Page 53 of Henri's Little One
The Alpha stepped over to Henri. “You know Vitas is going to have to testify. Since it’s all so recent, it may be difficult for him. He may want your reassurance, but I need you with the Europeans.”
“Yes, Alpha. He’s strong. I’m sure he can do it. He knows I love him. We’ll be together no matter what happens today.” Henri made for the stairs with Etienne.
“Alpha Clavier, you’re with Martin and me. Let’s go.” Everyone scurried to do The Alpha’s bidding. On his way, out the door, The Alpha looked back at Martin. “Call Henri’s and have Aline make the Mates something to eat. It’s going to be a long afternoon and you’ve got two over there with mating pheromones.” Everyone soon left Brooklyn to see to their appointed tasks.
§ § §
Earlier that Morning
Zachary’s
“Men really do this for themselves. When Henri told me where you were taking me and what was going to happen, I thought he was fooling around.” Vitas giggled. He was feeling much more comfortable with the Mates thanks to Julio.
“You could have read him and found out he was telling the truth,” Ian said while he undressed.
“That would be misusing my gift. I won’t do that.” Vitas gave Ian a black stare.
Sean punched Ian in the arm.
“Just checking,” Ian muttered and rubbed his shoulder.
“We have to trust one another. I know Vitas won’t read me without my permission. The only exception would be if The Alpha asked him to do it, and Armand wouldn’t ask unless it was important.”
“Jeez, Sean, can’t make a joke around you anymore.” Ian stood there in just his briefs.
Vitas noticed how buff Ian was. “You must work out. You look good.”
“Rémy likes me to work out with him. We’re well suited because we’re both into sports and physical activity.” He sent a haughty look toward Sean.
“Don’t be smug, Ian. Armand likes me just the way I am. He appreciates my brain and my esthetic sense.” Sean put his nose in the air.
“Not fair,” cried Colin. “Ian has an esthetic sense, look at the beautiful walls he designs with house paint, and he’s going to graduate in two years with a degree in Interior Design from NYU.”
“He knows I was yanking his chain.” Sean smiled playfully. “Ian is the best friend I’ve ever had, even counting Tony the Missing.”
“Have you called him recently?” Ian’s face conveyed compassion.
“No, I’ve decided not to put myself through the wringer anymore. If he wants to speak to me, he knows where I am. Nina reaches out occasionally. At least I know she believes I’m happy. Let’s talk about something else. Vitas, tell us your story.”
“Not much to say…shit and mushrooms. I remember an American expression I heard once.I’m like a mushroom, fed shit and kept in the dark. That’s how I felt, like one of the crop around me. Chernof tried to rape me twice, but he couldn’t get it up. I think it’s because I wasn’t his Mate.” Vitas shrugged, his cheeks heating, trying to act nonchalant.
Sean said, “Most of the pack Alphas are pretty strict about the no sex before you find your Mate rule. That’s because a human could become emotionally attached to a loup garou and be badly hurt when he or she found their Mate. Armand’s old Alpha was less strict than others. He allowed them to have one-night stands for relief. Armand said he did once or twice. He could get it up. I think Chernof’s problem is guilt and hard living. There’s only so much even a loup garou body can take.”
Sean got the first all-purpose table and Ian the second. There were eight tables in the room. His table was next to Richard’s. He moaned as the masseuse massaged his shoulders. Vitas glanced over at Richard. “This is nice. I know it’s your first time, too. I’m sorry I disrupted your wedding.”
“Didn’t anyone tell you? I disrupted Julio’s. We were old friends, and Etienne found me for him. I was being chased by the Serbian mob. Julien told me almost right away that I was his Mate. He had to, a corrupt Chicago police detective was shooting at me.” Richard turned over, and they massaged his shoulders.
“Chernof’s Enforcers came to our home with guns. Papa protested to no avail. He demanded that the Enforcers take him and Mama with me to Chernof. When he told Chernof that I wasn’t his Mate repeatedly, Chernof put all of us in chains. He tortured my mother right in front of Papa and me. Mama told Papa not to give me up. Chernof ripped out her throat. Papa growled, and then Chernof ripped out my father’s throat too.”
“And this asshole thought that this behavior would make you want to be his Mate? Is he crazy?” Richard huffed.
“I think he is. Like most Russians, he drinks a lot of vodka. Unlike most Russians, the booze doesn’t affect him much but even a wolf’s blood can’t metabolize a case of vodka a day. He actually got drunk. That’s why he’s so weak and has his Betas and Enforcers do his dirty work for him. He was once the strongest wolf in all of Russia, now I believe even a member of his pack could take him. But he has them intimidated by his wealth, and now he’s losing that.”
“Armand and the council will take him down. I haven’t been around here much longer than you, but I know that for sure. Don’t worry, you won’t lose Henri.” The masseuse dripped oil on Vitas’ body.
“This is wonderful, but isn’t it costing the Mates a fortune?” Vitas’ scrunched his face up. “Henri told me that we were very wealthy. Maybe I should pay for everyone else.”
Richard laughed so hard, he almost fell off the table. “All of them are worth billions. Henri may have more tangible assets, you can’t compare stocks with a gold mine, but they can afford to bring us here a million times over and not make even a dent in their personal wealth, because they own half of what their Mates’ own. You do, too.”
