Kapitel 20: WALKING ON EGGSHELLS

The buzzing of my phone came at the right time since I did not have an answer to Zeeb's questions. I answered the call without checking the caller ID.

"This is Lucian," I spoke up.

"Lucian, did I catch you at a busy time?" Elder Zaya's voice was at the end of the call.

"No. I am not busy Elder Zaya. What can I do for you?" I responded with warmth.

"I need to speak to you in private. Can we meet at Old Man Benjamin's bar?" She requested in a concerned voice.

"Right away, Elder Zaya," I agreed, knowing well that she would not ask if it was not urgent. Her request came at the right time. One was to avoid Zeeb and the second I was eager to know if Conri had accepted the marriage contract proposal.

"See you soon" She disconnected the call.

"What now?" Zeeb asked, raising his chin.

"Go back to the office. I need to go somewhere. "I signaled the waiter so that he could bring over the bill.

"You are going to see Conri," Zeeb concluded with a sigh, but I never denied or accepted his statement. We each left the restaurant and headed in different directions. I sped off the highway like a madman to old man Benjamin's pub. Jumping out of the jeep, I walked up the three staircases and entered the pub. The place was empty. My eyes darted around and spotted Elder Zaya by the corner, seated with Benjamin and Conri.

I felt Freki stir as I strolled to the table, my eyes glued on Conri, feeling the buzz radiating in my blood. He was leaning back on the chair as our eyes clashed. By the time I reached the table, Freki was up in a whine while Elder Zaya and Benjamin's faces were radiating with big smiles.

"Hi" I spoke and my voice sounded out of breath.

"Have a seat, "Elder Zaya pointed at the space next to Conri.

I nodded and slid next to Conri. Our thighs touched, and I felt like hot metal had scalded me. I saw the way he stiffed, and he moved a few inches away, making me sure he was as affected as I was.

"First, let me apologize for the ambush at the KODA council. This was the only way to deal with the KODA council, and I remember you promised to assist me to get this stubborn godson of mine off the mountains."

"Mmmh," I responded and nodded.

"Today, the cracks in the KODA council exposed you to the mess that it is in. Just to let you in, the KODA council has had secret wars within since the day they accused Conri of murder. And as we all know our pack Alpha is a bully," "

"He is not my Alpha," I chuckled.

"That is why we plan to support you, Lucian," Benjamin chuckled out loud, and the sound radiated from his chest.

The door of the pub opened and Elder Ralph Isla walked in and marched towards our table. "Hi Lucian and Conri. What did I miss?" He pulled a chair and sat down.

"When will you ever make it on time? "Benjamin complained.

"Cut the crap, Benjamin. I am here. Today, we won against those bastards. Thank you, Lucian. Am sorry we ambushed you, "Isla apologized.

"I am not complaining," I responded without shame.

"But just to be clear, CEO Lucian, I don't want to marry you. '' Conri's voice was filled with disdain.

"I know. Lucky for me, I have three years to change your mind," I pointed out.

"That is the spirit, Lucian. You always speak my mind, " Elder Zeeb laughed.

"Godmother, I only agreed to this because you forced me. After three years, I don't plan to stay married to him, "Conri responded.

"No one can force you to do anything, Conri," Elder Zaya snapped at him while her eyes bore him.

"You left me no choice," He defended himself and looked away.

"This is for your good. Do you think I like the fact that you were exiled? Living alone in the mountains? I am afraid that loneliness will drive you wild and we will lose you. Before I die, I promised myself that I will ensure you find happiness." Elder Zaya's voice was filled with conviction and sadness.

"I agree. A lone wolf is not what we want for you," Benjamin seconded Elder Zaya.

"No need to pressure him further. He already agreed to the marriage contract," Ralph Isla defended Conri.

"I am willing to marry him. I have no objections to this matter and can only thank you for trusting me to take care of Conri. "I interjected before anyone else spoke.

I could sense the intake of breath from Conri and the crack of his knuckle as he closed his fingers into a fist.

"Child," Elder Zaya's frustrated voice rose.

"Let me talk to him," I pleaded with Elder Zaya. "After all, it will be the two of us in this contract marriage"

"Fine. Have you briefed him on what we agreed on after he left?" Raph Isla asked.

"You came in late, how could we? "Benjamin laughed.

"Get over it Benjamin, " Ralph Isla chuckled. "Lucian, the conditions we set for Conri after you left were that he would move into your mansion. They restricted him from going anywhere else. Your mansion has access to the mountain resort and hence it would be easier for him to operate from it. But the real reason is to have him get off the mountains and have some human interaction."

"Wonderful, " I responded happily, and Elder Zaya beamed.

"He also has to report to the KODA council after every three months. "

"It is just a way of trying to control me," Conri snapped.

"I will leave you to it. Find time to discuss the engagement plus the marriage license. " Elder Zaya insisted before they all stood up and left the table.

I turned to Conri, who moved away from the seat and sat on the opposite side of the table. He looked angry and irritated.

"We need him," Freki pressed on through our mind link.

"It is about time you woke up you lazy wolf," I responded through our mind link.

"In the presence of such an Alpha, I am bound to be awake," Freki teased.

"Did you have something to say?" He interrupted my conversation with Freki.

"I am curious. Why did you agree to the contract marriage?" I asked him.