A MAZE OF GREED

When the group reached their desired destination the Sun was already shining lustrously in the sky. Its heat was not unbearable but pleasant, along with the mildly running wind.

The carriages stopped, and Thea was the first one, to jump out of hers. Her excitement skyrocketed at the scene in front of her. The other women followed her and had their jaws dropped on the ground.

This place was not far from the Vincardine's borders. It was situated in some corner of the dense forest that a person might get lost while searching for it.

"Oh, my stars! This place is just marvellous!!!" Thea squealed in joy. Ida and Elsie shrieked greedily, agreeing with her.

But Ruth was quiet. One could tell how flabbergasted she was by the way her wide eyes twinkled with amazement. Her lips were slightly parted in awe as she gawked at the beautiful waterfall ahead.

The white water crashing down on the rocky bottom resembled a river of white freshly milked cow milk. The droplets of clear water splashed to a distance after heating the solid and rough surface.

A small pond at the foot of the waterfall collected all the downpouring water in it. The green luscious trees surrounded the place as if guarding it against the eyes of the outside world.

That place was nothing less than a dream place where a fairytale could come true.

"This is... captivating!" the words left in a whisper from Ruth's mouth on their own accord.

And she meant it!

"Come on everyone!" Thea cried as she picked up her dress above her ankles and ran to the waterfall like a madwoman.

Rees could not help but chortle that shook his shoulders. Soon Lester joined him as they enjoyed the women getting so enthusiastic like children.

Ruth smiled widely and was about to run to join her friends when she paused after looking at Edwin. Her smile faltered after seeing the serious look on his face.

What happened to him?

Ruth was about to open her mouth to ask him when he abruptly turned his head to her. What Ruth saw in those cerulean blue orbs took her by surprise.

Did he look... sad?

Before she could come to a conclusive answer, he turned around and started giving orders to Henry and the other coachman they had brought with them.

"Ruth come on! What are you doing there?" Ruth was distracted by Thea's loud voice.

"Coming!" Ruth replied, letting past Edwin's thought.

"Ruth give this bag to me." Lester took the bag she carried in her hands.

And before she comprehend, Rees held her hand and ran at the speed that made Ruth stumble on her feet. She somehow managed to hold herself.

At the same time, Edwin turned around to see her stumble on her feet as Rees ran like he was chasing an enemy. Edwin's heart leapt in his throat. Instinctively he took a step ahead to catch her but stopped himself when she tried to cope up with Rees's speed.

Her initial shock morphed into a toothy grin. Ruth liked it, the speed. The way her feet landed on the earth for a splitting second only to move in the air before they landed again.

As soon as they reached near the rocks where the others sat, dipping their legs in the cool water, a splash of water hit them on the face, wetting their fronts.

"Thea! You fool!" Ruth screeched after being attacked.

Thea laughed loudly, challenging them with her eyes.

"You... just wait!" Rees said before he splashed water at Thea in return.

"Rees! You made me wet!"

"Oh baby, have not I done it every single night of our married life?!" Rees smirked devilishly at her.

Thea choked on her saliva, her face flushed in crimson. Elsie, Ida and Ruth ooowed, laughed and teased the newly married couple. As Rees enjoyed their teasing with pride, Thea only glared at him, wishing for a hiding spot.

Lester joined them as well. While they splashed water at each other, bickered about random things, laughed and enjoyed, Edwin sat comfortably on the blanket that Henry had spawled on the grass. He also put the picnic basket and other bags to one side of the large blanket.

The blanket was large enough to accommodate all of them.

"Master, do you want anything to drink?" Henry asked.

"No. Just need some privacy." Edwin replied.

Henry obediently walked back to the carriage. He and the other coachman were not there only to ride the group to the place but also to keep watch around while they enjoy their picnic;

Edwin fell on his back. Resting both hands under his head, he closed his eyes to feel the silent music of this special place. Although the hustling noise of the group was a great distraction, Edwin managed to tune it out and focused only on the peace that place provided him.

Ruth kept stealing glances in Edwin's way now and then. She was thinking of an opportunity of getting closer to him or speak with him. But looked like she needed to wait, as the man was least interested in joining them in the pool.

Sometime later, Ruth watched as the two couples enjoyed this time with each other. They were laughing, touching each other, passing romantic glances and, were lost in their own worlds.

Although Ida was unbothered by that, that was not the case with Ruth. At such times, she felt very alone. She wished she also had someone like her friends had. She was doubtful and had no idea about her future partner. Unlike Ida, who had nothing to worry about because the Moon Goddess must have chosen someone to hold her hands for the lifetime.

Rejection from the mate was one thing that worries the werewolves, but it probably happened very rarely.

Ruth watched them all while sitting on one of the rocks. She was wet after playing in the water.

"Ida, is it okay if I get back there? I am feeling cold and need to dry myself." Ruth said.

"Yes, of course! But I would like to stay here some more." Ida said, distracted by her newfound hobby of collecting colourful rocks and pebbles from under the water.

"Okay. Be careful though!" Ruth said.

She carefully stood up, making sure to walk slowly on the slippery mould coated rocks. She stepped down the layers of the giant rocks, and finally landed on the ground.

She took her shoes in her hand and walked to where the blankets and a huge man were.

He was asleep?

Ruth shook her head unbelievingly. Did he come all the way on this picnic only to sleep? That man seriously lacked in the department of enthusiasm.

Ruth walked, feeling the tinkly feeling of grass blades under her wrinkly and pale feet.

She put her shoes on the grass and rummaged through the bags they had for a towel. After finding one, she sat on the blanket facing the waterfall, so that she could see her friends enjoying their time.

Both couples had chosen two corners where they would not be disturbed. And Ida was in the middle, busy with her colourful stones.

After five minutes, when Edwin did not move even by an inch, Ruth was sure that he was as gone as a dead. Never mind!

She loved this place. Its beauty and the vibes she received were just amazing! That only brought a smile to Ruth's face. She rubbed her long toffee brown strands with the towel. She had collected all her hair to her right side and was busy drying them.

She did not realise that the tune she was humming in her mind until now had taken a form and now was audible. She was not too loud. Although Ruth was not a good singer and, she had learned that tune only recently, she had hummed it over thousand times that she had mastered it well.

She was happy, but then she abruptly stopped humming and moving when she felt the hair on the back of her neck rose. The tingles that teased her exposed left side of the neck sent waves to her waist.

"Why do you stop?"

Ruth jumped in surprise when she felt his hot breath on her neck. Turning her head to him, she watched him with wide eyes.

"P-pardon?" She asked, gathering herself together.

"Humming. Why did you stop humming that tune?" Edwin's eyes bore in hers intensely.

Little did Ruth know what sinful thoughts ran in his mind at that moment. It was not only her voice that woke him up. He was hearing every movement of hers without opening his eyes.

When Ruth sat facing the waterfall, her back faced him. He watched her wet dress that stuck to her slim body. He could see the colour of her skin at places the fabric stuck to her body.

It was the first time she had all her hair down and free. Edwin inhaled sharply when she gathered all her hair to one side. The sight of her exposed long neck made the thing in his pants twitch in need.

Then he heard her sweet voice humming an unknown tune. Edwin was not a great admirer of music, but he liked it according to his mood.

He tried but could not hold himself back from scooting near her.

Ruth's blushed furiously in embarrassment. "I am sorry. Did I wake you up?"

She finally lifted her lashes to see the reason for his silence.. Her blush intensified after seeing his dilated eyes trained on her front, where her wet dress gave away more than she liked.