Page 36 of Sacrificed to the Mountain Demon

She tilts her head up to look at me, a small smile playing on her lips. "And you're mine, Jytos," she replies. "Monster and all."

I can't help but chuckle at that. "Monster and all," I agree, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

In this moment, with Bella in my arms, I feel a sense of peace I never thought possible. She's shown me that there's more to life than solitude and slaughter. She's shown me love, in all its fierce, protective glory.

And I'll be damned if I let anything take that from me.

17

BELLA

The first light of dawn creeps into the cave and casts a soft glow on the rugged walls. I stir, my body aching in places I didn't know could ache, a delicious reminder of the night Jytos and I shared. The memories come rushing back. The waira's attack, his fierce protection, and the raw, unbridled passion that followed.

The rustle of movement draws my attention to the cave's entrance. Jytos stands there, silhouetted against the morning light, his tentacles shifting restlessly behind him. He's returned from a hunt with a large carcass draped over his broad shoulders. His eyes find mine, and there's a softness in them that makes my heart flutter unexpectedly.

He approaches, his steps careful, as if he's aware of every injury I carry. "You're awake," he says, his voice a rumble that resonates through the cave.

I nod, pulling the furs tighter around me. "You're back early."

"I don't like leaving you alone for long," he admits, setting the carcass down and beginning to butcher it with efficient, practiced movements. "Especially after... everything."

I watch him, the play of muscle and sinew beneath his dark skin, the way his tentacles move with a life of their own. There's a beauty in his brutality and a grace in his strength. "You didn't have to do that," I say, gesturing to the meat. "I can manage."

He glances at me, one eyebrow raised, a smirk playing on his lips. "I know I didn't have to. I wanted to." He finishes his task and moves towards me. His gaze sweeps over me in a way that makes me feel both vulnerable and cherished. "How are your wounds?" he asks, his voice laced with concern.

"They're healing," I assure him, though the pain is still there, a constant reminder of how close I came to losing everything. "Thanks to you."

He grunts in acknowledgment and reaches out to caress my face. His touch is feather-light, a stark contrast to the power coiled within him. "I don't ever want to see you in pain, Bella."

The sincerity in his voice touches something deep within me. I reach up and place my hand over his. "You've kept me safe, Jytos. I'm not sure I can ever repay you for that."

"You don't owe me anything. I protect what's mine," he states definitively.

The possessiveness in his tone should frighten me, but instead, it ignites a spark of desire. I'm his, and he's mine, in a world that would see us torn apart. It's a forbidden love, one that defies the laws of my village, of nature itself. But lying here, with his gaze upon me, I can't bring myself to care.

He moves away to prepare the meat, his tentacles whisking through the air as he works. I watch him, my heart aching with a complex blend of uncertainty, gratitude, and a burgeoning love that I never saw coming. He's a monster, by any standard, but he's my monster.

As he finishes his work, he turns back to me, his eyes gleaming with an intensity that takes my breath away. "You needto regain your strength," he says, offering me a piece of cooked meat. "Eat."

I take it from him, our fingers brushing, sending a jolt of electricity through me. "Thank you," I murmur, taking a bite. The meat is rich and flavorful.

He watches me eat, his expression unreadable. When I've finished, he reaches out with his thumb and gently wipes away a drop of juice from the corner of my mouth. "You're welcome," he says.

In that moment, surrounded by the raw beauty of the cave and the warmth of his presence, I realize that I've found a home here, with him. It's a truth that's as undeniable as the pull of the moon, as inevitable as the tides.

As the day wears on, Jytos and I find ourselves sitting at the mouth of the cave. We watch the sun dip below the horizon. The sky bleeds orange and pink, casting a warm glow over the rugged landscape. I lean against him and feel the steady rise and fall of his chest.

"Bella," he rumbles, his voice vibrating through me. "I need to talk to you about something."

I tilt my head to look up at him, noticing the intensity in his deep eyes. "What is it?"

He shifts, turning to face me fully. His tentacles twitch nervously, betraying his usual confidence. "I want you to be my woman. Permanently."

My heart skips a beat. I've known this was coming, felt it in every touch, every glance. But hearing it out loud makes it real. Terrifyingly, exhilaratingly real.

"Your woman?" I echo, buying time as my thoughts race.

He nods, a faint growl rumbling in his chest. "All mine. To protect, to care for, to..." He trails off, his gaze dropping to my lips.

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