Page 37 of Sacrificed to the Mountain Demon

I swallow hard, heat rising to my cheeks. "Jytos, I... I don't know what to say."

"Say yes," he urges, one hand coming up to cup my face. His touch is gentle, at odds with his monstrous appearance. "I know I'm not what you expected. I'm not human, I'm not... normal. But I swear to you, Bella, I'll keep you safe. I'll give you everything I have."

I lean into his touch, closing my eyes. My heart wars with my head. He's right – he's not what I expected. He's a monster, an Umbrath, something that should terrify me. And yet...

"You've already given me so much," I whisper, opening my eyes to meet his gaze.

He pulls me closer. "And I'll continue to give you that and more. Always."

I breathe deeply, inhaling his scent – earthy and wild. "What about children? A future? There's so much we haven't talked about."

He hesitates, his brow furrowing. "I don't know if we can have children. But a future? That I can promise you. Whatever it looks like, it'll be ours."

His words stir something in me. A longing I didn't know I had. For a moment, I see it – a life with Jytos, unconventional but filled with love and protection. It's more than I ever hoped for back in the village.

"Okay," I breathe, hardly believing my own words. "Yes. I'll be your woman, Jytos."

I reach up to caress his face, expressing the deep gratitude that floods through my body.

Suddenly, his lips crash onto mine with bruising intensity, a feral possessiveness that leaves me breathless. His tentacles wrap around us, cocooning us in a world where only we exist. I kiss him back with equal fervor. The taste of him, a heady mix ofthe wild and the unknown, ignites a fire within me that I never want to extinguish.

He pulls away, his breath ragged, and his eyes blazing with an inner fire. "You are completely mine, Bella," he declares, his voice leaving no room for argument. "And I am yours. Forever."

I smile, a sense of rightness settling over me. "Forever," I echo.

We sit there for a moment, in the quiet of the cave, our bodies entwined, our hearts beating as one. I rest my head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart, a sound that has become my anchor in this strange, new world.

His hand strokes my hair, his touch both gentle and assured. "You've changed me, Bella," he admits, his voice a soft rumble beneath my ear. "I was content in my solitude, but now... now I crave your presence, your laughter, your warmth."

I tilt my head to look up at him, my eyes drinking in the rugged beauty of his features. "And you've changed me, Jytos," I reply, my voice filled with awe. "You've shown me strength, resilience, and a world beyond the confines of my village."

He nods in acknowledgment, his gaze dropping to my lips once more. "We are bound by fate, you and I," he murmurs, leaning in to capture my mouth in another searing kiss.

As we part, I can't help but marvel at the path that has led me here, to the arms of a monster who has shown me more kindness and passion than any human ever did. Our love may be taboo, a defiance of the rules that have governed my life for so long. But in this moment, none of that matters to me. All that matters is the connection between us, a connection that transcends the differences between our two worlds.

His hand captures mine, holding it against his face. "Bella," he growls, his voice a low thrum that resonates in the very marrow of my bones, "tell me you feel it too."

I nod, any lingering uncertainty melts away as I give in to the truth that's been simmering beneath the surface of my consciousness. "I feel it," I admit, my cheeks flushing with the confession. "I'm falling in love with you."

He pulls me closer, his embrace a fortress that shields me from the dangers that lie beyond the cave. "I will protect you always, Bella," he vows. His words are a solemn oath that carries the weight of his very soul. "I will be the mate you deserve."

I close my eyes, basking in the warmth of his promises. "I know you will," I whisper, my faith in him unshakeable. "I know."

And in the stillness of the cave, with the echo of our heartbeats surrounding us, I realize that this is just the beginning of our story. A story of love, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bond that ties us together. It's a tale that defies convention, a narrative woven from the threads of our shared experiences and the undeniable attraction that burns between us.

As the night wears on, Jytos and I remain entwined, our bodies a testament to the love that has blossomed in the most unlikely of places. And though the world outside may never understand or accept our union, here, in the heart of the mountain, we are invincible.

18

JYTOS

Istand at the entrance of the cave and watch Bella as she explores the nearby clearing. Her curiosity is endearing, but it's time to show her more. "Bella," I call out, my deep voice echoing off the rocky walls. "Come here. There's something I want to show you."

She turns,her brown curls bouncing as she makes her way back to me. I can't help but admire the graceful way she moves. As she approaches, I extend a tentacle, gently wrapping it around her waist to guide her inside.

"What is it, Jytos?"she asks, her eyes wide with anticipation.

I leadher to the back of the cave, to a hidden alcove I've kept secret until now. "It's time you learned more about my people, the Umbrath," I say, my voice low and serious. "We weren't always confined to caves like this one."

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