A MAZE OF GREED

Edwin's wolf was the one who had never got to feel his mate. He had never touched her, neither he had tasted her. No matter how much wolfsbane potion Edwin drank, his beautiful mate always succeeded in making him lose control.

And that was exactly what happened as they danced on the rhythm. Edwin could sense that something was wrong with Ruth. She was not her original self. She was only trying to put up a brave face, to not ruin others' moods.

Sometimes, he got annoyed by her habit of pleasing everyone. She always put others before herself, and he did not want that. He wanted her to let it all out and share it with him.

But there was this invisible wall between them. They could see each other standing on either side yet could not break through it.

"I see that you do not have anything to say." He said, forgetting her previous question.

"Just because I do not say it out loud does not mean I do not have anything to say."

She was feisty today. Wow!

"Then say it." Edwin said, simply.

He knew he was pushing her too much, but he was desperate to know what was eating her from inside.

"I do not want to say anything to a O'Dell."

"It is Edwin Berrycloth listening to you."

Ruth narrowed her eyes at him then asked, "Why do you chose this name? Berrycloth?"

"It is my mother's last name." He said.

Ruth searched for a clue of hurt or loneliness in his voice but found none. Then she recalled something.

"What was your parents' name?" She thought she should not have asked him that. She was ready to receive a rude reply or, he walking away wordlessly- the things he was famous for.

To her surprise, he answered, "Margaret and Walter."

Ruth wondered why she had not heard much about them? No one in the family spoke about them, not even Lord Augustus. And Edwin avoided spending time with the family as much as he could.

She had not even seen their pictures in 'the great manor'. There were pictures of the ancestors of the O'Dells, but she had not seen a single picture of these two. She wanted to ask him about it but, then thought he might not feel comfortable answering that.

Besides, she was not sure what to feel about this man after the equations were changed so dramatically.

Changing the topic, she said, "Mr Berrycloth, can I share something with you?"

"If you trust me with it." He said.

Ruth nodded. "I... I think I was rude to someone a few days ago." She began, keenly observing his expressions that did not change.

"He... wanted to gift me something. But I... refused it and..."

Now Ruth doubted if it was the right time and, the right choice of topic to discuss.

"I am sure if you refused it then you must have some reason for it."

Feeling a lot comfortable now, she proceeded. "That person is known as a player. He seduces women with his charm and gifts only to..." She stopped when she felt his hold tightening on her.

She bit her cheek in nervousness.

"Miss Moore, I would like to be honest here. Every person makes some mistakes in their life. Some regret them while some do not. Irrespective of what the person's impression is, what is most important is his intentions.

If you have a wrong feeling about his intentions, then you should not think about it too much. You did the right thing."

"Can I speak with Mr O'Dell?" She said a minute later.

"Only if you are comfortable."

She nodded again.

"Why did you want to give me that pair of earrings?"

Edwin looked away from her for a moment, only to look at her again.

"When we... when we went for chosing these dresses, I saw them in the shop and the first face that appeared in front of my eyes was yours. I thought you might like them as they complimented your dress. It was just a harmless gesture but I guess my impression is stronger than my intentions."

Feeling guilty of her actions, Ruth sincerely apologised. "I... I am sorry! I should not have reacted that way and should have listened to you first."

They both did not realise when the distance between them decreased by inches.

A smile broke on his face and, Ruth felt like she was smacked by a gust of fresh air.

"You do not need to apologise, Miss Moore. I then realised that I can not expect trust, if I do not give a reason for it to the person. I promise I will work in that direction."

His every word felt so right and, no matter how angry she was because of the truth she had learned today, her heart wanted to believe each of it. Because those words came from HIS mouth. And, till this date, he had never lied to her.

At least that was what she thought.

But after being thrown on the unexpected turn in life, she did not know anymore.

The music changed and, another song filled the atmosphere in a different mood.

= Come stay in my heart

build a place we'll call our home

With you comes my days and the nights

seasons may come, seasons may go

you are my only constant, my home=

Edwin's eyes started turning a shade darker as his wolf put up a fight to be with his mate.

=I wonder what we share, why we care?

Is this what makes us different from the others?

The back and forth, the hesitance and the longing

Is that what we are made up of?

With passing time, my thoughts are running wilder

with you in them, the decision is difficult

Tell me, tell me who we are to each other?=

Ruth could not help but think about her past. Everything that she had heard today from Ralph and Theodora had messed up with her mind. And the worst thing was that she had not got a chance to ponder over it or let out her pain. That was unfair!

=With you, the mountains seem tiny, the ocean is shallow and, the sky is reachable

you... my love is my supreme divine!

What we share and why we care is known only by our hearts

It leapt out every time you look my way

you are the reason for its beating

like an old habit stay with me and never let go=

If anyone had told Edwin that there would be a woman who could bring him down on his knees, then he would have thrown them in the dungeons and tortured them while laughing at their stupidity.

But at that moment, when Ruth was so close to him, looking at him and listening to his unsaid words through his eyes and touch, he realised what paramount power she possessed over him. If she decided, then she would get him on his knees and, he would not mind spending eternity in the same position.

=With your light comes the sunrise

guiding me through the mess, taking me to my abode, my home

but little did I know the home was just a false dream

I am torn and broken, shaken and weaken, beaten and betrayed

Looking at you makes it worse yet, I can't stop seeking that comfort

We are different... different than each other

standing on the different sides of the world

you are the heights that I am afraid of falling

the ocean that I am scared of drowning in=

The words could not describe what Ruth felt. Living with a woman who was her whole world was breached away of the title of a mother. And, a woman who had no feelings for her, no strings attached and no love for her, were presented in front of her as her mother by fate.

Every painful memory, her life full of poverty and humiliation, ran in front of her eyes again and again. Ruth could have a life that she deserved, yet her own mother's foolish and selfish thoughts made her suffer through everything that she hated.

A lone tear trailed down her eye and, before it fell from her face, Edwin wiped it with his thumb. Ruth shuddered at his touch, closing her eyes. The way he held her and, the warmth that radiated from his body, made her lose the sense of the world.

She slowly opened her eyes to see his enchanting ones.

=we can rise together, shine together

and keep shining forever

A yes is what all I need

I am here to hold your hand

waiting throughout the endless time

to make you forever mine!=

No Ruth could not bore that look in his eyes anymore. Her chest tightened as the anger and frustration resurfaced again. Her blue-eyed monster was always there to soothe her nerves and guide her the right way.

But not this time.

This pain, this anger... nobody could lessen the ache in her heart. Not even her blue-eyed monster!

Shaking her head while more tears ran down her face, Ruth stepped away from Edwin. He did not force her as he was confused. He did not understand what happened to her.

And then, before anyone else could notice and Edwin comprehend, she picked the hem of her dress and ran from there.

She did not turn to look back. She did not stop. She ran till she was far away from the people. As the celebration was taking place in the backyard, the front of the church was deserted.

Ruth could finally breathe. After enormous efforts, she tamed her messed up mind and heart when a little boy came running her way.

He tugged at her dress. Ruth looked down after wiping her face clean of tears.

Before she asked him anything, he opened her palm and placed a note on it, then ran away without saying anything.

"Wait! Wait!" Ruth tried stopping him, but he was too fast to get caught.

Puzzled, she scanned her surroundings to see no one around. With scrunched brows, she opened the note that read,

'If you want to keep your secret, meet me in the local library tonight.. Or the sun will rise with your downfall in the morning.'-