A MAZE OF GREED

"Brother Edwin, please do not worry about Ruth. I am here." Elsie told Edwin for the fifth time, yet he did not look convinced.

The letter they had received yesterday was about Ripon taking charge as the chairman of the Council. After Barret Addington's death, a political vacuum was created at the top. There were many contenders for that position, but the royals put their seal on Ripon's name as Barret's successor.

They had organised a formal oath ceremony for Ripon before he assumes the charge as the Chairman. And for that, they had invited all the important elites from all over the land.

Edwin usually did maintain a hand's distance from such things, but after Barret's suspicious death, he was more alert now. Besides, he would like to know where Ripon's loyalty stood. So he decided to accompany Lord Augustus.

As the next alpha of the Bluemoon pack, and one of the youngest active political figures, Lester was also invited. His father could not attend the function because of some emergency in his pack.

Rees and Thea were still on their honeymoon. They extended their stay as they wanted to spend some more time alone with each other before resuming their daily lives in Vincardine.

In that case, Ruth would be unprotected and exposed to Harold's evil intentions.

"Edwin, if you want I can stay back here." Lester added.

Edwin cocked his brow at him. "Why? To take care of Ruth or to drench my sister in your scent?"

"Brother Edwin!" Elsie hissed with wide eyes. Her face flushed hearing his blunt words.

Lester, on the other hand, only rolled his eyes.

"Oh come on Edwin. You know how this mate thing works for the werewolves. Do not tell me you do not get those dirty thoughts for Ruth." Lester smirked his way.

"Will you two please stop discussing this thing?! What you mates think is not our concern here." Elsie groaned in exasperation.

These two men had no filters to their mouths. Oh, Moon Goddess!

"Brother Edwin, it is about only two or three days. Harold probably would not come in 'the great manor', as father will not be here. And even if he does, then I will keep my eye on him.

And I will not send Ruth out of 'the great manor'. Besides, Ida will always be there around her." Elsie tried convincing her cousin.

"Harold is not the only problem here Elsie." He then said.

"Then what else?" She did not understand what he was talking about.

She watched a silent conversation passing between Lester and Edwin. As if Lester knew exactly what Edwin was thinking.

Lester faced Elsie. Taking her hand in hers, he said as genuinely as he could. "Elsie, do not get offended but... you know that your mother... she is not particularly fond of Ruth. And..."

Elsie shook her head a little, not believing a word he said. "No Lester, brother Edwin. I know that mother might come as a strongly opinionated woman sometimes, but I am sure that she is not having any hard feelings against Ruth.

Whatever happened in the past between them might be just a misunderstanding. But if you are still concerned, then I will make sure that they do not face each other during this time."

Edwin observed his younger cousin for a moment longer. She had a pure heart. She did not know what evils were surrounding her. She believed in what her eyes saw and never doubted anything.

Fortunately, she got a mate who was more observant and aware of his surroundings than her. Edwin would never tell Elsie about those evils. He could not!

"Fine!" Edwin finally said. He had not much choice either way.

He just hoped to come back and see his angel smiling at him the way she did the last time in his office chamber.

*

*

*

In the Kinsville, the Garfield had also received a letter of invitation for Ripon's appointment as a chairman of the Council.

The Garfields usually did not attend such functions as it did not suit well to their status, but after Barret's mysterious death, they were curious about the next turn of events.

Although they did not need the humans' support, it was beneficial for them if Ripon sided with them. Ambrose was quite sure that he would, as he was also involved with Barret and the vampires' relations.

He had told Darius to join him and Aurora. And that was the only thing on Darius's mind.

"You are nervous!" Lisa noted as she dried his wet hair from the shower with a towel.

"Shut up Lisa!" He was in no mood for her taunts.

"Is it because Edwin O'Dell will be there too?"

Darius held her hand in a tight grip. Pulling her to him, he made her sit on his lap. He looked dangerously at her smirking face.

"Why would I be nervous because of that bastard?" He gritted his teeth.

Lisa shrugged carelessly. "I do not know. I have not seen him ever. But I have heard many things about him."

"Like what?" Darius's dark eyes turned red in anger.

Lisa tapped her chin with her first finger in thought. "Well... people from my village said that he is a leader of the werewolves. The strongest amongst them."

Darius snorted. "Every leader of the breed is supposed to be stronger than the rest. That is why he is considered as a leader."

Lisa frowned, looking at him. "Well... are not you the next leader of the Vampires? I do not see you as the strongest of them all. I have seen many vampires stronger and wiser than you Darius. You look like just a child compared to them."

Lisa knew what she was doing. She was waking his inner monster that would not hesitate to kill her within a blink of an eye. But she did not care.

She wished him to kill her before she killed him.

Darius's fangs came out. He grabbed her throat in a vicious grip, choking her.

"Do not make me do the things we both will regret later." Darius warned her.

But Lisa was not ready to back down.

"I have also heard from the women of my villege that he is one sexy piece of meat. He is a player. A seducer. No woman can escape his spell. They even discussed the stories of him and his numerous women."

Lisa gasped for air yet continued, "They say no beautiful woman from the elites had denied him. You know him. Is he really that good looking, Darius?" She feigned curiosity in her words although, they came in intervals and breathy.

"Why are you asking that Lisa?" Darius asked slowly.

A wicked smile stretched on her face as she looked up at him through teary eyes.

"I wish it was him to abduct me then instead of you. I would have love to be his pet and give him everything that I have. I-"

Before she completed her next sentence, Darius threw her out of his lap and on the floor. Lisa groaned as the pain in her back shot up. As Darius hurried out of the room, Lisa's taunting laugh kept irritating him.

He stopped on a nearby balcony. The wind played with his wet strands. Every nerve in his body popped up under his pale skin. His jaw was set tightly together.

Darius closed his eyes, recalling every reason why he hated Edwin O'Dell that much.

The werewolf leader was no better than him. He was never so in the Academy, yet everyone praised him. Darius always felt partial treatment as people liked to be in Edwin's good books.

Even his father once compared him with Edwin.

-"I have never imagined that there will be time when I would say that I wish I had a son like Edwin."-

Ambrose had used many insults for Darius. In his eyes, Darius was never the son he had expected him to be. But that was the most humiliating thing anyone had ever said to Darius.

A familiar face formed in his mind. Grace!

Darius had seen her asking Edwin to teach her some of the moves with the sword. Why does she need to ask him of all people? She could have come to Darius. He was as best as Edwin in sword fighting.

That time they were invited to the Academy along with their other batchmates for special training sessions to Grace's batch.

The moment Darius caught her glimpse, he could not take his eyes off of her. She was like that free-flowing river, pure and clear.

He wished her to look at him, even once. She was young... way younger than him. But something about her made him feel something, even though he had a dead heart.

Disappointment dawned upon him as he realised that her eyes were not at him. Instead, she was looking at Edwin like he was a god or something.

Darius's eyes snapped open wide. He breathed out of his mouth. Even after years, she was still alive in his memories. He could deny it, avoid it, but he could not change it. Nor he tried.

She would always remain in his memories like that old bleeding wound that never heals.

"Graaaacccceeeee!"

Darius's screams did not go unheard this time. Lisa was standing behind him. Listening and watching his misery.. Yet she could not decide if she should enjoy it or sympathise with him.