by Ravenna Tate
“You’re mine, Fiera. Forever.” Canyon growled softly as he thrust in and out.
Yes! Always. Forever.
It had been a tiring day for them both, so she didn’t mind that it was over so easily. Her climax was swift and powerful, and his followed quickly. She snuggled into his embrace once more, and drifted off to sleep with a satisfied smile on her face.
****
Tuesday morning, Fiera glanced around at the people assembled for the official ceremony and party to follow. She knew everyone here. Most of the village had turned out, including leopard, cougar, and jaguar families. Notably missing were the Medinas, plus quite a few leopard families. Fiera didn’t give a shit. She wouldn’t have wanted them here anyway.
As Canyon emerged from the house, looking so damn handsome in a chocolate-colored tunic and pants, she nearly came. He wore the traditional outfit nearly every male alpha wore at his mating ceremony, but on him it looked incredible. Every fold accentuated his muscled body.
Everyone cheered as he stood next to Fiera, but their cheers turned into catcalls and whistles when he grabbed her around the waist and smashed his lips against hers. He shoved his tongue into her mouth, and Fiera had to suppress a fit of giggles as she returned his kiss.
When he finally released her, she knew she was blushing, but she didn’t care about that either. She’d never been this happy. He leaned close, his breath hot against her skin. “You’re mine! Never forget that.”
“I won’t,” she whispered. Shivers ran up and down her spine, and her pussy was soaked already. It would be hours before they would be alone again, and now all she could think about was fucking him.
The knee length fawn-colored dress she wore was made from cotton, and adorned with embroidered designs that were as ancient as their culture. She and Leah, plus Leah’s daughters, had worked on it all weekend. Both she and Canyon were barefooted, as was also traditional. A platform had been constructed on his parents’ land for this specific purpose, and now Canyon took her hand and led her up the stairs. At the top, three Elders, including Avery, waited. They were dressed in traditional robes, and wore such stern faces that Fiera thought they were overdoing it quite a bit.
The ceremony was short, and consisted of the Elders reading passages from an old leather-bound book with parchment that looked so thin, Fiera was certain the pages would crumble every time they were turned.
Their only role was to repeat what the Elders told them to, before they faced each other and exchanged rings while they recited more words. Fiera barely heard them. She’d been to enough mating ceremonies to know them by now. What really mattered to her was what this meant. It was official. She finally had the silver ring on her finger to prove it, and so did Canyon.
She and Canyon were mated, not only because she bore his mark on her neck, but also because nearly the entire village had been witnesses to this ceremony. She and Canyon had declared their consent to everyone here, and had each placed a ring on the other’s finger to seal the mating with a tangible sign.
As far as Fiera was concerned, the tangible sign on her neck was far more symbolic and meaningful than a piece of silver, but human ways had crept into their village over the centuries. Who was she to argue with what their people wanted? All that truly mattered was her commitment to Canyon, and his to her.
They were mated. She belonged to him. And that’s exactly where Fiera wanted to be.
Chapter Twelve
During the party, Canyon and his father took Avery, Alex, and Darren aside. “Will you sit with us for a while? We’d like to discuss Cash Kent with you.”
“During your son’s mating ceremony?” asked Darren, in a tone of voice that suggested such a thing was akin to walking outside during a thunderstorm while holding a metal rod.
“Where better than here?” asked Canyon. “Where you can watch him interact with everyone?”
The three consented to sit with Canyon and his father. Canyon found a place away from the others and got right to the point. With this many people at the party, he knew their time alone with the Elders would be limited. “Surely you’ve seen how changed Cash is.”
“We still need to speak directly with him,” said Alex. “And it won’t be here.”
“But watching him interact with others factors into your decision, does it not?” asked his father.
“Of course it does,” said Avery. “But how do we know your mate didn’t give him something that makes him appear more alert for today?”
“Are you accusing us of trying to trick you?” Canyon stood, his hands balled into fists at his side.
“Sit down, son.”
One look at the man’s face, and Canyon knew this wasn’t a fight he’d win. He glared at his father, but he also took his seat again and turned his attention back to the Elders.
“The only thing my mother did to him was to provide him a home, and give him some herbal tea that any of you would drink to help with an alert mental status and increased powers of concentration.”
Now his father beamed at him with pride on his face, and Canyon had to bite back a smile. “We have some interesting news for you concerning the Medina family.”
“That is not relevant,” said Darren, his tone dismissive.
“I beg to differ.”
As his father laid out everything they’d found over the weekend, including the story about the real reason Amasa and Nanette had mated, Canyon listened. “I have documents to prove the authenticity of what I’ve told you. My son and I also intend to continue digging behind the scenes in the matter of these companies that are buying up stock in Cash’s company.”
“Are you trying to make your case for Fiera’s father being of sound mind?” asked Avery. “Or are you merely trying to discredit the Medina family?”
The urge to shift was strong again. Canyon saw red. He leaned forward, straining to remain as cool as his father appeared.
“They’re the same issue. Did you not hear what my father said? Nanette’s father and Amasa’s father defied pack law. They arranged for their children to mate for business reasons, and now they’re trying to take over Cash’s business. You said to us in your home, the day Fiera and I came to you after we had mated, that you agreed with me. You knew that’s what they were trying to do.”
“I also told you that without proof, we would not intervene in this matter.”
“We have proof. Or we will, at any rate. And as for Cash, you said because the accusation against him potentially affects our entire village, you need to investigate it. We just told you about an arrangement that not only affects our village, but defied pack law.”
“You have the right to file a formal complaint of your own,” said Alex.
“We aren’t looking to do that,” said his father. “We asked you to sit down with us and discuss Cash. He’s back to his former self now. All he needed was a bit of guidance.”
“We will speak with him,” said Avery. “But not here and now. As to the rest of it, we will take it under consideration.”
“That’s the best you can do?” asked Canyon.
“What would you have us do?” Avery gave him an indulgent look, which only further irritated Canyon.
“Take it as more proof of what they’re up to. They have a history of scheming.”
“We already know that.”
“We will have solid proof of what they are doing to Cash’s business very soon.” His father placed his hand on Canyon’s arm. “And we intend to turn it over to the SEC and the IRS, to add to their files already opened on the Medina family businesses.”
All three Elders looked taken aback. Clearly they hadn’t been listening, or hadn’t understood how serious this was.
“That’s right,” said his father. “This goes beyond our pack law, concern for our village, or one family’s rivalry with another. It goes beyond Hawke trying to force Fiera to mate with him, and it goes beyond an arranged mating which violated our pack law. This involves the human business community and hum
an government institutions. We’re bound to those laws as well when we choose to operate businesses in their world.”
“You have proof of this?” asked Alex. “That the Medina family is under investigation by the SEC and the IRS?”
“Yes, we do,” said Canyon. “And the whole village will soon know it. Then you’ll have to do something about it.”
“Are you threatening us?” asked Avery, his gaze sharp.
“No. Merely letting you know we don’t intend to let them get away with this.”
The three bent their heads together for a few moments, speaking softly. Canyon and his father exchanged a glance, and Canyon saw in that glance his father’s contentment. He realized they had the Elders exactly where his father wanted them. Canyon only hoped he’d be half as shrewd as his father one day.
“Very well,” said Avery. “We will take this into consideration in the matter of Cash Kent. But we still want to speak with him directly, and alone.”
“Come to our home anytime and do that,” said his father. “You are welcome there.”
“What of his brothers?” asked Darren.
“They’re both here,” said Canyon. “Speak with them now.”
“Do they know all this?” asked Avery.
“Yes.”
“Cash is back to running his business full time,” said his father.
Alex raised his brows. “He is?”
“We told you he’s completely changed,” said Canyon. “Come to the house and see for yourself.”
****
The party finished well after dark, but Canyon was still wide awake after everything was cleaned up and he and Fiera finally went into their home for the night. Canyon hadn’t burdened Fiera with the conversation he and his father had with the Elders. He didn’t want her to worry.
This should have been a day of celebrating, and instead because he and his father had chosen to approach the Elders with that they’d discovered, and to make their case for Cash. Canyon had brooded over the incident the rest of the day.
With a sexy grin on her face, Fiera stripped off her clothes in front of him before heading toward the bathroom. “I need a shower.”
Well, he couldn’t very well ignore that, now could he? “I’ll join you.”
When she giggled, his cock jumped to attention. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
The warm spray helped wash away the cares of the day. Holding Fiera in his arms under that water sealed the deal. None of it mattered at this moment. All that Canyon cared about was keeping her safe. He kissed her, his arousal spiraling to new heights. Each time with her skin to skin like this was as sweet and erotic as the first time in that cabin.
“It’s official now,” she said. “You can’t back out. You’re stuck with me.”
“As if I would.” He trailed his tongue down her neck, tasting salty skin. “Fiera, you’re mine. You have been since the day I first saw you.”
“And you’re mine. Canyon, I love you so much.”
“I love you, too. Only you. Forever.” He kissed her again, pushing his tongue into her mouth and tangling his fingers in her hair.
Their bodies ground against each other as the water cascaded over them. Fiera’s soft moans sent his need for her racing out of control. He grabbed the shampoo bottle and poured some onto her head, gently washing her hair. Her eyelids fluttered, making him feel like the sexiest man on the planet.
“That feels so good.”
After he rinsed off the shampoo, she asked if she could wash his hair. He poured some shampoo into her hand and crouched so she could reach his head easier. She wasn’t a short woman, but he was still considerably taller. Canyon growled low in his throat as Fiera massaged his scalp. Her breasts were eye level, and they swayed gently as she worked the lather over his hair.
Once she’d rinsed off the shampoo, Canyon clamped his mouth on one nipple at a time, sucking and biting gently until his dick was so swollen and painful he thought it might explode. His balls ached. Her moans grew louder, and when she reached for his cock he couldn’t take anymore. He had to have her.
Growling louder, he turned her around and pushed her against the wall to grind his dick against her sweet ass. She cried out in pleasure, pushing her hips back toward him. “Canyon … I need you inside me. Please!”
He reached around and cupped her pussy, pushing his thumb against her clit in the way he’d grown used to doing, and guaranteed to make her come. It didn’t take very long. Her capacity for orgasm amazed him, and he loved watching it happen. Her skin flushed, and he knew part of that might be due to the shower, but it was also because of her intense arousal.
As he continued to tease her clit, she cried out, arching her hips back further. When he slipped two fingers into her pussy, he growled again as the walls contracted around his digits. “Oh, Fiera … I need to fuck you.”
“Yes. Please.”
That sexy, breathless voice sent his desire spiraling out of control once more. He wanted to fuck her in the ass, but the damn condoms were in the bedroom. Screw it. They were in the shower. He could wash off afterwards.
When her climax subsided, Canyon kissed her neck and back, before kneeling behind her to kiss her ass cheeks. She moaned loudly and clutched at the wall when he spread her cheeks and licked her asshole.
“Oh my God…”
“This is the hole I want to claim again.”
“It’s yours. All of me belongs to you.”
“That’s right.” The urge to shift was so damn strong now! “All of you belongs to me. Your body, your heart, and your soul.” He stood and licked the wound on her neck he’d made days ago, forcing a loud moan from her. The need to possess her was like a living creature, loose in his body. The only way to assuage it was to give into its desires.
Canyon slipped a finger into her ass, gently stretching the walls. He kept his other hand on her pussy, stroking her labia and inner thighs. Control was almost impossible now. He had to have her. He removed his finger and licked the wound on her neck once more.
“Bend over a bit more, Fiera.”
After she complied, Canyon slowly slid his dick into her asshole. It was so fucking tight! She moaned loudly, pushing back against him. When he teased her clit again, her moans changed to cries of pleasure, and he knew she was going to come again.
It was so damn difficult to hold back, but he forced himself to fuck her gently. He didn’t want her to fall or be hurt. They’d never done anything like this before in the shower, and it was so incredible Canyon was certain he’d shift. Sweat poured off him with the effort to keep from doing so.
When he nuzzled her neck, his fangs were out. He grazed them against her skin and her entire body shook.
“Oh, Canyon … oh my God!”
Her orgasm was so strong he wasn’t sure he could hold off his own. Canyon felt her contractions throughout his entire body. He kissed her neck over and over again, making sure to tease her clit the whole time so it prolonged her pleasure.
As the contractions waned, he removed his hand from her pussy and held onto her hips so he could fuck her harder. She grunted and moaned softly as he rammed into her, oblivious to anything but the feel of his cock inside that tight hole.
There was no way to hold off any longer. His climax was impossibly strong. He pushed her up against the wall and thrust in quick, jerky movements until every drop had been squeezed out, and finally he eased his dick out of her, wincing. “Fiera … please tell me you liked that.”
“I loved it.” Her soft whisper stirred his senses again, and Canyon gently turned her around to kiss her. He lingered for long, luscious moments, enjoying the way her body molded against his.
They washed each other off, taking their time. When they kissed again, he became dizzy before they stopped. Canyon turned off the water and helped her step out. As he dried her off, her eyes turned all soft and filled with so much love, he was sure his heart would burst from joy. He picked her up and carried her to bed, where he wrapped his a
rms around her and held her tightly.
No matter what happened from this point on, he had his mate by his side. He had her love. And he would die for her if necessary. She was everything to him, and he couldn’t love her more if he tried. This was what he’d waited his entire life for. This woman.
Chapter Thirteen
During the next few days, Fiera spent her time with Leah, learning to cook all kinds of things she’d only heard about from her cousins. She and her father hadn’t made anything from recipes, or even tried to do some of the traditional dishes her mother had grown up making. She’d done the best she could to feed him, but now she realized how poorly both of them had eaten for years.
There were many chores to be done around her house and Leah’s, but with Lena, Lulu, and Lissie to help, the work became easy. Her father got better every day, and halfway through the week he was fully back to running the business from Luke and Leah’s house.
Friday morning, her uncles Chance and Chad finally came over to the house. They sat with her father going over figures, and when they finished, they told her and Leah that they’d received a visit from Avery, Alex, and Darren the evening before.
“What did you tell them?” asked Fiera.
“The truth,” said Uncle Chance. “That we’ve been running the business as best we can, but neither of us are businessmen. We’re fishermen. We told them your father has already resumed complete control of this, and we want him to continue running it.”
“We also told them they had no right to interfere in private business matters,” said Uncle Chad. “When Avery got all high and mighty about that, and started to explain that this matter concerned the entire village, we reminded him of what Luke and Canyon have uncovered so far. We told him that if the Elders were going to become involved in private business matters, they had to do so for all the families in this village, not merely some of them.”
“I’m betting he didn’t like hearing that.” Fiera smiled.
“He didn’t, but I saw in his eyes that he finally understood what all of us have been trying to tell him. That it’s high time they stop allowing the Medina family to bully and threaten everyone in this village, including the Elders.”