods, she saw a horse waiting for them. She looked up at Edwin to see the shadows playfully falling on his face, accentuating the sharp cuts of his jaw.

Sensing her eyes on him, Edwin looked down at her then smiled. Ruth could not miss the nervousness in his features even though he tried his best to hide it.

Nearing the horse, Edwin helped her get on the horse before he himself hoisted himself on it. Ruth giggled as the wind passed through her. The horse manoeuvered its way swiftly through the woods.

And the warmth provided by Edwin's front that was pressed against her back made the whole experience more exciting for her.

"Why are you giggling like that?" Edwin asked when he heard her laugh.

Ruth contemplated telling him but then decided to do it. "You have just fulfilled my childhood fantasy." she smiled, turning her head back to look at him.

"And what is that?" He asked curiously.

"My prince charming taking me away from the world on his beautiful horse!"

They both laughed at that. Edwin could not help but watch her laughing with amusement. That was his favourite sight in the world, and her laugh was his favourite melody that he could never get tired of hearing.

But would he hear it again after tonight?

He did not want to think about that now, or he knew it would weaken his resolve. Fortunately, Ruth's talks helped him keep his mind away from those thoughts.

"Where are we going?" Ruth asked after some time.

"Its a surprise."

She was silent for a minute before she asked, staring at his face under the shadows of the nearby trees.

"Are you going to ask me for marriage?"

Edwin looked down at her amusingly. "What if I am?"

She pouted for a moment before saying, "I really doubt that you would ever do that. I think I am going to write history by proposing you first."

He was surprised at the seriousness of her tone. "You think so?"

She nodded her head without a trace of humour. "Yes, I do. You are too shy to do that!" she said before looking ahead again.

It took a minute for Edwin to let it seep in his brain that they just had that conversation and that too with all seriousness... at least from her side.

He shook his head. That woman was full of surprises!

About an hour later, Ruth recognised the landscape. Her mind told her that she had been there before. Coming out of the forest and into a clearing, she instantly got excited at the sight of the waterfall.

It was the same place where they came for a picnic a few weeks ago.

"Oh my God Edwin! This place looks more beautiful in the night!!!" Ruth gushed with sheer excitement.

"Yes, indeed!" He could not agree more.

The horse slowed down, and Edwin jumped down. He then helped Ruth to get down. She did not wait for him to go and tie the reins of his horse before she ran to the waterfall.

"Be careful!" Edwin called from behind, but Ruth was already laughing greedily to listen to him.

Edwin tied his horse to a nearby tree. Running his hand through its mane, he smiled at the animal.

Edwin walked to where a nymph was unintentionally seducing him, waking up his carnal desires. He recalled the time when they last came here. Ruth was drenched in water after a water fight with her friends.

She sat on the blanket near him, drying herself. Although Edwin pretended not to look at her, he was actually undressing her with his stare. He wished he could have her right then and there.

Even after being with many women, he had never felt that strong urge to have any of them the way he felt every time he looked at this hazel-eyed woman.

Edwin's wolf demanded to come out and devour his mate right then. But Edwin had something else on his mind, and that was more important.

"Are you going to spend your time playing in the water or do you want to have a good conversation with me?" He asked, sitting on one of the rocks.

Ruth pouted, seriously contemplating but then went to sit on the rock in front of him. Partly because she could feel the way his heated gaze roamed all over her body and partly because she wanted to have a good look at him while they had a serious long-pending conversation.

Edwin understood her and was glad that she chose to sit a little away from him, or else he would not have been able to control himself and his wolf.

"I wish our friends were here. We would have a great fun!" She said.

Edwin pursed his lips as she was still thinking about others instead of focusing on him. He was jealous, to be honest!

"Didn't you have enough fun the last time?" He asked with a hint of displeasing that she failed to pick up.

Ruth recalled that time. She had many things on her mind then and thus could not really enjoy, to her heart's content.

"So lets come to why we are here." She dodged his question.

Edwin became serious, as he straightened his back.

"You can ask me anything tonight and I promise to not lie or avoid answering you."

"Promise?"

He nodded. "Promise! But..."

"But what?" Ruth asked, narrowing her eyes.

His eyes morphed with some strange emotions. She could see them clearly under the full moonlight yet could not pinpoint what they were.

"Just... just know that I love you... you are my everything Ruth. No matter what!"

That made Ruth nervous. "Have you cheated on me Edwin?"

Edwin blinked dumbfoundedly. "What?"

"Have you cheated on me? Tell me? Is it... is it that new maid? Huh? She even has blue eyes like you and you like blue eyes and-"

"Ruth!"

She blinked in shock to see him leaning close to her face.

When did he stand up from his place then walked all the way to her?

He did not say anything, only stared at her, letting his eyes present his case. She blinked again then felt guilty. "I am sorry! You kept repeating that you love me and my mind got messed up. This was the first scenario that came to my mind and I -"

He silenced her blabbering with a tender kiss. She instantly leaned in to reciprocate his kiss, cooperating with him willingly.

She must stop creating those dramatic scenarios in her head during her free time! She was not the character of those tragic romance stories that she liked to read.

"I am sorry!" she whispered again after Edwin broke the kiss.

"Never... ever think that again! This is my last warning to you, my Luna! Or you will not like the consequences."

Ruth's eyes searched for a playful smile on his face instead, she saw dark blue eyes staring at her angrily.