The Alpha's Taboo Mate (Blood Moon Lynx Book 1) by Ravenna Tate Page B

You and your father both are now. We’re not going to let anything happen to either of you.”
    “Where is he now?”
    “Reading a book on ancient runes I gave him.” Leah beamed with pride.
    Had she heard correctly? “He is?” Fiera stared at her. “He hasn’t read anything in years. He loves runes. He used to work with them all the time.”
    “He told me that, so I gave him the book to read.”
    “You’re a miracle worker.”
    “No.” Leah laughed softly. “Not at all. I’m merely using the gifts I was given.”
    Male voices called out from the main room, and at first Fiera thought Canyon and Luke had returned, but instead she recognized them as belonging to Stone and Arizona. She and Leah went to greet the men.
    “We have news for you,” said Stone. “The Elders came to see us.”
    Fiera couldn’t speak. Her heart raced, and sweat broke out along her hairline. She knew they’d interview everyone in the village, but hadn’t expected them to start with her own family or Canyon’s close friends right away.
    “Yeah, it was so lame,” said Arizona, plopping into a chair as if he’d just told them about something as inconsequential as a seeing a rabbit in the woods. “We told them your father is completely changed. All he needed was people around him who didn’t treat him like he’d done something wrong by growing older.”
    “You should have heard him,” said Stone, cocking a thumb in Arizona’s direction. He took a seat next to his friend. “He was all like, we were taught to respect our elders, not toss them away like they were a nuisance.”
    “Then Avery asked us why we were standing guard over his house. He actually used that phrase. Standing guard.”
    “So I said we weren’t standing guard. We were living in it so no one came along and took it from him, like the Medinas were trying to take away Cash’s family business.”
    “And of course they got all high and mighty and started in again about how no one has any proof of that, but Stone and I shot them down once more and said it was only a matter of time. We threw back in their faces all the families in our village who have been threatened by the Medina family but are too afraid to come forward, or who were threatened into withdrawing their complaints.”
    “We told them if they really wanted to do something useful, they should investigate all those claims instead of bothering a man whose only fault was mourning his dead mate.” Stone shot Fiera an apologetic look. “I mean no offense by that.”
    “I know you don’t.”
    “You two certainly aren’t reluctant to stand up to them,” said Leah, her voice tinged with caution.
    “Do you think we shouldn’t have done so?” asked Arizona.
    “No, I think it’s fine you spoke your mind, as long as you did so respectfully. While I don’t agree with the way they have ignored requests from families in our village to do something about the Medinas, I also don’t believe we should be outright rude to them. They have a lot to weigh when it comes to deciding on which matters to intervene.”
    “Yeah,” said Stone. “Like who does them the most personal favors.” It was no secret the Medina family made sure everyone in the village knew they brought the Elders prize game and their best crops each season.
    “We’ve done our share of giving them gifts as well,” said Leah. “And don’t forget that we elected the Council members who appoint the Elders. While I certainly have my issues with them right now, we’re stuck with them for life. It’s easier to stay on their good sides.”
    “The difference,” said Arizona, “is that you and Luke don’t go around bragging about it.”
    “Are you suggesting the Elders are being bribed to make certain decisions by the Medinas?” asked Fiera.
    Stone gave her a hard look. “Would that surprise you?”
    “No, but it’s a dangerous accusation without proof.”
    “Here we go with the proof again.” Arizona threw up his hands in a