Chapter 69
“So basically we’re having two parties, one tomorrow, and then another one on Saturday. That’s too much,” Donal said, upset at the excess expense.
“No, it’s necessary. The pack always caters the mating of their Alpha. The wedding has to be a fancier affair for the council.”
Donal thought Alexei was trying to explain the unexplainable. “But the council is going to be at the mating…” Donal’s voice trailed off. He knew he was fighting a losing battle.
“This is the way it’s done. It sounds crazy but the same thing happened for council matings in Russia. Although in Russia, there was no wedding, only a party for the council. Then at home you can’t forget about Julio and our other human friends who don’t know about the loup garou.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Donal grudgingly admitted.
“You can’t fight traditions that are over one thousand years old. Back then, if you didn’t put on a big show, it was an invitation to challenges. Hell, in Russia, it still is. Here it’s more for tradition than anything else. I promise no more formal parties for a while unless one of the remaining three Alphas gets married.”
“Well, I’d happily go to a party for them. It’s not fair that all of us are happy and they remain alone.” Donal glanced over at Etienne. “I owe Alpha Daurensbourg. He’s the reason you were able to come to America, then save me and love me. I want him to find someone, and the other two Alphas seem nice.” Donal tried to find Alphas Bellaire and Giraud and caught sight of them at the bar.
“Yes, they are all good men. Henri Giraud is a bit rough around the edges, but he comes from a logging family that has lands in Coastal Alaska. His wealth comes from the timber and fishing industries. He’ll need a special kind of Mate who can shine in the drawing room and a logging camp,” Alexei observed.
“What about Alpha Bellaire?”
“Giles Bellaire’s territory includes forest land but also Seattle which is one of the United States’ richest technology centers. Giles has to have a foot in both worlds, so will his Mate.”
“Alpha Daurensbourg, where is his main home?”
“Although the Midwest contains plenty of rural areas, Etienne lives in a Chicago suburb, Highland Park, one of the wealthiest suburbs in the nation. He owns a brick-walled compound. His home has twenty bedrooms and there are six guesthouses on the property.”
Donal considered this, wheels turning in his brain. Alexei smiled.
“Wow, Julio would be impressed,” Donal concluded. “A big city is perfect for him.”
“I hope you’re impressed with Colorado. Alpha La Farge let the property go to seed. It took me four months, and I’m still not finished remodeling. However, my packs are happy because I have the right bloodline. They were fractious under Armand.”
Donal was surprised. “Armand couldn’t control them?”
“Armand controlled them, but they weren’t happy. Now, they’re happy until they find something else to bellyache about. You’ll learn. Loup garou aren’t known for calm reasoning. That’s why I’m so impressed with what Armand has built here in North America. He enforces the rules, but with a gentle hand.”
Donal nodded his head in understanding. “Will they give you a hard time because of me?” Donal asked in a small voice.
“Why would they give me a hard time because of you?”
“Because I used to be a…eh…you know…”
“Wolves tend to be forgiving of certain sins. They live long lives. Many, if not all of them, have done things they aren’t proud of, including me. So, no, it’s what you do from now on that counts and how you treat them. Alpha La Farge looked down on his pack Alphas as a lesser breed of wolf, forgetting that his parents were both pack. Neither you nor I will do that.” Alexei stroked Donal’s thigh.
“I wasn’t exactly a winner in the parents’ lottery. I can hardly throw stones at anyone else. Besides which, if I’m, as you say, a Human Omega, my place in the pack is on the lowest rung.”
“I keep telling you, Omegas are much prized for the gifts they bring. Yours is to seek out the homeless, forgotten and abused, in the packs. With Kane’s gift of mental clarity, Sean’s Voice and Empathy, the packs should do well for the next three hundred fifty years. There are trying years coming, I know this. The gods provided us with Mates who can help both of our species get through them with the Earth still viable.” Alexei took a sip of the coffee the steward had just provided.