Page 23 of Henri's Little One
Henri’s Library and Gathering Room
Late evening, early morning
Henri smiled. “It’s show time. Put on your new silk pajamas and robe. I believe that Julio also bought you slippers. They should be on your side of the bed. Bare your shoulder, nothing else. They can closely inspect, but they may not touch. If anyone tries, shout out. Now let’s braid your hair and go downstairs.”
Henri braided Vitas’ long, straight hair and placed the weave down his back. “You’ve always worn your hair like this. One of my greatest pleasures was braiding it for you every morning and taking out the plait so that your hair enveloped me at night.”
Vitas looked up at Henri and smiled. “Let’s get this done. I want to cuddle and go to sleep. I’m dead on my feet.”
Henri’s chest tightened with sympathy for his Mate. “Oh, my poor pet. Unfortunately, we must do this tonight. I’ll get you a chair, so you don’t have to stand.”
“My love, I know it has to be done, so let’s get it over with.” Vitas donned his robe, and Henri knocked at the door to alert his Betas they were exiting the room so they could clear the way. Regis and Mathieu stood at attention on either side of the portal. One of them preceded them while the other walked behind, the Betas joined by two Enforcers each, at the bottom of the stairs.
The Alpha and The Alpha Mate were the first to inspect the mark, followed then in quick succession by Rémy and Ian, Marc and Colin, Gabriel and Kane, Donal and Alexei, Etienne and Julio, and Julien and Richard, and then the council Betas. After that, the households of each Alpha. Next came Henri’s pack Alphas, then the Betas, and finally the members of the home pack. By the time everyone had verified the mark, it was five in the morning, and poor Vitas was tired.
As the last pack member filed through, Armand stood in front of them and stated, “The mark is verified and attested to by every Alpha on the council, the council Betas, the households, the pack Alphas, and your home pack. Vitas is safe. Any claim by Chernof is nullified. Take your Mate up to sleep. The she-wolves will have the brunch ready at one. Regis and Mathieu will knock on your door at noon. I’ll take care of security and anything else that comes up until then. You have done well, Henri. Vitas has the integrity of an Alpha Mate and will be an asset to the council in the same way as the others.”
Henri put his strong arm around Vitas’ waist. “Come, little one, lean on me, and we’ll go upstairs to bed. No one will bother us until noon. We’ll stop at the kitchen on the way up to get you a snack.”
Vitas raised his gaze up to Henri’s. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me, I’m so hungry.”
“It’s normal for a new Mate, pet. We’ll steal some cookies and hot cocoa from the kitchen.”
Vitas yawned and nodded.
After grabbing what they needed from the kitchen, they went upstairs to their suite. Henri sat his Mate down at the table and placed the cookies and cocoa in front of him.
Vitas perked up after the cocoa. They made love twice again before morning. Henri wasn’t sure about the third time, but Vitas seduced him. His Mate lay on top of Henri. He had never been as content in his life as he was now with his little one in his arms. They fell asleep, still knotted together.
§ § §
Henri’s Suite
Noon, the next day
As promised, there was a knock on their door at noon. “Alpha Giraud, the feast will begin in an hour.”
“Okay, Regis, tell The Alpha we’ll be down at one,” Henri replied. Vitas still lay on his chest. His eyes cracked open. He hadn’t stirred all night. Vitas stroked Henri’s chest. Henri had once thought of waxing but was glad now that he hadn’t. His little one always liked to play there. The Mates would take Vitas to Zachary’s when they went back to Manhattan. What would Vitas make of that?
“Time to get up, pet. Are you sore?” He gently shifted his Mate off him and next to him on the bed.
Vitas wiggled his naked ass back and forth across the sheet. “A little, I think.” He sat up and winced.
“I knew we shouldn’t have gone for the third time. I thought you were tired.” Henri gave Vitas a wry gaze.
“I was, but the cookies and the cocoa perked me up, and you looked so sexy in just your sleep pants.”
“The Mates will offer you a pillow to use at the feast. Don’t be embarrassed. Use it. They all did. We need to take a shower and get dressed. Do you drink coffee or tea in the morning?”
“Strong tea, please.” Henri got up and stuck his head out the door of the bedroom suite and asked Regis for a cup of strong tea and a black coffee.
“I usually sleep with my braid. I have to brush the tangles out before I take my shower or they’ll be there all day.” Vitas scrunched up his nose.
“Little one, I’ll brush out your tangles and use the wide comb after your shower.” Henri admired his beautiful Mate, his body thrumming with mounting desire. “We could save time if we took our showers together.” He deliberately leered at Vitas.
Vitas giggled. “You’re supposed to be the responsible one. Please brush my hair and then we’ll shower. We’ll see how much time you have to besmirch my virtue after that.” Vitas retrieved his new brush from the suitcase the Mates had so thoughtfully provided and handed it to Henri. He sat Vitas on the vanity bench that had been his mother’s and carefully brushed the tangles out of his little one’s hair.
“I suppose we have Julio to thank for an appropriate brush and comb.” Henri winked at Vitas through the vanity mirror.
