I flexed all four of my hands, feeling my claws extend slightly as I ran my tongue over my fangs. Surely half an hour would be enough time?
A quiet knock came at the door, and my chest rumbled with irritation. Our cabin smelled like sex—our scents were everywhere. The last thing I wanted was for someone to taint it while we were in the middle of rutting. I could already feel my cock trying to slip free from my slit again, but I forced myself to maintain some composure, so Kassie wouldn’t think I had a serious problem.
But I did. All moths did.
I hurried to answer the knock before it could disturb Kassie's bath. When I pulled the door open, Lucien stood there, his antennae twitching upward in what I recognized as moth-language for delight as he eagerly poked his head into my home.
“Hi, Atlas! How’s it going? Did you get some?”
A guttural sound escaped my throat as I shoved the door closed, but Lucien's claws caught the edge, preventing it from shutting.
“Aw, come on, I’m only joking. I’m here to return something to you.”
I eased the door wider, my eyes immediately drawn to Kassie's phone clutched in one of Lucien's four hands. The device vibrated, emitting a distinct hissing sound as a new message notification appeared on its screen.
“I heard it in the middle of the woods when I was flying home last night. It’s been hissing all morning. I tried to wait as long as possible because I didn’t want to come around to this stanky cabin.” Lucien leaned forward. “Did you know everyone can smell y’all’s pheromones all the way into town? That is some serious stuff you’re putting out.”
My arm tensed, fist clenched and ready to strike him. He cowered back, but before I could swing, Kassie's fingers wrapped around my wrist. "Atlas," she murmured, her voice firm but gentle, "let's not assault our neighbors before breakfast, hmm?"
Kassie stood wrapped in a black towel, water droplets still clinging to her skin. Dark hair fell in waves around her shoulders, with those striking, green highlights framing her face, bringing a flush of color to her cheeks. The sight of her stole my breath. This exquisite being whom Night had somehow seen fit to bring into my life, into my home.
Then I realized that Lucien was here, staring at her in all her goddess glory.
A sound tore from my throat… half-snarl, half-piercing squeal as I raised my upper arms skyward, claws extending to their full, lethal length.
Lucien pulled back and wrapped his arms around himself. “By darkest Night, you are scary. Anyway, I come bearing gifts. Here is your phone, kitten.”
A low growl rumbled from my chest. "Her name is Kassie. Use it." My wings expanded behind me, casting a shadow over Lucien as he retreated a step. His own wings flared in response.
“Woah, easy bro. I’m just giving her a phone. Phone hisses, she wears hoodies with cat ears, I’m just—”
Kassie plucked the phone from Lucien's grasp with a weary sigh. "Thanks for bringing this back," she said, her voice softening despite her obvious annoyance. The device let out an odd notification sound, more like an annoyed meow. Her expression shifted instantly, eyes widening as she glanced at the screen. "I need to take this," she murmured, already backing toward the hallway. "Give me just a minute, okay?"
I wrapped one wing around her, my cheek pressed up against hers. “Of course, I will get rid of this problem.”
“Hey!” Lucien shouted as Kassie left us.
I felt my eyes burn with rage. It wasn’t like me to feel this much anger, to feel so territorial over my home, but with Kassie here, I had the overwhelming need to keep all other males away. I didn’t want Lucien here. I didn’t want anyone.
My voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Get out of my home. Now." Every muscle in my body tensed as I inhaled sharply through flared nostrils. "The longer you stand there, the less control I have." My four hands clenched and unclenched, claws extending with each flex. Something violent surged through me, demanding I eliminate this intruder who'd seen my Kassie.
Lucien's antennae twitched backward as he cocked his head, apparently oblivious to what I was feeling.
“Are you alright?” He leaned forward again. “Do you want me to bring water back from the falls? Do you want me to watch over your home while you go there?”
The waterfall in the forest appeared in my mind… crystal clear and sacred. I remembered how all the monsters would gather there when our instincts grew too wild, letting the mountain spring wash our bodies, or we would drink or swim in it until the rage subsided. The waters calmed our primal urges.
I shuddered, my wings rustling behind me as I pressed my upper right hand to my temple. "I don't need the falls," I said, my voice dropping to a rasp. "What I need is to make her fully my match."
Lucien stared at me. “How do you suppose you do that? You are the first Mothman to do so.”
I raised my hand to my fangs. “I’ve had a strange urge to bite her—in a specific place between her neck and shoulder when we are mating. It’s getting stronger. I don’t know how much longer I can take it. I have to make her be in control for the feeling to go away.”
Lucien rubbed his jaw. “The shifters claim their mates through biting. Perhaps moths are the same? Does your butt tingle as well when you get this urge to bite her?”
I reared my head back in confusion. “Excuse me?”
“It’s just the shifters say they wag their tails usually when they get the feeling to bite their mates. Does your abdomen area tingle?”
