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Chapter 6 - Lemon Bars
Lucas' Point of View
Content Warning: Language
Chapter Song: Craving You by Thomas Rhett ft. Maren Morris
Chapter Quote: "By constant self discipline and self control you can develop greatness of character." - Greenville Kleise
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Riley is everywhere.

Her scent is constantly surrounding me. The sound of her smooth, delicate voice is basically whistling through the wind, shaking the trees as I'm walking towards the twenty-four hour hardware store. The only thing that sucks about this entire situation; my precious mate isn't here. I'm not actually hearing her voice, and the lingering scent is simply from me being attached to her since the moment we made eye contact today.

Strawberries had soaked into the very fibers of my shirt. Not that I cared in the slightest, once I'm done replacing the locks, Riley's scent will definitely help me sleep. My lips curled at the memory of feeding my mate, and how much she fought it before she relented and ate. Her small pouty bites formed into carnivorous ones after a few moments, which made my mate all the more adorable. And my thank you was a kiss - on the cheek, but damn if that wasn't the best feeling in the world. Pride continually surged through me from my wolf, we took care of our mate. Not only did we feed her but she sought comfort in us. The skin in the crook of my neck is still on fire from where she had basically burrowed herself.

Now only one block away from the store, I tried to focus on the task at hand. Unsuccessfully, my mind began to recall how angelic she looked when I laid her down in bed after she'd fallen asleep. The way her dark waves were sprawled out on the white sheets, and the small pout her lips formed. My heart clenched knowing that my precious little doll was mated, eternally, to someone like me. It absolutely wasn't fair to her, but more than fair to me. Maybe this was the Moon Goddess' way of asking for forgiveness.

As if to say, 'sorry I made you wait so long but, look how perfect she is. You see how well she molds into your body? Do you feel how perfect your hands fit together? She's yours. God lent me an Angel, and now she's yours.'

Luckily my pansy ass thoughts were put to the backburner. The ding from the swinging door lulled me out of my mind and brought me to the present. I'm here to get my mate a new set of locks, her safety is my top priority and I'll be damned if she's going to be staying there every night with locks that my pack pups could break through. I'm proud of my little mate for being so self-sufficient, but that doesn't mean I have to like where she's staying.

Absentmindedly looking at the different options, I begin to remember the conversation she had with - who I assume to be - the landlord. Gabriel's fur bristles at the memory. Where would she go if she had to leave? Would she have to leave town? Surely not, her business was here. But not knowing where my mate was going to be living was not okay with me in the slightest. It also didn't set well when the idea of giving her money began to float around in my mind, it would only serve to upset her. My mate was a lot of things, perfect being the summation of them all but I had a feeling her pride might take a hit if I were to do that.

Making a mental note to get in contact with said man, I lift up the most expensive set they have and study it carefully. One lock on the door knob, and two deadbolts, one of the deadbolts isn't even visible on the outside of the door. I take two steps towards the counter with the item in my hand before retreating and grabbing a door chain for extra measure.

The shop was eerily silent, which isn't too surprising whenever it is eleven o'clock at night but even as a wolf I should be able to hear something. There's no one at the register, and even after waiting it out for a few minutes and all of my patience had dissipated, not even the me dinging the bell brings an employee to the front. "HELLO!" I yell before maneuvering around the counter towards the 'employees only' door. Pushing the door open, my feet come to an abrupt halt.

The stench of blood becomes overwhelming with every step I take forward. The breakroom was void of any sort of presence. With a rigid form, and a split decision my foot connects to the manager's office door. Splints of wood fly in every direction, but the sight of a dead male has my attention. Growling with clenched teeth, I inhale deeply one more time to ensure no one else is in the building. When the coast is clear, my feet carry me forward. My focus centered entirely around his neck where blood is soaking through his shirt. When I see the four puncture wounds, my blood begins to boil.

Damn leeches.

Without a second thought, I'm calling Zay and his team to clean up. I'll deal with this shit tomorrow, tonight I have some locks to install. After tossing some cash onto the register and turning off the lights, I flip the 'OPEN' sign to 'CLOSED'.

Can't have anyone walking into that situation, and whenever I hear Zay's truck from about two miles away I know that no one will.

Josh was still keeping guard, as requested, whenever I got back and even helped install the locks. I wanted to do it for myself just to show I can take care of my mate, but this was his way of kissing my ass. He knew I was furious at him for not informing me of my mate's living conditions. The only thing that hindered me from at least breaking an arm or two was my Riley's scent that was literally stuck on me. That, and he had been guarding her home just about every night. "Alpha, I apologize once again. I just didn't want you to ruin any chance with your mate by -

"I get it," I murmur while trying to think of a place to put her new keys where she would find them with ease. "That wasn't your call to make. Go downstairs." I whisper while setting her new keys down on the coffee table. "I'll be there in a second. We have things to discuss." Even the thought of parasites sets Gabriel on edge, however the need to see my female one last time wins out as my priority.

Josh nods leaving me alone with my mate. My eyes flicker all around her room for the second time tonight. Picture frames of various sizes and in no particular order, decorate her walls. There are a few vases full of what - I believe to be - handpicked flowers. The idea of my mate in the middle of a field, picking flowers and then craning her neck to glance at me sends my heart into a damn frenzy. Riley lays on her bed, blankets tucked underneath her chin. I'm stifling a laugh whenever she's sporting that same pout from earlier. Unconsciously, my fingers begin to rake through her hair and a wide smile overcomes my face when I can feel the light sparks.

It doesn't have to just be skin on skin anymore. Our bond is growing stronger, and fuck me if that doesn't make me the happiest man alive. In a split decision, I'm tearing off a scrap piece of paper and grabbing a pen that was lying on her nightstand to write her a small note. The last thing I want is for my little doll to think I just up and left without putting in effort - no matter how small - into seeing her once more.

Once the piece of paper is placed into her palm, with great difficulty, I lean in and press a small kiss to her forehead. This little doll has this monster wrapped around her finger, she can bend me at her will and she has no fucking idea.

With Gabriel slamming into our barrier, pissed that I'm 'hogging' our mate, I'm striding out of the apartment before I change my mind and stay till the morning. The idea was appealing and even as I'm climbing into my truck with Josh in the passenger's seat, I'm weighing the pros and cons. However, the fact that she's a human and humans tend to find that odd, has me staying in place. "Beta, the enforcer and his team are currently cleaning up a kill." His head snaps in my direction, "leeches." I answer his unspoken question and ignore his growl, "I have to go handle this but your one and only job as my beta, will be to keep her safe when I'm not with her. Clear?"

"Crystal." He replies before beginning to open the passenger door.

"Oh," Josh cranes his neck and arches his brow, beckoning me to continue. "Where the fuck do I get a bouquet of flowers?"

The shit head laughs.

Dick.

"From what we understand it was just one vampire. We took a sample of his blood and only found one strand of venom. The leech was a female if the lipstick smudges were any sort of indication. The only cameras were out in the front, and unfortunately no one entered the employees only lounge. My guess? She came in through a back door, possibly a window. Either way, the scene was cleaned - yet messy enough to keep the police busy. After Farkle replaced the feed to show you were never there, we gave them an anonymous tip from a payphone."

My mind was reeling as Zay began to break everything down for me. We haven't ever been on great terms with vampires, but the surrounding covens and my pack had a mutual understanding; 'stay the fuck out of my way and I'll stay the fuck out of yours'. "Did the male have any sort of contact with any sort of super-naturals?"

Zay regrettably shakes his head, "not from what we've gathered so far. We're still digging though."

"Just a nomad?" Even saying that out loud doesn't make sense. Lone vampires weren't unheard of, but in an area heavily populated with packs it just doesn't make sense for them to travel alone. "Newborn?"

Immediately I disagree, "it was too clean. Just keep digging, keep me informed."

With a curt nod and small bow, Zay is out the door with me close behind. I'm itching to see my mate, and my wolf is about to lose his damn mind. "Smackle!" Inky black hair peeks out from the kitchen where our Theta is smiling widely. "Flowers? Where do I go?"

A knowing smirk forms on her full lips, "whatever do you need flowers for, Alpha?" A deep growl rumbles my chest in annoyance. The more time I waste with these shit heads that I see all the time the less time I spend with my mate. Her smirk falls into a softer grin, "There's a flower shop one block behind her bakery." Finally, someone willing to help me out.

My hand is on the brassy door knob when her voice stops me once more, "Hydrangeas or gardenias. They are both simple and beautiful."

'Just like mate.' Gabriel chimes in, his tail wagging back and forth in utter excitement. 'Get mate roses.'

Groan. Must we argue about this too. 'You heard what Smackle said.'

'Fine. You get her one of those from you and roses from me. That way it is from both of us since you hog her all the damn time.'

Ignoring his statement, I just drive. Knowing I'll have to tell her soon begins to eat away at me, the full moon is a week and a half away and whether I like it or not, Gabriel will take over. Plus, the idea of using the mate bond to make her stay doesn't seem fair. I don't want my angel to feel trapped, she should be allowed to fly and love who she wants to. I pray to the Moon Goddess that it's me she'll love, even after dropping the bomb on her that I'm a werewolf. But if it isn't, then for Riley, I'd let her go.

Please Goddess, let her love me.

With the biggest bouquet that the little floral shop had in my hand, I'm beginning to get nervous. Noticeably gulping, my eyes flicker towards the flowers. Taking Gabriel's advice the bunch of baby blue hydrangeas were decorated with white roses placed randomly, Goddess I hope she likes them. Wiping my sweaty palms once more, I take a step into my mate's bakery and thank the moon that it isn't busy in here. Maybe we can get some alone time again, "Hi! Welcome to 'Sweetie Pies', what can I get you?" Honey brown eyes flicker towards the flowers before she begins to smile, "you looking for someone? With those in hand, I have no doubt you will win her over."

Thank the moon. "Um," clearing my throat I take a few steps forward towards the register. The woman is smiling widely, "Is Riley working?"

The woman, who I now know is named Topanga from her name tag, reaches her hand out with an arched brow. Taking it to be polite, I drop it just as quickly. Gabriel and I both hate the thought of touching a female who isn't mine. "I'm Riley's mother, Topanga."

Damn. "It's nice to meet you, ma'am. I'm sorry I didn't -

Waving me off, she shakes her head. "Trust me, it isn't me you have to worry about." Instantly knowing it's Riley's father she's hinting at, I try and chuckle the statement off. "You must be Lucas; my daughter is quite smitten with you."

Gabriel begins to run in circles, and if this were any other situation I would probably be doing just that. "The feeling is more than mutual, ma'am."

"RILEY!" With my hearing just slightly higher, the small scream shakes my eardrums. Wincing behind the flowers, I compose myself whenever the sweet scent of my mate wafts into my nostrils. "You have a visitor, sweetheart."

Goddess, she's beautiful. Her tee shirt and jeans are hidden by a messy apron, and even with her hair up and on top of her head, it is incredibly hard not to gawk. "Hi, Lucas."

The second Riley steps out from around the counter, my free arm is pulling her into my body. The familiar, comforting shocks are even stronger today than they were yesterday and whenever she sighs in complete content, I know my life is complete with her. "Hi, beautiful." With a million-watt grin, my female beams at me. Her deep browns eyes begin to lure me into their depths before they flicker towards the flowers, just in time too or I'd be a damn goner. "These are for you."

"Lucas," she whispers in awe which sends warmth straight to my heart. "These are so gorgeous. Mom, did you see these?" Briefly seeing her mother nod with a grin in my peripheral vision - since I can't take my eyes off of my mate - I can't help but lift her off the ground.

She doesn't even protest. Instead she wraps her legs around my waist yet, continues to stare at the flowers while resting her head against my chest. I don't think I've ever been this happy, "thank you so much." Is she crying? Gripping the back of her neck and clutching her hair in my fingers, I force her to look up at me. "I'm sorry," with her free hand she begins to wipe her face dry. I would have done it for her had my hands not been full. Resisting the urge to whimper, I'm rushing towards the back booth so she can talk to me.

Once the flowers are on the table, and she's adjusted into my lap, my face becomes buried into her neck so I can inhale her delicious scent. "I'm sorry, doll. There were flowers in your apartment -

Tingles evolve on my lips from the hand my little mate placed on them, "I love them, Lucas. That's why I was crying, they were happy tears." Gabriel begins to howl in happiness, though we both agree we could do without the tears. "This is literally the sweetest thing anyone has done for me. Thank you." Shyly she leans in and places a small kiss to my cheek.

My heart begins to pound against my chest, almost painfully. Without my knowledge, my fingers begin to trace over where the lingering sparks are. Riley's cheeks flush when she sees what I'm doing before shyly burying her head into my neck. Laughing at how adorable our mate is, the feeling of someone watching us, has me clutching onto my mate with a new strength. My gaze meets a pair of icy blue, staring at me from across the bakery.

Knowing that she is Riley's best friend is the only reason I'm not glaring. This female has no chance with me nor should she worry about how I'll treat Riley. She's my queen, my angel, my doll and as long as I can help it she'll always be happy. It isn't until the front door to the bakery opens once more that she finally looks away.

My brows furrow when I see my Beta staring at my mate's best friend, Maya, with a confused expression. My fingers begin to gently run against the length of Riley's tiny arm, causing her to relax while I watch Maya's entire body tense up. However, that stare-off dissipates quickly when she calmly walks to the kitchen. Josh's eyes find mine, and with one simple look I understand he'll tell me later. "Doll."

"Yes," she murmurs against my chest, her tiny fingers clutching onto the cotton of my shirt as if she depends on it.

"I'm taking you on a date tomorrow."

Riley nods once before peeking out of my neck. I love that she's so shy, and how she timidly glances up at me with those big does eyes of hers, only to blink innocently and tug at every emotion I have within me. "I would love that."

I love her.

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A/N:
Hey, Hey, Hey!
I hope you loved chapter 6. I love writing in his point of view. For some reason it is easier than Riley's lol
Also, there was a question about an update schedule. I don't really have one. My goal is once a week.
XOXO-
Taylor

Date Published: June 29, 2017

Word Count: 3,124 words