A MAZE OF GREED

Ruth and Edwin's wolf were alone for the first time. Although her heart pumped in nervousness, she could also feel the sparks of excitement rushing through her body.

She opened the lock of the cell. The giant wolf stepped back to let her in. He could feel her nervousness and smell her arousal.

Ruth was scared, to be honest. Staying with this one of the most dangerous creatures on the planet was perhaps not a good idea. But her heart told her that he would not hurt her... never!

She daringly opened the cell door and stepped inside. The moment her feet landed on the cold and dirty floor of the cell, she was smacked by the amount of energy that oozed from Edwin's wolf.

The predator's hungry eyes observed every small movement of hers as she took small and nervous steps towards him.

"Edwin" Ruth whispered his name lovingly, which made the beast purr in delight.

She daringly stepped closer to him. She stretched her hand to touch his muzzle, and he leaned his head down to her level like an obedient pet. She scratched his face, ran her hand through his beautiful shiny black fur.

That silky feel under her fingers made her smile.

Edwin's wolf was taken by surprise when she stretched both of her hands and wrapped them around his neck. Of course, his huge size did not let her encircle his neck completely, yet she held onto him before resting her face on his body.

"I know you are angry." She began whispering slowly, as she knew he could hear everything she said.

"You are angry because I am hurt. Now you know what I have been through after knowing you were poisoned. I was angry too Edwin... I still am! At that time I was angry at you too, for turning blind-eyed to what happens around you.

But... now I know. Now I know why you behaved that way. I am not saying you are wrong in that case, but you are not right either. You are just avoiding tackling those problems. And you can not do it for long."

To both Ruth and Edwin's surprise, his wolf listened to her calmly. He did not growl or dismissed her words as he usually did with others.

How could he do that when the person speaking was no one but his beloved mate?!

Werewolf leader or not, he was as powerless as any other man in love in front of the queen of his heart.

"Please Edwin come back! I need you with me."

Edwin felt her tears on his fur, which softened his face. He rubbed the side of his face on her body.

"I love you Edwin!"

Those words did the magic. Edwin shifted back in his human form, which made Ruth jump back. Her eyes set on his face. She reminded them to stay there, but those treacherous things travelled down on his naked body.

She watched his Adam's apple moving up and down. Her lips parted in awe as her gaze glided down to his barrel chest, then to his well-defined abs and further own till she saw a sight that she had not even imagined in her life before.

She tore her gaze away from him. Her ears burn, and suddenly she felt hotter than before in that dimly lit space. Her heart raced in a mixture of excitement, awe and nervousness.

To keep herself from making any sounds, she bit her cheek so hard that it drew blood from it.

"I have told you before to not do that, haven't I?"

She literally jumped out of her skin hearing his voice so close to her. His hot breaths fanned the side of her face sending shivers down her spine.

The fact that he was stark naked standing just beside her in all his masculine glory did some miraculous things to Ruth's body.

"S-sorry!" She stuttered.

Edwin's fingers grazed her neck to push her hair away from her shoulder. Leaning more to her ear, he whispered, "I would have loved to talk to you here but this is not a right place for my Luna."

Before Ruth could react to that, she was lifted by Edwin in bridal style as he came out of the cell. He climbed the stairs. Ruth panicked at the thought of him carrying her while he was naked and every person in 'the great manor' witnessing it.

But she was relieved when instead of walking towards the metal door, Edwin climbed the steps that led to the first floor.

As soon as he opened the door with his foot, the memories they had shared the last time they were in that room washed over her, painting her in pink.

Edwin put Ruth down on the bed gently before standing in front of her confidently. He had no shame, Ruth thought.

But then why would he feel so when he knew what treasure of a body he had?!!

"I... I think... I think you should put on some clothes. I... I want to speak something important with you." Ruth said while trying to focus on her rapid breaths.

Edwin lingered there for a moment but then moved to get a pair of a pant and a shirt that he always kept there for emergencies.

Putting on the clothes, he walked back to Ruth. She opened her mouth to say something, but before that Edwin engulfed her in a tight hug.

Her head tilted up as it rested on his shoulder. She was still sitting on the bed while Edwin had learned to take her in his arms.

She heard him sniffing her hair, the action she found weird before. But now she knew what it meant and how normal it was for the werewolves.

"Missed you so much Ruth!" He whispered.

Ruth could still feel the previous energy coming out of his body. It meant his wolf was there. He had just given control back to his human.

"I missed you too! Thank you!!" She replied.

Edwin pulled away enough to look at her face. "For what?"

"For coming back. For listening to me. And, I am proud of you!"

Edwin was taken aback by her last comment. He looked at her questioningly.

Ruth cupped his face with a tender smile. "I am proud of you for not giving up to your wolf."

Edwin gulped down his saliva while staring deep into her eyes. "It happened only because of you Ruth! You are the light that guides me through the dark. I will be lost without you..."

The vulnerability in his voice presented his heart as naked as he was a minute before.

Ruth opened her mouth to say what she was thinking all this time, but before she did, Edwin threw a dagger in her chest.

"You should not be with me, Ruth! I was right... we... we cannot be together!!"

His words sliced her fragile heart so deep that they bled profusely.

"Wh-what are you saying, Edwin?" Her eyes teared up as she tried searching for his Cerulean ones.

"Please get out of my life!" He pushed away from her before straightening up.

The face which was speaking thousands of emotions was now set in a void mask.

Ruth stood up in shock as her lips quivered. "You... you are not serious right?" She crossed her fingers to her sides, praying she was right.

But when he remained silent before shaking his head, her lips parted, and she released a deep breath.

"B-but why?"

Edwin took her hand and held it in front of her face. "Because of this!" He was still angry, she could tell it the way his nose exhaled hot air, and his eyes turned red in anger.

"What will you get after staying with me, huh? You will lose your freedom, will need to accept a new world, the new people who are doubtful of humans, lose your life due to the curse.

And if not that curse, then someone will kill you in cold blood the moment I declare the world about us. Why would you risk so much?

If it was any other woman, then she might have risked it all for the sake of power and money. But you are not like them. You are different!"

Edwin pushed out his tongue, which made Ruth's eyes widen at its size. Clearly it was his wolf's. He licked her hand shamelessly. Ruth curled her toes, held her breath and shuddered at the rough touch of his wet tongue.

And after he was done, she saw her skin as smooth as it was before. The nail marks given by Theodora had disappeared completely, and so had the pain.

"You do not deserve this Ruth! You deserve much better. And... And I am not the man who can provide it to you. I can not see you living under the shadow of constant fear. I cannot focus on anything knowing you are the most vulnerable target of my enemies.

I can not risk losing you, Ruth! I would live without you knowing you are safe and happy somewhere rather than holding you in my arms while you count your last breaths!"

With that said, Edwin turned around to hide his face.

"That is why I have made it easy for you. LEAVE!"