KODA COUNCIL

"Lucian is a grown man. He has promised to absolve us of all the blame if anything happens. I see no problem with his promise. As long as he abides by it, the KODA council will be watching." Ralph Isla emphasized.

"Great. Let us vote. Those in favor of this contract marriage raise your hands," Elder Zaya smiled and pressed on, and I could tell she was enjoying everything she planned.

"Yes" Ralph Isla beamed

"Yes, "Benjamin chuckled.

"Yes, "Luna Elijah whispered.

"Yes "Elder Zaya added.

"It's four against three," Benjamin announced, making me realize that there was deep hatred among the KODA council members. The enmity rose to the surface in front of my eyes and the person who remained neutral was Luna Elijah Zeeb's mother.

"Carter, do you have anything to say?" Benjamin inquired.

"No," He responded in a hushed tone and we all heard Alpha Lobo cursing under muttered breath.

"Will that be all? "I spoke up, though my body was radiating with happiness.

"CEO Lucian you are dismissed, "Alpha Lobo seethed at me and waved his hand.

"Thank you, Alpha. "I spoke up and fled out of the room.

I found Zeeb seated at the same spot, but to my surprise, Conri was leaning on the wall, looking bored and bothered. He must have sensed my presence, and he moved away from the wall and put his hands in his pocket. I knew that move too well since he only did it out of frustrations.

"Conri," I said his name and felt like a laser had hit me.

"The KODA council called for me, " he explained.

"Are you done? "Zeeb demanded. "What happened?"

At that moment, Benjamin walked out of the room and called for Conri. My whole body froze as he walked by me and then disappeared into the KODA council.

"Why is Conri here?" Zeeb's voice reached my ears.

"I will explain on the way" pulled him out of the building as we got on the jeep and I drove to a nearby cafe.

"Let us talk while we eat," I suggested. 

"You are making me so nervous, I doubt I will eat," Zeeb sputtered.

"Calm down. It's all good news for me and you. "I grinned at him.

As we sat down waiting for the meal to be served, Zeeb made calls to Amelia, briefing her that we would be late. He disconnected the call and grunted. "Lucian, I hope you did not make trouble"

The waiter walked to the table and placed the meal we had ordered and once he left I spoke up "It went well. Conri will build the resort. The KODA member's vote was Four against three"

"Three? Alpha Lobo, Hunter and your Uncle Carter, I bet "He snickered.

"Yes, and the best part is that I am getting married, "I announced.

All the coffee that Zeeb had in his mouth spit on the table as he coughed. I stood up and walked over to rub his back while I signaled for the waiter. The girl rushed over, and I apologized to her and asked her to clear the table and serve us a new meal, of course promising to pay for everything.

"Married?" Zeeb managed to utter when he calmed down.

"Yes. I will be married to Conri Dolf, "I explained.

His eyes widened, and he leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes in frustration. He was silent for a while, his eyes snapped open, and exclaimed, "The council accepted? How did you manage to convince them? Especially Alpha Lobo?"

"I was not the one who proposed the contract marriage. It was Elder Zaya who stated that was the condition that Conri stipulated. But I suspect it was a plan by Elder Zaya, Old Man Benjamin, and Elder Ralph Isla. "

"Seriously!!" Zeeb yelled excitedly. 

"Lower your voice," I scolded him.

The waiter walked back with the meal, placed it on the table, smiled politely, and left.

"Don't you dare spit on this meal or you will pay for it," I warned Zeeb whose face was filled with shock. 

"Lucian, are you sure about this? A contract marriage? For how long? "

"Three years," I announced proudly and sipped the coffee.

"Don't you care about your image as the CEO of Due Corporation married to a rogue?" Zeeb asked. 

"Zeeb, Conri is not a Rogue. They labeled him as one. I found out new information today at the council meeting. He was the one who found his intended mate, Ducian. Alpha Lobo labeled Conri as the murderer, but there was no evidence to substantiate the claim. Conri agreed to be exiled. "

"Shit" Zeeb cursed.

"I think that Elder Zaya knows there is more to this than meets the eye. And there has been a division in the KODA council since then. Did you know that Conri is Elder Zaya's godson? There are so many secrets in the Shifter Golden pack. You were right when you said I had never shown interest. But now things will be different. I will get to the bottom of his case one way or another"

"I am more concerned about marriage between the two of you"Zeeb argued

"As long as I get him off the mountains, I am happy about it" I declared. 

"Lucian, marriage is not a lifetime commitment but shifter mating is different. "Zeeb emphasized.

"Silly man, only my mate would make Freki stir," I chuckled.

"He is your mate? How much information have you been holding back?" Zeeb gasped. 

" Not much" I defended myself. 

"Really? Come on Lucian, I know about all your sleeping habits. You are nothing but a playboy. All your exes ended up cursing you. You just fucked your way into the women but the way you went after Conri is different"

"Yes. Freki stirred and even complimented him" I nodded in happiness.

"The pack will be in an uproar and I bet the shareholders in shock" Zeeb whispered. 

"My Marriage is my fucking business. I will challenge anyone who dares to speak about it. " I growled.

"What about Conri?" Zeeb asked.

I had no answer for him since I had the same question in my mind. What about him? Did he want to marry me, or was he being forced by Elder Zaya?