A MAZE OF GREED

Edwin left 'the great manor' behind as he ran towards the woods. His gums ached, his body was hot, and his wolf was about to come out.

He cursed under his breath that he ruined the moment that he was envisioned for a long time. He wanted it to be picture-perfect for both and Ruth.

But when their lips met each other breaking all the barriers, he realised that there is nothing called picture-perfect. What felt right at that moment was one's picture-perfect.

And Ruth's lips on him felt more than just right at that moment. That was his picture-perfect.

But was it also hers?

Edwin shifted into his wolf form as soon as he entered the woods. His clothes fell on the ground in shreds. His wolf shook its head fervently, and he howled loudly.

He ran on his paws, letting the wind calm him down.

As he ran, his mind was still wrapped around one of the best moments in his life. The way Ruth's body reacted to his touch, the way her heart beat matching his rhythm, the way she clung onto him as if her life depended on it- it all made him want to believe that she had the same feelings as him.

He wished he had continued that kiss. She was reluctant, he knew. But if he understood her body well, then he was sure that she would have given in with little more effort.

But his wolf... he became too excited. He wanted to be with his mate. He was angry that she had not seen him or spent time with him. Only Edwin's human form was able to be with her.

His wolf had his own insecurities. When they kissed, all his wolf could think was, did she let him have his way only because he liked his human form? Would she have the same reaction if she got to know about his other side?

And that thought pushed Edwin's wolf on the edge. If Edwin had not stopped then, then Ruth might have received her first heart attack just after sharing her first kiss with him. His wolf would have come out to claim his mate.

And Edwin knew that he had to walk a long way to take Ruth to that point. She was not ready to get marked.

Edwin was angry. This time, he was angry at himself, at his wolf and his life.

He was angry at everything that concerned him.

He ran and ran till he vents out all the air in his chest. He finally stopped when his legs burned along with his chest.

He finally stopped, shifting back to his human form, he collapsed on the ground. His body was drenched in sweat, and his heart was beating two times faster than normal.

His mind was numb, and his eyes were droopy. He closed them after finding it hard to keep them open. The serene silence of the forest lulled him into sleep.

Edwin did not realise the time had flown fast. He woke up with the noise of flocks of chirping birds flying back to their nests and to their children. His head was heavy. The rough ground felt more comfortable than the soft bed in his chamber.

Edwin sat up, scratching his unruly coffee brown hair. He had small sand particles stuck to his chest as he had slept on his stomach. The soil matted his entire body. The marks of rough ground were printed on his barrel-shaped chest like a map.

Edwin stood up and stretched his arms over his head. He twisted his body to hear the cracking sound of the tight bones. He released a long breath.

Walking back to 'the great manor', he found clothes hidden at some point. He wore them, although they were not his size.

He came out of the woods, and for some reason, he thought of taking a long route instead of the shorter one. He needed some more time before he faced Ruth again. Moon Goddess only knew what she was thinking right then.

He walked on the road that was used by the people to get to 'the great manor'. Edwin slowed down when he noticed a familiar woman at the roadside. She looked deep in thought.

Edwin was in no mood of hearing her, so decided to turn back. But lady luck was not by his side. The woman sensed someone looking her way. She lifted her head and, the surprise soon turned into a hopeful smile.

"M-master?!" She smiled as she picked up her pace in his direction.

Now Edwin had to face her.

"Master! I can not believe it is you!" Florence exclaimed while recking him from top to bottom.

She wondered why he was wearing such basic clothes. But that did not matter until he had his last name and title with him.

"I do not have time Florence." Edwin tried walking past her, but she boldly stepped ahead and held him by his elbow.

"Master, please! Listen to me once. I was thinking of how to meet you and the luck granted my wish. Please listen to me once." She pleaded wholeheartedly.

Edwin glared at her hand that dared to touch him. Florence quickly took upon the hint and removed her hand. Standing in front of him, she joined her both hands in request.

"Please Master! At least for the sake of those moments when I made you happy. Please listen to me!"

Edwin clenched his eyes shut momentarily. That was the last thing he needed today.

"Florence, I am not in a state where you would like to beg me to take you back. I can not give you my time, attention or anything at that matter. So let go!" Edwin said as calmly as possible.

"I do not want to discuss that with you Master. If... if you have lost your interest in me then I am ready to respect your choice. I have something else to ask and do not worry. It is not something you can not give me."

Edwin was surprised. The Florence he knew was not less than a psychopath woman who was over-obsessed with him. Then how could she accept Edwin's wish that easily?

She was the most stubborn and fiery human woman he had ever seen in his life.

"Fine! I am not in a state where you would like to speak to me and I would listen to you. Come to 'the great manor' in tommorrow morning. We will talk then."

"I will Master, but... the guards and the maids..."

Edwin sighed. "Nobody will stop you."

With that said, he slipped his hands in his pant pockets and walked away.

Florence stood there, still getting a hold of the situation. She could not believe after so many hardships, she was lucky enough to meet Edwin in such a situation.

He looked distracted and stressed- something she had never seen him.

Florence smiled in victory.

"How are you going to escape now Ruth?"

Edwin walked towards his private chamber with long strides. The humans passed strange looks towards him. And the werewolves knew that their master was out for a run.

"Master... Master..."

He heard his head maid calling him from behind. Thea ran faster to keep up with his pace. Once the lion retired to his den, it was impossible to call him out unless and until he himself decided so.

"Master please!"

Edwin did not understand why every woman was adamant about getting on his nerves today. He stopped outside his chamber.

He let Thea cross the distance between them. Her breaths were heavy after running behind him since she saw him.

Thea would have said something rude to him in other situations, but the look on his face made her do otherwise.

"Where did you go?" She came straight to the point.

"I was looking for you everywhere. You just disappeared after you took Ruth into your office. She was also gone for some hours. We thought... we thought that you both were together.

But when she came, she said she do not know about you. She is hard to approach since then. Did anything happen between you?" Thea asked, trying to catch up her breath.

"I went for a run." Edwin said.

"Has something happen between you two? A fight or a misunderstanding?" Thea pressed further.

Edwin clenched his jaw, remembering the kiss they shared and how he had to ruin it to save her, to not lose her.

Edwin wanted to ask Thea about Ruth. Was she okay? Did she say something? Was she upset or hurt? Or had he lost her once again?

But he held himself back from asking those questions.

When he did not answer, Thea figured out that he was not in a mood.

"I am not only your head maid but also Ruth's best friend and a part of your pack now. You can trust me as much as you trust Rees. My loyalty is at your feet. I hope you know it!

Tell me if you need anything. And I promise I will do everything in my power to get it done!!"

With that said, Thea left him alone.. That night all Edwin could think of was only his and Ruth's first kiss.