"My time is up. I need to leave," He deflected and then chunked the drink I had poured for him.
"I will come to the cabin on Sunday," I said. It distracted me when I saw an elderly, bulky man who was walking over to our table. Conri turned to stare toward my eyes and his facial features eased up and a small smile caught on his lips.
"Benjamin," He stated as they embraced.
"Conri." The man responded.
So this was old man Benjamin? I thought to myself.
"I prepared all the food for you. It's packed and ready, "He announced and then turned to me. "CEO Lucian, you are a spitting image of your father"
I stood up and shook his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. Thank you for the drinks. "
"He is rich. Let him pay for them, "Conri chuckled.
"He is your friend. So the drinks are on the house." Benjamin laughed just as Zeeb walked over.
"You must be Zeeb Elijah. Your sister Tala often speaks about you," Old Man Benjamin stated.
"Yes sir, "Zeeb responded, and they shook hands in greeting.
"Just Benjamin. No need to be so formal, "He chuckled.
"I have to go," Conri deflected, and his voice sounded annoyed.
"Why are you in a hurry today? You stay longer with me over a few drinks," Benjamin teased him.
"Cut it out" He snapped, but the blush on his neck was visible. He patted Benjamin's arm and then walked out of the pub amidst the yelling of Benjamin, " You can't keep running away, '' Benjamin yelled just as the pub door closed.
Benjamin pulled us back to the table, and dinner was served. I discovered why Conri felt comfortable with Benjamin. I decided to trust Benjamin and ensure to keep him close to me. Zeeb was already tipsy and laughed
"I better take him home before he embarrasses me further. " I pointed at Zeeb and old man Benjamin laughed.
"Thank you so much Lucian. " His face got serious while he spoke.
Turning my face away in embarrassment, I responded in a hushed tone, "For what?"
"Just know that Elder Zaya and I are behind you. You have our full support. I regret that at the time Conri was sent into exile, we never had authority or someone who could challenge the KODA council's ruling. We let him down and we want to make sure we make up for it. But you are such a surprise and to top it all you are a Freki"
" Elder Zaya had the same sentiments. " I turned to stare at him . "Thank you for your hospitality.
When we left the pub, I had a knot in my heart with the feeling that Conri must have gone through a lot. After dropping a drunk Zeeb to his apartment, I drove to the mansion feeling anxious and I went for a run.
I undressed , rushing by the back door and shifted, letting Freki out. Night air cooled my body after being pushed into a horny frenzy by Conri. Freki breathed hard and fast, his eyes scanning the mountains for any threat. There was no full moon today, as the sky was clear. If the pack knew I could transform without the call of the moon, they would make me sign another pact.
Freki's ears twitched as it listened to the symphony that only deep forest offered were toads, cicadas and night singing birds. The sounds and smells of the open lands soothed our soul. We ran for hours and ended up in the same meadow after taking a drink from the river. My thoughts were still on Conri and even in wolf form, and my body refused to calm down. Lust in any form was a bad thing for a shifter. Thoughts of Conri consumed me every waking hour and invaded my sleep.A distant sound in the forest made Freki stand up and his sharp ears listened in.
" We need to go. We have company by the river," Freki announced and took off running before we could be discovered. I got to the mansion, stepped onto the porch, shifted back, put on the clothes, and locked the back door.
After taking a shower, I had my meal and got on the bed. My mind kept wondering if Conri had a cell phone. It would be easier to communicate with him. I made a note to ask him the next time we met and closed my eyes to sleep.
*****************
Two days later, I halted at the doorway of the KODA council meeting after being summoned. . Zeeb remained seated at the reception while I knocked and entered the room. I counted ten people in the room from Uncle Carter, Elder Zaya, Benjamin, Alpha Lobo, Hunter, Luna Elijah and Raph Isla. Alpha Lobo's face was pulled in a smirk while hunters were full of I'll-fuckyou-up-if-you-dare. There were two wolves next to the hunter, and they growled when I closed the door.
"They're harmless," Raph Isla stated in a chuckle as he spoke directly to me. Raph was one of the KODA council advisors.
"I highly doubt," I responded. And while the wolves didn't look aggressive per se but they were next to Hunter, the pack enforcer and bully.
"Greetings KODA council. I am here after I received your summons, "I said.
"Do you think it's a good thing to be summoned by the KODA council? " Uncle Carter snapped
I had no idea what it was and I couldn't place a finger on it but someone in the room was trying to penetrate my mind. I felt my skin stretching tighter and my heart jack hammered loudly and made me breathless. Freki stirred and pushed the person out of my mind, snickered and went back to sleep. I watched as Hunter leaned down and whispered at Alpha Lobo, and I knew that it was them who were trying to get through my mind.
"Well, what can I do? I have to come when I am summoned.," I drawed.
"Boris Carter reported that you used your wolf powers on him. The Koda council rules are clear about the Freki pacts and you need to abide by them. "Uncle Carter stated.
"Your son told you one side of the story that made you summon me?" I raised my eyebrows in question
"I would like to hear what happened. " Raph Isla spoke up and Elder Zaya winked at me. I realized that they were on the same side and it gave me the confidence to speak up.
"Boris Carter tried to attack me at the shareholders' meeting after I fired him. "I simply stated.
"Why did you fire him?" Elder Zaya inquired.
"That is not important," Alpha Lobo snapped.
"How isn't it important? He attacked me and I defended myself. " I lied.
"How can he attack you over being fired?" Hunter demanded.