Chapter 64 The Marriage Contract
DANIEL'S POV
Lisa walked into the council hall like she was going to war. Her spine was straight and her hair was pulled back in a tight braid. Every step echoed in the silent room. Marcus Krane sat at the head table with Sophia beside him and both looked smug. I wanted to wipe those expressions off their faces.
Marcus was a large man in his fifties with graying hair and cold blue eyes. He wore expensive clothing and carried himself like someone used to getting what he wanted. Sophia sat next to him in a pristine white dress that made me sick. She looked like an innocent victim instead of the manipulator we all knew she was.
"Alpha Lisa," Marcus said and stood with mock courtesy. "Thank you for joining us. I believe we have important matters to discuss."
Lisa stopped in front of the table with Nathan and Ryan flanking her. I stood off to the side ready to document everything as Third. "You have one hour, Alpha Krane. Make it count."
Marcus smiled and pulled out a folder. "Direct. I like that. Let me be equally direct." He slid a document across the table. "This is a marriage contract between you and my son Marcus Junior. Signed by your mother before her death. In exchange for military and financial support during a territory dispute your mother promised you to my heir when you were five years old."
Lisa picked up the document and scanned it. I watched her face carefully but she gave nothing away. "This is invalid. I was a child. I did not consent to this."
"Pack law states that contracts made by Alphas on behalf of heirs are binding unless formally dissolved," Sophia said helpfully. Her voice was sweet as honey. "Your father never dissolved this contract, I checked the records personally."
Lisa's jaw tightened. "My father likely forgot it existed. This is a political maneuver and nothing more."
"Nevertheless the contract is legally binding," Marcus said. "Which brings us to your options. You have three choices, Alpha Lisa. First, honor the contract and marry my son. Second, pay a blood debt of fifty warriors to my pack as compensation for breach of contract. Third, face a formal challenge to your Alpha position from my son."
"A challenge?" Nathan stepped forward. "Lisa has already defended her position twice in recent weeks."
"Not just any challenge," Marcus clarified and his smile widened. "A mate challenge. Winner takes Moonstone Pack and all territories associated with it. It is an ancient provision but perfectly legal under Continental Pack Law."
Ryan's hands clenched into fists. "Lisa has a mate bond with me. She cannot be claimed by another."
Sophia leaned forward with fake sympathy in her eyes. "The bond is incomplete and suppressed per Council records. That makes Lisa technically available under ancient law. I am sure you understand Ryan given you are the one who rejected her in the first place."
The room went silent. Lisa's face remained neutral but I saw the slight tremor in her hands as she set down the document. She was furious but controlled it impressively.
"Your son," Lisa said slowly. "Where is he? If I am supposed to marry him should he not be here to claim me himself?"
Marcus's expression darkened slightly. "Marcus Junior is currently managing our eastern territories. He will arrive tomorrow for your decision."
"How convenient," Lisa said. "You speak for him in everything then?"
"I speak as his Alpha and his father," Marcus replied. "The contract allows for proxy negotiation until the final ceremony."
Lisa set the document down with careful precision. "Fifty warriors is an impossible debt for a pack my size. You know this."
"I do," Marcus agreed. "Which is why I suspect you will choose one of the other options. My son is a strong Alpha. You could do worse for a husband."
"I could also do better," Lisa said coldly. "Much better."
Sophia's eyes flashed with anger at that comment but she recovered quickly. "Perhaps you should consider what is best for your pack, Lisa. A marriage alliance with the Krane family would bring significant resources and protection. Given recent events you seem to need both."
"Recent events you orchestrated," Nathan said.
"I orchestrated nothing," Sophia said innocently. "I simply brought certain facts to light. Facts that were hidden from the pack and the Council. If Lisa had been honest from the beginning none of this would be necessary."
Lisa's power rippled through the room like a wave. I felt it press against my skin and saw several council members shift nervously in their seats. "Do not presume to lecture me about honesty, Sophia. Not when you have built your entire position on lies and manipulation."
"Strong words from someone who hid her silver wolf nature for years," Sophia countered. "From someone who has been intimate with multiple Alphas while claiming to honor pack law."
The accusation hung in the air like poison. Lisa's face went white and I saw Ryan move forward protectively. Nathan grabbed his arm to hold him back.
"My personal life is my own business," Lisa said through gritted teeth.
"Not when you are Alpha," Marcus said. "Your choices affect the entire pack. Your reputation affects our willingness to negotiate. A silver wolf with questionable morals is not someone we can trust in a marriage alliance."
"Then I suppose we have nothing more to discuss," Lisa said and turned to leave.
"You have until sunset tomorrow," Marcus called after her. "After that my son will issue the formal challenge and you will face him whether you want to or not. Choose wisely, Alpha Lisa."
Lisa did not respond. She walked out with her head high and her shoulders squared. I followed with Nathan and Ryan close behind. The hallway was empty and cool. Lisa stopped at the end of it and leaned against the wall. For a moment she just breathed.
"Lisa," Ryan started.
"Not now," she said quietly. "I cannot process this right now."
Nathan moved closer but did not touch her. "We will find a way out of this. There has to be a legal loophole or precedent we can use."
"Sophia has been planning this for months," Lisa said. "She would not bring Marcus Krane here unless she was certain the contract was airtight."
I pulled out my phone to start researching contract law when Sophia appeared at the end of the hallway. She walked toward us slowly with a small smile on her face. When she reached Lisa she leaned in close and whispered something I could not hear. Whatever it was made Lisa go pale. Her entire body went rigid and I saw her hands start shaking.
Sophia pulled back and walked away without another word. Lisa stood frozen for a long moment.
"What did she say?" I asked.
Lisa turned to face me and her eyes were haunted. "She claimed Adrian has been working with Marcus Krane for months. She told me to ask him about the coalition before running to him for comfort."
Before I could respond Ryan burst around the corner. His face was ashen and he was breathing hard like he had been running. "We have a bigger problem."
"What now?" Lisa sounded exhausted.
Ryan set a small box on the nearby table. His hands were shaking. "This was delivered to my quarters five minutes ago. Addressed to you."
Lisa opened the box slowly. Inside was a positive pregnancy test and a note. I watched her face drain of all color as she read it. Her hands started trembling and she dropped the box like it burned her.
"What does it say?" Nathan asked.
Lisa's voice was barely a whisper as she read aloud. "Congratulations Alpha. Pity you will not know who the father is. Such a shame you have been so active lately. S."