by Ravenna Tate
“You are correct about that,” said Avery, “but we do have jurisdiction where the allegations make it clear the private business matters interfere with pack law. In this case, the complaint alleges your father’s company controls so much of the timber rights that surround our village, improper administration of those rights could lead to exposure of our kind to humans, and to mismanagement of the day to day necessities for our continued existence in this village.”
“That is horseshit,” said Stone.
“Watch your mouth, young man,” said Darren.“That behavior isn’t productive here.”
Avery held up a hand. “We have a complaint before us, and we must address it. You are all free to leave now. We will gather the other Elders and let you know when the formal inquiries will begin.”
That was it. They’d been dismissed.
Stone and Arizona both looked as though they wanted to fight someone. Canyon’s father caught their gazes, and led them each toward the front door. Canyon took Fiera’s hand, and offered his other arm to Cash. “Come along, Cash. Or may I call you ‘Father’ now?”
The man merely looked confused. Canyon’s heart went out to him. There was no doubt in his mind the Elders would find him unfit to run his company. The question was whether they’d allow Fiera’s uncles to continue running it, or whether the Medinas would get their way after all, and would soon own the business outright.
As the group left Avery’s cabin, Canyon vowed he would not let that happen to Fiera. No way would Hawke win in the end. This was bad enough, having to explain his motivation to the Elders, and realizing how deeply Fiera was unaware of her father’s condition. He would not let her lose her family business on top of all that. He was sworn to protect her, and that meant all aspects of her life.
Chapter Seven
To try to keep her mind busy from dwelling on the obvious, Fiera concentrated on moving her things into Canyon’s home. But it proved impossible. Hawke had done exactly what he’d threatened to do. He had gone to the Elders about her father.
Because Stone and Arizona helped with the move, they tried to keep her smiling and almost laughing at times with their silly jokes. Fiera knew what they were doing, and she loved them for it. They were amazing men. Both easygoing, and good friends with each other as well as with Canyon. They were loyal to each other, and Canyon needed loyalty right now.
The only difference now was that their gazes lingered a bit longer and they gave each other knowing looks, each time she and Canyon exchanged a glance or a whispered comment. The fact that Stone was her cousin had never deterred him from making off-color jokes around her, so his curious glances now didn’t bother her.
The men were the same age as Canyon, and she didn’t understand why they weren’t mated yet. Both were very handsome, and lynx shifters like Canyon. As for Stone, she would have heard from Patti if he’d found his mate, but she didn’t know anyone in Arizona’s family well enough to ask. Arizona’s family was well-known, and both families could trace their ancestors back for generations. Any woman would be honored to be mated to either him or Stone.
After they finished moving Fiera’s possessions, they went to the home she’d shared with her father all her life. “But who will live here now?” he asked for the tenth time as the group packed up his possessions.
“Stone and Arizona are moving in,” she said. “Remember? They’ve wanted their own place for some time, and this way strangers won’t be living in your home.” It must be so stressful for him moving out of his house. Fiera guessed that was why he seemed worse than usual today. She knew he often became confused, but she’d never seen him this bad.
“You take such good care of me.” Her father gave her a worried look. “Who will do that now?”
Was moving him to another place a terrible idea? Fiera exchanged a glance with Canyon. Her father depended on her so much, and now she’d live next door instead of in the same house. Was that still too much for him to deal with? Had they changed too many things at once?
“You’ll be with Canyon’s parents, Daddy. Right next door to me and Canyon.”
“Are you sure about this, Fiera?” His gaze clouded over with confusion and anger as he leaned close. “Hawke wanted you, and his family is very rich and powerful.”
He hadn’t said it softly enough to prevent the others from hearing. Canyon, Stone, Arizona, and Luke moved away from the pair to continue packing up her father’s possessions. While she was grateful for their discretion, her heart broke at the realization Canyon had heard those words from her own father.
“Daddy, I’ve been certain of Canyon as my true mate since I was five years old. I’ve never felt that way about Hawke. Not even once.”
“But his family—”
“His family is trying to ruin you, Uncle Chad, and Uncle Chance. I’m not going to let that happen.”
“Fiera! What a thing to say. Did Canyon put that idea in your head?”
“He didn’t have to. I’ve seen the evidence myself.” That was a lie, but she couldn’t discuss this with him right now. Not with the four men watching them so closely. She saw the looks on their faces. They thought her father had lost his mind.
Sure, he was a bit confused at times, but he still took care of himself. And Fiera knew her father didn’t mean the things he’d just said to sound cruel. It was part of whatever was going on with his mind. She understood that now, and it broke her heart to realize she’d been so blind to it until now.
Hawke and his family were very intimidating. It was only natural her father had been so easily persuaded that she should take Hawke as her mate. Couple that with his ongoing confusion, and it was no wonder the Medinas were trying to take advantage of him. Once Canyon and Luke found the evidence to prove what the Medinas were doing, her father would be just fine.
Hours later, after they had her father moved into the guest suite in the Benedict house, Fiera went into the kitchen to help Leah prepare dinner for everyone. Fiera had grown quiet during the day, worrying about her father and half expecting Hawke or one of his family members to show up any second.
The fact that they’d heard nothing bothered her. Surely the Medinas knew by now what had happened. What were they waiting for? She couldn’t believe Hawke had no intentions of confronting her or Canyon.
Patti had called already to ask when they were having the celebration. Canyon told Fiera to choose a date, and he gave her free rein to plan the party however she wanted. She told Patti she was too overwhelmed to deal with it that day, so Patti told her not to worry. She would take care of everything.
The only decision Fiera had to make was the actual date. She and Patti finally chose three days from the present one because Fiera was reluctant to wait much longer than that. She had no idea what Hawke might or might not do, and she wanted nothing to delay this since the Elders had placed so much emphasis on it.
That meant it would take place during the middle of the week, and anyone wanting to attend would need to take off work, but that wasn’t a problem with most of the residents of their village. Of those that worked out in the human world, few had schedules so rigid they couldn’t get time off when needed. The others owned their business so could do as they pleased, or they worked in the village.
Fiera had always liked Leah, and now Canyon’s mother gave her a tight hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you for coming in here to help me. I’m so glad you’re my daughter-in-law.”
“Thank you. I’m sorry I wasn’t around earlier. I was focusing on getting my father settled in.”
“Oh, don’t you apologize for that. I’m used to cooking for lots of people. My daughters should be home from hunting soon, and they will pitch in to help.”
Canyon had three younger sisters, and every other weekend his brother took them out to hunt. Once a month, Luke and Canyon took them to his office in Seattle, over ninety minutes away. Canyon and his father worked from an office space he rented in Port Angeles as often as possible, but at least twice a week their
jobs required them to commute to and from Seattle.
The Benedicts had an admirable work ethic, and Fiera also admired the way Canyon’s parents had raised their children. They wanted them to understand both their world and the human world. Their persistence had certainly paid off where Canyon was concerned. She only hoped he and his father were right about the Medinas, and they would be able to find the proof they sought. Otherwise, she and Canyon had called the Medinas crooks in front of the Elders, and Fiera’s father could end up losing their family business after all.
“You have the weight of the world on your shoulders, child. Want to talk about it?”
Did it show that much? Fiera could hear the men down the hall, laughing and talking loudly. This might be her only chance to speak with another woman for a while. Then again, would Canyon want her talking to his mother about this? Had he shared any of it yet with her?
“You must have been very surprised when Canyon asked you to hide away with him and seal your mating once and for all.” Leah chopped vegetables as she spoke, her gaze on the task at hand.
“Yes, he certainly did surprise me.”
The glance Leah gave her was filled with worry. “But it was a good surprise, right?”
“Oh, absolutely. Yes. I love Canyon. He’s my mate. I’ve never believed differently.”
It was now or never. When Leah returned to chopping the vegetables, Fiera outlined her concerns about her father, what Hawke’s family had said to him, and ended with what Hawke had done and said to her in the past few weeks. She made sure to tell Leah that Canyon knew all this.
“Now you listen to me, little one.” Her mother-in-law hugged her tightly. “My son adores you. He has since he first laid eyes on you. And my son and mate are both geniuses when it comes to business matters. If those two say the Medinas are buying up stock using dummy companies, then I guarantee you that is exactly what they are doing. I also guarantee you that our mates will uncover the truth.”
Leah placed a hand on each shoulder and looked Fiera in the eyes. “It may take some time, but they will do it.” Her expression grew concerned. “As for your father, sweetheart, you may be too close to see the truth. His memory is not what it used to be, and he gets confused a lot. It’s getting worse all the time. Luke and I have discussed this at length. In the human world, they have names for this condition, and there is no cure.”
The grip on her shoulders tightened when Fiera sucked in a gasping breath. Fiera drew strength from Leah’s determined expression. “In our world, however, we use things the humans don’t understand. Like herbal medicine and a little bit of magic.” Leah winked. “Don’t you fret about this another second. We all have our gifts, and those two happen to be mine.”
Tears spilled over Fiera’s bottom lashes. “Do you really think you can cure him?”
“I don’t know if I can cure him, but I know I can ease his symptoms. And regardless of the outcome, he has a home with us for the rest of his life. We will not let you lose your family’s business. You already have my son’s word on that, and now you have mine as well.”
Fiera only had seconds to hug Leah again, and thank her several more times, before the house was filled with new voices. Luke, his younger son Cletus, and Canyon’s sisters, Lissie, Lena, and Lulu, came into the kitchen, all talking at once.
When the girls realized Fiera was there, they each took turns hugging her. They proudly showed her the animals they’d shot with a bow before Luke and Cletus took the carcasses out to the smokehouse.
The girls helped in the kitchen, and Fiera fielded questions ranging from what she planned to wear at the ceremony to if it hurt to have sex. That question was accompanied by a fit of giggles and some rude comments about their brothers, until Leah intervened and reminded them that some subjects were private between mates.
“I’m never mating,” said Lissie, the youngest at ten. “I’m going to be a professional hunter and trapper instead.”
“You’d better learn to shoot first,” said Lena, the oldest girl at sixteen.
Lissie stuck her tongue out at her sister, who ignored it. Lulu, thirteen, rolled her eyes at both of them. “Fiera, you are so lucky not to have sisters.”
Fiera didn’t think she was lucky at all, but instead told Lulu that now she had three sisters, and she couldn’t be happier about that. Her comment earned big smiles from all of them, including their mother.
Listening to them and watching them gave Fiera a warm glow inside. This was the bustling, noisy family she’d always envisioned. It was so obvious how much they loved and respected each other. There were no secret plans in this bunch to steal away another family’s business, and none of them would try to claim a mate for their own agenda. When these people loved, they truly loved with their whole hearts and souls.
This was the family she’d married into. They were hers now, and she was theirs. Fiera smiled as she glanced around. She’d made the right decision. She knew it in her bones. Everything would be all right. Canyon had promised her that, and he was her mate. If she didn’t trust her mate, whom could she trust?
Chapter Eight
It was late in the evening by the time Fiera and Canyon lay in their bed, alone at last. She snuggled against her mate’s warm body and sighed. “You must be exhausted.”
“I am, but not too much.” He rolled on top of her and pinned both arms over her head. “Certainly not too tired to make love to my mate again.”
That’s exactly what she’d been hoping for. “I hope you’re never too tired for that.”
He nuzzled her neck, gently licking the bite he’d placed there last night. It was still tender to the touch, but Fiera didn’t mind. Having him lick it sent an odd thrill through her body, as if any touch on it remarked her once more as his.
“My family adores you.”
“I adore them. Your house is so warm and fun.” Even her father had seemed more like his old self. Maybe all he needed was to be around others during the day?
“Are you still upset about the complaint Hawke filed?”
“Yes, but in retrospect it’s not a surprise.” She wished she didn’t have to talk about it, but knew Canyon would want to. “We both acknowledged he would do this. He’s not the kind of man who makes empty threats.”
Canyon kissed her, sliding his tongue into her mouth. Fiera moaned deep in her throat and arched her hips toward him, wanting nothing more than to feel him inside her again. Everything else would have to wait. She wanted nothing to interfere with the first night in their own home.
After he released her mouth, he let go of her wrists to slide his tongue into the valley between her breasts. He took them in his strong hands and kneaded them. “He can’t hurt us, Fiera. Not really. Not anymore. You’re mine now.”
“Canyon, I love you, and I know this is important, but can we please not talk about Hawke or his family tonight? All I want to do is make love to you again.”
The look he gave her was filled with adoration and understanding. “Of course. In fact, let’s make a pact. No more talking about Hawke or his family in this bed. Or in this room, even.”
“That’s a wonderful idea. Thank you.”
As he kissed her again, Fiera melted into his embrace, loving the contrast between his hard, muscled body and the tenderness of his kisses. She had made the right choice. There was no doubt in her mind now. She belonged to this man, and she belonged with his family.
The touch of his hands roaming over her body was now so familiar, she felt as though she’d been with Canyon for years instead of less than two days. He slipped his dick into her pussy before she had time to realize what was happening. Fiera moaned loudly as he moved in and out, so slowly it was torture. Every stroke massaged that sweet spot deep within her, until a lazy but strong orgasm overtook her.
“Oh, Fiera … I love to feel you come when I’m inside you.”
As the contractions went on and on, she wrapped her arms tighter around Canyon and kissed him. When he released the kiss an
d withdrew, she realized he hadn’t come yet. He cupped her face gently, his gaze tentative. “There’s something I want to try. You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”
“What is it?” She’d give this man anything he wanted.
He gave her a sheepish grin, turned her on her side, and caressed her back. Fiera moaned softly. “That feels nice.” He moved his hands lower, lightly slapping her ass cheeks, and she thought what he wanted was to spank her, until he spread her ass cheeks and brushed a finger across her asshole. “Oh…”
“Does that feel nice, too?” His voice was filled with hope, and she smiled.
“Yes, actually, it does.”
“Don’t move.” He practically jumped off the bed and walked over to his dresser, opened a bottom drawer, and removed a jar and a box of condoms. Fiera sat up when she realized what he wanted to do.
“You don’t want to try.” The expression on his face conveyed such disappointment, her heart went out to him.
“I’m not sure how I feel about it. Patti told me it hurts.”
“That’s because Patti’s mate is a boorish ox.”
He was right about Derek. The cougar shifter had the manners of a goat. Fiera couldn’t help but laugh softly.
“I won’t let it hurt you, my love.” He sat next to her on the bed and kissed her again. Fiera’s body responded, which didn’t surprise her. How could she refuse her mate anything? He released the kiss and trailed his tongue down her back. Slowly and deliberately he pushed her onto her stomach, where he kissed her ass cheeks. Fiera moaned as delicious sensations coursed through her.
“How does this feel?” he asked, his voice coaxing.
“Wonderful.”
When he spread her ass cheeks and licked her asshole, she gasped in pleasure. “And this?”
“Oh my God…”
Canyon continued licking her ass, and lightly slapping the cheeks, until Fiera’s clit throbbed and her pussy grew wet again.
“What do you think?” His voice was rough and edgy, and she knew that meant he was on the verge of losing his self-control. Clearly, he was seducing her into trying this, but that realization didn’t make her angry. She loved the fact he could talk her into anything. It was part of his charm.