Moth to Her Flame (Mated to the Monster: Season 3)

18. Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen

R iven

Dante’s expression is grim, his mouth tight. His usual sardonic humor is absent, replaced by a cold tension that sets my antennae quivering.

After quick introductions, he says to Chelsea, who’s hovering uncertainly by the couch, “You should sit.”

“That bad?” Her voice wavers slightly, and my wing curves toward her instinctively, though I’m still standing across the room.

“Worse.” Dante pulls out his tablet, claws tapping rapidly. “My contact, who’s still anonymous, managed to leak me some info. They say they can’t tell me everything, but what they sent…” He glances at me. “It’s not good.”

Chelsea sinks onto the couch. After a moment’s hesitation, I sit beside her, close enough to offer support but not quite touching. Her hand finds mine anyway, and my wings flare with answering light.

The change in what social media calls our “relationship status” isn’t lost on Dante, though the only hint that he’s noticed is a slight quirk of one sleek brow.

“Show us,” Chelsea says quietly.

Blueprints fill the screen—a massive facility disguised as a corporate campus. Multiple underground levels. Reinforced chambers with specifications that make my stomach turn.

“They’re not just studying cryptids.” Dante’s voice drops lower. “These are containment cells, designed for specific types. Look—electromagnetically shielded chambers for Volt, reinforced steel for Cliff, specialized restraint systems…”

Although my stomach lurches as I mentally label one of the cells with my own name since it seems designed for a Mothman, my wing wraps around Chelsea as she leans forward to study the plans. “Those aren’t research facilities,” she whispers. “They’re prisons.”

“Worse than prisons.” Dante swipes to another screen. “Military contracts, weapons development programs. They’re not just trying to prove we exist—I think they want to weaponize us.”

A distant mechanical whine makes my antennae snap to attention.

“That’s the third one I’ve spotted today,” Dante says grimly. “They’ve ramped up surveillance since that caller mentioned their symbol. Because they’ve been monitoring your broadcasts, we’re pretty sure they think you’re connected to some underground cryptid network.”

“But I’m not—”

“Doesn’t matter what’s true.” Dante shows her signal analysis data. “They believe you are, which makes you a target.”

I don’t mention it, but that she’s sitting in her cabin with two cryptids pretty much confirms she is connected to an underground cryptid network.

Her fingers tighten around mine. “The cabin isn’t safe anymore, is it?”

“No.” The word rips from my throat before I can bite it back. Besides, lying to her won’t protect her, though I wish it could. It will put her at more risk. “I’m sorry, Chelsea.”

“I’ve talked it over with the others.” Dante leans forward, spade-tipped tail twitching. “The mountain sanctuary… there’s room. You’d be protected there.”

She stiffens. “You mean go live with you? With other cryptids?”

The fear in her voice makes my heart clench. Slowly, carefully, I try to withdraw my wing, but her free hand gently catches the edge.

“How do you think we’ve stayed hidden all these centuries? We’re peaceful, Chelsea. We want nothing more than to be left alone. None of us has any desire to harm humans.”

“Although, we do what we must to protect ourselves and our own.” Dante’s voice is deadly. “You’ll have your own space,” he assures her, his tone now friendly and reassuring. “Private room, completely secure. The others agreed before I left this morning. We’ll provide whatever you need to feel safe.”

“I’ll stand guard outside your door all night if you want,” I offer, though the thought of losing the intimacy we’ve been sharing here makes my wings tremble. “You won’t have to see or interact with anyone you don’t want to.”

Her laugh holds an edge of hysteria. “Right. Because that’s totally normal. Just pack up and move into a mountain full of…” She gestures vaguely at us.

“Of monsters?” The word slips out before I can stop it as my heart plummets. All the progress I thought we’ve made, the secret dream I’ve been nurturing of making her my real mate—it shatters into a million pieces.

“No!” Her vehemence surprises us both. “That’s not… I didn’t mean…”

Another drone passes, closer this time. Dante’s claws click against his tablet. “They’re scanning for heat signatures now. Getting bolder.”

Chelsea’s pulse races where our hands are joined. Taking a risk, I brush my wing against her cheek, gratified when she leans into the touch instead of pulling away.

“You’re scared,” I murmur. “That’s normal. Smart, even. But these Apex people… what they’re planning…”

“I know.” She draws a shaky breath. “Those blueprints—they’re going to hurt people. Hurt you.”

At least she called us people, not cryptids… or monsters. Perhaps she’s warming to the idea of us… to me.

“Not if we stop them.” Dante’s tail lashes. “But we need you safe first.”

“Why me? I’m just… I’m nobody.”

“You’re the voice that makes people question.” My wing curves more tightly around her. “Makes them look closer at the shadows, wonder what’s really out there. The idea that public opinion might shift against what they’re doing must terrify Apex.”

“Also,” Dante adds dryly, “you’re literally bonded to one of us now. That makes you family.”

Shit! I’ve been keeping the words “mate” and “bond” out of my mouth, but the damned Jersey Devil’s not going to let her forget what’s at stake.

Chelsea’s sharp intake of breath makes me pull away, but her grip tightens. “Family?”

“If… if you want to be.” My voice scrapes out, rough. “No pressure, no obligations. Just… protection. Safety.”

“When do we leave?”

The question stuns us both. “You’re sure?” I manage.

“No.” Her laugh sounds steadier now. “I’m terrified. But…” Her fingers trace the edge of my wing, sending sparks through my entire body. “I trust you. Both of you, and Volt. And those blueprints… I can’t just ignore them. I’m tired of hiding from the truth just because it’s uncomfortable.”

Pride bursts in my chest. “Tonight? After your show?”

She nods. “I’ll need to pack, arrange for someone to watch the cabin…”

“Already handled.” Dante grins. “Cliff’s cousin Earl does excellent house-sitting. Looks completely human, makes amazing sourdough.”

“Of course he does.” Her laugh holds genuine amusement now. “Why not?”

Standing, Dante heads for the door. “I’ll let the others know. And Chelsea?” His expression softens. “You trusting us? It’s cool.”

After he leaves, she doesn’t let go of my hand. Doesn’t move from the shelter of my wing. Her fear still scents the air, but there’s something else now—determination, courage, and underneath it all, a hint of excitement.

“I meant it,” I tell her softly. “About standing guard. Whatever you need to feel safe in a hidden cavern full of people you’ve never met.”

“What I need…” She turns to face me fully, and my breath catches at her proximity. “Is to stop being afraid of what’s right in front of me.”

Her free hand rises to trace my antennae, drawing a shuddering gasp from me. The touch is feather-light yet devastating in its intent.

“Chelsea…”

“You won’t let anything happen to me.” It’s not a question.

“Never.” The word carries every ounce of protective instinct surging through my system.

“Then that’s enough.” Her knuckles trace a gentle line down my cheek, and my wings explode with golden light. “The rest… we’ll figure out as we go.”

Another drone passes outside, but I barely notice. All my focus narrows to her touch, her trust, her amazing courage in choosing this path.

“We should start packing,” she says finally, though she makes no move to pull away.

“In a minute.” My wing embraces her more tightly, tugging her even closer. “Let me just… let me hold you? While you’re still choosing it freely?” I don’t say it out loud, but I’m wondering when that will inevitably change and she’ll go back to being terrified and repulsed by me again.

“Choices go both ways,” she says softly, fingers brushing my antennae. “And I’m making mine.”

My wings glow brighter at her touch. She’s right. Some choices belong to us both.