Chapter 8
“I forget, Alpha, that you speak Russian. Please excuse my language. I am no longer used to the drawing room.”
“You are excused. Your anger is understandable. I sympathize. Sean almost came to me in similar condition. I arrived just in time to prevent it.”
Gabriel picked up his head. “Kane may be able to help. As you know, he was beaten and brutally raped. The gods gave him the gift of mental healing. He, yet, has not had an opportunity to use his gift. This may be his first chance to help a mind other than those of the children he teaches.”
“How can I repay your kindness?” Alexei asked with sincerity.
“Get your boy well enough to run with the others. That will make our Mates happy and happy Mates make a council stable,” Armand intoned. “This is something we have learned in the past two years.” Armand’s gaze swept around those at the table and he gave them almost a feral smile.
The doorbell rang. Boris came into the dining room. “Excuse me, Alphas, but the nurse has arrived.” 2
Alexei’s Townhouse, master suite
Sunday, mid-morning
As soon as they finished eating, Sean stood and insisted that he and the other Mates return to Donal’s side. “I’m afraid he will wake up frightened and think that Apuso still has him,” Sean told Grigory, having heard the story from Armand via the mate link.
Ian and Colin followed Sean and Kane, and they sat in the breakfast nook of the master suite drinking their tea. After a short time, a moan came from the bed. Sean rushed over. He shouted to Ian, “Get Alpha Davidoff, he’s awake.”
“Please, I gave you all the money. Don’t beat me again.”
Sean’s heart ached for the emaciated boy in the bed. “No one is ever going to beat you again. You’ve been rescued. You’re safe.”
“There is no safe,” the boy cried bitterly. “He’ll find me. He always does. I’m trouble.”
“The trouble has already been taken care of. Apuso was paid to let you go.”
Donal’s brow furrowed. “Why?”
“That is for Alexei Davidoff to explain. He came upon you while he was jogging in Central Park. You are very weak. You’ve been through rapid detox and you have pneumonia. He arranged for your care. This is his suite you are in now.”
Donal glanced around the opulent room. “Have I traded one prison for another?”
“No, but I would stay here to recover from the detox and pneumonia before I left,” Sean told him quietly.
Kane said, “You are in no danger, Donal Berne. Those in this house only wish you well. Remember that.” Kane shook his head. “What did I say?”
Colin steered him out of the room. “Your gift reassured him. I’ll tell you more downstairs.”
* * * *
Ian knocked on the door to Alexei’s study where the Alphas had retired after breakfast.
“Come in,” Armand called.
“Alphas, he’s awake but weak and frightened. He thinks he’s traded one prison for another. Kane quieted him, but I don’t know for how long.” Ian stood to wait for direction.
“Go up, Alexei. We are not as formal as they are in the Russian Council. In private we are all friends here.”
“Thank you, Armand, for everything.”
“Go to your Mate. Your pheromones should calm him, especially since he is a little mouse,as you say.”
Alexei, still in his running clothes, bolted out of the room and up the stairs two at a time. Vasily and Grigory followed.
When he reached the top of the stairs, Alexei took a moment to settle himself then turned the knob to enter the master suite. He found Sean holding Donal’s hand and speaking to him in a soothing voice.
* * * *
Grigory observed Alexei approach the bed. Alexei regarded his Mate with concern. “Little mouse, you are awake.”
Donal peered at his Alpha, perhaps reacting to the endearment.“I feel like I’m dead.” Donal sat up, pulling on his IV. He winced.
“What’s your name?”
Donal answered immediately as a Human Omega would respond to his Alpha, “Donal Berne.”
“Dr. Artis said you should stay in bed for three days until you regain your strength. What do you like to eat? I’ll have Katya make it for you.” Alexei fussed over the pillows.