by Ravenna Tate
Canyon’s arm muscles were beginning to quiver, but that likely meant Hawke was nearing his limit as well. Sweat dotted Canyon’s hairline and pooled under his arms. The forest had grown very quiet. Even the insects no longer sang. Every living creature was waiting to see what would happen.
Slowly, Hawke lowered his bow, but Canyon didn’t lower his until Hawke dropped his on the ground. Canyon dropped his, too, and faster than he would believed possible of a leopard, Hawke shifted and ran toward him, growling.
He had already shifted and was running toward Hawke as fast as his legs could move when Canyon heard Fiera cry out his name. Beside him, Arizona and Stone had also shifted, and they stopped moving when Hawke did.
The two cats were less than a foot apart. Hawke eyed Canyon, growling low in his throat. He nodded toward Arizona and Stone, moving his head as if he meant for them to get away. This fight was between him and Hawke, not Arizona or Stone, but there was no way Canyon was going to talk to Hawke now. He had lied. Again. The time for talking this out was long gone. This could only end now in a physical fight.
Stone reverted to human form and picked up Hawke’s bow, snapping it in half with his bare hands. He threw it toward the house and shifted back to a lynx. It happened so fast that Hawke, Arizona, and Canyon had no time to react.
Hawke and Canyon faced off, circling each slowly, both growling. Canyon heard the rest of his family come out onto the porch, and he heard his father calling his name, but he never took his eyes off Hawke. The leopard might be alone in this, but he was faster than Canyon had realized.
It didn’t matter if they killed each other in the woods tonight. Hawke’s family would never let this go. Never. Both their families would be in danger from the Medinas until all of them were dead. And because Stone and Arizona had helped, their families would now be in danger as well.
Twigs snapped behind Hawke, diverting his attention and Canyon’s. In his shifted form, Canyon could easily smell Amasa and Brock, still in human form. Something moved on Canyon’s left and his eyes widened when he realized it was Fiera, in shifted form.
Proud and unwavering, she stood staring down Hawke in his leopard form, and staring down Brock and Amasa in their human form. Canyon couldn’t take his eyes off her. A beautiful female lynx by her mate’s side. He’d never felt more love for her than he did now. It took every ounce of Canyon’s willpower not to mount her right then and there.
Hawke shifted back to human first, followed by Stone, Arizona, and Fiera. Canyon was last. Once he did, his father was next to him on the other side, holding a hunting rifle pointed toward the Medinas.
“You’re on my land. Get off it now or I swear to all the gods I’ll shoot each of you.”
“You do and you’ll have a war on your hands,” said Amasa.
“I already do. You threatened my family and my son’s mate.”
“I did no such thing!” Amasa grabbed Brock by the ear and pulled him forward. “Tell them the truth.”
Behind him, Canyon heard Arizona snicker because Brock looked like he’d been crying.
“I lied to Cletus.” His voice cracked, and now both Stone and Arizona laughed out loud. “My father and brother never said they were coming after Canyon and Fiera.”
A quick glance passed between Canyon and his father. He didn’t believe it either. Amasa was a terrible liar.
“Doesn’t change a damn thing,” said his father. “You’ve threatened us in the past.”
“Hawke only wants to talk this out with Canyon.”
“There’s nothing to talk about,” said Canyon. “Fiera was my mate, and all of you know it. The Elders declared she was, and still you wouldn’t leave it alone. Now, it’s official, and you can’t change it. You can’t undo it. What could possibly be left to say?”
“There’s the matter of her father,” said Hawke, his voice dripping with triumph.
“That’s a closed matter as well.” Fiera’s voice rang out. “The Elders have already talked to him. You’ll be hearing their decision soon. You’ve lost that one, too.”
This new Fiera made Canyon grin. He liked her this way. Filled with confidence and a sense of enjoyment at rubbing her victory in the noses of the Medinas.
“Didn’t know you could shift.” Amasa narrowed his eyes as his gaze roved up and down Fiera’s human form.
“What of it?” asked Canyon, his heart pounding.
“Can’t help wondering where she got the gift, that’s all. It’s unusual in females.”
“She’s an unusual female,” said Canyon. “But you’d know all about that, wouldn’t you? Considering Talia Grantham is your children’s grandmother.”
His comment had the desired effect. Clearly, Amasa hadn’t realized anyone else knew that. He looked off balance for a few seconds before regaining his composure, and Hawke actually took a step back.
Too late, Canyon felt his father’s gaze on him, and understood that he might have just tipped their hand in revealing that knowledge to Amasa. But what was done was done. The Medinas still didn’t know all that he and his father had found out about their business dealings.
Somewhere in the distance, several coyotes howled, and a shiver ran down Canyon’s spine. It wasn’t unusual for them to come close to the village when they sensed a fight was about to take place.
“Go home, Amasa.” Canyon’s father finally lowered his rifle. “Take your family home. We will settle this another time, but in public, where there are witnesses.”
“Fine.” Amasa squared his shoulders. “Agreed. We will not come on your land again unless invited. But I expect to hear from you within one week on where and when we will settle this.”
“You will.” His father smiled, but there was no humor in his eyes. “You will hear within one week.”
As soon as Canyon could no longer see or sense the Medinas in the woods, he took Fiera’s hand and started to lead her back home.
“Not so fast,” said his father. “Do you realize what you did just now?”
“Yes.” Canyon faced his father. “I told them the one thing they needed to hear to realize we were sick of their shit, and we refuse to allow them to bully and threaten us any longer. Now this will be settled the way it needs to be. In public, where the entire village will know what they have done.”
They stared each other down for long moments before his father nodded. “All right. Agreed. Good night.”
Canyon didn’t want to talk about the Medinas anymore tonight. He only wanted to hold his mate in his arms and sleep. He turned again and led Fiera home.
Chapter Fifteen
Fiera spent all of Monday at Luke’s and Leah’s house. She wasn’t as convinced as Canyon was that the Medinas would keep their word and not come around the homes unless invited. He told her it was a matter of honor now, and also explained that’s why he refused to feel guilty over tipping their hand.
Tuesday morning, she was relieved to learn that Canyon and his father would be working from Port Angeles the remainder of the week. “Is your father still upset with you for spilling the beans about Nanette’s mother?” she asked as Canyon got ready for work.
“No. He realizes my comment didn’t do as much harm as he’d initially thought. And he’s walking on air right now because Gillian believes we have everything we need to send a formal complaint to the SEC. She’s working in Port Angeles with us today. No one else is in that office, so we can take care of this without being interrupted by other work.
“Oh that’s wonderful! Maybe Arizona can make time to stop by the office? He and Stone said they have to be in the city all day.”
“Arizona is quite transparent, isn’t he?” Canyon grinned.
“I think it’s adorable. I only hope the village won’t give him grief about it. Has he said anything to the Elders yet?”
“No. He wants this mess with the Medinas wrapped up before he does. Plus, he and Gillian are still in the shy talking stage.”
“What? He needs to get moving. She’s hu
man. She’ll expect to be wined and dined. They need to date. He can’t simply say ‘You’re my mate. Let’s do it.’”
“Is that what I did with you, my love?” Canyon laughed and kissed her neck, sending shockwaves of desire coursing through her.
“Well, not exactly. You enticed me to that cabin first, before you said you’re my mate so let’s do it.”
A low growl in his throat accompanied his fingers snaking down to her breasts. Fiera moaned, pushing her body closer to Canyon’s. If only he didn’t have to go to work.
“And it was the right thing to do. You are my mate.” When his gaze grew dark and possessive, she wanted him again. Now.
“Yes, I am yours.” Fiera licked her lips slowly, rubbing her breasts against his shirt. “I will always be yours.”
“Fiera…” He pulled off her tank top, slid down her shorts, and cupped her pussy. “You’re always so damn wet for me.”
“How can I help that?”
“I’m going to fuck you. I have to.” Canyon kissed her, shoving his tongue into her mouth. Her entire body was on fire for her mate. He turned her around roughly and pushed her over the counter.
As he smacked her ass cheeks, one after the other, Fiera cried out in pleasure. Without warning, he slid his dick into her pussy from behind. She clutched the counter as he slammed into her showing no mercy, pushing her entire body forward with each thrust. Her orgasm was powerful, and as soon as it started, it didn’t take long for Canyon to climax as well.
Once he finished, he pulled out, turned her around, and held her close. Fiera closed her eyes, smiling, as she listened to his ragged breathing. She loved these quickies as much as she loved it when he took his time, because they meant she was so seductive he couldn’t wait to have her again. Shivers ran down her spine when he showed her that she belonged to him in this way.
“I wish I could stay home.”
“I’ll be here when you get home from work.” She kissed his chest through the fabric of his shirt.
“Naked?”
“Sure, as long as you don’t bring home dinner guests without warning me first.”
“Yes! It’s a deal.”
When Canyon pumped his fist in the air, Fiera laughed.
How could she help but be hopelessly, helplessly in love with this man?
****
It was difficult for Canyon to concentrate on work Tuesday and Wednesday. Not only because Fiera had kept her word and been waiting for him the afternoon before, stark naked in bed, but because Gillian had been right about what they had on the Medina family and their business practices.
Wednesday afternoon, they filed a formal complaint with the SEC. Canyon’s father had long-standing contacts at the San Francisco Regional Office, which was the nearest one to where they lived.
The contact told him that this wasn’t the first time complaints had been filed against that family, so they already had a file open. “They were also able to tell me that they are close to handing down indictments.”
“That’s wonderful news! Did the other complaints come from people in our village?”
“They couldn’t tell me that, but does it matter? The Medinas were already on the radar. All we did was put another nail in the coffin. I only wish we’d done so earlier. I didn’t realize how deep this went.”
“None of us did.”
“Maybe not, but I do wish we could have addressed it before Cash nearly lost his business.”
“Cash hasn’t lost it, and he’s a changed man. He credits us for that.”
The look his father gave him was filled with pride, and Canyon couldn’t help but smile. He might be all grown up now with a mate, but he still wanted to make his father proud.
“I credit you for all this, Canyon. You refused to back down. You stood your ground because you knew you were right about Fiera being your mate, and about her father deserving a chance to run his own business.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
“You’re happy, right? I mean with Fiera.”
The question surprised him. “Doesn’t it show?”
“It does, but I’m asking you now just between us. This is what you wanted, correct?”
“Father, the only thing I want more is to have children with her.”
“If you’re doing your duty, she will be with child soon.”
No female in Canyon’s family had ever been shy about their monthly cycles. Now that he thought about it, he realized Fiera hadn’t yet had a cycle since they’d first mated, three weeks ago. But that didn’t necessarily mean she was with child yet.
Still, it might mean that. Canyon’s heart pounded with excitement at the thought of it. “I’m sure when she is, she’ll tell me.”
“Son, there are ways to tell without them having to say it.”
“She hasn’t bled in the three weeks since we first mated.”
“Then perhaps you’d best ask her if she might be with child.” His father frowned. “Gently, of course, so you both aren’t disappointed if it takes a while to happen.”
When his mother had become pregnant with Lissie, Canyon was seventeen years old. Each of her pregnancies had taken years between children to occur. Canyon knew how much his parents had wanted many children. He only hoped he and Fiera would be as happy being parents as his own were, even if they only had one child.
“I’ll talk to her this afternoon.”
As soon as Gillian walked over to where they stood, his father told her what his contact at the SEC had told him. Canyon and his father had already told Gillian what was going on in the village, and how Amasa expected an answer by Friday, as to when and where they intended to settle the dispute over Canyon mating with Fiera.
It amazed Canyon that Gillian was having an easier time listening to their tales of life as a shifter than he had imagined. She seemed almost too accepting of it, at least compared to what Canyon had believed of humans to this point.
“I’ve been on the phone with a few contacts as well,” she said. “Indictments are likely to be handed down this week, so you might not have to deal with Amasa or his family on Friday. They all might be in custody by then.”
A look of disappointment spread across his father’s face. “It’s a question of honor. If we don’t have the chance to settle this with them, it might look as though we interfered.”
“You can’t dictate to the FBI if or when to arrest someone for fraud.”
“We know that,” said Canyon, “but not everyone in our village does.”
“I’d be happy to speak to them if you think it would help.”
“Let us give that one some thought,” said his father. “The last thing we want to do is promote further superstition of humans.”
Another phone call came through, this time for his father. “I have to take this.”
As soon as Canyon and Gillian were alone, Canyon asked if she was all right.
“I’m not sure. It feels a bit like I’m trying to help people from a foreign country, only I don’t understand their culture, and it’s clear they might never accept me as an equal.”
“Even though my family doesn’t share the same superstitions surrounding humans as others in our village do, we do understand the difficulties they would face becoming part of our village.”
“Is that your way of asking me how things are going with Arizona?” She gave him a sheepish glance.
“I’m not very good at being subtle, am I?”
“No.” She smiled. “But I also know you mean well. As for me and Arizona, I’m sure things would be fine if he’d only believe me when I tell him that I accept his nature, and that I’m not afraid of any of you.”
“We’re not used to taking humans into our fold.”
“But not all of you have objections to doing so, correct?” Her expression grew concerned. “Arizona made it sound as though your family and Fiera’s family would support him if we started dating.”
“Of course we would support him. But with us, it’s more t
han just going out on dates. Our mating law is sacred. If he’s chosen you, you are part of us. End of discussion.”
“He’s been trying to explain the whole mating thing to me, but it would help if he’d stop using euphemisms and just say what he means.”
Canyon didn’t think it was his place to fill in the gaps, and realized he may have already said more than Arizona had yet told her.
“We’re finally going out next weekend,” she said. “I’ve been so busy with all our projects I’ve had no time to catch up, except on the weekends. I promised him I’d take next weekend off to spend time with him. I’m afraid he was beginning to think I didn’t want to.”
That explained Arizona’s surliness the past few days. “He’ll wait for you. He won’t be happy about doing so, but trust me when I say he will wait for you.”
“It sounds kind of stalkerish when you put it that way.” She gave him a cautious look.
Canyon shook his head. “I can understand why it would, but if you fully comprehended our ways, you would know why I say that. Once we’ve chosen a mate, there is no other option for us.”
“And what happens if the mate you choose doesn’t feel the same way?” She frowned. “I mean, isn’t that what started all this between you and Hawke? He believed Fiera was his mate, but she didn’t want him, right?”
“Not exactly. Hawke didn’t really believe Fiera was his mate. He was using that as an excuse to get close to her and Cash. It’s what the Medinas do. They use threats and underhanded tactics to get what they want. They pervert our law and make a mockery of our ways.”
“Why do they do that? I mean, other than the reasons why anyone does something illegal? Is it simply a matter of them doing so because they think they can get away with it indefinitely, or is there a deeper reason? Something to do with your pack law?”
“Leopards and lynxes have never liked each other. No one is sure where the rift began, or why. Some say the human female the lynx in the vampire legend took as a lover had leopard shifters among her ancestors, and that’s what began the feud. Others say it was a legend that is now lost to us. Whatever the reason, I can’t recall a time when the two cats liked each other.”
