Page 25 of Sacrificed to the Mountain Demon

She shivers slightly, but not from fear this time. I can smell the change in her scent, the hint of arousal that makes my blood sing.

"Thank you, Jytos," she whispers.

I grunt in acknowledgment, fighting the urge to claim her right then and there. Instead, I lead her into another chamber, my hand never leaving her back.

I notice her eyes lingering on the small, delicate flowers growing in the crevices high up on the cave walls. Humans and their fascination with pretty, useless things. Still, if it will make her happy...

"Want some of those?" I ask, jerking my chin toward the flowers.

Her eyes widen. "Oh, they're beautiful, but we can't reach?—"

Before she finishes, I extend my tentacles, effortlessly plucking a handful of the tiny blooms from their rocky perches. Her gasp of surprise sends a thrill through me.

"Damn useful, these things," I smirk, retracting my tentacles and presenting her with the flowers. "Not just for fighting and hunting."

She takes the flowers gingerly, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Thank you, Jytos. They're lovely."

I shrug, trying to appear nonchalant, but her genuine appreciation warms something inside of me. "It's nothing. Just some weeds growing in the rocks."

She brings the flowers to her nose, inhaling their scent. "They smell wonderful. I've never seen anything like them before."

"Yeah, well, there's a lot you haven't seen," I mutter, suddenly feeling exposed. I turn away, pretending to inspect a nearby rock formation.

"Jytos?" Her voice is soft, hesitant. "Are you alright?"

I grunt, not meeting her eyes. "Fine. Just... not used to company, I guess."

"It must get lonely up here," she says, her words hitting closer to home than I'd like to admit.

I whirl around, green eyes flashing. "I don't need anyone. I'm the last Umbrath. We're solitary creatures."

But even as the words leave my mouth, I know they're a lie. The truth is, I've been alone for so long, I've forgotten what it's like to have someone around. Someone to talk to. Someone to... care for.

She takes a step closer, her brown eyes filled with understanding. "Everyone needs someone, Jytos. Even the strongest creatures."

Her words pierce through my defenses, and suddenly, I'm spilling my guts like some weak, sentimental fool. "You have no idea what it's like," I growl. "Years of nothing but silence, hunting, surviving. No one to talk to, no one who understands."

I pace the cave, my tentacles writhing with agitation. "I've watched your village from afar, seen the way you humansinteract. The laughter, the touch, the... connections. And I've wondered what it would be like to have that."

She's quiet for a moment, then says, "I think I understand more than you might think. Back in the village, I always felt like an outsider. No family, no real friends. Just... existing."

I stop pacing and look at her, really look at her. For the first time, I see beyond her fragile human exterior to the kindred spirit within. "Guess we're both a couple of lonely bastards, huh?"

She laughs, a sound that sends a shiver down my spine. "I suppose we are."

I move closer, drawn to her warmth. "Well, you're not alone anymore. You're with me now."

Her cheeks flush. "I'm beginning to see that," she murmurs.

I reach out, my rough hand cupping her soft cheek. "Good. Because I plan on showing you just how well I can take care of you, Bella."

Over the next several days, I watch Bella as she moves around the cave. Her steps grow more confident with each passing day. The fear that once clouded her eyes has faded, replaced by a spark of curiosity that sets my blood on fire. Damn, she's becoming more irresistible by the minute.

"You're getting pretty comfortable here, aren't you?" I growl, a smirk playing on my lips.

She turns to me, a shy smile lighting up her face. "I suppose I am. You've been... kinder than I expected."

"Don't get used to it," I grunt, but there's no real bite to my words. Truth is, I'm getting used to her presence, and I like it more than I care to admit.

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