His Omega Page 13

  There was some talk among the Enforcers that Sergeant Quinn of the Keansburg Police should be taught a lesson by the loup-garou but once Sean heard of the project he begged them to leave his stepfather alone.

  Armand pursued his legacy from Aunt Nellie and that was enough to keep Sean happy. Dr. Artis had a lead on what happened to his real father. Lucien was on a secret mission to broker a marriage between the Alpha of the Virginia pack and his mate, a Russian Beta. There were human details and paperwork that had to be expedited and Lucien was the lawyer for the Virginia pack. “From there your father disappeared.” Dr. Artis told him. “He was never seen by his pack again. Had he told his Alpha that he found his mate before he left for Russia, his Alpha would have made arrangements for your mother in the Virginia pack but the Alpha never knew. The Russians are very suspicious of the North American Council and have not been forthcoming with the data we requested. We don’t want to give away what you are until you can shift, so we have to wait for the information.”

  “No worries, doctor. I only found out about my father in August, after twenty-four years. I believe I can wait a bit longer.” Sean smiled. The late afternoon sun shone over the courtyard of his new home where he sat while Armand was on the phone doing council business.

  As usual, Elena was playing with her dolls sitting quietly next to Sean. Marie had gone home to Lillian earlier for dinner. “That young one has taken quite a shine to you.”

  Sean looked over to Elena and gave a slight pull to today’s ponytail. “Uncle Sean, why did you pull my hair?”

  Sean lifted her up onto his lap. “Because it’s so very pullable, sweetheart…What are the Barbies up to today?”

  “They are going to ski with Moose. Ken is taking GI Joe, like you and Alpha Armand.” Elena looked up to him with love shining from her eyes.

  “You know you are the first male she has taken to since her parents died.” Rene said coming upon the trio. He sat on the other bench.

  “How did they pass? The loup-garou are generally long lived.” Sean asked puzzled by Dr. Artis’s answer.

  “Although we are long lived, we are still susceptible to accidents. Even though we heal quickly there are some things that from which even a loup-garou cannot recover. We lost Gerard and Emily in a head on collision with a drunk driver on I-25 two years ago. Elena was only three years old and doesn’t remember much about her sire.”

  “Who takes care of her?” Sean asked troubled by Elena’s loss at such a young age.

  “She lives with Adele and Bernard but with Adele’s pregnancy, she doesn’t get the kind of attention she would if she had her parents. The whole pack raises a pup but the bond with a parent and child is special. Alpha La Marche is intent on finding someone to adopt Elena but with so many hoping for pups of their own, there hasn’t been much interest.”

  Sean frowned. “I can’t see why not, she is such a beautiful and well-mannered child.”

  “This is the result of custom. To the loup-garou, blood is everything. We are worse than the humans in wanting a child of our own blood and since we are fast healing and long lived, a child in this situation doesn’t come up that often.”

  Sean gave the little beauty a hug. “I think I’m going to have a talk with my mate. Thank you Dr. Artis, this has been an enlightening conversation.” Sean looked over at Elena and said, “Sweetheart, I’m going over to see the Alpha. Dr. Artis, would you mind keeping an eye on Elena for a few minutes?”

  “Not at all.” The doctor smiled, knowing what was about to happen.

  * * * *

  Armand saw Sean come in to the house looking like a man on a mission. “Hello, baby, is there a problem?”

  “Not a problem, rather a request. I just found out that Elena is an orphan.”

  “I have been looking for a childless couple within the North American Packs to take Elena, so that she can have parents.”

  “She shouldn’t have to leave our pack.” Sean said. Sean came up to Armand and gave him a hug.

  “What was that for?” Armand chuckled.

  “A bribe, plain and simple…you said that the Alpha of a pack can’t have boys, only girls.”

  “Yes, I explained that to you when I first told you about our people.” Armand frowned not knowing where this conversation was headed.

  “I’d like for us to adopt Elena. She’s already close to you as Pack Alpha and I’ve come to love the little one. Why can’t we be her parents?”

  “You know we will have girls of our own someday.” Armand sat down at his desk, considering his mate’s request while secretly cheering his mate’s perception.

  “Elena needs us and I can’t help but feel she belongs with us.” Sean pleaded.

  “You know I can’t refuse you because I’m hopelessly in love with you.” Armand retorted. “Although I should point out to you that you’re about to shift for the first time tonight since tomorrow is your twenty-fifth birthday and you have your art and will be back in school.” Armand became serious rather than playful.

  “Most of the work on my master’s is done. I have to do my studio work, but you built me a studio here in our home. I can do my course work when Elena is in school. If Pierre and Meg don’t mind, they can keep an eye on her when we are occupied with this Voice business. There always seems to be someone around the compound willing to watch the children. That’s what Elena has now. This wouldn’t be much different except she would have parents to call her own.” Sean ran out of breath.

  “I love Elena too, but couldn’t adopt as a single father with my responsibilities to the corporation and the pack.” Armand considered Sean’s request.

  “I’m well aware of the time required to take care of a child and I’m willing to put the time in for Elena. It would give you an excuse to work less and delegate more which you should do anyway.”

  “The pack has to approve and I would have to approach Adele and Bernard to see if they are willing.” Armand wanted Sean to find out for himself why Bernard was so willing. It would be the first of his duties as Omega to the pack.

  “I’d talk to them if it’s necessary. We have the room,” Sean pleaded.

  “I hadn’t thought of taking on a child so soon. We are newlyweds, it would cut into our time together.” Armand pushed back.

  “Not if Pierre and Meg were able to help and with Blanche and Terese here all the time it shouldn’t be too much trouble. With your permission, I’ll ask. This way the request wouldn’t come from their Alpha. They feel comfortable enough with me to voice an objection, but wouldn’t with you.” Sean rubbed Armand’s shoulders.

  “Am I that scary and difficult to approach? Oh, that feels so good.” Armand pushed into Sean’s hands.

  “No you’re not scary to me, but your position makes people think twice about bothering you with what they consider to be trivial matters. It’s like you’re the President of the United States. You are the leader of the loup-garou on this continent and have a lot on your shoulders. More than you should have in fact. Once I shift I hope I can help you more than I do now.”

  “You help, baby, by just being mine.” Sean kept massaging Armand’s neck and shoulders until Armand growled with pleasure.

  * * * *

  Sean made his way over to the kitchen wing. At Sean’s request, Meg was stirring a pot of stew, their dinner tonight with baking powder biscuits. Pierre was sitting at the kitchen table sorting out Armand’s schedule for after Sean’s shift this evening. Halloween was tomorrow and he had the pack’s party and Sean’s birthday celebration to coordinate.

  “Do we take the children out of the compound for trick or treat, Pierre?” Sean asked staring at the mouthwatering stew.

  “No we usually have a big party here for the kids and the adults. The kids go to all of the houses in the compound and end up at the Alpha’s house for a party. After midnight, the adults who can shift, go on a run.”

  “I need to ask you and Meg a question and I don’t know how to begin.” Sean moved his body shifting
his weight from one foot to the other in a nervous dance.

  “I gather this is more important to you than what we have for your birthday dinner.” Meg put down her spoon.

  “Do you have time to sit down with me? This is a serious request and would bring significant change to the household.” Sean told them leading with his chin.

  “Sean, you know we already love you like a son and would do anything to make you happy and feel more at home here.” Meg took off her apron and took a seat next to Pierre.

  “You know about Elena, and her position in the pack.” Sean hesitated, not wanting to sound critical of pack customs.

  “I wasn’t born loup-garou and I have no attachment to the blood bond business.” Meg was forthright in her disapproval.

  Pierre put down his pencil. “I must say that although Adele tries, Bernard doesn’t care too much to have Elena in his household. That’s why she spends so much time in the courtyard since you arrived. We didn’t see how bad the situation had become until we returned from New York.”

  “Yes,” Meg interjected. “Alpha La Marche was trying to rectify the situation before this last New York trip by looking for an adoptive family outside of our pack. It’s a shame we can’t find someone here who is willing to take…you want to take Elena!”

  “I’ve talked to Armand about it but I know how much extra work a child can be so I wanted to be sure you were on board with this. If you have any doubts, or you think it would be too much to handle, please tell me. I love both of you too much to add to your burdens.”

  Pierre slapped his hand on the table. Sean jumped. “What a fabulous idea. She could become the ward of you and the Alpha and be able to stay with our pack. It would be wonderful to have a child around.”

  “Before you agree, remember how busy the Alpha is and this Voice thing is going to have me very busy too. That means a lot of work will fall on you.” Sean pointed out.

  “We can afford to hire a nanny and a tutor to travel with us. That’s what we would have to do when you and the Alpha have your own children.” Pierre got up from the table and pulled a cold beer from the fridge. “Would you like one?”

  “Yes, please. I don’t often indulge because I was afraid of becoming like my father, however, it seems that the loup-garou do not have to worry about alcoholism.” Sean twisted open the bottle of Heineken.

  “Our metabolism runs high and burns off most of the alcohol before it has time to get us inebriated. You would have to drink a hell of a lot more than a beer to get a loup-garou drunk.”

  “I know I have to talk to Bernard and Adele and then clear it with the pack, but is it all right with you?”

  “Yes, of course,” Meg and Pierre said simultaneously.

  “You’re the best. I’ll tell Armand.”

  “I’ll talk to Rene and Martin to arrange a pack meeting before the party tomorrow night. That way this business will be taken care of the sooner the better.” Pierre got up to find his cell phone.

  * * * *

  Sean was excited. He ran over to the pack wing of the house where Armand kept his office. “They said yes. With your permission, Pierre is setting up a pack meeting for tomorrow night before the party so we get to business before the Halloween party and my birthday bash.” Sean’s face glowed with happiness.

  “You’re glowing. The strangest things make you happy. My love, your studio, and now the prospect of helping a little girl get two committed parents. All of the money and what it brings really means nothing to you, does it?”

  “Not really. I mean when I didn’t have enough to eat or a roof over my head, money was important. But all I really need is you, my art and now Elena. If it’s okay with you I’m going to talk to Bernard and Adele and see what they say.”

  “Do you want me to come with you?” Armand asked Sean with some concern. This was a big undertaking and he knew the conversation would become difficult.

  “No, I have to do this on my own. I don’t want anyone thinking I applied undue pressure by using your position as Alpha. I want them to know this was totally my idea.”

  “I’ll have Rene accompany you. Bernard is of uncertain temper and I don’t want you hurt if he responds badly.”

  “If you think it’s necessary.” Sean was anxious to get to his errand. Armand followed him out to the foyer. “Take a jacket with you. I’ll have Rene meet you out front.” He picked up his cell and texted his Beta. Sean looked through the front window and saw Elena was no longer in the courtyard. She had probably gone for her dinner, he thought.

  Sean turned and Armand pulled him into a passionate kiss. “You know sometimes the mate the gods pick for you can be someone you are unable to love. I didn’t say that to you in the beginning because I loved you right away. But it seems every day I find reasons to love you more.” Armand traced his tongue over Sean’s mouth and then broke away. “If I continue in this vein, you’ll never get over to see Adele and Bernard. I see Rene out front, don’t forget your jacket.”

  * * * *

  Sean rang the doorbell at Adele and Bernard’s home. Adele opened the door. “So happy to see you Alpha Mate, Rene. What brings you to our door this evening?”

  “May we come inside?” Sean spotted Elena sitting in a quiet corner coloring with her crayons.

  “Uncle Sean…why are you here?”

  “What did I tell you about speaking out of turn?” Bernard snapped from another room.

  “I’m here to talk to your uncle and aunt, sweetie.” Sean ignored Bernard’s attitude toward the child.

  “Adele, would it be okay if Rene took Elena for a walk?” Although certain of his course Sean felt a bit of trepidation, especially in face of Bernard’s attitude.

  “You go ahead with Rene,” Adele told Elena.

  “She probably needs a jacket. It’s a bit chilly outside.”

  “She has a sweater, get your sweater, Elena.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Elena ran to get her sweater. Sean thought it looked rather thin for the weather but at this point opted to say nothing. Elena slipped out the door with Rene.

  “Bernard’s in the studio, let me get him.” Adele left the kitchen to go out to the other wing of the house. Sean looked through the curtained window on the door. He saw Elena, she seemed to be shivering, even with the sweater. Renee gave her his jacket.

  Adele knocked on a door and went in; he heard shouting and then grudging acceptance. Bernard left what had to be the studio wiping his paint stained hands with a rag. He heard their footsteps and Sean moved away from the door. He sat down on one of the kitchen chairs.

  “Alpha Mate, what can we do for you?” Bernard asked with a forced joviality.

  “Can you spare the time to sit out with me for a minute? I know studio time is precious, but I have a very serious question for you.”

  “Go ahead, Alpha Mate, we’re listening,” Adele encouraged.

  “It’s about Elena—”

  “Has she gotten herself into trouble again?” Bernard growled.

  “No, Bernard. Elena is one of the most well-behaved children I have ever met.” Sean stated in a flat voice. “It’s her position in your household I’ve come about—”

  “We’ve done our best for Elena even though she isn’t blood.” Bernard interrupted.

  Sean placated. “I’m sure you have. As you know, your Alpha has been looking for a better placement for Elena so she wouldn’t be a strain on your resources, especially with the new baby about to arrive.”

  “Yes, I asked the Alpha to try,” murmured Adele. “We are a bit stretched with the baby coming and the market for art is slow due to the uncertainty of the economy.”

  “I completely understand, as you know until recently I was a victim of the economy myself,” Sean said in an attempt at reassurance. “I have a proposal for you regarding Elena. The Alpha and I would like to adopt her. This way she wouldn’t have to live with a group of strangers and she still would have access to her beloved aunt.” Sean couldn’t bring himself to say beloved
uncle. “We could bring it in front of the pack tomorrow night before the party and if they agree, it could be done with a minimum of fuss, just a few government forms. She would only have to move down the street.”

  Bernard looked at Sean. “I’m considerably out of pocket from taking care of Elena for the past two years. I told Alpha La Marche that I would expect to be compensated for giving away a potential breeder to another pack.”

  Sean’s color rose high. “She wouldn’t be going to another pack; she would stay here with us. As far as you being out of pocket, whatever the Alpha agreed to do will be fine.” Sean was hedging his bets. He didn’t want to give Bernard a dime.

  Adele sat quietly listening to the conversation, tears falling on her cheeks.

  Sean turned to her. “You will still be able to see Elena and she will be able to get to know her new cousin.”

  Bernard said, “If the Alpha wants her, he can have her. He knows the amount I asked for in compensation. You can take her now. I know he’s good for it.”

  Sean opened the front door and called for Rene. “We’re going home. Elena is going with us.”

  “Yes, Alpha Mate. You’ve done a very good thing.”

  Chapter 12

  Sean and Rene came in the house followed by Elena. Their mate link told Armand that Sean was incensed not only at Bernard and Adele, but also at him. His mate strode into the study with a sense of purpose. “Meg,” he called. “Can we get one of the guest bedrooms ready for Elena tonight?”

  Without a glance at Armand he said, “Pierre, could we get someone over to Adele’s to get Elena’s things, like now?” He bent down on one knee. “Sweetie, I’m sending someone to get your Barbies and your PJs. Have you eaten dinner yet?”

  “I had ravioli, you know, from the can.”

  “Meg, do we have anything light she could eat? She shouldn’t go to sleep with a heavy belly.”

  “Yes, Alpha Mate. I’ll make some eggs, bacon and toast, that should be filling and light enough for her to go to sleep afterward.”

  “Elena, go with Meg. You’re going to be staying with us from now on. When you wake up tomorrow, we’ll start planning your new room. Kiss me and Alpha La Marche good night and we’ll talk more in the morning.”