Page 16 of Henri's Little One
They were off the plane by seven. And the caravan arrived at Henri’s and his uncle’s Anchorage homes thirty minutes later. In the limousine, Henri told Vitas something of his life. “My father and uncle built their houses side by side in the High Victorian style in eighteen-forty-five with bay and bow windows and furniture decorated with curlicues. I came along in eighteen fifty-seven and never knew another home until I had to disappear.”
“So, the humans wouldn’t guess you were loup garou?”
“Yes. I spent fifty years in Paris and fifty years in London. I came home four years ago, and I was looking forward to spending time in my childhood home. Then Armand appointed me to the council in Manhattan, and now I spend most of my time in New York except for the few weeks I can grab here and there from my council and Garou Industry duties.”
“And now I’ve taken you away again.”
“Little one, for you I’d spend time roasting in the humans’ Hell.”
Vitas giggled. Henri sensed his little one’s emotions were very close to the surface and that Vitas feared they were easily read.
“I was only called to council two years ago, and I bought a Manhattan town house on Seventy-Third Street with views of Central Park. I can’t wait to show you all of our homes.”
From what Alexei said, his Vitas had known little in his life beside the necessities and the occasional treasured gift since they were pulled back to Russia. His Mate had a silver bracelet he never took off and carried a small satchel he’d had when he arrived and which never strayed far from him. The satchel was with them beside Vitas’ seat.
Because Vitas was a loup garou, there was no need for Henri to tell him about the order of precedence, and he waited in the limousine until Julien and Richard exited theirs. He sat up from his position on Henri’s lap, grabbed his satchel and put it over his shoulder.
“Little one,” Henri asked, “what’s in that bag you guard so zealously?”
Vitas opened it and showed his Alpha the book and picture frame. “These things and my silver bracelet are all I have left of my parents.” A lone tear made its way down Vitas’ cheek. “The contents of this bag, a change of clothing, and a towel with soap were all that Anatoly and Maxim were able to retrieve from my parents’ home without suspicion. The towel was filthy. I had to leave it with my other set of clothes and my jacket in the trash bin at the airport.”
“You haven’t had time to grieve, my poor pet.” Henri put his arm around Vitas’ shoulder. It was time to exit the limousine.
Aline welcomed them at the door. As was proper, Armand was shown into the parlor first and then to his suite. The Alphas were told they would stay in the main house and their Betas next door. Of course, Henri expected at least one Beta to be with his Alpha and Alpha Mate always, and two Enforcers would stand guard outside the suites.
The Alpha came down to the parlor. “Pierre is unpacking our bags. Your pack has done well on such short notice.”
“Thank you, Alpha. I have also purchased a residence hotel a quarter mile down the road. It has room for one hundred and fifty Enforcers if they double up. My own will stay with their families.”
“Very good. Send Vitas, with Aline, to the kitchen. Aline needs to keep pushing food on him. Between the beatings and the antidote to the poison, he hasn’t had the time to eat enough to have the energy for a mating. I assume you know what has to be done.”
“Alpha Giraud, I’m taking Vitas to the kitchen to get something to eat as The Alpha suggested.” Julio grasped Vitas’ hand. Henri nodded and turned back to Armand.
“Yes, Alpha, but a bit of advice on how to make love so I don’t hurt my Mate would be appreciated.”
“Is there a drugstore nearby?”
“Yes, Alpha, around the corner.”
Armand took a notebook from Martin who stood at his shoulder and wrote something down. “I usually order from Amazon, but there is no time for that. Have Regis go to the store and get this while I explain the process.”
Chapter Five
Henri’s Home
Aline’s Kitchen
As Armand spoke to Henri, Julio and Richard escorted Vitas down to the kitchen with Aline.
The housekeeper smiled warmly at Vitas but he got a bad feeling from the other she-wolf in the kitchen. “Eat up, Alpha Mate. My elk stew and biscuits are the best in Alaska. Don’t be afraid to take second helpings either, thirds if you like. I have some apple pie and cheese waiting for you after you finish.”
“That sounds delicious, Mrs. Poulin.”
“Aline, please. You’ll find yourself hungry again very soon after you eat. That’s normal for a Mate. I’m making king salmon with butter and dill sauce, rice, and spring peas from my greenhouse. After that, I’ll send you up some more dessert, homemade oatmeal raisin cookies and pots of crème. I’ll make enough for the other Mates to share, but then they need to skedaddle because it will be time for Henri to come to you. So, ask all your questions while you eat your supper. Go on now, I’ll be up in a few minutes.” She turned around and stirred her pot.
“Eh, Aline…could someone show me where I’m supposed to go?” Julio noted Vitas’ state of confusion.
“Oh, precious boy, I’m sorry. You and Henri didn’t go upstairs because he knew where the suite was, and you came in last. I’ll take you up right now.”
