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Chapter 13 – Brownies
Lucas' Point of View
Chapter Quote – "Books are very good because they are big and you can hurt someone with it." – Marilyn Manson
Chapter Song: I am Invincible by Cassadee Pope
Content Warning: Language
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"Is she okay?" Cory questioned, quickly rising from the chair. Evidence of stress are vividly apparent from the mass array his curly hair turned into. His, now clenched hands, had run through it one too many times.

I am not quite sure how long I was in the room with Riley just trying to calm her down. Not that I cared. Even if she was stunned into silence, or heaving sobs it didn't matter. I loved spending quality time with my female. After my last revelation, she just kind of sat there. I had overloaded her, obviously if the blank look and pounding heart were any sort of indication.

After a few minutes she just rested her head on my shoulder, kissed the skin on my neck and fell asleep. It took a solid ten minutes before I could get her off of me, even in her sleep the mate bond was calling out to her. "Um, a lot better than I thought." I wasn't sure what I was expecting. Relieved sighs? Shoulders dropping? But, I didn't get any of that. In fact, their faces contorted into pain. They didn't want to lie to Riley, and no matter how unfair it is to my mate, they did what they were told to by the Moon Goddess. "I made it clear that you love her. You are both her parents."

A tear fell out of Topanga's eye before she buried her face into her husband's chest. "Where –

"She's sleeping," I finish for Maya who is slowly sitting back down in her seat. "It is a lot for someone to take in. Even someone who knew of the supernatural world beforehand." My wolf and I grinned, once again thankful that we told her what we were as soon as possible. I kept that notion to myself, "she'll be okay. Riley is very understanding."

"It will help once we know why the Moon Goddess' and Sun God created Riley. You know, how she's going to help with the prophecy."

Before I have a chance to answer, there was a knock on my mate's door. Sniffing twice, I open the door to my Beta. Josh gives me a sympathetic smile knowing the conversation we had tonight was not an easy one. "Hey Lucas, she good?" He asks quietly, keeping the conversation to us for now.

"As good as she can be, considering." I shrug, bouncing my head from left to right. "It definitely could have been worse." But, my female wasn't into dramatics. She was level headed and took what she could until her mind couldn't physically process it anymore. Gabriel grinned madly, he was proud of our female. "Now, you can quit pretending you're actually here to check on my mate and me." I opened the door wider, allowing him to step inside and see the witch that's currently rolling her eyes in annoyance.

"Hello, little mate." Josh quips and basically skips towards the blonde. "And Lucas, she's my future Luna. Of course I would worry about her."

Kiss ass.

Shrugging the draped arm off of her shoulder, Maya steps forward, shoving her hands into the pockets of her jeans nervously. "I'll try to get in contact with the Goddess as well. But, you know as well as I she is –

"Cryptic?" I finish for her once it seemed she was at a loss for words. Maya nods, guilt and sadness coming off of her in waves. "I get it, and this situation may just need to play out on its own. I already have the elders doing some digging. Looking into past prophecies, human Luna's and things like that." Falling into the cushion of the couch, I bite my lip to keep from laughing whenever I see Josh basically pulling Maya into his lap.

Well, trying. "Do not make me put a hex on you wolf. I enjoy my personal space."

No amount of insults can change the grin permanently etched onto his lips. "I enjoy touching you. It seems we are at an impasse."

Bright blue eyes snap to mine, ferocity swirling in them. "Isn't there some sort of Alpha – wolf command thing you can do to keep him away unless I say otherwise?"

Oh moon, I'm going to need a drink to deal with these two. "No, little witch. My command doesn't work to keep mates apart. You are his mate, and he is your light. You two complete one another. Deal with it."

"Oh, I'll deal with it." She replies.

"SON OF A BITCH!" Maya is basically tossed to the floor while Josh is shaking out his hands vehemently.

A growl rumbles my chest, "if you two wake up my mate I will deal with both of you myself." Warning evident in both my low growl and deadly tone of voice. "Then I'll lock you two in a damn room."

Blonde hair flips behind her shoulders, a small smile curls her lips up in satisfaction as she rises off the floor. Josh glances at his mate with wide puppy eyes and a whine sounding from the back of his throat. A male that doesn't understand why his female doesn't want him. "Touch me without permission, and you'll get shocked wolf."

"Maya," Topanga whispers, admonishing lightly like the loving mother she is. My own wolf growls deeply, not appreciating the way this witch is treating not just my Beta but my best friend. "Be polite. Your mother and I raised you better."

Sighing she snaps her finger, a small cloud of white smoke pulls away from Josh – the male who won't look up from the floor. "Josh, can you get some volunteers to help out at the bakery? Riley will need a few days and I think alternating days between Maya and Topanga will give them a deserved break as well."

He nods, rising from his seat and vacating my mate's small apartment – not even looking back at his own mate. Rising from the sofa, I stalk towards the witch with Gabriel pushing our power out. Surprisingly, she holds our gaze. Unlike Cory and Topanga who are letting their shoulders fold in, and dropping their heads slightly. "Listen little witch," her lips curl into a scowl at the blatant insult, "you will do well to knock off the attitude, at least while I'm around."

Her hands that are draped at her sides begin to twitch in defense. "Or what?"

Grinning sardonically, I say, "I'll kick your ass off my territory before you can even flick your fingers." If it were possible, her scowl deepened.

"You can't force me to love someone."

I pulled my dominance back, my anger began to simmer as I stared into icy blue eyes that were glaring back at me. "You're right. I can't force you to love him. But, you will respect him. He's done nothing but care for you and want to be around you. Hell, he almost challenged me because he thought we were hurting you. If that isn't a male worth being your light, then who the fuck is?"

It was quiet.

My little rant seemed to have rendered her speechless. My wolf nodded in approval, that's what we wanted. There are dozens of women in our pack who want to be with him if she doesn't, some noble ones that actually care for more than his rank in my pack. "Josh deserves a mate that will allow him to touch her." Turning on my heels, I come to an almost immediate halt. "He's waited a long damn time and is as pure as one can possibly be." Craning my neck, I glance over my shoulder so she can see the seriousness, "remember what I said." Then I snap my fingers, reminding her how easy it would be to banish her.

I don't care at the moment that she's my mate's best friend. I don't care what her reasoning is for immediately despising him. All I see is a sour female, and I wouldn't even want Riley hanging around someone so judgmental. "Alpha," Topanga whispered in the silence. "Would you mind – could we visit her tomorrow?"

I nod vehemently, somewhat baffled as to why she'd even ask that question. "Of course. She's your daughter. It's late, if you want to stay here you can."

Not waiting for an answer, I strolled back down the hallway. The weight of today finally falling off my shoulders as my mate's scent becomes even stronger. Cracking her door opened, I ensured it made no noise before leaning against the chipped door frame, watching the steady rise and fall of Riley's chest. Her black and white floral comforter is bunched up beside her face, and long dark tresses drape across her white sheets.

The sound of the front door closing pulls me out of the trance Riley constantly puts me in. Stripping my shirt off, my shoes and socks are the next to go before crawling into bed beside my mate. Almost immediately, Riley is reaching out for me, seeking my warmth and greedily accepting any comfort I provide for her.

My fingers stroke through her hair, gliding across her cheeks then her temple until it gets caught up in her locks. I relish for a few moments in the warmth and sparks that holding and touching her create. I was so lucky to have a female who actually wants me, despite the vast difference in our genetic makeup. As my eyes begin to close, and sleep begins to pull me into the darkness I pray to the Goddess that Maya gives Josh a chance.

When I wake up, I'm not surprised to see Riley's spot empty. She's an early bird I've learned, which I'm sure is because of years of owning a bakery. I used to be that way, sleep would evade me anyways so I would be out of bed before the sun would even rise.

Grunting at the unfamiliar knots in my neck and back, I try to work some out as I get off the mattress. I make a mental note to try and get her another one if she will allow it. That one literally has no spring left, and I may be spoiled because of the TempurPedic one that resides in my room, but even if I weren't that mattress would need to be taken to the dump.

My toes pop as I walk through the hallway towards the kitchen that smells like peppermint, tea leaves and coffee. A subtle smile curls my lips when they met a disheveled Riley sitting at the dining room table. "I made you some coffee," she whispers into the mug of her cup before taking a sip. "I know you aren't a tea fan."

Skidding my feet across the floor, I press a kiss to my mate's cheek. Frowning, when I see a forced smile – almost trying to reassure me that she's okay. "Hey," my finger reaches out for her chin, tilting it to look back at me, "it's okay to be confused, upset or angry. Don't try to hide it." Riley simply nods and tucks a strand of hair that got loose from her braid behind her ear.

My fingers touch the cool ceramic of the mug, before that coolness is replaced by heat from the scalding liquid. A deep rumble shakes my chest, my beast and I love coffee. "Thank you." I arch my brow while sipping, silently asking what she's thanking me for. "Not just for last night, though I appreciate you explaining everything to me. But also, for telling me on our first date about you being a werewolf and lastly, for gathering volunteers to work at my bakery."

My female is too kind for her own good. "Baby doll, don't thank me for any of that stuff. As your mate, it is what I'm supposed to do but more than that, I want to do those things. I want to take care of you." A delicious blush coats her tear stained cheeks. She must have just gotten up, Riley almost always washes her face as soon as she gets up. Apparently, my mate has a routine she must follow, or it will throw off her whole day. "How did you find out about the volunteers?"

"I talked to my mom this morning." The way her voice breaks and shakes lightly are pointers that she's still processing everything, understandably so. "She told me that I have the rest of the week off." Longer if she wants it, but I know baking is her escape. Riley sets her mug down on the wooden table as I take a seat beside her. A smug grin curls her lips, "my mom also told me about the little tiff you got into with, Maya."

That female, my wolf is having a challenging time getting along with her. As a human, I understand that she's my mate's best friend. My beast, wants to put her in her place no matter the circumstances. "I'm sorry if that upset you."

Riley tilts her head to the side, her braid moving along with it. "You aren't sorry for the argument?"

The answer is no. But, knowing that this is some sort of trap women like to put you in, I have to tread carefully. "Should I be?"

"No," she whispers. Kind eyes and a small, gentle smile greet me when I glance up from my coffee. "The way she is and was treating Josh is wrong. Unfortunately, I've never officially met Josh but that doesn't matter. Maya shouldn't make snap judgments but Josh can't push himself on her, she has never liked pushy guys."

Shrugging, I take another sip and discreetly inch my chair closer. "Then vocalize that, easy as pie."

"Lucas, we're women we would much rather bake a croquembouche with expired ingredients than a simple chocolate pie with a pre-made crust." Why is she so amazing? "Is Josh okay?"

"I haven't spoken to him," I answer honestly. "I gave him an out last night and he took it quickly. He's one of the strongest males I know, but emotionally he's very sensitive. He's like a little kid that way, happy and bouncy until his favorite toy gets taken away." Riley throws her head back, giggling madly.

"So, what, he throws a fit?"

Shaking my head, I grab the leg of her chair and close the miniscule amount of space left between us. "No, he finds a way to get his toy back." Eyes dilate as she glances all around my face before firmly landing on my lips. Teeth bite into her bottom lip, and my forehead meets hers before our mouths collide.

Goddess, she tastes so fucking good. My hands mold into her hair, pulling her body closer to me until she kicks her leg over and straddles me. I groan into her mouth, enjoying and savoring every moment of this. The urgency begins to dwindle as we settle into the kiss, and becomes sweet and gentle as my tongue dances wildly in the caverns of her mouth. "Can I go with you to the pack house today?"

My eyes widen drastically. We go from kissing to that question that I never thought I'd hear from her. How did that even happen? "Uh, sure?" I all but question, "of course you can. But, why?"

Don't get me wrong, I'm ecstatic that she's taken such an interest in my way of life. I guess I just thought that after yesterday she'd want some space from this world. "Well, I figured that I better start introducing myself slowly to your pack and you also mentioned being behind on paperwork. I could help you."

Goddess, how could I argue with that?

Pulling into the pack house, a wide grin becomes set on my lips. Pups are playing soccer, football and a game of volleyball are being played outside in the lush green grass. Branches wave in the wind, shaking some leaves loose as fall begins to make a quicker approach. "It's so, lively." Riley murmurs with wide eyes, taking in everything my pack has to offer.

There's some omega's outside in their gardens and warriors running, training, on the outskirts of the open field. "It's my home."

"It's beautiful," she tells me before squeezing my hand. "Do they know about me?"

I shrug before glancing back out through the windshield, enjoying the sight of a game of hide and seek being conducted. "I haven't made an official announcement, but I also haven't kept it a secret. I'm sure some do and some don't. And the one's that do probably don't know you're human."

"Kinda," she quips, referencing the shocking news that shook her world last night. "This will be a good distraction though, I'm excited."

Nodding in agreement, I slide out of my truck and make my way over to her side to help her out. Once her feet are firmly planted on the ground, and I've warned my clumsy mate about the massive tree roots, twice, we start to make our way out into the open field. The wind begins to carry not just my scent, but hers. Alerting my pack members that I'm here. Heads begin to turn, acknowledging my presence respectfully before doing a double take once they see a hand linked with mind.

Pride surges through our bond.

And not just from me. Of course I'm so proud to have Riley as my mate, in the short amount of time I've known her she's shown me that she's more than capable of being a perfect Luna. But, through our unmated bond I can feel Riley's pride for me.

She's proud of me.

My heart beats wildly as I glance down at her, all smiles. Gabriel begins to howl and prance around in my mind. Pups yip in excitement and start running our direction, automatically feeling the pull towards their Luna, only to be stopped by the whispering parents.

My eyes snap towards the ones that hold their pups, then to the ones whispering before honing in on their conversations. I keep it together until I feel doubt start to creep in through the bond, the hand I'm holding begins to squeeze just a bit more and Riley's eyes zip from side to side.

That's when I let out a literal earth shaking, bring everyone to their knees, roar.

No one will be fucking disrespecting my mate like that.

Word Count: 3,073
Date Published: September 13, 2017