Page 52 of Wolf's Whistle
Chapter Thirteen
Master Suite
Monday Afternoon
Julien found Richard huddled on the bed. His eyes were red. He had been crying. “What’s the matter, mon ange?”
“I’ve caused everyone so much trouble. You had to move the mating. Your parents are going to hate me.”
Julien lifted Richard into his arms. “More like they’re going to love you because I’m getting mated at their home instead of mine. They wanted an ordinary son, not an Alpha. This is the first time they will be able to do something parental without direction from the council or another Alpha.”
“That’s tough. If we hire a surrogate, will it be that way for us?” Richard worried.
“First of all, we don’t have to hire a surrogate. The Alpha Bitch of our pack will bear our girls.”
“Girls?” Richard raised an eyebrow.
“Alpha loup garou can only have girls. The gods did this because they didn’t want an Alpha to favor his son over other more talented loup garou in giving out coveted positions. That’s why the loup garou tend to conserve their wealth. If there is an Alpha born into their family, he’ll have to have wealth to make a respectable showing, same as if he were a council Alpha, albeit on a smaller scale. When we pass on, our daughters will get half our estate and the new council Alpha will receive the other half, because he will represent our region.”
“There seem to be a lot of rules,” Richard said in consternation.
Julien laid Richard down on the bed and walked into the bathroom to get a cold cloth to soothe the redness and swelling of his Mate’s eyes.
“Not really. There is custom, and then there are laws. The only ones that cannot be broken are never to harm a human and tell no one of the existence of the loup garou. The council has a number of customs, some instituted by Armand to restore order and keep challenges to a minimum. It was a precarious peace until the advent of the Mates. That’s why we observe the order of precedence. Everyone has their place and knows where they stand in the hierarchy.”
“So the Alpha Bitch can’t mate? I know how I feel about you. Not allowing another loup garou the opportunity of feeling the same way seems criminal.”
“Of course she can mate. Her Mate knows she has the duty of bearing one child for me and one for you. It gives her Mate some extra status in the pack. Alpha Bitches mate very young. They are the only loup garou fertile when they reach their majority. All of the rest of us are not fertile until we mate. That way there are no bastards standing in the way of your true partner. Although the loup garou discourage coitus until marriage. They don’t want anyone to get into a long-term relationship and have to break it off when they meet their Mate.”
“Now I understand.” Richard nodded.
“That’s why I have to mate on pack lands and show the pack my mark. No mark means we’re not true Mates or that I could have faked the marks. It’s a heinous crime, but there have been times when a loup garou tried to fake the mating mark and force an unsanctioned mating. The punishment for that is death. They don’t even get to fight for their life in the pit. Alexei fears that Chernof is doing that in Russia—unsanctioned or forced matings.”
“Who is Chernof?” Richard asked, his brows drawn together. “I thought I met all of the council.”
“He is the head of the Russian Council,” Julien patiently explained. “We have a Russian Council and a European Council.”
“There is so much I have to learn.” Richard sighed.
Julien sat down and gathered his Mate close to his chest. “Don’t worry, mon ange. The others will guide you. Think about poor Sean, the only one he could ask was Armand and Armand is formidable. Now stop talking so I can put a cold cloth on your eyes. You don’t want me facing Armand over mistreatment of a human Mate.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll get my runaway emotions under control. I think my problem is that so much has happened to me in the past eighteen months. Losing Dad, Mom, the Switched Power fiasco, Kasun then Stawski, and now everything is wonderful. I think I’m crying because I finally feel safe enough to do so. Although considering what the other Mates endured, it was really nothing. I don’t have Julio’s or Donal’s fortitude.” Richard turned his face into Julien’s shirt.
“It’s very hard to do the right thing in the face of authority. You reported Switched Power to the government even though you knew the possible consequences. Now let’s talk about something else. Do you remember you have lunch at Sean’s on Wednesday?”
“Oh, I had forgotten.” Richard’s cheeks turned red.
“Armand reminded me. Sean will call you with the time and details. I would like it if you traveled with Charles. Marcel will drive you.”
“Wouldn’t it be easier if I went with Julio? He’s only four blocks away.” Richard gazed up to Julien.
Julien gave him a quick kiss. “Indulge me. After having you shot at, twice, I’d rather my own men guard you, if you don’t mind.”
“No, if it gives you peace of mind, I’ll travel with Charles and Marcel.”
“It’s only Monday. We’ll take Tuesday to show you a bit of Manhattan. Where would you like to go?”
“Central Park, the museums, the Statue of Liberty, probably every tourist trap in the city. I’d like to walk up Broadway and see the theater district and Times Square. Can we do that?” A spark of excitement lit Richard’s eyes.
