Page 27 of The Betas: Rene
Chapter Ten
The Alpha’s Limousine
In Front of René’s Townhouse
The Alpha sat up in his seat. “What were the arrangements?”
Frankie cleared his throat. “We were meeting his private plane. They were entering the country at LAX, going through customs there then going on to LaGuardia. Kuznetsov asked my stepfather to have his men meet the plane on the tarmac at LaGuardia so he could stash his associates in a safe house in downtown Manhattan as close to the Village as possible.”
The Alpha stroked his chin. “I’ve called for a meeting of the Council on Friday. This is a rather interesting development. Your first official assignment as my assistant will be to invite your father to come to a meeting with me on Monday, to be held in my home.”
“Are you sure you want to do that? What about The Alpha Mate?”
René’s face slackened. You didn’t question The Alpha.
The Alpha shifted his intense gaze over to René. “No, René, let Frankie proceed. An assistant who doesn’t question me is useless. When Pierre was on his game, he even questioned me about taking home The Alpha Mate.” The Alpha chuckled despite the gravity of the situation. “I have no fear of Don Ferone knowing where I live or being in my home. He’s already seen Alexei and Julien’s as you recall.” He turned to Frankie. “Your stepfather will not move against me willingly, and as far as the Russians are concerned, once we meet, he will see it my way, but I refuse to discuss business at the wedding.”
“We can go get the suits and rings another day, Alpha. Obviously, you have a lot on your mind,” René offered.
“No, we’ll go to Blanc’s and Mr. Abbott’s as planned. We’re going to move the wedding up to Saturday afternoon. We’re having it in my ballroom. All the Alphas, the Alpha Mates, the Betas, and Frankie’s family, if they wish to attend, total less than sixty. That’s the capacity of the ballroom. I’ll have Judge Booker sign a judicial waiver for the license, and he’ll bring it on Saturday to the wedding.”
“The mating, Alpha?” René asked in a tentative voice.
“Don’t worry, the mating will be tonight. This evening, after you and Frankie get back from seeing Frankie’s mother, we’ll leave for New Mexico—”
“Frankie has to eat. We’re only getting cake at Frankie’s mother’s. He…” René sputtered.
Martin regarded his brother with amusement. “You’re besotted. You interrupted The Alpha.”
René’s face grew hot.Martin is right. What am I thinking?
“Don’t worry, René, I won’t take offense. This is all new to you. Martin and I have, to coin an American colloquialism,been there, done that.Now, I called Murphy, and you will interview a housekeeper and manservant today at one. Their first official act will be to pack your belongings for your trip to New Mexico and have food for Frankie when you get home from your mother’s. Meg is already packing sandwiches for the plane. I’ve told her to make three times as many as she did for Sean.”
“Alpha, how do we know if—” Frankie was about to protest. The Alpha held up his hand.
“I told Murphy what you needed. His niece and her husband, Annie and Alphonse Eustis, are searching for work. They are full loup garou from Alpha Clavier’s pack in the Catskills. Annie is Murphy’s wife’s brother’s daughter. They’re young, about seventy, but they’ve had ten years of training and are willing to work for a Beta and stay for the long haul. I’ve been urging Martin and Edward to get someone for years.”
René spoke to Frankie through the Mate Link,“Don’t fight The Alpha on this one. He’s right. If Murphy recommended them, they’re perfect.”
“Is this the same Murphy who’s known in New York City as the incorruptible police detective? He’s loup garou?”Frankie’s eyes opened wide.
“One and the same, he’s loup garou from Alpha Clavier’s pack. Alpha Clavier is the Second on our Council. Julien is Seventh and Henri is Eighth. You’ll meet the others at the reception. I’ll tell you where they fit and what territory they hold on the plane. Now pay attention. This is not a democracy.”
“Pierre is driving you to your mother’s home. He’ll pick us up on the way back, and we’ll leave from LaGuardia. We’re taking the small jet, so we’ll be in landing at the ranch in four and a half hours. Once we get to the ranch, you will mate immediately. I’ve already alerted the pack to plan a mating feast for the morning. After the feast tomorrow, we’ll take the jet back to New York.”
“Thank you for all the trouble you’ve gone to, Alpha, especially with the Russian situation again causing you headaches.” René bared his neck.
The Alpha smiled. “Nonsense, I will always go out of my way to facilitate a mating. You both will help me deal with the Russians upon our return.”
“Martin, cancel tomorrow’s meeting with Don Ferone. As I said, we’ll have Frankie set one up for Monday.”
“Alpha, Don Ferone wants to come to the wedding.” René didn’t want to spring that on The Alpha at the last minute. “Frankie didn’t think his family would come, but Don Ferone suggested last night he’d bring Frankie’s mother and his brother.”
“I’ll tell the Council on Friday. We’ll make accommodations. Everyone will be told there will be humans among us. We managed with Frankie, we’ll manage with Don Ferone.”
“Do you want a traditional Beta mating, René?”
“If it can be arranged, so it doesn’t interfere with your plans, and it’s all right with Frankie.” The Alpha cocked his head at Frankie.
