A MAZE OF GREED

"But... I would suggest you to at least listen first."

Ruth was silent for five minutes as Thea and Mrs Payne waited for her answer. They kept exchanging glances with each other as Ruth's gaze was fixated in her lap.

Rees was also waiting patiently outside the room to hear her answer.

"Fine!"

The words finally began coming out of Ruth's mouth.

"I will listen first." She told.

That lit up all of their faces. "But only from HIM!"

*

*

*

Edwin could not get the image of Ruth's terrified eyes out of his mind. No matter what he did, his mind kept repeating it as if that image was engraved in it.

Edwin could save her from any situation. But watching the fear in her eyes because of him was the last thing he wanted to give her. How was he going to save her from himself?

The moment, he returned to 'the great manor', he had locked himself up in his chamber. He was not meeting anyone, not speaking with anyone. He had even kept his mindlink closed since then.

He did not enquire about those three rogues even though he distinctively recalled their red eyes and profusely salivating mouths.

He did not care about the world. For once, he did not want to be a werewolf leader. For now, he was just that heartbroken person who was almost sure that he had lost the only love of his life.

He wished he could separate himself from his wolf. For once, the part of him which made him proud even added a lot of arrogance in him, seemed futile and troublesome.

If only he had his luck with him and the things would have gone the way he had planned, then he might be not in this situation.

He wanted to ask about Ruth. How was she feeling? Was she hurt mentally or physically? Because he was sure that he had hurt her enough emotionally!

But he could not bring himself to ask any of that. He was scared of listening to the answer. He was scared to hear that she was hurt or traumatized or worse, she did not want to see him ever again.

That very thought made him pain and his wolf angry. There were instances in history, where the stronger werewolves especially the alphas, had made their mates stay with them against their will.

A strong alpha is nothing without his mate! That was the rule of their world.

The mate bond amends the things, and even though he was not sure if love budded between those couples, they stayed together until their end.

He could have done that very easily, and nobody... not a single person would have objected. The mate bond would have done its magic, and even if Ruth kept herself reserved, she could still have been with him sexually, mentally, emotionally and physically.

If someone had suggested Edwin this option about a year ago, then he would have rewarded that person with as much gold as he had demanded.

But was he going to do that now?

That thought made him feel disgusted. He could win her, he knew he could. The mate bond and their love would have helped him have her where he wanted her.

But what about her heart? What about her consciousness? What about her self respect?

Hadn't she sacrificed all of it enough already?!

The moment Edwin realised what a proud woman she was, he had promised himself to never shake her self-respect. That was one of the virtues his parents, his grandfather and he himself cherished the most.

Although he was demeaned and hated by many before, he did not recall a single time when he had bet on his self-respect.

Then how could he do that with his love of life?

No!

Edwin would die happily while longing for his mate than keep her hostile with his love at the cost of her self-respect!!

He again had that brown cloth wrapped around his wrist as his vision turned hazy.

Perhaps that was another price he had to pay for being a werewolf leader.

Edwin was broken out of his reverie when gentle knocks fell on the door of his chamber. By this time majority of the people knew that he was not in a great mood.

And those who knew it was because of his mate, feared another mess Edwin's wolf would create just like he had done in the past.

But this time Edwin had him under control... yet... almost! Because he was mentally prepared to tackle the situation. He had not wasted a year for nothing. Every day, every minute, every second, he was preparing himself for a possibility that Ruth might reject him after knowing his true identity.

It was not easy... absolutely not!

But he managed...

His ears picked up a strange sound. Turning towards the door, Edwin saw someone had pushed a note inside through the gap between the door.

Curious, he walked to that note only to pick it up. He observed it but found nothing written on the outside. He opened that note to see familiar handwriting.

His heart raced in anticipation, sweat broke on his forehead, his hands began shaking as the adrenaline coursed through his veins.

'I am ready to listen, not for you, not for me. But for the truth, I always see in the depth of your eyes. I hope they will not betray me the way everyone has.

Tonight in the woods. This is your last chance. If you are planning to lie again, then do not bother to come and, I will not bother to show you my face again.'

There was no name written on the note, yet Edwin knew it was her. It was his woman, his love, his life!

His nerves were so tensed and excited that he rushed to get a drink of wolfsbane. Chugging it down his throat, he folded that letter and put it securely in his pocket.

Now all he had to do was wait for the night and the moment of truth!

*

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*

Theodora walked into Augustus's office to see him engrossed in the work. She rolled her eyes in annoyance. Did that man ever pay attention to his surroundings?

"Augustus!"

But the man did not lookup.

Theodora was angry and worried. She banged her palm on his table with force. "AUGUSTUS!!"

Startled, he finally looked up from the papers in his hand. Removing the glasses from his nose, he looked up at his wife.

"Theodora? What happened?" He asked, sensing her sour mood.

"You are seriously asking me that Augustus? You tell me! Do you have any idea of what is happening around?" She glared at him.

Augustus remained unfaltered by her outburst. "Would you elaborate what you are referring to?"

"Your nephew! That is what I am referring Augustus."

"Edwin? What has he done now?" Augustus asked, furrowing his brows.

Theodora narrowed her eyes while dragging some air through her nose.

"Have you heard about the death of three rogues near Vincardine?"

"Yes. I have. What about it?" Augustus asked, still clueless about what she was trying to say.

"Augustus! God!!" Theodora groaned in frustration.

Sometimes she wished she could slap him straight in his face. Alas!

"And do you now the reason of their death?"

Now Augustus looked troubled. He began searching for something in stacks of papers on his table.

Theodora again banged her palm to gain his attention.

"Sorry! I have not read the report in the details yet." He confessed.

Theodora did not understand what kept her husband so busy that he had begun slacking on his duties?

But that was a discussion for another time.

"Your beloved nephew killed them Augustus!" She told.

Augustus blinked. "He did?"

"Yes. He has killed all three of them. And from what I have heard their dead bodies are in such a bad shape that it was difficult to even look at them."

Augustus now looked worried. "Oh, Moon Goddess! I need to check the security arrangements again. It is good that Edwin killed them before they entered Vincardine and hurt any humans."

He began mumbling thereafter something incoherently. But Theodora had enough of his nonsense.

She walked rounding the table between them and shook his shoulders, glaring straight into his eyes.

"Augustus forget about the residents of Vincardine. Pay attention to the fire that may burn your home... our home!"

Augustus was confused. "What are you saying Theodora?"

"You are only thinking about those rogues, but more than that, you should think what was Edwin doing at that waterfall? Why he goes there without Rees or Lester as I have confirmed that they were in 'the great manor' till the late hour in the night.

He went there defenceless. He killed three rogues and returned without any investigation. Since he has returned, he has locked himself in his chamber. He hasn't come out even once.

And to add more to it, your men have been told to go back as Edwin's men are investigating the matter. Don't you find all these odds pointing at something?"

Augustus thought for a minute. "What they are pointing at?"

Theodora sighed in annoyance. "That is something we should find Augustus.. I am sure that we are missing something here.!"