Page 15 of The Betas: Rene
Chapter Six
The Alpha’s Study
The Alpha led The Alpha Mate, Martin, Edward, he and René to the library and pointed Frankie to the phone. Frankie put it on speaker so René and The Alpha would know which way the wind was blowing.
“Hello.” His mother answered the phone on the sixth ring. Her arthritis didn’t permit her to walk quickly. The housekeeper should have picked up, but that woman didn’t take care of his mother as she should, and Mom would never complain to Dante. He could hear the pain in her voice. His mother took an injectable for her condition but some days it didn’t take care of the pain, and she refused to take opioids.
“Hi, Mom.” Frankie realized his voice sounded cheerful. For the first time in years, he was happy. He grinned and blew René a kiss. His fiancé peered back at him in shock.
“Frankie, what a surprise. I saw you yesterday. What’s wrong?”
I really should get over to see her more often, especially if she’s this surprised that I called her two days in a row.
“Nothing is wrong, Mom. As a matter of fact, everything is finally right. Recently, I met someone. I didn’t tell you about him yesterday because I wanted to see where it was going. I wasn’t sure he liked me as much as I liked him.”
René rolled his eyes.
“I shouldn’t have doubted him. He proposed earlier today. We’re getting married the week after next.” Frankie alternately opened and closed his fingers, trying to fight off his nervousness. He was on Armand’s landline. Armand refused to do shifter business over a cell phone and considered René and Frankie’s mating shifter business.
“Congratulations. How lovely.”She sounds happy for me.
“I’d like to bring him over to meet you.”
Here’s where the rubber meets the road. René noticed, grabbed his hand, and squeezed it in support. Frankie shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
“I’m sure Dante will want to meet him, too,” his mother said. “Bring him over for dinner tomorrow evening.”
This is where I burst her bubble.
Frankie took a deep breath before responding. “Ten years ago, Dante asked me not to flaunt my sexuality in front of either him or his men. I have abided by his wishes for ten years. I won’t start disregarding his feelings now. I owe the man some respect for taking care of you and me when I couldn’t. Don’t worry about Dante’s reaction. René and I will pay for our own wedding. Of course, you’ll be invited, but mark my words, Dante will find an excuse not to come, and you’ll be attending alone. I’ll send a limousine for you. You may bring Carmen. She’ll enjoy the free food.”
“Now, Frankie, Carmen has been here since I came here when you were twelve. She helped me raise you and Dante Jr.”
His mother sounded indignant. This was an old argument. Considering that he wanted her help, he decided to drop the subject. “Can I bring René by tomorrow afternoon? That way Dante won’t be offended.”I can see the frown on her face in my mind.
His mother grew quiet then quickly changed the subject.“Is that his name, René? Is he French?”
“René Théodore DuBois. His father’s name was Théodore. His brother, Martin, shares his middle name Théodore, too. Their family has a custom. The middle name of a child is always his father’s first name. Yes, he is French. His parents were immigrants.”
“Will they be at the wedding?”
She’s interested. Maybe she’ll come if I send a car for her.He looked at René. His Mate mouthed,“They’re deceased.”
“No, they are no longer with us, but his brother will be there with his husband.”
“If his parents aren’t with him anymore, it’s good that he’ll still have family there. Of course, you’ll ask your brother to be best man…”
She sounds hopeful. That’s a shame because Dante has filled Junior’s ears with poison. We’ve never even had the opportunity to become close.
“No, Mom, you know my brother doesn’t approve of mylifestyle,so I can’t see him standing up for me at my wedding. I have a friend I want to ask, Julien Bellaire. If Julien can’t do it, I’ll ask my future brother-in-law, Edward Kellerman.”
“Kellerman, I’ve heard your father mention that name in association with Garou Industries.” His mother may be disabled by arthritis, but she was still sharp about everything, except Dante.
“Edward is the personal lawyer to the members of the Garou Board of Directors. René is employed by Armand La Marche, Chairman of the Board of Garou. As of the end of the week, I will be, too.”
“You’re leaving your father in the lurch!” His mother seemed to be surprised that he planned on leaving Dante. She willfully ignored everything he had said since he was twelve when she and Dante got engaged.
“Dante isnot my father,and I’ve obeyed Dante to the letter. He asked for ten years. It’s been ten years today. I’m taking my vacation for the rest of the week, and Dante can educate his other son toimport olive oil.”Frankie sounded bitter, but he had given Dante ten years, and he’d had enough.
