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
“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
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