Chapter 70
“Are you sure I’ll be of use?”
“Yes, little mouse, I’m sure.” Alexei kissed his neck. Donal shook beneath his lips. “Now, no more of this melancholy. You have a place. It is with me. You have a mission, and you have your own ambitions in music to fulfill. I intend that we have very happy lives.”
* * * *
Colorado pack land
Main house
Tuesday noon
They landed at a private hanger in Denver, and the Navigators and the Navigator Limousines were waiting for their party on the tarmac. Donal was all eyes. The only two places he had ever been were Albany and New York. Their final destination was a four-thousand-acre property south of Kinikinik between Kinikinik and the Cache la Poudre River. The compound was once a resort and animal refuge until Alexei’s grandfather and his Mate bought the property to use as his base. Now the wolves took prey only to cull the herds. Alexei’s large home pack lived on the property. The Alphas from the other Colorado packs would meet them at the lodge. The caravan made their way north on I-25 to Highway 14 West. They arrived at the ranch midafternoon.
Angelique met them at the main house with her Beta Mate, Fran?ois, who ran the pack while Alexei served on council. They greeted the guests in order of precedence, and Angelique showed them to their suites.
Fran?ois stepped up to Alexei, looking slightly nervous. “As per your instructions, Alpha, the house and the lodge have been completely refurbished. I’m afraid they are only halfway through the guest cabins, but the ones that aren’t renovated yet aren’t in bad shape, just a little outdated.”
“I expect when we come next, it will be done.” Alexei had Donal under his arm.
“Yes, of course, Alpha.”
“Fran?ois, this is Alpha Mate Donal Berne. His word is as mine.”
Donal stuck out his hand and Fran?ois, looking surprised, shook it.
“It’s an honor, Alpha Mate Berne. I hope our efforts on your and the Alpha’s behalf please you.”
“I’m sure it will all be wonderful.”
Fran?ois was effusive in his thanks and pumped Donal’s hand. “Angelique has the master suite and a meal ready for you. Katya is already down in the kitchen chivvying the she-wolves to new heights of culinary genius for your supper,” Fran?ois said in an anxious tone.
Donal chuckled. “I don’t need heights of culinary genius. Just food. I’m so hungry.”
“It’s the mating pheromones, Alpha Mate. I’ll have something sent up to your suite immediately. Angelique, could you escort our Alpha and Alpha Mate to their suite while I get Alpha Mate his tray?”
Donal expressed his sincere gratitude, and Angelique took them up the stairs. Donal finally took in his surroundings. The house resembled an immense log cabin
“There are sixteen bedrooms, eighteen baths, three living areas, a huge dining room, and a family dining room. The entrance leads to a center hallway and six wings. The master wing is the only one with an upstairs. It comprises the bedroom, a breakfast room, a library, a study, two children’s rooms, a room for the nanny, and a playroom,” Angelique told him.
“Does the pack meet here at the house?” Donal’s gaze fell on Alexei, but he addressed Angelique. Alexei didn’t tell him the sheer size of the compound.
“No, Alpha Mate, they meet in the conference room at the lodge where we have housed the pack Alphas and the Betas. The banquet hall for the mating and wedding ceremony is also in the lodge. Alpha, after you eat would you like me to show Alpha Mate the house?” Angelique asked, hesitant, as if she expected Alexei to bite.
“I’m sure we would both love a tour. I’d like to check on the status of the work I commissioned. I’m sure Fran?ois already did but I’d like to see the work I ordered carried to fruition,” Alexei said pleasantly.
Angelique gave him a strange look but nodded.
“Yes, Alpha.” Angelique opened the door to a suite with a vast stone fireplace. The bed, covered in a fluffy hand-sewn vintage down comforter, was at least a California King, if not bigger. The furniture was made of dark wood, heavily carved, and worn to a sheen from centuries of use.
“Thank you, Angelique. If you could send someone up with Donal’s tray that would be appreciated.”
Angelique scurried out of the room.
“Why are they so anxious around you?” Donal asked his soon-to-be mate.