Moth (Monstrous, #5)

by Lily Mayne

I wasn’t going to let them rip him away from me again and hurt him.

And he did make me happy. He was the only thing I could remember making me truly happy in almost my entire life.

Who’d offered to teach me to read and had kissed me and held me close while he was sleeping.

“Run away from the humans next time,” I told it flatly. “They’re all shit. Except for one.”

At least I’d had him for a little while. At least I knew what it was like to want someone so fiercely it consumed me, and to be wanted back.

At least I’d gotten to know someone truly decent, and kind, and compassionate—even if he could be an annoying shithead sometimes.

“What’s my cum-face?” “Kind of like this.” He made an incredibly undignified face, eyes squeezing tightly closed and pierced tongue peeking between his parted lips.

“Mocking my sexy cum-face—real nice. Bet you love it, though.” He chuckled, opening his eyes to smirk at me. “Yeah.”

“Fuck yes,” I rasped, my fist flying over his cock now. “Ride my dick.”

“Fuck yes I am.” I clenched my jaw. “The moment we get back, I’m gonna give him a piece of my mind. I’m not scared of him. Or his stupid giant war hammer.”

“I liked your safehouse.” I’d live there with you. Just ask me. Fucking ask me.

A slow grin spread over my face. “And you named him Chuck?” “She’s female. I’m pretty sure anyway. And yes.” He shot me an imperious look, arching his brow. “She was almost as annoying as you at first, so it felt fitting.”

His mouth stretched into a wide grin. “You can if you want.” I laughed. “No need to show off about your monster strength, baby.

“I mean, you have to keep her, right?” I took a step closer, but didn’t reach to touch her yet. “She’s clearly already in love with you.” You and me both, girl.

“Charles Dylan Keane.” The sweet, familiar roar of my best friend boomed across the camp, bringing a tiny smile to my lips and chasing away the gnawing ache in my gut. “Where the fuck have you been?”

“He’s fucking with you, scratch,” Hunter grunted, giving my shoulder a weak shove. Edin paused, then burst out laughing. “Oh, I see. Charlie, I have missed your jokes.”

“Ah.” Edin’s low, amused voice made my eyes jerk back to him, and he shot me a knowing smirk. “You and Moth fucked.”

Hunter choked on a breath as my face went pink. “What?” “It is obvious, josdo,” Edin drawled with a wave of his hand before I could say anything. “Look at him. Charlie is gazing at Moth like he wants to—”

Hunter snorted. “Only you could make something as simple as fucking complicated after a goddamn monster apocalypse.” I glared at him. “Says the guy who decided a big purple dude with horns is his ideal life partner.”

“Don’t worry about Moth’s lack of horns, Charlie,” he told me earnestly. “I’m sure he is still very virile. Well, you’d know, anyway. Is he? Virile?” My face burned as Hunter muttered, “Don’t get him started on the horns, dude. It was a whole thing while you were gone.”

“I mean… if he wants me to.” “What?” Hunter barked immediately, eyes narrowing as he glared over at Moth. Uh-oh. “Why wouldn’t he want you to? What’s his problem? Does he think you’re not good enough for him?”

“Chill the fuck out, Hunter. And don’t talk about him like that. I swear to god, if you’re an asshole to Moth I will knee you so hard in the balls you won’t be able to fuck Edin for a month.”

“And the Soul Eater and Danny, right? Hunter said they showed up a while ago.” “Ah, yes.” He chuckled. “Interesting pair.”

“Are you serious? After everything, you’re just… leaving me here?”

“You’re just going to leave me behind after everything?” I repeated in a croak.

“What—what do you mean? Did you… want to come with me?” I choked out an incredulous laugh. “Of course I want to come with you! I want to stay with you. Hasn’t that been fucking obvious?”

“I know you have feelings for someone else, but do you really not… feel anything for me? You can seriously just walk away?”

“You’ll find someone,” I croaked. “Someone who’ll see how amazing you are.” I do. I see it.

“Even though you don’t feel the same, I…” God, I needed to shut the fuck up. “I think you’re perfect just as you are. You don’t need to change or hide any part of yourself for someone else, Moth.”

But the thought of going back to the homestead and being without him for the rest of my life was crushing.

“But I never felt like this about him. How I feel about you. I’ve never… felt like this about anyone.” I tightened my grip on him beneath his coat. “And how… how do you feel about me?”

“I love you.” My face hurt from how wide I was grinning. “Yeah? So you’re gonna let me tag along with you?”

“I love you too.” I buried my face in his neck, breathing in his scent. “I love you, Moth.” He let out a weak, relieved chuckle and pressed his mouth into my hair. “Shithead.”

“Deepthroating,” I called back, which made Moth give my stomach a weak shove.

and I glanced back to give her a smile even as I wondered how we could get rid of her for a little while. Lovingly. I wondered it lovingly. But still.

“I told you, Charlie!” I could see his fangs flashing in the dark even from this distance, a huge grin on his face. “Enjoy yourselves!”

Wyn growled out a low, terrifying sound, but his hand was gentle when he rested it on top of Danny’s head. “My sweet—” “Aw, come on, Wyn. Please?”

“I love you, Charlie,” he said quietly in his husky voice. My chest went tight, something inside me clicking into place. Finally. “I love you too.”

“Hard, army boy,” he rasped against my mouth. His lips curved into a little grin before he repeated my words from New York. “Fuck me as hard as you want.”

“Danny needs food.” Daisy tutted, not even looking at him as he loomed over the counter with his hood up and his face concealed by impenetrable darkness. “We’ve talked about this, scary man.”

“Please,” he snarled eventually. “Danny needs food please.”