Page 32 of Henri's Little One
They dressed quickly and were ready to eat when Aline brought up a large breakfast with three kinds of meat, eggs, sour dough toast, hot tea, and coffee.
“Did they decide last night who was to get the maid?” Vitas asked. “You said you didn’t want to talk about loup garou politics last night, how about over breakfast? If you’re the Chief of Security and I’m your Mate, with my gift, I’ll be in the thick of it. I should know what’s going on.”
“You’re right, you should. All the Mates know what is happening even though they don’t attend the council meetings. They hold meetings of their own on Wednesdays or Fridays. Did I mention lunch?”
Vitas giggled. “I remember, but I meant in a more formal way like Richard interns with Julien.”
“I’ll speak to Armand. In the meantime, it was decided that Kristina should come to us. It’s the only possible solution we have without giving away the game. We’re not quite sure how your gift works. Does the person have to be asked a direct question, or can you infer the truth of their words as they speak?” Henri passed the plate of eggs and meat to Vitas. He took eggs and bacon.
“I don’t know, either. I’ll have to ask the she-wolf directly and have the other Mates tell stories that are lies to see if I can tell the difference without a direct question. It’s good that I came last. I don’t know all their stories. This way as they tell them, they can use some of the details to test me. I’ll ask them on the plane.” Vitas poured himself some more tea. “Are we the only ones eating breakfast in our suite?”
“I assume that we are because we’re newly mated. The others probably ate in the breakfast room.” A knock sounded at the door.
“It’s Regis, Alpha.”
“Come in.”
The door opened. “Are you almost finished? The others have gone to their suites to gather their things. Bertrand needs fifteen minutes to pack.”
Henri nodded. “Tell Bertrand he can come in and start. The Alpha Mate will take the rest of his pot of tea in a thermos. Is that okay with you, my pet?”
“I’d like that if it’s not too much trouble.” Vitas’ face puckered up in concern.
Regis, standing at Henri’s shoulder, said, “Of course, it’s not too much trouble. Up here we always keep quite a few thermal cups. It is bitter cold in the winter.”
“Of course, it’s Alaska. I’m such a dummy.” Vitas laughed, and Regis seemed as if he had no idea what to make of him. Henri looked at Regis’ face. His Beta needed time to get used to the fact that Vitas always brought him joy but that didn’t mean he wasn’t aware of the huge problems they faced.
Chapter Eight
Garou Industries Jet
They entered the jet in order of precedence with Vitas and Henri bringing up the rear with their two new Betas, Valery and Mikhail, following Regis and Mathieu. Now Vitas had three Betas assigned to him. He sighed. He didn’t want to be different from the other Mates. All the Mates and their Betas sat down in their berths.
Vitas took off his satchel and put it beside his seat and belted in for takeoff. As soon as the plane was in the air, the Mates got up and gathered around the table in the upstairs bar area of the plane. Vitas brought his satchel over to Henri, kissed his Mate on the cheek, and followed.
Everyone ordered tea or coffee, and the steward brought out some breakfast pastry. Vitas waited until everyone settled down with either a Danish or a slice of coffee cake. He spoke to Sean as he was The Alpha Mate. “I’d like to test my gift so that when I’m called upon to use it, I know how it works.”
Sean pursed his lips. “That’s a good idea. We can start by telling you our stories and peppering them with lies to see if you catch them.” He bit into his slice of apple crumb cake.
“It’s only been a few days, and I know you don’t know me at all.” Vitas surveyed the other Mates. “If you don’t want me to know your story, say nothing and I won’t know what it is, but you can test me by telling me a lie or part-lie, part-truth. This way, when someone is questioned, both the council and I will be aware of how it works. Right now, I don’t even know if I must make a conscious decision to use it, or if I can determine a lie in ordinary conversation, which would be a real pain in the ass.”
“Why is that?” Ian displayed his usual curiosity.
Sean punched him in the arm. “You dummy.”
“What?” Ian frowned. “Why would it be so terrible to know if someone is telling you the truth?”
Julio sighed as if put upon. “No one would want to talk to Vitas. Everyone tells social lies. I like your new haircut—not. Or, for instance, you ask someone out, and they tell you,I can’t go with you. I have a doctor’s appointment,when they are really going out with someone else or want to stay home and chill but don’t want to anger or offend you.”
The light dawned on Ian’s face. “I see. Vitas would know immediately.”
Julio continued, “It’s those little social lies that make life easier, and they wouldn’t fly, around him.”
“Oh…nasty gift, cuts both ways. You always know the truth and sometimes the truth hurts you or someone else. I’m glad I’m a plain old human Beta, less hassle. All I have to do is keep an eye on this one.” Ian pointed to Sean. “And that’s my pain in the ass.”
“Now, there I was consciously trying to discern the truth. Actually, you’re pleased to watch over Sean. You see him as your best friend and you worry about him because of his great gift and the fact that they already kidnapped him once.”
“Hah!” Sean chortled.
