Page 38 of Henri's Little One
“I need to get dressed. I’ll put on my suit and wear a white shirt with the red-on-red tie that has the diamond shapes. I want you to like what I wear because it’s our wedding day.” Vitas smiled at his Mate.
“Sounds to me like you’ll look better than I will.” Henri took the last of his coffee. “Up and at it. Mr. Blanc is due soon.”
§ § §
At five minutes to ten, Regis knocked on the door. “Come in, Regis.” Henri knotted his tie.
“Alpha, Alpha Mate, Mr. Blanc is in the parlor.”
“Good, have Aline give him some tea and we’ll be down in ten minutes.” Regis left for the elevator.
“How did you know it was Regis?” Vitas asked, eyes alive with curiosity.
“Because Regis is on duty at eight along with Mathieu. But Regis is First Beta, so only he would presume to knock on the door. You’ll need a Beta. I assigned Mathieu to you temporarily. Normally I would have you pick one from all of the unaffiliated Betas in the packs, but we don’t have time for that.” Henri grabbed Vitas’ hand and gently tugged him along as he crossed the gallery to the elevator. He raised his Mate’s hand and kissed his knuckles.
“Why a Beta when I’m not an Alpha?”
Henri pushed the down button. The elevator came immediately. They got in, and Henri pushed ‘one’.
“All of the Mates have a Beta for protection. You must have noticed that Rene is always with Sean and Roland with Ian.”
“I have noticed that each of the Mates has a companion. It didn’t cross my mind that the Beta was a bodyguard. I thought they just hung out together, but on reflection, that wouldn’t be the case. The Betas probably hang out with each other.”
The elevator went down seven floors and stopped on the first. “The Betas guard the Mates from anyone or anything that might hurt them. It’s a great honor to be picked to become a Mate’s Beta.”
“Why would it be such an honor?” They walked down the gallery to the open-ended parlor where an older man waited next to a large velvet box open on a side table.
“Here is Mr. Blanc. We’ll talk more about the Betas and their duties when I show you our home. Mr. Blanc, this is Alpha Mate Vitas. We’re getting married this afternoon.”
The jeweler bowed and smiled. “Congratulations, Alpha, Alpha Mate, I hope something in my collection catches your eye.”
“I’m sure something will. Vitas, look over the tray and point out anything you like.” Henri was in his traditional pose with his arm around Vitas’ shoulders, pulling him into his side.
Vitas whispered, “Henri, you have to let go so I can look.” Henri’s face heated as he took his arm away.
Mr. Blanc spoke, “Alpha Mate, anything you see can be made in rose, yellow, or white gold. Most of the designs are also available in platinum. Additionally, you can choose what stone you wish inserted into the band.”
Vitas picked up a yellow-gold band with diamonds inset around the ring. Henri picked up its mate. “Do you like this one, pet? The diamonds remind me of the sparkles in your eyes.” Vitas blushed and nodded.
“Can you have two of these made up by noon and delivered to Judge Booker’s chambers?” His little one would have exactly what he wished.
“Of course, Alpha, let me size your fingers, and I’ll have them for your inspection downtown at eleven forty-five.” After finishing the measurements, Mr. Blanc packed up his box and hurried out the front entrance.
“It’s ten fifteen. You made your selection in record time. Do you want a snack before the ceremony? Don’t worry about getting something on your suit. Aline can work miracles with her homemade spot remover.”
Vitas turned to Henri. “Where is the kitchen?”
“I haven’t given you the house tour. Let’s do that before we eat.”
“That would be nice. Do we really have seven floors?” Vitas’ eyes opened wide as he gazed around him.
“We do if you don’t count the basement and solarium/gym above our suite. The floor above us is smaller than the others because we have a terrace. The elevator has it labeled R for the roof. We also have an English walk-out basement. It has an outside entrance under the front steps and French door in the rear. That level holds the catering kitchen, Bertrand and Aline’s suite, and the maids’ rooms.” Henri held Vitas’ hand, and they entered the elevator.
He guided Vitas around the whole house, and they wound up in the first-floor kitchen.
“I thought the kitchen was in the basement?”
“That was the catering kitchen. On the other end of this floor is the parlor where we met Mr. Blanc this morning. This is the kitchen Aline uses every day.” Henri motioned for Vitas to sit, and his little one sat down at one end of a large wooden table.
