Page 62 of Sacrificed to the Mountain Demon

"Stop," he cuts me off, his voice firm but not unkind. "We'll be fine. I'll keep you safe, no matter what."

I look up at him, at the determination etched into every line of his face. "I know you will," I say, meaning it with every fiber of my being.

He grins, showing off his sharp teeth. "Damn right I will. No waira, no human, no fucking creature on this earth is gonna harm you while I'm around."

His confidence is infectious, and I feel my fears start to melt away. This is Jytos, my protector, my lover, my everything. With him by my side, how can I be afraid?

The sun finally crests the horizon and bathes us in its warm light. I close my eyes and savor the moment. When I open them again, I catch Jytos staring at me, his gaze intense.

"What?" I ask, suddenly self-conscious.

He shakes his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Just thinking about how fucking lucky I am," he says. "Never thought I'd have this. A partner. Someone to protect."

My heart swells at his words. "I'm the lucky one," I insist. "You saved me, Jytos. In every way possible."

He pulls me closer, his tentacles wrapping around me in a gentle embrace.

We stand there for a while longer and watch as the world wakes up around us. Birds start to sing, their melodies carried on the cool morning breeze. In the distance, I can hear the faint rustling of animals in the underbrush.

"We should get ready," he says finally, reluctantly pulling away from me.

I nod, knowing he's right. We have a long journey ahead of us. As we turn back into the cave, I can't help but feel a mixture of excitement and trepidation. We're leaving behind everything we know, venturing into a world full of unknowns.

I breathe deeply and adjust the pack on my shoulders. The weight of our supplies, meager as they are, feels like nothing compared to the emotions swirling in me. Jytos stands beside me, his massive form blocking out the rising sun.

"Ready?" he asks, his deep voice rumbling through me.

I nod, unable to find words in this moment. We step out of the cave together and leave behind the only true home I've ever known. The crisp morning air nips at my cheeks, carrying with it the scent of pine and snow.

As we begin our journey south, I can't help but glance back at the distant silhouette of my old village. It's barely visible, a smudge on the horizon, but my heart clenches at the sight.

"Having second thoughts?" he growls, his green eyes narrowing slightly.

I shake my head quickly. "No, just... saying goodbye."

He grunts, his tentacles wrapping protectively around my waist. "Fuck 'em. They threw you away like trash. You don't owe them shit."

His words are harsh, but true. I lean into his embrace, grateful for his strength. "I know. It's just... that place made me who I am. For better or worse."

He stops, turning me to face him. His sharp teeth glint in the early morning light. "No, Bella. You made yourself who you are. Those weak humans didn't do shit except try to break you."

I stare up at him, my heart swelling with love and pride. He's right. The village might have shaped my past, but I chose my future. I chose Jytos.

"You're right," I say, standing on my tiptoes to kiss his rough cheek. "Let's go. Our future's waiting."

We continue our trek, the landscape slowly changing around us. The stark, snow-covered mountains give way to rolling hills dotted with evergreens. I breathe in deeply, savoring the scent of freedom.

"What's the first thing you want to do when we find a new home?" I ask, breaking the comfortable silence.

He chuckles, a sound that still sends shivers through me. "First thing? Claim every fucking inch of it as ours. Make sure every creature for miles knows not to fuck with us."

I laugh, shaking my head. "Always the territorial one, aren't you?"

"Damn straight," he growls playfully, pulling me closer. "Got to protect what's mine."

His possessiveness should worry me, but instead, it makes me feel safe. Wanted. Loved. I've never belonged anywhere like I belong with Jytos.

As we walk, I'm reminded of just how much I've grown in the past several months. The meek village girl who trembled at the sight of a monster is gone. In her place stands a woman who's faced down waira, who's fought alongside a fierce warrior, who's found love in the most unexpected place.

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