Page 20 of Sacrificed to the Mountain Demon

Sure enough, I hear her stir. I turn around to look at her and catch her curious gaze. She sits up and pulls her knees close to her chest. I can sense she's still uncomfortable here.

"I'm going to hunt," I growl, my voice echoing off the cave walls. "Stay here. Understand?"

She nods, a quick, jerky movement. Good enough.

I step out into the crisp morning air. My senses are immediately overwhelmed by the scents of the forest. There—to the east. The musky odor of a grayfang, a beast easily twice my size. Perfect.

I move silently through the underbrush. My black skin blends easily with the shadows. The grayfang soon comes into view. Its massive form hunches over a stream. It hasn't noticed me yet.

My muscles tense, ready to spring. In one fluid motion, I launch myself at the beast. My tentacles wrap around its thick neck as my teeth sink into its flank. The grayfang roars, thrashing wildly.

Blood fills my mouth, hot and metallic. The beast's claws rake across my chest, but I barely feel it. I'm lost in the thrill of the hunt. The primal joy of dominating a worthy opponent floods through my body.

We struggle for several moments, a tangle of limbs and tentacles and fur. But I'm stronger. I'm always stronger. With a final, bone-crushing squeeze, I feel the grayfang's spine snap beneath my tentacle's grip.

The forest falls silent as the beast's body goes limp. I stand over my kill, chest heaving, blood dripping from my mouth and claws. Fuck, that felt good.

As the rush of the hunt fades, my thoughts turn back to Bella. I know she saw me last night when I was hunting. I wonder what she thought. The idea both excites and unnerves me. I want her to recognize my brutal strength, to truly understand what I'm capable of. But I also want... something else from her. Something I can't quite name.

I hoist the grayfang's carcass onto my shoulders, grunting with the effort. It's a good kill. It'll feed us for days.

As I make my way back to the cave, I find myself wondering what Bella's been doing in my absence. Has she tried to escape?The thought makes my tentacles twitch with irritation. She's mine now. She has no right to leave.

But another part of me—a part I'm not entirely comfortable with—hopes she is still there. Waiting for me. Wanting to be with me.

I shake off these confusing thoughts as I approach the cave entrance.

I drag the grayfang's carcass next to the cave's entrance, my muscles rippling with the effort. The scent of fresh blood fills the air. I can't help but grin, my sharp teeth gleaming in the sunlight.

I peer into the cave briefly. Bella's still there, huddled in the corner. Good girl.

"Hungry?" I growl in to her through the cave's entrance.

She flinches at the sound, her brown eyes wide. Fuck, why does that bother me? I'm used to creatures cowering in fear, but with her... it's different.

I turn towards the grayfang's carcass and start ripping off chunks of meat to cook. My claws make quick work of it, and soon I've got a decent portion set aside for Bella. I set up a fire in no time at all and before long, the meat is ready. I make my way inside of the cave with the food knowing that she must also be starving.

I approach her and toss the meat her way, watching as she catches it reflexively.

"Eat," I command, my voice gruff.

She hesitates, eyeing the strange meat warily. She finally gives in to her hunger and takes a small bite of the meat. I watch her, fascinated by the way her throat moves as she swallows.

"You like it here?" I ask, immediately cursing myself for the stupid question. Of course she doesn't, you idiot.

She shrugs, her eyes downcast. "It's... different."

I snort. "Yeah, no shit. Look, I know this isn't what you're used to, but it's not so bad. You're safe here with me."

She flinches again, and I feel that twinge of... guilt? Is that what this is? Fuck, I don't like it.

"Hey," I rumble aggressively. "I'll take care of you."

She nods, but I can see the lingering fear and uneasiness still in her eyes. It makes me want to lash out in frustration. But I resist the urge. Instead, I try to make her feel more comfortable.

"Tell me about yourself," I say in a low voice, trying to sound less aggressive. "What do you like?"

She hesitates, picking at her food. "I... I like to read. And sing, sometimes."

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