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Chapter 12 – Apple Pie
Lucas' Point of View
Chapter Quote – "Secrets, secrets are no fun. Secrets, secrets hurt someone."
Chapter Song – Smoke Break by Carrie Underwood
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"Doll, you look beautiful."

Scrunching her nose adorably, she huffs and continues to powder her face unnecessarily. "Enough Lucas, you've got me. Enough with the flattery."

Snorting at her insane notion, I snatch the powder and brush from her hands before carelessly tossing it to the side. I don't miss the way her forms into a cute pout, but when she feels my arms snaking around her waist and my chin resting on her shoulder, that all changes. A small smile dances across her lips, visible from the mirror we're facing. "Whether or not 'I have you' doesn't deter me from the truth. You, my love, don't need any of that stuff. Your mom and Maya already saw your face today and you told them what happened."

Not to say that I didn't get a lot of accusatory looks today when escorting my mate to work. The bruising on her face isn't necessarily defined, but it is outlined enough to know what caused it. Maya went so far as to place my hand against the marking. Mine were bigger. I digress, I brought my work to her bakery today after the events of last night haunted my mind. It was a good deal, Riley never left the back and that's where I sat contently all day. "Still, it made my heart hurt when they instantly thought you did something when you wouldn't even hurt a fly."

Well, that's not entirely true and not just because I killed a fly at her bakery today. However, "I won't ever harm a strand of hair on your head. You're mine to take care of and spoil for the rest of our lives."

My lips pressed against the slightly chilled area of her neck. I grinned when goosebumps formed across the ivory area. When my eyes met hers again in the mirror her mouth was turned into a frown. "I know that werewolves live longer lives." I nod, agreeing with that statement. We aren't immortal, eventually we will die of old age, we just age incredibly slow. The oldest recorded werewolf is actually an elder in our pack at three hundred and forty-two years old. "Will I – since I'm your mate, will I live as long as you?"

My body turns rigid, even though Gabriel and I both knew that this conversation would come up. However, tonight's impending conversation is going to change everything. "Let's not worry about that tonight –

Before I can finish my sentence, she's turning around in my arms and caressing my face with her tiny hands. Riley's bottom lips is pulled into a pout – a genuine pout, not one she normally uses to get her way. "I just – I, you've been alone for so long Lucas. I don't want me being a h-human to –"

"Oh baby," I whisper then pull her into my chest. "My sweet girl." My lips press against her temple as small sobs tumble out of her mouth. Shushing her lightly, my arms lift Riley off the ground so I can sway her from side to side. It takes a few minutes to get her to calm down. I wasn't lying yesterday when I said that she was the sweetest thing. Riley is so selfless and I don't know what I did right in life to be blessed with Riley as my mate but Goddess I would wait hundreds of years to meet her if need be.

Finally, she pulls her head out of the crook of my neck only to fiddle with her fingers avoiding eye contact. She's so adorable, "I don't want you to worry about that right now baby doll. We'll figure it out like we have been as we go." My forefinger lifts her chin, forcing her to look me in the eyes so she can see how serious I am. I need her to understand how honest I'm being. "No amount of time with you will ever be enough. It wouldn't matter if you were a human or werewolf. I will cherish every moment with you my beautiful girl." Her beautiful chocolate brown eyes had tears in them once more, this time for an entirely different reason. Happy tears flooded her orbs before she began giggling wildly.

"That was a heavy topic," she whispered more to herself but I heard it. "We can push it aside since my parents will be here soon but, we do need to talk about this." Knowing that was absolutely true, I nodded and pressed my mouth against hers. The familiar warmth surged through my veins, warming me like a summer day. Sighing contently, she parted her voluptuous lips allowing my tongue to invade the warm caverns of her mouth. Goddess, she always tasted so delicious.

'It's those damn strawberries, human,' Gabriel insisted with a smug tone. But, it wasn't just strawberries it was sugar and everything sweet and it wasn't just because she is a baker. 'Our mate is perfect'.

'Don't I know it.'

Cutting off the link entirely, I took a step forward and placed her petite body on top of the bathroom counter so my hands could run freely. My fingertips felt the smooth skin that was available from in between her shirt and jeans, squeezing lightly to give her a warning that if she didn't stop clawing at my chest that this would go a whole lot further. "PLEASE, release my daughter."

Shit. Throwing myself against the opposite wall in the bathroom, my hand came up to wipe my lips off, much to my dismay. Gulping, I glanced at her father who was hugging Riley and glaring rather heavily at me. How the hell didn't I hear them come in? "I missed you daddy."

"I missed you too, pumpkin. It isn't fair that your mother gets to see you every day." My mate rolls her eyes before shoving him playfully out of the bathroom. A nervous expression masks her face when she turns around to see me, "I'm so sorry, Lucas. I forgot that they have a key. I just didn't think that they would use it." She tries to reason once sensing my discomfort.

"We weren't going to. But, no one came to the door." A mess of dark curls peeked around the door frame once more. Her father won't give us a moment alone, "we knocked for a few good minutes, pumpkin." And just like that he's gone again.

Huffing in annoyance, I hold my arms out. With zero resistance, she rushes into my arms and gives me a big hug, "it will be okay. This is him normally." At my dumfounded expression she giggles once more, making me smile. "I'm serious. He's always been quirky and if I went out on dates he would always be well, I know it is weird to use my dad as an adjective but I am. He's just, Cory."

Nodding with a newfound sense of confidence, I take her hand in mind. The small smile on her lips and reassuring squeeze she gives me is all I need to tackle this head on. "Let's do this, doll." I lean in to give her one more kiss but am not too shocked when I hear the telltale sign of a father clearing his throat.

Dinner has gone surprisingly well. We decided to eat in because of my mate's injuries. While Riley cooked the mashed potatoes and vegetables, I was making some filet mignon that I had brought over. I got many compliments on the food, none from Cory of course but, she's the father of my mate I wasn't expecting any.

If Topanga and Cory were werewolves than they would absolutely be mates. There's no doubt about it. I've never seen a woman handle their significant other as well as Topanga handles Cory. She knows when to play along, she knows when to reign him in and with one glance Cory will close his mouth before saying something he shouldn't say.

Maya was quiet throughout the whole meal, knowing what we were going to be discussing. This was going to be a big night for Riley, and as her mate we were going to tackle this head on. Luckily, Maya had informed both of her parents that tonight is the night. I'm actually surprised they are as calm as they are.

This is huge news they've hidden from her, her entire life. "Are you sure your face doesn't hurt, pumpkin?" My mate tilts her head to the side from the question that quite frankly, came out of nowhere. Casting me a side glance, Cory's eyes flicker back to Riley's. "Were you really –

"I measured Lucas' hand to the one on her face, there's no way." Maya defends before taking a sip of red wine she brought three bottles of – I'm sure to ease her nerves.

Riley huffs before crossing her arms, "Lucas won't hurt me, daddy. I'm sick of everyone thinking that." Setting my fork and steak knife down, I wrap my arm around her shoulder to press a kiss to her temple. "It's okay, doll." I whisper and flash her a smile.

Nodding she switches her gaze back to her dad, "you should be proud I fought him off. Though I'm not sure how," she murmurs under her breath.

Maya clears her throat and from that small indication I'm assuming it's go time. Cory and Topanga both wipe their mouths with a napkin before grasping their hands together as if their life depended on it. "Riley, I have something I need to tell you." Tilting her head to the side, her eyes are lit up with curiosity. "You told me about the powerful force, is what you called it, that came off of you. Well, um I am a witch."

Riley blinks once. Twice. Three times. "WHAT?" Riley abruptly stands out of her chair, letting it tumble to the ground behind her. "You're a what?!"

To prove her point Maya stands up and caresses Riley's bruised cheek, murmuring a few words under her breath. Before pulling away from my mate, Maya's iris' glinted with purple indicating she was using her magic. Unsurprising, the bruise is gone entirely. Curiously, Riley begins to poke at her cheek over and over to try and find a sore spot, but turning out unsuccessful. "I'm a witch, Riley."

For the third time this evening, my mate's eyes well up with tears. My heart tugs painfully in my chest seeing her that way. "W-Why didn't you tell me, Maya? I've told you everything a-about m-me. I get that this is a big secret, but Lucas told me almost immediately." Best decision I've ever made. Accusing eyes shift towards me, "did you know –

Maya interrupts, not giving me a time to reply. "No one knew. I was hiding my scent, Riley. I was under strict orders to keep you safe, so I put a protection spell on you. That's what that force was. When your body felt true fear, that's when the spell triggers. I'm so sorry, Riley. I'm so sorry. But, if I were to have introduced you to mine and Lucas' world ahead of time the entire future would have shifted. Changing its course and putting you in danger. I was sworn to secrecy. Please you have to believe me."

Riley chews the inside of her cheek, her eyes flitting from left to right over and over as she processes what her best friend has just said. Glancing across the table, Cory and Topanga clear their throat. "D-Did you two know?" Both Cory and Topanga nod their heads to their daughter's question.

"Sweetie, why don't you take a seat. Your father and I have something we need to tell you as well."

Huffing she throws herself at me, basically giving her father the middle finger. I don't fight it though. I know she needs comfort, and I will gladly oblige to whatever she wants. Especially once her parents drop the mother of all bombs on her.

"You aren't our daughter."

I don't think I've ever been in a room so silent. I'm a werewolf and the only thing I can hear is the occasional drip from her kitchen sink, reminding me I need to fix it. Everyone was holding their breath waiting on Riley's reaction. Aside from falling tears, there was nothing. "Well, you are our daughter but you aren't at the same time." Cory tries to tack on to break the awkward silence.

Riley holds out her hand after wiping some tears away, "you've lied to me my entire life. So, before you start explaining yourself please tell me why I should believe a word that comes out of your mouths? Quite frankly, the only one who has been honest is the man that's holding me." Turning her body around in my lap, she presses her forehead against my own. "Did you know they weren't my parents?"

"I found out yesterday," I whispered while wiping her cheeks incessantly. They were never ending, but I'd continue to wipe and kiss them away as long as she let me.

"That's why you suggested dinner tonight," she put two and two together. "Do you mind explaining this to me?" Riley sniffled, her nose wiggling with the action. "I just – I don't – I'm not sure what to – they aren't my parents, Lucas."

Once again, she is sobbing into my shirt. Rising out of my chair with Riley in my arms I begin to sway from side to side again, vicariously walking to the bedroom but not before giving them a look. A simple look that said they better stay the fuck there. Gabriel was furious that the witch and humans had upset our mate so much. But knowing that the Moon Goddess was the true reason my mate was crying was enough to stifle his anger. She had given me the best possible mate in the world, hands down.

It was roughly twenty minutes before Riley's sobbing turned into small hiccups and sniffling. All heartbreaking, but one less extreme than the other. "I'm going to try and break it down the best way possible. Okay?" She nods in agreement, while situating herself more comfortably in my hold. Sometime, amidst the swaying, tears and shushing I had gotten comfortable on her bed, and laid her on top of my frame. "Yesterday, as you know was Maya's protection spell being put to good use. You have no idea how much she's wanted to tell you all these years, Riley. You are her best friend and sister, but her life was at stake. She was sworn to secrecy, a vow that she made to the Moon Goddess."

"Can we move onto my parents – or my not parents –

I cut her off there, "they are your parents, Riley. The love they feel for you is so evident. Don't ever think they are not your parents." Riley hesitates but after clutching onto my plain black tee shirt nods. "However, I will respect your wishes. But, before I do that I need to give you a little werewolf history. Try to focus, okay?"

"Technically, there are four goddesses of the moon. The main one, the one that created wolves and mates, is named Selene. She is the one we worship, since we worship the moon." I tell her, my fingers raking through her mess of curls. "There is Phoebe, who is the goddess of the moon, intellect and prophecy. Artemis; goddess of the hunt, forests, archery and moon. And lastly; Hecate, goddess of necromancy or magic – as humans call it – and ghosts."

"Selene, Phoebe, Artemis and Hecate. Got it."

I murmur a 'good girl' in her ear, and peck her head lightly. I'm rewarded with a small grin, she loves it when I give her praise. "First, this is information I received from Maya since she spoke to the Goddess first hand. My oracle is trying to make contact with no luck as of yet. Now, Phoebe, goddess of prophecy had foreseen a terrible war between all supernatural creatures. Witches, wolves, vampires, fairies, banshees – you name it and they were in a battle that cost lives. In her prophecy, supernatural creatures were dwindling down to nothingness. Selene – the one true Moon Goddess – begged Zeus for help or for some form of guidance after hearing about the war.

"He refused. Unfortunately, Zeus never agreed with her creations. He banished Hades to the underworld after creating vampires," her head snaps up to my own, eyes wide with shock. "Yes, Hades created vampires. Selene placed werewolves on earth to gain control over their blood thirst – to put them in line – and it worked. Zeus tolerates our kind since we are half human, and we have more control. Vampires have one true love, which is blood. Anyways, I digress. Zeus thanked her for saving his humans from the vampires, but denied getting involved in this war that doesn't involve him or his humans.

"Selene was defeated. She wasn't a war general, and though she believes in peace, Selene also understood that you have to fight for peace and freedom. When Selene was discussing the prophecy with Hecate, Phoebe and Artemis her brother interfered. Her brother is the Sun God, and his name is Helios. He offered his help and a plan."

Riley sighed and lifted herself off of my chest, obviously getting somewhat tired. "I don't want to be rude Lucas but how does the four moon goddess' and the sun god fit into the whole, Cory and Topanga aren't my real parents?"

I gulped and placed a small kiss to her knuckles, "It's very important because you are the creation of Goddess Selene, Goddess Phoebe, Goddess Artemis, Goddess Hecate and the Sun God, Helios."

A/N:
Hey everyone, first off I'm so sorry for the long wait in between updates. If you are on Wattpad you heard two reasons as to why it has taken me so long to upload. If you are on FanFiction, then on top of my grandfather being very ill, my car got broken into and my gun was stolen along with some of my daughter's birthday presents. My daughter's birthday was on Saturday and my husband's was the fifteenth. And, then she is having surgery soon so I've been a bit stressed. Either way, I know you guys are amazing and for those of you who are still around I greatly appreciate it.

Secondly, I know this chapter had a lot of information in it. If you need me to make like a diagram to help you sort it out just let me know and I can get that up with in a day or two.

Third, I love you guys so much.

XOXO – Taylor