Page 26 of Sacrificed to the Mountain Demon

My tentacles twitch with the urge to touch her, to pull her close and claim her as mine. But I hold back, watching as she runs her fingers along the cave wall, tracing the patterns in the rock.

"You know," I say, moving closer, my voice low and rough, "this cave's been my territory for a long time. Never shared it with anyone before."

She looks up at me, her brown eyes wide. "Really? Not even... other Umbraths?"

I shake my head, towering over her. "Nah. We're solitary creatures. Or at least, we were. But you..." I trail off, my green eyes boring into hers.

"Me?" she whispers, her breath catching.

I close the distance between us. My hand comes up to cup her face, my rough skin a stark contrast to her softness. "You're mine now, Bella. My territory, my responsibility."

She doesn't flinch away from my touch anymore, and the realization thrills me.

"Jytos," she breathes, leaning into my hand. "I... I'm not afraid of you anymore."

"Good," I rumble, my other hand coming to rest on her hip. "Because I plan on keeping you here for a long, long time."

I lean in, my action deliberate and slow, giving her every chance to retreat. But she stands her ground, her eyes locked on mine. My hand moves to the nape of her neck, pulling her closer as I lower my head to press a kiss to her temple. Her skin is soft and warm, and the scent of her—sweet, with a hint of the mountain flowers—fills my senses.

A growl of desire rumbles in my throat, and I feel her tremble slightly in my grasp. But it's not fear causing her to shake; it's the same raw need that's coursing through my own veins. This human, this Bella, she's awakened something primal within me. Something I never knew I was capable of feeling.

I pull back just enough to look into her eyes, to gauge her reaction. Her cheeks are flushed, her lips parted in a silent invitation. I want to claim those lips, to taste her fully, but I know it's too soon. She's not ready for that, not yet. So, I contentmyself with the simple pleasure of holding her close, of feeling her heartbeat sync with mine.

The sexual tension between us is a palpable thing, a living entity that thrums in the air. I can feel it wrapping around us, pulling us together with an inexorable force. But I won't rush this. I want her to come to me willingly, to choose this connection between us as fiercely as I have.

I'll wait for her. I'll protect her. And when she's ready, I'll claim her as mine, once and for all.

"Jytos," she whispers, her voice barely more than a breath.

"Yes, Bella?" I reply, my tone gruff with barely contained desire.

She swallows hard, her gaze dropping to my mouth before quickly darting back up to meet my eyes. "Thank you... for everything."

My smirk returns, this time tinged with a hint of smugness. "You're welcome. But don't think this means I'm going soft on you. You're still mine to protect, mine to provide for."

She nods, a small smile playing on her lips. "I know."

I release my hold on her, though every instinct within me screams to keep her close. But I'm not a complete brute. I know how to bide my time, how to build something lasting. And Bella... she's worth the wait.

As she moves away to explore another corner of the cave, I watch her, my green eyes tracking her every move. My territory has expanded to include her, and I'll be damned if I let anything harm her. She's mine now, and I'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe.

13

BELLA

Imake my way through the winding cave passages. The soft echo of trickling water guides me towards the fresh spring Jytos showed me earlier. As I walk, I can't help but feel his intense gaze following me, those deep green eyes tracking my every move.

It'sstrange how quickly things can change. Just days ago, the mere sight of him would have sent me into a panic. Now, I find myself growing more comfortable in his presence with each passing hour.

"You okay back there?"I call over my shoulder, surprising myself with the ease in my voice.

"Just makingsure you don't get lost," he rumbles, his deep voice reverberating off the cave walls as he starts to follow close behind me.

I chuckle softly."I think I can manage to find some water without getting completely turned around." But a part of me is secretly relieved that he's close behind me.

As I reachthe small pool of crystal-clear water, I kneel down and cup my hands to take a drink. The icy liquid is refreshing, and I splash some on my face, relishing the cool sensation against my skin.

My mind wanders to the gentle way he kissed my temple earlier. The memory sends an unexpected shiver down my spine. It's confusing, this mix of uncertainty and... something else. Something I'm not quite ready to name.

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