10. Jytos

10

JYTOS

I wake the next morning with the first light filtering through the cave entrance. My senses instantly on alert. Bella is still asleep. Her chest rises and falls in a gentle rhythm. I watch her for a moment, fascinated by her delicate features, so different from my own.

As I stretch, my tentacles unfurling behind me, I catch her sweet scent. It's invigorating and I relish it for a moment. Soon, my stomach growls. It quickly brings me back to reality and the task at hand. We need more food.

I move towards the cave entrance, my steps deliberately heavy. Let her wake. Let her see me leave. I want her to know I'm not keeping her prisoner, even if the thought of her trying to escape makes my blood boil.

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."

"Sing?" I lean forward, intrigued. "Sing something for me."

She shakes her head, her cheeks flushing. "I couldn't..."

"Come on," I press, my voice rumbling low. "I want to hear you."

She inhales deeply, then starts to sing softly. Her voice is like nothing I've ever heard before—sweet and clear, filling the cave with a warmth I didn't know was possible.

I close my eyes, letting the sound wash over me. When she finishes, I open them to find her watching me, a hint of a smile on her lips.

"That was... nice," I manage, feeling suddenly awkward. "You can do that whenever you want."

She nods, looking more relaxed than I've seen her since she arrived. It makes something in my chest tighten.

"Look," I say, leaning closer. "I know this isn't easy for you. But I want you to feel comfortable here. With me."

She meets my gaze, her brown eyes searching my green ones. "I'll try," she whispers.

As I watch her lips curve into a tentative smile, something shifts inside me. A warmth spreads through my chest, unfamiliar and intense. Fuck, what is this feeling? It's like nothing I've ever experienced before.

My tentacles twitch restlessly as I struggle to process this new emotion. I want to wrap them around her, to shield her from the world. The urge is so strong it's almost painful.

"You're completely safe with me," I growl, my voice low and possessive. "No one will ever hurt you again."

I brush my hand gently across her cheek. Her eyes widen slightly, but she doesn't flinch away this time. Progress. I lean in closer to her, inhaling her sweet scent.

"You understand, right? You're mine at any cost," I state matter-of-factly.

She nods slowly, her brow furrowing. "I... I know. But what does that mean, exactly?"

I bare my teeth in what I hope is a reassuring grin. "It means I'll protect you. Take care of your needs. No one else gets to touch you or bother you. Ever."

The intensity of my own words surprises me. But fuck, it's true. The thought of anyone else laying a hand on her makes my blood boil over.

"But what about my village?" she asks softly. "My friends? Will I ever get to go back there or see any of them again?

I snarl, my tentacles lashing out behind me. "They gave you up willingly. Tossed you aside like fucking garbage. You don't need them anymore."

She flinches at my aggressive tone, and I force myself to take a deep breath. Calm down, you idiot. You're scaring her again.

"Look," I say, trying to soften my voice. "I know it's not what you're used to or what you maybe want. But I can give you everything you need. Food, shelter, protection. Isn't that better than being sacrificed to some monster?"

Her lips twitch into a wry smile. "But... aren't you the monster they sacrificed me to?"

I can't help but laugh, a deep rumbling sound that echoes throughout the cave. "Fair point. But I'm not gonna eat you or some shit. Unless you're into that."

She blushes furiously, and I feel a surge of satisfaction. Fuck, she's cute when she's flustered.

"I'm kidding," I add quickly. "Sort of. Point is, you'll be better off here. And I... I want you to be happy with me."

The words feel strange on my tongue. Since when do I care about anyone's happiness but my own? But as I look at her, I realize it's true. I want to see her smile, hear her laugh. I want to be the reason for it.

"I'll try," she says softly, echoing her earlier words. But this time, there is a hint of genuine warmth in her voice.

I nod, suddenly feeling awkward again. What the hell am I supposed to do now? This isn't exactly covered in the Umbrath guide to human interaction.

"So… do you want to explore the cave some more?" I offer lamely. "There's some cool shit deeper in."

Her eyes light up with curiosity. "Really? Like what?"

"Come on, I'll show you."

I hold out my hand, and after a moment's hesitation, she takes it. Her skin is so soft against my rough palm. I have to resist the urge to pull her closer to me.

As we walk deeper into the cave, I can't shake the feeling that everything has changed. Bella isn't just some human sacrifice anymore. She is mine forever.