The Alpha's Taboo Mate (Blood Moon Lynx Book 1)

by Ravenna Tate

  After sighing, she placed her elbows on the desk and rested her chin on folded hands. “Isn’t that part of what your Elders are supposed to do? Mediate issues like this?”

  “Yes.”

  “Sounds like you could use some new blood there, no pun intended.”

  “I couldn’t agree with you more.”

  “Are they elected?”

  “In a way, yes. They are appoinsed by the Council, who are elected. But once chosen, an Elder servve until they die.”

  “Is there a way to kick one of them out if the village isn’t happy with how they’re doing their jobs?”

  “No. We have no provisions for that.”

  “You’re kidding.” She sat up straighter.

  “Absolutely not.” Canyon shook his head. “That’s why every time a Council member is elected, we’re each told to vote wisely.”

  “How long have the current Elders been in their roles?”

  Canyon thought for a moment or two. “It ranges from ten years to over forty.”

  “And there are twelve in all, correct?”

  “Yes.”

  “When they decide on a matter brought to them, do all of them have a say-so in the final decision?”

  “It’s supposed to work that way, yes.”

  “Are they all lynxes?”

  “No. All the cats are represented, but the majority are lynxes.”

  “Has it always been that way? Have the lynxes always been the majority?”

  “I’m not sure, but I believe so.”

  “That might have as much to do with the animosity between lynxes and leopards as anything.”

  “Possibly.”

  “Thanks for telling me all this, Canyon. Your culture is fascinating to me.”

  “Thanks for asking.” Canyon smiled. “You know, Arizona knows as much about this as any of us. If you asked him a question like this, you wouldn’t be able to shut him up.”

  “I’ll have to remember that for next weekend.” She laughed and blushed slightly.

  “He’s only so quiet around you because you’re his mate, Gillian. He’s overwhelmed by it. We all are at first. Give him time. He’s an alpha lynx, just like me. His true nature will come out. I promise you it will.”

  “Thank you for saying that.” She reached over and placed her hand on his forearm, giving it a quick squeeze. “You’re a loyal friend to him. I’m only beginning to understand how important that is to your kind, but I do appreciate all this. Just so you know, I really do like him. More than I thought I would, even. There’s something about him that calls to me, if that makes any sense at all.”

  “It makes perfect sense.” Canyon wished Arizona were here to hear this. “He’s your mate. You have an affinity for our kind, Gillian. It’s why you’re able to so easily accept all this, and why you are curious about it rather than fearful of it.”

  The look on her face reminded Canyon of the way Fiera had looked that night in the cabin, when he’d finally convinced her that their mating was the right thing to do. “I’ll have to think on that for a while, but thank you.”

  Her words might have said she needed to consider it further, but Canyon knew by the expression on her face, and by her body language, that Arizona wouldn’t have to wait long for Gillian to realize she belonged with him.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Friday morning, Fiera woke with a headache, which was something she never had. She also felt sick to her stomach, and threw up before she had time to make coffee and begin breakfast for Canyon. The headache went away, but she still felt queasy, so she ate only toast and sipped her coffee.

  “Are you all right? You’re very pale.” His sweet voice was filled with concern. Wednesday afternoon, after he’d come home from work, he’d told her in an excited voice about the conversation he’d had with Gillian about Arizona. Almost as an afterthought he remembered to tell her about the indictments that would be handed down this week against most of the Medina family members.

  As they lay in bed that night, just before Fiera had drifted off to sleep, Canyon had asked her if she’d bled since they’d mated. She’d smiled in the dark, knowing what he was really asking. “I’m due to start my cycle in a few days.”

  “Do you think you will?”

  After turning toward him and embracing him, she’d given him an answer. “Canyon, nothing would please me more than to be with child. But we can’t force it. Let nature take her course. She won’t disappoint us.”

  This morning, Fiera wasn’t certain what had her insides in turmoil, but she’d had terrible dreams all night, in which the entire village fought and homes were burned. Whatever was going on, she was quite certain it had less to do with a pregnancy and more to do with the Medina family’s vendetta against her own family and against Canyon’s.

  “I wish you and your father didn’t have to go to work today.”

  “We’re only going in for a few hours. Gillian had planned to work in Port Angeles, but a court date got rescheduled so she has to stay in Seattle today. We had cleared everything else but the work we were doing for the SEC, and now that’s over with. We’ll have to return to Seattle next week and catch up on everything we’ve pushed aside for this.”

  If she told Canyon about her dreams, she’d only worry him, but she felt more secure knowing he wouldn’t be far away today. “When will you and your father speak to Amasa?”

  “This afternoon.” He kissed her tenderly, then cupped her face. “Don’t you worry, okay? Stay next door if it makes you feel safer. My mother and sisters love it when you’re there all day.”

  “I love being with them. I’ll do that.”

  All morning, Fiera felt unsettled. By the time she started to help Leah prepare lunch, she knew it had nothing to do with the dreams she’d had last night because she’d thrown up a second time. She had no idea how to tell if she was pregnant, other than to wait and see if she began to bleed in a few days.

  But Leah would know. Fiera waited until they were alone in the kitchen. “Is there a way to tell if I’m with child before I miss my cycle?”

  “Of course there is!” Leah let out a cry of delight and hugged her. “But we don’t really need it. I took one look at you this morning and knew.”

  “What?” Fiera stared at her. “Are you sure?”

  “Very. But let’s do a test anyway, so you will have tangible proof.” Leah hugged her again. “Oh, my goodness. I am so happy! Does Canyon know you suspect it?”

  “Yes and no.” Fiera told Leah about the dreams, and how she’d thrown up twice this morning and had felt off all day.

  “Well I can certainly understand you feeling uneasy today of all days, but I don’t think throwing up or the change in your aura has to do with the Medina family. After lunch we’ll give the girls something to do, and we’ll do the test with dandelion leaves.”

  ****

  As Canyon and his father were about the leave the office in Port Angeles, his father’s cell phone rang and he took the call, placing it on speaker so Canyon could hear.

  “The arrests will be made late tonight or early in the morning.” It was one of his father’s contacts at the SEC. “The FBI are planning a raid on the Medina homes in your village, as well as their business offices in Port Angeles, at the same time. Oh, and they’re in trouble with the IRS as well as the SEC.”

  “Thank you for the heads-up.” Canyon and his father exchanged a triumphant glance.

  “Luke, don’t take this into your own hands. I know there’s bad blood between your families, but let the FBI handle this. Stay out of their way when they show up.”

  “Don’t worry. We will let them take care of their own business in this matter.”

  After the call ended, Canyon sank down into a chair. “I can’t believe this is actually happening. I have to confess there were days I thought we’d never see an end to this.”

  “Well, they still have to be convicted, and that could take years. They likely have enough money to hire powerful attorneys.
”

  “That’s part of what I will never understand about the human business world.” His father’s words made Canyon see red. “If you’ve done something wrong, it’s wrong, period. You shouldn’t be able to get away with it simply because an attorney can file endless motions and postpone a trial for trivial reasons. Give me our pack law over that anytime.”

  “Our pack law justice isn’t always swift or just, son.”

  “I suppose that’s true.” Canyon shook his head. “I’m so damn frustrated. I want this to be over with once and for all. You know Fiera spends her days at your house. I don’t like that. I don’t like her not feeling safe in her own home.”

  “She will again. Give her time.”

  “But I’m her mate.” Canyon stood, punching one fist into the opposite palm. “I’m supposed to protect her.”

  “You are doing that, son. By tomorrow morning, you will never have to worry about Hawke or his family coming onto our land, or trying to get Fiera alone again.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  “Let’s go home. We deserve the afternoon off to spend with our families.”

  ****

  After lunch, Leah brought several dandelion leaves into the bathroom she and Luke used, along with a glass bowl. She placed the leaves in the bowl, and told Fiera to pour the urine she’d collected over the leaves until they were soaking in it.

  “This can take a while to show, and we really should use urine from first thing in the morning to be certain.”

  “But you said you are certain.”

  “I am, but I want you to be as well.”

  “What should we do now?” Fiera watched the bowl, but nothing was happening.

  “Leave them here. No one will bother them. The girls are out in the garden and will be there for a couple of hours. We’ll come back in thirty minutes and check them.”

  Not more than fifteen minutes later, Luke and Canyon surprised them by coming home early. Fiera spotted Leah whispering in Luke’s ear. He smiled brightly and gave Fiera a big grin, which made heat rise to her face. The urine and dandelion leaves were in the bathroom he shared with Leah. Why hadn’t she insisted on doing this in her own home?

  Even though the information Luke and Canyon brought with them concerning the pending arrests was fantastic news, Fiera could barely stand still. As soon as she could get away, she went upstairs and into the bathroom. When she stared at the leaves, she stifled a cry by placing a hand over her mouth.

  Tiny red blisters had developed over them. She was pregnant. She and Canyon were going to have a baby. Tears sprang to her eyes, and she hastily wiped them as she heard footsteps approaching, but it was only Leah.

  “See? I told you.”

  “I don’t know what to say. I’m so happy. A little afraid, but so happy, too.”

  “There’s no reason to be afraid.” Leah hugged her. “I know what to do. When do you want to tell Canyon?”

  “Later. Not in front of everyone. I want to share this with him before everyone else knows.”

  “I understand. I won’t breathe a word.”

  “But haven’t you already told your mate?”

  “Only so he wouldn’t think this was my test when he saw the bowl.”

  “Oh, all right.” Fiera nodded. “That makes sense. But will he stay quiet about it?”

  “Yes. Don’t worry, okay? This is wonderful news. Everything will work out as it’s meant to.”

  When Leah and Fiera returned to the main room, they were surprised to see Avery and two of the Elders there. Canyon walked over and put an arm around Fiera’s shoulder, leading her back into the hallway. “Are you all right?”

  “Yes. What’s going on? Why are the Elders here?” She wanted to tell him in the worst way, but not right now. Not like this.

  “Amasa and Hawke went to them about what happened here Friday night. Hawke has issued a public challenge to me for this evening in the town square.”

  “What?” Fiera was certain she’d throw up again. Her pulse raced. “He wants to fight you in public? But your father told them you and he would give them an answer today.”

  “Apparently they didn’t want to wait.”

  He didn’t even look upset about this. Fiera had to fight off the wave of nausea with every ounce of strength she had. This couldn’t be happening. Not now. Not after she believed this was over, and everything would be all right.

  “What about the FBI?” She whispered, in case anyone was close.

  “My father was just telling them about that.”

  “But doesn’t that change everything? Canyon, you can’t fight him.”

  The look he gave her couldn’t show more shock if she’d slapped him. “How can you ask me not to? Fiera, he tried to take you from me. He and his family tried to steal your father’s business. He has come to this house twice now and threatened our lives. There is more at stake here than their illegal business practices.”

  “The SEC and the FBI will take care of that.”

  “Yes, they will, but what would you have me do about the rest of it? What about the families they’ve threatened in the past?”

  “Is the possibility of losing your life the price we both have to pay for that?”

  Too late, she realized she’d just shouted the question. She hadn’t meant to, but she was suddenly terrified that she might lose her mate. She would rather die than have that happen. Three weeks with the man she’d been in love with all her life wasn’t enough time. She was going to have his child. She needed him more than ever now.

  “Nothing is going to happen to me.” He placed a hand on each shoulder. “Do you honestly think I can’t kill a leopard?”

  “I think you can do anything you want to, Canyon, but there is more at stake here than the others in this village, or the fact that Hawke made this personal when he tried to force me to be his mate.”

  “Tell me what it is.” He gave her a wary look. “Tell me right now, Fiera.”

  Not like this. She didn’t want to tell him in this way, but she realized she had no choice. “Canyon, I’m pregnant. I’m carrying your child.”

  A small cry escaped his throat. He blinked a few times as if he wasn’t quite sure he’d heard her correctly. “Are … are you sure?”

  “Yes. Your parents know.” She briefly explained why. “I wanted to wait to tell you until we were alone but—”

  “Oh, Fiera.” Canyon pulled her into a tight embrace. “Oh, I’m so happy. But I have to do this. Surely you can understand why.”

  “No.” She was close to tears. “No, I do not understand why. It’s over, Canyon. They’ll be arrested before we have our breakfast.”

  “And they might be released on bond before the weekend is over, if my father is right about them having access to attorneys who specialize in this sort of thing.” He released the embrace and cupped her face, his gaze filled with both tenderness and determination. “We won’t be free of them until I settle this with Hawke, alpha to alpha.”

  “If you kill him, his family will avenge the death.”

  “No, they won’t. Not if it’s done this way.”

  That was the reason Hawke had called him out publicly. She suddenly realized Canyon was right. If Hawke killed him during a public challenge, which he obviously believed he could do, Canyon’s family would be prohibited from avenging his death. But the reverse was also true.

  “So much for him wanting to talk to you.”

  “He never wanted to talk to me.” Canyon snorted. “This was his plan all along, ever since I took you as my mate.”

  “Canyon, if I lose you…” Tears spilled over her eyelids. She couldn’t even finish the sentence.

  “That will not happen.” He gave her a fierce look that sent shivers down her spine before he kissed her, hard and rough. “Never. You will not lose me. I swear on my ancestors’ graves, Fiera. I will prevail.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Inside a circle, marked at the perimeter by a one-foot high wall of stone, in
the town square, Canyon stood. The last time a fight had been held publicly, he’d been twenty-five years old, and it had been between a jaguar and a cougar. The stones beneath his feet were still stained dark red from the blood, three years later.

  The jaguar male had accused the cougar male of having sex with his mate. Just before the cougar died, he confessed it was true. After the jaguar had killed the cougar, the jaguar and his mate chose to leave the village. It was either exile or death for the female, and no one wanted to watch a female die. Even if that female had broken their sacred law by having sex with a male who wasn’t her mate.

  This was different because Hawke’s accusation against Canyon wasn’t the result of a crime. It couldn’t be, because the Elders had already decided before Canyon and Fiera mated that Fiera was his mate, not Hawke’s. This was personal, and now the entire village knew it. What they didn’t know, and what the Medina family gathered close to the circle, the bloodlust shining on their faces didn’t know, was that before this night was over, they would all be in federal prison.

  What they also didn’t know was that Fiera was carrying Canyon’s child. He and his father had agreed not tell anyone outside their family yet. Canyon had spent the rest of the day trying to comfort Fiera, as well as convince her that fighting Hawke in public was the only way to end this once and for all. Canyon only trusted the human legal system so far. And this was a matter of honor, not legality.

  As far as he was concerned, Hawke’s challenge was a separate matter from the pending legal issues. The Medina family would likely pay for their crimes, but this fight was between him and Hawke alone.

  Hawke could have left Fiera alone. He and his family could have continued doing what they’d been doing, and if no one had stopped them, they might have eventually controlled enough of Cash’s company to take it over. Fiera never had to be part of the conquest.

  Because Hawke had chosen to try to take her in addition to the business, Canyon had no choice but to deal with that decision in front of the entire village. Fiera was his mate. She had always been his mate. She had been declared his mate by their Elders, and still Hawke had not left her or Canyon alone.