The Alpha's Taboo Mate (Blood Moon Lynx Book 1) (5 page)

Chapter Six

After Canyon placed the bags of food and supplies in his home, he took Fiera straight to the home of Avery Caddock, the chief Elder. He didn’t want to waste any time in case Hawke was already back. It wouldn’t take the Medinas too long to figure out that Canyon and Fiera hadn’t been seen since yesterday morning. They didn’t know about the cabin, but they would jump to the obvious conclusion regardless.

Avery had the papers ready for Canyon and Fiera to sign, but they needed witnesses. As they had pre-arranged, Canyon’s father had informed the Elders early this morning that Canyon would be bringing Fiera to Avery’s home this day to sign the official papers of their mating. That’s how confident and determined Canyon had been that he would convince Fiera to do this.

While Canyon and Fiera waited, Avery made phone calls to several people, including two of the Elders, Alex Rockland and Darren Kennedy, on an old-fashioned push-button phone. Very few shifters who lived in these woods used cell phones because service was spotty at best. If they had them, they didn’t use them unless they drove to a nearby city. Internet service, as well, was hit-and-miss. Most of them didn’t bother with it inside the villages.

“The witnesses will be here within thirty minutes,” said Avery, eyeing the couple. “Canyon, while I understand why you did what you did, it was foolish and impulsive.”

Canyon squared his shoulders and stood up straighter. “My parents gave me their blessing to do what I felt was right.”

“I respect Luke and Leah as much as I respect any lynx couple, but you’re missing my point. You have an official decision on Fiera as your recognized mate from us. All this act will do is further incite Amasa. Hawke’s father is arrogant and cruel. His father, his uncles, and his grandfather are the same. They have all taught their sons to act this way.”

“I know that, Avery.”

“What I’m not convinced you fully understand is that while you did the right thing in bringing this to us for a decision in the first place, by putting the cart before the horse, as it were, you showed an act of defiance as much as Hawke did when he declared Fiera to be his mate.”

“He never paid any attention to her before.”

“I know that! Not until he realized that by claiming her, he could take over Cash’s company, that is.”

Had he interpreted Avery’s words correctly? “So you agree with me that’s what they’re doing?” Canyon’s pulse raced.

“Of course I agree with you, but are you
listening
to me?”

Avery’s voice echoed around the cabin, angry and loud. The only thing more frightening than an angry lynx shifter was one who had power and authority over the others.“Yes, sir. I’m sorry, Avery. You’re right. I jumped the gun. But what’s done is done.”

The expression Avery gave Canyon left no doubt the man, who was at least seventy, could still beat the shit out of him if he put his mind to it. “Yes, it certainly is.”

Avery glanced toward Fiera. “Your father has also been called. He is on his way, escorted by Stone and Arizona. The last call I need to make is to Canyon’s father, but since he already knows what you two did, I imagine he won’t be quite as upset as Cash is.”

“My father is upset with me?” Fiera’s eyes widened.

“Very.”

“It’s all right.” When Canyon placed his arm around her shoulder and gave it a squeeze, her entire body slumped. “We’ll explain it to him.”

“You’ll do no such thing. Until you and your father find proof that the Medinas are trying to take over Cash’s company, that accusation does not leave this room.”

“But you agreed with me.”

“I have no proof either, and I will not allow our pack law to disintegrate like this.”

“The only family causing trouble is Hawke’s.”

“And yours will join that list if you accuse them without concrete evidence.”

A red rage grew inside Canyon as he gritted his teeth. He’d been taught to respect others, and especially the Elders, but he didn’t appreciate the lecture from this man. He knew full well what was at stake here. He also disagreed with not telling Fiera’s father their suspicions. His plan had been to tell the entire village. He’d promised Fiera he would do that.

“Are you listening to me? What’s wrong with you today?”

You’re fucking up my plans! That’s what’s wrong with me!
“Understood. We will find the proof first. I gave Fiera my word on that, and now I’m giving it to you as well.” He’d just been forced to break a promise to Fiera, and Canyon didn’t like it one little bit.

“Take your seats.” Avery pointed toward the table. “You two can read over the paperwork, but wait to sign it until the others arrive.”

As Fiera took her seat next to Canyon, he was certain she was about to cry. She pulled the papers over, but once Avery left the room, Canyon placed a hand under her chin to turn her face toward his. “Everything is okay. Once we explain why we did this, your father won’t be angry. He’ll be happy for you.”

“Are you so sure?” she whispered. “He was pretty convinced I should accept Hawke.”

“Your father was? Why?”

“Because of their threats. He doesn’t want any trouble.”

“He already had it, long before Hawke announced to the town he was claiming you as his mate. You told me it’s been two years since companies began buying up stock, correct?”

“Yes. That’s correct.” She nodded.

“Then this began long before you turned eighteen. Hawke’s idea to claim you is part of the bigger plan. You’re a pawn in their game, but they just lost their bargaining chip because you’re my mate now, in every way.”

The gaze she gave him turned intense and desperate. Where was the strength of conviction she’d shown earlier? Everything had changed once Avery told her how upset Cash was. Canyon would need to convince Fiera’s father that this had been the right decision.

When she suddenly leaned over and kissed him, tongue and all, Canyon moaned deep in his throat. He wished they were back at the secret cabin, and was the one who released the kiss when he heard movement behind them.

As Alex and Darren came into the room, Canyon stood and Fiera followed his lead. Canyon greeted them both by name and shook hands with them before they sat down at the table with him and Fiera. Avery said he was going to make tea and would return shortly.

“Avery has told us what you two have done,” said Darren, frowning. He pointed toward the papers in front of Fiera. “Have you read these?”

“Not yet,” said Canyon. He cut his gaze toward Alex, who looked just as upset as Darren. Was there no one who would agree with his decision, and realize that Hawke had given him no other choice? Avery had said he knew what the Medinas were up to, but his reaction, and the reactions of these two Elders, said otherwise. What was really going on here?

As they read silently, Canyon scooted closer to Fiera, but he barely processed the words. This was beyond awkward, and very disappointing. He hadn’t expected men he’d known all his life, and who had always respected him and his family, to react this way. Especially after they’d made a formal decision that Fiera was his true mate. What had they expected him to do? Wait until Hawke could make good on his threat?

When Fiera finished reading first, Canyon pretended he had as well. There was nothing earth-shattering in the contract. It was a standard marriage contract, similar to a human marriage license but a lot more detailed because it also outlined their pack law regarding mates. Since he and Fiera both had been born into shifter families, they were as familiar with this particular law as they were with their own names.

Before Avery took his seat between Alex and Darren, he placed a tray in the center of the table containing a teapot and cups. “Help yourselves. Your fathers should be here shortly.”

No one reached for the tea. Canyon heard a clock tick somewhere in the cabin. There were so many things he wanted to say to these men, but none of them would help this situation. He knew his father wasn’t angry because he’d already known about Canyon’s plan, but it had never occurred to him that the Elders would prevent him from telling the village about the threats the Medinas had made to Fiera and her father.

And he definitely didn’t expect that Cash would have preferred Fiera to accept Hawke. Canyon wished he’d known about
that
before bringing her here. He didn’t like being blindsided. He took her hand and gave it a squeeze, hoping he could make this right somehow. This was going to be difficult enough without the support of her father.

“Have you planned the ceremony yet?” asked Alex.

“No,” said Canyon.

The three exchanged a glance that left no doubt what they thought of
that
answer. Canyon released Fiera’s hand and poured himself a cup of tea. Not because he wanted any, but because he’d never been so uncomfortable in a group of men he’d known all his life, and he needed something to kill time until his and Fiera’s fathers arrived.

Once he did, Fiera poured herself a cup as well, but Canyon couldn’t help noticing how much her hands shook. He only wanted to pull her into his arms at that moment and hold her. He needed to stroke her hair, and remind her that he had everything under control. This would be all right.

After taking a sip, she placed the cup back on the saucer. Glancing around the table, she asked if she could pour a cup for each of the Elders, but only Darren nodded. Once Darren had his tea, Fiera kept her gaze on her own cup. Canyon felt her apprehension, and hated that there wasn’t one damn thing he could do about it.

As he eyed each of the men in turn, he held their gazes long enough to let them know he wasn’t about to be intimidated by their disapproval. He hadn’t reached the same age as they each were, and he hadn’t been voted onto the Council, but he was still a grown man. He was an alpha lynx, the same as each of them.

He had a home and a job. He would care for and provide for Fiera. When they had children, he’d care for and provide for them as well. He didn’t deserve to be treated like a child who had defied his parents and done something wrong.
Especially
not in front of his brand new mate.

Finally, the front door opened again and everyone rose. Fiera and Canyon followed the Elders into the main room as Canyon’s father walked into the cabin, accompanied by Cash, Stone, and Arizona. Canyon’s two friends wore huge grins on their faces. Their gazes immediately went to Fiera, and Canyon couldn’t fault them for looking at her like dogs in heat. She was a beautiful woman, and his two friends weren’t yet mated.

Since the three of them were old enough to understand what their penises had been made for, other than urinating, all they’d talked about was sex. What was it really like? How old would each of them be when they first had it? Was it really as awesome as everyone said it was? And who would they have it with? Had they met her yet, or were their mates girls who lived outside their village? Or humans, even? That still happened once in a while.

Arizona shook Canyon’s hand, and Stone clapped him on the back. “Congratulations,” said Stone, still ogling Fiera.

“Your tongue’s hanging out,” said Canyon.

While Arizona laughed, Stone looked appropriately embarrassed and shifted his gaze.

“So is yours,” said Canyon.

“Yeah, but she’s his
cousin
!” said Arizona.

“Doesn’t mean I can’t think she’s hot,” said Stone, giving him a dark look.

As Cash strode toward the group, Canyon’s friends stepped in front of him. Fiera’s father wore an expression of fear and red hot anger. What the hell had Hawke and his father said to this man?

“Why did you do it?” Cash raised one gnarled finger and shook it. “
Why
? Why did you do this to my daughter?”

“She’s my mate, sir.” Canyon moved away from the group, hoping Cash would follow. He didn’t want Cash directing that anger toward Fiera, because Canyon really did not want to have to fight her father in front of her. But he would if necessary.

“Well she is now, but you knew Hawke had made a claim as well.”

“Which we declared unfounded,” said Avery, his voice loud enough to stop Cash from speaking again. Cash eyed him like he’d forgotten whose home he was in for a moment.

“You don’t know the full story, Avery.”

Canyon wasn’t sure which story Cash meant, but he suddenly realized his own father didn’t even know the whole story, so he spoke up quickly.

“No, they don’t.” He told everyone what Fiera had said to him about the direct threats the Medinas had made against Cash and Fiera.

Avery eyed Fiera suspiciously, and it took every ounce of willpower Canyon possessed not to punch the man. “Why is this the first time we’re hearing about it?”

“I was afraid.”

“Did they file a complaint with you regarding Cash?” asked his father, in a voice that told Canyon how pissed off he was.

Before Avery could answer, Cash interrupted. “But what about the business? Amasa said he can save it. My brothers have ruined it.”

“Remember, Cash?” His father used the same gentle voice he did with Canyon’s sisters. “We talked about this on the way over.”

A nasty shiver ran down Canyon’s spine as he watched the emotions and confusion cross Cash’s face. So that was the reason for his reaction. It wasn’t because Hawke or Amasa had said something else to him that Canyon wasn’t aware of. Exactly how bad was his mental state? Did Fiera know even realize much her father had deteriorated, or was she too close to see the truth?