Page 26 of Henri's Little One
Julio saw Vitas skip across the room to where they stood, closely followed by Mathieu. He was the first to speak. “It’s about time. We thought you were permanently attached to his arm. We’re your friends, we deserve some attention, too.”
Vitas bristled. “Henri and I need to get to know each other. We only met the day before yesterday at about this time. All of you had at least a few days.”
“We know, you just want to cuddle and kiss.” Julio made kissie noises.
Vitas laughed. “Frankly, yes.”
Vitas watched the Alphas, and Ian turned his head following Vitas’ gaze. “What had Regis coming over to you and Henri with his pants in a twist?” He grabbed a few chips stuck them in dill dip and munched on them. The dip dribbled on his lip.
Ian! Behave yourself. You do that just to get my goat,” Sean wailed.
“You have a goat?” Ian smirked.
Julio looked across at Regis. “Behave you two. Something is going on. What did Henri say, exactly?”
“Henri said that Regis had something he had to take care of. I don’t know what. Henri sent me over here, and he strode over to meet him.” Vitas’ brow crinkled as he watched Henri, animated, speaking to Armand. “I have no idea what Regis wanted, but I’d sure like to find out. Henri just called over Alpha Utkin.”
“Who’s Alpha Utkin? I thought I knew all of Henri’s Alphas. I met them when I was touring the packs with Armand helping the she-wolves give birth,” Sean said.
“Alpha Utkin is one of the Russian émigrés. Henri has had quite a few members of the pack, Alphas and Betas, who escaped from Russia and sought asylum within his territory. He gets them the appropriate government paperwork and green cards through Garou channels at the State Department and apportions them throughout the packs, trying to keep pack members together without creating new packs and thus rivalries. The Alpha knows all about it.” Vitas informed the Mates as Aline brought out fresh salmon. Julio watched as Vitas heaped it over some eggs. “I’m so hungry.”
“So, eat,” Julio said, looking across the room with narrowed eyes. “I don’t like that expression on Etienne’s face. That expression usually portends trouble. I’m going over there to find out what’s going on. Is anyone coming with me?”
“I am.” Sean put down his plate of chips.
“We’ll stay with Vitas,” Colin offered.
Julio looked at Colin. “No…we may need you. Bring your notebook and come with us. Donal, Ian, Richard, and Kane stay with Vitas and make sure no one gets near him.”
“You think there’s trouble.” Ian put down his plate.
“I have a bad feeling, but it may be nothing. But better safe than sorry. On second thought, Donal, fetch the Betas and have them hang out with you. Richard, Ian, and Kane stay around Vitas until Donal gets the Betas.”
“Julio’s right, my Spidey senses are pinging.” Sean hurried across the room after Julio and Colin.
“What’s Spidey senses?” Vitas asked Ian.
“Sean has this weird thing. He senses trouble before it comes. When Sean’s Spidey senses go off, we circle the wagons.”
“Spidey, as in Spiderman?” Vitas shoveled the salmon and eggs into his mouth.
“Yeah, like that,” Ian answered, distracted by what was taking place across the room.
§ § §
Julio returned to fetch Vitas. They arrived mid-conversation. “It isn’t a problem,” Etienne insisted. “Henri, you appoint Utkin. All the Alphas and pack are still here. You’ve only been downstairs a half hour. Reform the line and do it over again.”
Vitas’ eyes opened wide. “Does this mean the mating could be invalid?” His body shook.
“Shush,” Julio told him. “Listen, they’ll fix it. Colin’s taking notes.”
“Will that serve, Alpha?” Marc asked worriedly.
Henri grimaced and answered for Armand. “No, it won’t. Utkin must be accepted by his pack. They’re local, though, it should only take them an hour to get here.”
The Alpha decided. “Henri, go up to the front and talk to them to make sure no one leaves. Get notice out to the members of Utkin’s pack using your Alpha link and tell them they need to be here within the hour. Have the Betas guard Vitas so that no one but the other Mates can go near him, and we may yet avert disaster.”
Henri strode to the front of the room. “May I have everyone’s attention. It is my wish and a matter of urgent necessity that neither our Alphas, Betas, nor my home pack leave this room until further notice. The catering kitchen will stay open and serve because it’s adjacent to the gathering room and open to view. Anyone needing to use the facilities must be escorted by their Alpha. I will explain before the end of the day.”
