Page 25 of Henri's Little One
“Yes, I protect the council and Garou’s secrets.”
“Truth or lies and future dreams, and I know deep inside me that you won’t abuse the gift. The gods knew what they were doing. I’m glad I can be of use. All of the Mates seem to have an occupation, maybe we’ve found mine, and now we need to see how my father’s schooling holds up against real-life problems.”
“I know you’ll do fine. Here we go.” The newly mated pair entered the gathering hall.
Armand stood. “A toast to Henri and Vitas, may they live in happiness and peace.”
“Here, here,” shouted the group as they raised their glasses. Armand and Sean went through the buffet line first, as was proper, and the council followed in order of precedence. When Vitas and Henri’s turn came, Vitas took more than one spoonful of each dish presented.
He looked back at Henri. “So, I’m hungry.” Henri laughed out loud. He found he was doing a lot of that since he found his Mate.
§ § §
Armand and the other Alphas gathered in the corner. “Are we sure all of Henri’s Alphas saw the mark? There are so many of them. Who was responsible for crossing their names off the list?” The Alpha bit into the end of an apple turnover. “Martin?”
“Regis had that responsibility. Shall I get him, Alpha?”
“Yes, we have to make sure this thing is locked up tight. I want no loose ends.”
Martin walked over to where Regis was standing and brought him back to The Alpha.
“Regis, may I see the list of the pack Alphas that attended the showing of the Mark? Was every Alpha here?” Armand downed a scotch, sensing a problem.
“One pack doesn’t have an Alpha yet. We were looking for one before Alpha Giraud mated. That was why he intended to spend a few weeks in Anchorage.” Regis moved nervously from foot to foot.
“Did the old Alpha’s Betas attend?” If a wolf could have high blood pressure, Armand’s would be through the roof.
“Aline made sure every Beta in the pack and the two underage Alphas attended.”
Armand rubbed his chin and frowned. “I think that Aline was thorough and that she made sure she followed the letter of the law, however, it still leaves Alpha Giraud open to challenges.”
Rémy’s heavy tread sounded behind Armand. “What challenges and why?” Rémy blustered.
“One of Henri’s packs didn’t have an Alpha. The two Alphas in Training attended as well as all of the Betas, but it could be argued that Henri should have appointed a new Alpha before the mating.”
“Excuse me, Alpha,” Regis interrupted. “Alpha Giraud intended to appoint Alpha Roma Vanya Utkin, and he is here and witnessed the mark. He was called to meet Alpha Giraud in Anchorage before Alpha Giraud met Alpha Mate Vitas. Alpha Giraud intended to give the pack to him.”
Regis had an eye tic when he was nervous, Armand noticed.
Armand turned back to Martin. “Do I know Alpha Utkin?”
“You were scheduled to meet him and the other Russian refugees before Vitas arrived. We were to fly back to Anchorage with Alpha Giraud. The smaller company jet was already in Eugene. It would have flown you and Alpha Giraud to Anchorage. Then you were to go back to Manhattan. Alpha Giraud was to follow you in a few weeks in his plane, which we flew to Anchorage with Aline when we left Manhattan. We had to shuffle things around a bit when Alpha Mate Vitas arrived.”
“Martin, you make my life so much simpler. To arrange and rearrange all of that travel must have been frankly, a pain in the ass.”
Martin chuckled. “It’s my job to take care of the details while you get to decide the thornier issues, like how are we going to make sure Alpha Giraud’s mating is valid if Chernof finds out about Alpha Utkin?”
“Regis, bring Alpha Giraud over here. Tell him it’s important.” Armand’s body tensed. He didn’t like this new development.
§ § §
Henri stood at the buffet with Vitas under his arm. He hadn’t let him go all morning. Already Vitas knew the names of every member of his home pack, and all the Alphas and Betas in his territory. He was so proud of his little one. Behind Vitas’ back, Henri played with his braid.
He whispered, “I’m so looking forward to taking that out and brushing your hair tonight.” He kissed his Mate behind his ear. Henri looked up. Regis approached him from across the room with some urgency. He half ran, and half walked. Henri’s hackles rose. Something was wrong. He decided to meet Regis in the middle. “Vitas, please go over and talk to the Mates. I see Regis has something I need to take care of. I’m assigning Mathieu to you as your temporary Beta.”
Mathieu stepped up. Henri gave him a stern order. “You are to be constantly at my Mate’s shoulder. Chernof is dangerous. He won’t give up.”
§ § §
