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

46. Chapter Forty-Six Epilogue

Chapter Forty-Six: Epilogue

C helsea

The mountain wind whispers through Riven’s wings as we soar above snow-dusted peaks, his arms cradling me with familiar strength. Two years of flight have taught my body to move with his, to anticipate each powerful wingbeat and subtle adjustment. Against my side, his heartbeat maintains a steady rhythm that would normally lull me into contentment.

Not tonight. Tonight, a secret burns behind my lips, making my heart race with anticipation.

His antennae twitch, sensing my elevated heart rate. “Everything okay?” His probe brushes my temple in that soothing gesture that’s become second nature.

“More than okay.” Threading my fingers through his, watching light seep through his colored wings like the most lovely stained glass. “Just thinking about how far we’ve come.”

A soft chuckle vibrates through his chest. “Far enough that you no longer slam your eyes shut and scream when I do this…”

Without warning, he tucks his wings and drops into a controlled dive that sends my stomach into freefall. My delighted laugh echoes off the mountainside as he pulls up smoothly, wings spreading wide to catch an updraft.

“Show off.” But my fingers stroke his antennae, drawing a radiant smile that never fails to make my own body hum with pleasure.

His wings quiver at my touch, their patterns shifting into the deeper purples and jades that only appear during moments of intense emotion. The changes still fascinate me—how his wings evolved from pure gold to this mesmerizing kaleidoscope that reflects our strengthening bond.

“Speaking of changes…” My heart thunders as I guide his hand to rest against my stomach. “The mountain crystals aren’t the only things growing.”

His wings stutter mid-flight, causing us to drop several feet before he recovers. “Chelsea?” His voice cracks on my name, probe emerging to taste the air as though confirming what his other senses tell him. “Are you…?”

“According to Dr. Andrews’ tests…” My hand finds his, guiding it to rest against my still-flat belly where new life grows—life that's already causing the mountain's crystals to sing in frequencies only Marina can hear. Through our bond, the moment his realization hits feels like the sunrise breaking over snow-capped peaks.

His wings explode with light so brilliant it turns night to day. Banking sharply, he lands on a familiar cliff ledge—our private spot overlooking the valley. Before my feet touch the rock, his probe traces my face with trembling reverence.

“A baby?” The word emerges as though he’s testing its reality. “Our baby?”

Through our bond, his joy crashes over me like a tidal wave. The nearby crystal formations blaze in harmony with his wings, creating aurora patterns that dance across the snow.

“Marina’s aquatic senses can hear things in a different register than most of us. She says the crystals started singing three days ago.” I place his palm over my still-flat belly. “They knew before I did.”

His wings wrap around us, creating a private universe of shifting light. “That explains why they’ve been trying to grow a cradle in the east chamber.” His laugh holds wonder and delight. “Though someone should tell them babies don’t need built-in wind chimes.”

“Nor would a jagged cradle of crystals, no matter how beautiful, be comfy for a little one—even a little mothbaby.”

Leaning into his warmth, I savor how his antennae quiver as he reverently rubs my stomach. Even Apex’s lingering shadow can’t touch this moment—this perfect blend of impossible and inevitable.

“Think she’ll have wings?” His probe traces patterns on my cheek that make me shiver.

“She?”

“Just a feeling.” His wings flare with fresh brilliance. “Though with your talent for trouble…”

“Excuse you.” But my mock outrage dissolves into laughter as he nuzzles my neck. “I prefer to call it strategic chaos.”

Above us, stars seem to align just for us as distant wolves howl in unison. Riven’s wings create ever-shifting auroras that paint our skin in impossible colors—gold for joy, purple for passion, jade for future promise.

Some victories aren’t measured in battles won but in appreciating what you already have.

Some families are built on impossible foundations.

And some futures are best faced together, one golden moment at a time.

For now, there are stars to count, cryptids to shelter, and a future to build—one impossible, wonderful heartbeat at a time.