Page 3 of Henri's Little One
§ § §
Chernof’s Dacha
The Next Afternoon
“How did he get away? He must have had help. You two were the only ones who had access to the cellar. I kept it locked. Tell me why I shouldn’t rip your throats out right now.”
“I swear by the gods, Alpha, Maxim and I didn’t free him.” Chernof sat behind his desk. Anatoly literally stood on the carpet. He forced an appropriate amount of fear in his expression. Not of Alpha Chernof, but fear of the gods who might strike him dead for swearing to a lie in their names. “We were in the dorm, off shift. Sleeping when he escaped. Some other members of the pack who knew his parents or were loyal to Davidoff must have picked the lock and spirited him away. The lock is scratched and damaged.”Anatoly knew it was. He damaged it himself in case the Alpha looked.He carefully tried to control his expression. Chernof was a big brute of a man, but not too bright.
“I know where he probably went,” Maxim volunteered.
Chernof smacked Maxim. “You idiot, I know where he went. He went to Davidoff in New York.” The Alpha paced back and forth then halted. “Hmm, but Davidoff is mated. Where did he go afterward? Davidoff’s Mate would have seen him as a threat and torn out his throat immediately, if he didn’t send him on his way.”
“Maybe he went to a pack Alpha or a Beta.” Anatoly’s insides were quaking.
Chernof looked to the sky. “The gods have given me fools,” he snapped. “Such a gift can only be meant for a council Alpha.”
“Alpha, in America they’re soft. Davidoff’s Mate would have welcomed him.” Anatoly shook in real fear. His life hung in the balance. He was counting on The Alpha to take Chernof to the pit.
“They made Davidoff fifth. That leaves three other council members. One in Chicago, one in Oregon, and one in Alaska and the Yukon.” Maxim bit his lip, squeezing his fingers so that his nails dug into his palms as he spoke.
“Don’t you listen to the reports I’m given? I’d replace both of you if I weren’t stuck with you from birth.” Chernof kicked Maxim, and Maxim bent to rub his leg. Chernof kneed his chin.
Chernof heard the knock on his study door. A she-wolf bearing a tea tray appeared. He motioned her into the room. She set the tea on Chernof’s desk. He didn’t indicate that she should serve so she stood with them waiting.
Anatoly spoke up, “We’re not going to do you any good if we’re dead or incapacitated.”
“I’m not sure you two pieces of shit are doing me any favors now,” Chernof grumbled. “The information I received was that the Alpha from Chicago and the Alpha from Oregon have already found their Mates. Julien Bellaire of Oregon is mating this weekend.”
“Then we should go to Oregon. Surely he would follow Davidoff and the council to Oregon.”
Chernof punched Anatoly in the stomach. “You fool. By the time we get to Oregon, they will be back in Manhattan.”
Anatoly grimaced and hunched over.
The she-wolf bearing the tea tray spoke up, “Excuse me, Alpha, but I was in your office cleaning when you received your reports. The last few Alphas were mated one right after the other. I’d look in Alaska. If he isn’t mated, he’s up next.” She smiled brightly at Chernof. Anatoly wanted to choke her.
“Finally, one of you with brains. We’ll never catch them if we take a plane to Anchorage. They’ll watch for that. I can get one of my friends in the government to allow us access to the restricted area around Cape Dechnev. Make immediate flight arrangements for my small plane to land at the airport in Anadyr. We’ll make our way by fishing trawler from Cape Dechnev to Cape Prince of Wales then arrange for another boat to take us to Anchorage. Book the passage. And you…” Chernof pivoted to the serving girl. “You come with us. It seems you have a brain.”
Anatoly and Maxim looked longingly at the tea and cakes but went to do what they were bid.
§ § §
Eugene, Oregon
Julien’s Home, Library
Third Week in June
The mating party broke up at two, and the council convened in the library with their Mates. Everyone was sated and quiet. Henri inwardly sighed. He had hopes for today, but they bore no fruit. He got up to pour himself a drink and the front doorbell rang, startling the group. Henri lifted his head, sniffing the air. After a moment, Marcel scurried into the room.
“There is a young loup garou by the name of Vitas Kosloff at the front door who insists on seeing Alpha Davidoff. He appears as if he were badly beaten, he’s shivering, coughing, and having difficulty breathing. I showed him into the living room, installed him on a couch with an afghan, and called Dr. Artis from the media room. Alpha, we might need Donal, Sean, and Kane.”
Henri stood up abruptly and pushed himself forward, propelling his body closer to the library door. Breathing deeply, Henri snapped at Marcel, “Where did you put him? Show me, now.”
Julien turned to follow. He patted Alexei on the shoulder. “Do you want to go in and speak to him and bring Donal? This will be the first time he’s had the opportunity to use his gift.”
“I’ll go, but I’m sure this is Henri’s Mate. Watch him.” Henri paid little heed to Alexei’s words. He flew through the library doors, focused on the wonderful scent bathing his nostrils.
