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

44. Chapter Forty-Four

Chapter Forty-Four

C helsea

“Is it my imagination, or are you literally glowing?” Marina’s silvery scales ripple with amusement as I emerge from Riven’s chamber for the first time in days.

Heat floods my cheeks, but before I can respond, Dante approaches from the south wing. His usual sardonic grin widens as he studies my face. “Not imagination. Check out those golden flecks in her eyes. Very fetching. Though not quite as impressive as lover-boy’s new wing colors.”

Riven’s wings, now shimmering with unprecedented brilliance as well as purple and jade colors that weren’t there before, curl around me protectively. The iridescent patterns shifting across their surface put the aurora borealis to shame.

“If you’re quite finished discussing our appearances…” My attempt at dignity fails when Volt’s thunderous laugh echoes through the great hall.

“Oh, we’re just getting started,” he rumbles. “Wait until you see what your combined energy did to the crystal formations in the east tunnel. We’ve got actual flowers growing from the rock.”

Dr. Andrews looks up from where she’s resting on a cushioned seat near the falls, still pale but recovering her strength.

“The crystalline growth patterns are fascinating,” she murmurs, making notes on her ever-present tablet. Dante hovers nearby, ostensibly adjusting her monitoring equipment, though his tail keeps curling protectively whenever she shifts position.

Cypher materializes, whiskers twitching. “The brownies are gambling about whether your first offspring will glow in the dark. Marina’s in charge of the pool if you wish to place a bet.”

“I hate all of you,” I mutter, but there’s no heat in it.

Dante scoffs. “Do you two think you were subtle? You lit up half the mountain.”

“Only half?” The retort escapes before I can think better of it. “We’ll have to put more effort into it.”

Dead silence falls as they process my unexpected sass. Then Marina bursts out laughing, her scales shimmering with mirth. “Oh, she’s definitely one of us now.”

Looking around at these impossible beings who’ve become family—at Volt’s proud grin, Cypher’s approving nod, Dante’s delighted cackle, and Cliff’s soft smile—something shifts in my chest. This is home now. These are my people.

“Speaking of light shows…” Dante’s expression turns serious as he pulls out his tablet. “You might want to see what your combined energy surge did to Apex’s monitoring equipment. I guess they weren’t totally off base when they were so keen on better understanding your mate bond. It’s powerful stuff, bro. And wait until you hear what else we found in their encrypted files…”

Riven’s wings tighten around me as we gather around the stone table. Time to get back to work. But first…

“Hey Marina?” I call, schooling my face to look school-marm-serious.

She coils closer, silver eyes curious.

“About those bets the brownies are taking? Put me down for ‘definitely glowing’.”

Her delighted laughter echoes off the crystal walls as we turn our attention to Dante’s findings. Because apparently this is my life now—cryptid family meetings, mate bonds, and betting pools about glowing babies.

Wouldn’t have it any other way.

Through our bond, Riven’s contentment mixes with lingering vigilance. We both know this isn’t over. Dr. Andrews’ research might be safe with us now, but somewhere in the shadows, Apex is regrouping. Their temporary facility has been flooded and their test subject data has been sabotaged, but an organization with their resources and military connections doesn’t just disappear.

“They’ll rebuild,” Dr. Andrews says quietly, as though reading our thoughts. Her hand trembles slightly as she sets down her tablet. “They have contingency plans. Their main facility at Starfire Peak is still under construction. What they lost here was just their temporary operation center. They are very… determined.”

Am I reading too much into her expression? It seems as though she knows a lot more than she’s sharing. One thing is certain, there’s more to this woman than meets the eye.

“We’ll be ready,” Dante’s tail curls protectively as he helps her stand. “They’re not the only ones who can learn and adapt.”

A quick glance at Riven is all I need to know that his fierce protectiveness matches my own determination. Let them try to rebuild. Let them scheme in their corporate boardrooms and underground labs.

They wanted to study cryptid abilities? They just learned what we can do when we work together.

Next time, we’ll be ready, and even stronger.