Page 9 of Henri's Little One
“You really want to hold me? They were right. You won’t mate me and then ignore my existence until you need my gift.” Vitas’ eyes went wide.
“I’ll never discard you like a used tissue, little one. That’s not the way I’m made. Even if I’m angry, I’ll always talk it out.”
Vitas stared up into Henri’s eyes. “I didn’t think it was possible to love your Mate if he was an Alpha. In my experience, Alphas are capricious and cruel, but you’re not, and these Omegas love their Mates. You actually seem to want tobewith me and not just use me.”
“Yes, we do love our Mates,” Donal agreed. “Our Mates are our lives, and we are theirs. It will be the same for you and Henri. I promise. When we have more time, we’ll tell you our stories, and you’ll see that our Mates love us, no matter what came before.”
Kane nodded in silent agreement.
“Little one, I have to go to speak to The Alpha and make plans for the mating. Listen to the Mates. Their voices will heal and welcome you.”
“Would you kiss me before you leave?” Vitas’ voice went up the musical scale at the end of the sentence, revealing his charming Irish lilt. “I’ve never been kissed. My parents were very protective, and I didn’t want to be kissed by anyone but my Mate.”
Henri bent over and kissed Vitas with a gentle movement of his mouth that brushed Vitas’ lips like a touch of a butterfly’s wing. He didn’t want to hurt his already injured Mate. Vitas closed his eyes and brought his arms up around Henri’s neck and pulled him close, lightly touching his cheek with his own. “That was wonderful.” His Mate smiled brightly despite his injuries.
“Alpha, we have to continue to talk to him. He’ll hear us, even as he sleeps. Go make your arrangements. We’ll keep him safe.” Donal touched Vitas’ forehead. “His fever is down.”
Kane stood up from the chairs the Omegas had ringed around the bed. “I’ll tell Dr. Artis.”
Vitas seemed better, his face not so pale. Maybe it was better if he left and let them use their gifts to help his Mate, but it was so very hard to walk away.I have a Mate, and my Mate is hurting.
Sean slipped back into the room. “Dr. Artis thinks he found the chemical agent and has an antidote. In this case, the cure may be worse than the disease, but Artis says he must mate tomorrow at midnight because of Chernof. The potion Artis is making up will make him horribly nauseous for a few hours. I may be able to help him handle the worst of it, but it’s up to you, Alpha Giraud.” Sean stood to wait for an answer.
A hard cough sounded from the bed. “Please, Alpha, have him give it to me. I want to be your Mate. I think if you don’t, he’ll come and take me away.”
Henri felt torn. His Mate was already suffering.
Sean spoke gently, “With his gift, he may be seeing what Chernof will do. I don’t think we can take the chance. The gods wouldn’t have brought him all the way here from Russia to die.”
“You’re right. I must trust in the gods and your gifts. Please, Alpha Mates, keep him safe for me. I need him as much as he needs me.” Henri left the suite.
§ § §
Sean lifted his head. Someone moved just outside the room. The doctor knocked on the door and strode inside. He crossed over to the huge bed to examine his patient. “I have to give him the antidote or he won’t be able to mate and then he’ll be in worse danger. Alpha Mate, keep talking to him, you too, Alpha Mates Martin and Davidoff. Maybe that will help him. Gods know he’ll need all the help he can get. He’s going to be very sick. I’ll get some more saline so he won’t get dehydrated.”
Dr. Artis sat on the side of the bed. “Vitas, do you understand that this will make you sicker before it makes you better? You may feel like you’re going to die, but you won’t. It will take two to three hours.” He turned to Sean. “Have Donal fetch a basin for the vomit. Vitas will have cramps but no diarrhea. Also, have him find out if Isabel has a hot water bottle for his stomach and keep talking to him.”
Someone was at the door again. It opened and Sean looked up. Richard stood in the door frame with Colin behind him. “The Alpha says I should play orderly for Vitas. Donal, The Alpha wants you, Sean, and Kane to keep talking to him. Colin is to take notes for the Assembly in New York. I’ll go get the basin and see about the hot water bottle.” Richard quietly departed.
Artis shot the antidote into the IV bag and left the room.
Armand came into the room next. “Is he any better, baby?”
Sean glanced over at the bed. “Dr. Artis says it will get worse before it gets better. Vitas is so brave. He wants to be with Alpha Giraud no matter what it takes.”
“Shouldn’t Alpha Giraud be up here? He’s hovering at the foot of the stairs.”
“Please, Alpha, I don’t want him to see me like this,” Vitas called out weakly from the bed.
The Alpha’s eyes flashed. “Alpha Mate, did you ever consider that Alpha Giraud might need to be here? He’s waited years for you, and now it seems as if you’re being snatched away from him before he can even put his hand in yours.”
Vitas’ green eyes blinked with tears. “I’m sorry, Alpha. I didn’t want to chase him away. I don’t want him to see me sick. Wolves don’t get sick.”
“Vitas, all of the Mates save you and Sean are fully human, and Sean is almost half-human. Our Alphas have faced many trials at their Mates’ bedsides. He’s grief stricken that you won’t let him stay with you.” The Alpha’s voice came out a bit less forceful.
“Alpha Mate,” Sean spoke, “Let Alpha Giraud remain with you. It will comfort him, and it costs you nothing but a bit of embarrassment.”
Armand kissed Sean and left the room.
