TEMPERS FLARED

Picking up the bag, I opened it and pulled out a T-shirt, wore it, and pulled the jacket on top. Sitting down to put on my shoes, I picked up the bag and got off the patio. Taking the route to the front of the house without turning to look back, I made my way out of Conri's front yard. Anger made me pick up the pace, walking fast until I got to the hedge that had a small opening by the riverbed. Funny thing was that we did not sense the Tizheruk on our way back.

I walked down the mountain as the icy wind picked up and two hours later; I approached the Freki mansion. Zeeb must have sensed me coming, since he rushed to the back door and met me as soon as I stepped in. 

"You are back. Safe and sound," He applauded. 

I nodded and walked into the living room, dropped the bag, and removed my jacket. I sat down to untie my hiking shoes and leaned back on the couch in frustration. Zeeb must have gone to the kitchen after closing the back door, since he came back with a cup of coffee and handed it to me. 

"Thanks" 

"Since when are you this meek?" He chuckled.

"I am tired, "I stated as I sipped the coffee. 

He sat down and I knew he was waiting for me to tell him how my trip to Conri's cabin went.

"You failed?" He groaned. 

"I succeeded. He is coming to work for me," I admitted. 

"Then why the fuck are you sulking, Lucian? "Zeeb exclaimed

"I am unhappy with the fact that he pushed me away at the last minute, "I explained. 

"I doubt a little rejection would deter you," He chuckled. 

"Mmmmh" 

"Knowing you well, you have a plan up your sleeve," Zeeb stated. 

"I do. Draft the contract for building the resort. Conri will be the architect. Get the workers from Elder Zaya to assist him in this project. "

"Elder Zaya is putting in effort for this project. I looked at the documents her PA sent over. The investment is massive. " 

"Let us match the amount she is investing in. " I disclosed.

"Seriously?" Zeeb laughed. 

"Do you exact location pub that is at the foot of the mountain whose onwer is Elder Benjamin of the KODA council?" 

"Yes. That old shack." Zeeb scoffed.

"Give him an offer to buy shares and renovate it." I stood up" You have one week. Get Talia working on it. I am sure she will do wonders. " 

Zeeb nodded, and I knew he hesitated to scold me for the reckless decisions that I was making. 

"I am off to shower. After that, let's hit the bar for drinks tonight. I know you feel cooped up." I added, to cheer him up. 

"Deal" yelled. 

I picked up the bag, shoes, and jacket and walked to my room. I stood in the warm shower, deep in thought. I had made strides to get to the cabin and speak to Conri a move that no one had succeeded. The action should have made me happy, but the way he chased me out of the cabin turned me into a sad puppy.

"We were testing him. No need to sulk like a pup," Freki muttered. 

"I know, but it hurts," I complained. 

"I can sense all your feelings. When his wolf pushed us to submission, I felt how much power he had. No wonder the Golden Pack pushed him out. What I don't understand is why would someone who has so much power agree to it?" Freki spoke up. 

"There is something unclear about his exile. " 

I switched off the shower head and walked to the dressing room. Pushing all the thoughts to the back of my mind, I dressed up, ready to hit the bar and get wasted. Zeeb whistled when I walked out of the room. I dressed up to clear the sadness that I felt weighing on me.

"You are driving," I pointed out. 

"You plan on getting wasted, right?" He taunted. 

"Shut up," I sputtered as we walked out of the mansion. 

Mild rain spluttered as the jeep roared on the roads. We got to the high-end club in the city, and the grin on Zeeb's face told me he was happy to be out of the mansion.

"You seem too excited. "I teased him. 

"Tsk "He laughed wholeheartedly.

Upon entry into the nightclub, we paved our way to the VIP corner amidst the stares and whispers of the golden pack members. We sat down and in five minutes; the waiters had not served us drinks. 

"What the fuck is going on?" Zeeb seethed.

We watched as the waiters all avoided our tables. Zeeb banged the table and stood up. " Who the fuck is serving us drinks" 

"You don't need to shout. The management has the right to admission to any members. CEO Lucian, you are not welcome in this club," Alpha Lobo's younger brother and the beta of the pack Lyal Lobo seethed. 

"Are you the owner of the club? "Standing up from the coach, I demanded.

"It does not matter who the owner is. But today they will not serve as long as I am here. You need to leave CEO Lucian. You are not welcome here." Lyal smirked, and the guy behind him, who looked like a bodyguard, growled.

"Zeeb, tell me, isn't the club sitting on Freki's land?" I feigned innocence while posing the question to him. 

"You are right, CEO Lucian. The building itself is sitting on your land. If I am not wrong, the lease is due in three months, "Zeeb caught on my drift.

The comical, surprised look on Lyal Lobos was all that I needed to make the next statement 

"Since you have refused to serve me, I will not renew the lease. I have always wanted to make the space a parking lot. I can have this project up and running. Thank you, Lyal, for making this transition smooth. "I turned to leave, and I spotted a man rushing toward us.

"Stop please," He instructed as he panted from running. 

Zeeb's next words were a threat "Who the fuck are you to stop CEO Lucian?"