Chapter 20: WALKING ON EGGSHELLS
The buzzing of my phone ca at the right ti 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 ti?" 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 et 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 ca at the right ti. 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 sowhere. "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 statent. 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 ti 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 tal had scalded . I saw the way he stiffed, and he moved a few inches away, making
sure he was as affected as I was.
"First, let
apologize for the ambush at the KODA council. This was the only way to deal with the KODA council, and I rember you promised to assist
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 ss 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 ti? "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 sha.
"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 , 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 . 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
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
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
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 ca 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 so human interaction."
"Wonderful, " I responded happily, and Elder Zaya bead.
"He also has to report to the KODA council after every three months. "
"It is just a way of trying to control ," Conri snapped.
"I will leave you to it. Find ti to discuss the engagent 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 ti 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 sothing to say?" He interrupted my conversation with Freki.
"I am curious. Why did you agree to the contract marriage?" I asked him.
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