Chapter Thirty #2
Atlas's antennae twitched. "We learned from the wolf shifters about a sacred bond. They spoke of destined partners; humans whose souls were perfectly attuned to their own, as if chosen by ancient forces beyond our understanding."
I internally screamed in my head. All that fated romance reading had finally paid off.
Holy fuck! I hit the jackpot.
I rubbed the bite on my neck and smiled.
“ARE YOU MY MATE?!” I screamed and jumped into his arms. “ARE YOU REALLY?”
Atlas threw his hands up like I was radioactive, but I didn't care. I flung my arms around his neck and peppered his jawline with eager kisses, feeling the soft fur against my lips.
I couldn't believe my luck. The universe had handpicked someone just for me—and not just anyone, but this incredible, winged being who looked at me like I was his whole world.
Atlas let out a high-pitched chirp that vibrated through his chest, his antennae twitching with what seemed more like bewilderment than joy. "We call it a soul-match," he explained hesitantly, "but essentially... yes?"
I scrambled onto his lap, my hands framing his furry face.
"Soul-match, fated mates—whatever! You're saying we're cosmically connected?
" My mind raced, piecing it together. "So, that's why monsters lure humans here!
You're all searching for your other halves!
" I leaned closer, eyes widening. "And you're trapped in Arcana Falls because of the water—without it, some of you would. .. what? Turn full monster?"
Atlas nodded slowly. “I’m afraid we cannot leave. The magic that keeps me looking human is only for the town, nowhere else.”
I smiled again. “Oh, you haven’t heard of cosplay conventions.
People are going to LOVE you!” I boooped his nose.
“You can go places, we will have to drive, but all you have to say is you are going to a cosplay convention or a video game expo with me, and no one would bat an eye! Atlas, you can go places with me. And, if we have to, we can bring some jars of the good stuff.”
Atlas’ antennae perked up. “You think that would work?”
“If not, you can always use my pussy pocket, and we fly home!”
Atlas eyes glowed a deep red again and covered his face. “Kassie, what a foul mouth.”
“Yeah, maybe you should shove your big, fat…”
Atlas dropped his hands from his face and leaned in, his mouth finding mine. The gentle brush of his tongue against my lips asked a question. I answered with a soft sound of pleasure as he gathered me against his chest, his many arms creating a cocoon around my body.
I never thought I would have this. Not after what my mom had been through, but there I was, with a male who let me have my dreams and ended up being my dream come true as well.
I’m fated mates with Mothman.
I fucking scored!
Atlas pulled back, and we both panted. He wiped his thumb across my cheek and pressed his forehead against mine. “Do you forgive me for biting you, without your permission?”
My lip tilted into a smile. “I think I gave you permission before we went on our midnight flight; you had full access to my body.”
Atlas lowered his gaze, antennae drooping slightly.
"The bite... it creates a bond between us.
Something primal inside me knew it had to happen.
" His voice dropped to a whisper as his luminous eyes flickered back to mine.
"Now I sense you everywhere… like an invisible thread connecting us across space.
I can feel your presence even when you're not beside me.
It's... overwhelming, but in the most wonderful way. "
Atlas’ antennae vibrated and leaned in toward me.
“That is some freaky deeky shit. I will be honest, I don’t feel much different, except my lady parts and muscles are sore from those acrobatics last night.”
Atlas chittered again in embarrassment.
“It must be a moth thing,” he whispered. “I am glad to have it.” He twirled his finger around the silk that hung from my body. Speaking of…
“Atlas, where exactly did all this silk come from? I didn’t think moths could make silk.”
Atlas red, bright eyes widened, and he stood up. “Look at the time, let me show you around the falls, and we must go.” He pulled me to standing, and I wobbled but was able to catch myself.
“Nah, ah,” I wiggled my finger at him. “Tell me what’s up with the silk. Did it come out your butt?”
Atlas gasped. “No! I am not a spider, how dare you! I am thoroughly insulted!” He swung two hands around to cover his backside.
“Then, where the hell did it come from? I’m curious! Do you have a pet spider then?”
Atlas groaned, and a whine slipped from his throat. “I watch the National Geographic Channel.”
Huh, that doesn’t seem to surprise me.
Atlas fidgeted with his antennae. "I've studied moth larvae—how they produce silk for their cocoons.
" His voice dropped to a whisper. "There are special glands beneath their mandibles that secrete the silk and.
.. well... I seem to have developed something similar.
" His wings twitched as he continued. "Finding you there, vulnerable and unclothed—I couldn't bear the thought of you being cold.
Even after wrapping you in my arms and wings, this.
.. protective instinct took over." His multiple arms enveloped me with a gentle tremble as he rested his fuzzy cheek against my hair.
Sweet cryptid, this guy was the best.
Atlas touched beneath his chin, eyes downcast. "Something began to.
.. seep from under my jaw. When I touched it, I found I could pull this thread, and suddenly, I couldn't stop.
It was like some ancient knowledge took control of my body.
Before I knew what was happening, I'd woven that bed in the trees and fashioned your dress.
It frightened me so deeply that I rushed to drink more water from the falls.
I was terrified of what I might become if I let these instincts take over completely. "
I lifted his chin with my finger, and not seeing any glands, I was slightly disappointed. What pervy things this guy could do. He had instant rope that would come out of his body and…
Stop! We will not ruin his innocence with that. Yet.
“Hey, big guy, it’s alright. If you start making it again, I would love to play with it. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
“It’s not?” he muttered, his lower index fingers tapping together.
“No! You DO not be ashamed of who you are. In fact, we should talk about you opening up your own live stream. Everyone would love to talk to a person who thinks of themselves as THE Mothman.” I winked.
Atlas tilted his head, his antennae twitching. “Truly? You think so?”
“I know so. But we will have to limit it, because I still want a lot of you to myself. Since we are matched now, I consider us on our honeymoon.”
“Honeymoon? What is this term? I am not familiar with it.”
I rubbed my hands together mischievously.
“I do not think I like this look. Maybe we should head back to town.” Atlas leaned away from me, his clawed foot hanging off the edge of the branch.
“No, no, why don’t you stay awhile?” I cackled.
Atlas let out a chirp that sounded like laughter. "By the Darkness, what have I gotten myself into?" he murmured, gathering me against his chest with multiple arms before stepping off the branch. We plummeted for one heart-stopping moment until his massive wings unfurled and caught the breeze.