A MAZE OF GREED

A week had passed after Mr Payne's death. Edwin still could not take out the image of Ruth's broken state from his mind. Her cries, her pain, her loneliness- he felt everything in his heart.

He had to do many things this past week. He had gradually decreased the dose of wolfsbane potion. That had dined wonders on his mind and body. He was on a way to recovery.

Lord Augustus avoided Edwin like a plague after their skirmish at the dinner table. Theodora and Eloise were also maintaining their distance from him, and it was a blessing in a way.

Edwin had people on Ruth's watch. He was worried for her safety after finding spies in Vincardine..

What were they doing at Mr Payne's funeral? They were not there to share condolences with Mrs Payne that Edwin was sure. When every person had sadness overshadowed on their features and went to speak with Ruth and Mrs Payne, only four people lingered behind the crowd trying hard to mingle with them.

That was how Edwin recognised them as spies after becoming suspicious of them. Mr Cooper had agreed for some day's leave for Ruth. Thea resumed working after two days of Mr Payne's funeral.

She was taking care of Ruth and Mrs Payne as much as possible and was informing Edwin about Ruth's wellbeing.

Edwin was relieved that Ruth had a friend like Thea who was ready to do anything for her. She even agreed to Lester's plan after Mr Payne's death.

Edwin was adamant about bringing Ruth in 'the great manor', but he hesitated after his conversation with her in the woods.

Only he knew how he had restrained himself from going to Ruth. He could not risk even little when it came to her.

He smiled, remembering the moment when he touched her shoulder in the woods. Her silky toffee brown hair felt so good against his calloused fingers. The way her hazel eyes peered deeply into his, offering her all attention to him, had taken his breath away.

She was indeed an angel chosen to be with an animal like him. They were the true example of the folklore of beauty and the beast. Only this time the beast would not transform into a kind and charming prince. That was the sad reality of their story that he was not sure if Ruth would accept or not.

"Master!" Rees came along with Lester to see Edwin.

Edwin gestured them to sit in the chairs as he himself rested in his.

"Have you done it?" Edwin asked.

"Yes, master. we have found all the spies in Vincardine. Some of them are sent by the families who are confused after your disappearance, and only wanted to know the reality."

"We have sent letters to them asking to call back their spies and have assured them that the leader of the werewolves is back and in charge!" Lester added.

"We are expecting their replies in the next two days." Rees told.

"Good! Does my uncle know about this?"

Rees shook his head. "No Master. We have not tocuhed his spies yet. We... we do not know what to do with them."

"Let them be. We do not want my uncle to get alert." Edwin said.

"Especially not after the stunt you pulled a week ago on the dinner table." Lester quipped.

Edwin ignored his friend's comment and asked instead, "Have you informed your father?"

Lester nodded. "Yes I have. But if you are expecting him to side with you and not Lord Augustus, then forget it. My father is loyal to you as his alpha, but his respect lies with your uncle because you have not given him enough reson to respect you."

Edwin made a disapproving sound at the back of his throat for his friend's habit of overexplaining things. Lester only shrugged nonchalantly.

"How is Ruth now?" Rees was surprised to hear that question from Lester and not his master.

"Do not give me that look, Welby. I do not have any problem with the girl. After all she is my chosen Luna." Lester said with a frown.

"Pardon me, my lord. But you did not sounded much concerned about your Luna a few days back." Rees took a jab at him.

Lester laughed nervously, feeling Edwin's glare his way. "That was not because of her. It was because of a stupid wolf who forgot how to act rationally. In fact, I found her sweet and interesting.

I accept her as my future sister-in-law!" Lester winked at Edwin.

"No one cares about your acceptance, you rascal!" Edwin grumbled.

Lester put his palm on one side of his face and whispered audibly to Rees. "He does. He do not know but he does!"

Rees stifled his laugh, shaking his head silently. He always loved Edwin and Lester's friendship. They were together in the academy, and he had heard stories of their insane yet strong friendship from his seniors and mentors.

"Ruth is doing better now. She is even considering joing her work soon. She do not have any savings left. Whatever she had managed to save after Mr Payne's illness is exhausted by now. She has to return to the work."

Edwin did not like that idea, but he knew how proud his mate was. She straight refused to take money from Thea and Rees, when they offered for the expense of the funeral and other things. She even threatened them of giving silent treatment if they forced her to accept the money.

"How are you going to protect her then Edwin? It was easy till now because she did not leave her home. But now that she wants to join her work, how are you planning to protect her?" Lester questioned the quickly added.

"And do not think of appointing people to keep watch on her. The last time you stalked her, poor woman could not sleep peacefully for weeks."

Edwin sighed. Now that he looked back at his actions, he felt shameful. He should not have stalked her like that. He was inconsiderate and reckless to do that. His actions were reported to Lord Augustus by his men. The only relief was before they knew who he was following, he was thrown into the dungeons.

"No Lester. I will not repeat the same mistake." Edwin leaned back in his chair and crossed one leg over the other.

Lester looked at him in confusion. "Then what are you planning?"

"Why should I tell you?" Edwin cocked his one brow at his impatient friend.

"Edwin! You have to tell me so that I will not need to clean your mess after."

"Is this how you speak with your alpha, Lester?"

"This is how I demand answers from my stupid friend!" Lester shot back.

Rolling his eyes, Edwin looked at Rees.

"I will take help."

"From whom?" Lester was on the verge of screaming at his friend for teasing him.

"From someone who is indebted to me."

Rees studied his master curiously. There were many who were indebted to Edwin but very few whom he would trust with Ruth's safety.

"Zoe!"

Zoe?

Lester and Rees rummaged through their memories, but the name did not ring a bell.

After a minute of pondering, Lester's eyes widened. "Zoe? As in Zoe from the academy?"

"Exactly!" Edwin smirked and crossed his hands behind the back of his head.

Lester jumped out of his chair and looked at Edwin as if he had gone mad.

"Are you crazy Edwin? Or the wolfsbane potion has affected your ability to think wisely?" Lester yelled, literally.

Rees looked between the two lords with a puzzled face. He had no idea who Zoe was and why Lester was so against the idea of taking her help.

"Do you have any other plan then?" Edwin questioned.

Lester paused, then opened his mouth only to close it again. "Okay. I may not have other way, but I would have definitely not trusted Zoe. Not even a bit!" Lester said in finality.

"But what is the problem of seeking her help?" Edwin asked in annoyance.

Lester was a frightened chicken. He always walked cautiously and never dared to think out of the box, Edwin thought.

"Why not if she owe me her freedom?"

"Because... because... because she can not be trusted. No one from her breed can be trusted. You know they do not interfere in other's matters when they do not have a bait for them. Rees, please talk some sense into your master!" Lester groaned.

Rees did not know what the concern really was. But he trusted his master's judgement better than anything.

"If Master thinks she can help then why not? We at least should try once."

"See! Everyone is smarter than you, Lester!" Edwin taunted.

But Lester was in no mood of humouring Edwin.

He faced Rees and asked with a frown. "Do you even know who Zoe is?"

Rees shook his head in negation.

Lester sighed. "Rees, Zoe can not be trusted because she is...."

Lester's answer left Rees with wide eyes and an open mouth. He looked at his Master in the same way Lester looked a couple of minutes before.