12. Jytos

12

JYTOS

I pull Bella closer, savoring the warmth of her body against mine. Her soft hair tickles my chin, and I breathe in her sweet scent. My tentacles twitch with excitement, but I keep them still. Don't want to scare her off now.

"Come on," I say in a low voice. "Let me show you around some more."

She nods, her eyes wide with curiosity. I lead her even deeper into the cavern, my hand on the small of her back. The rocky walls glisten with moisture, reflecting the soft glow of bioluminescent fungi.

"Watch your step," I warn as we navigate a narrow passage.

We emerge into a larger chamber, and I can't help but smirk at her gasp of wonder. An underground stream cuts through the center, its clear waters sparkling in the dim light.

"Fresh water," I explain, gesturing to the stream. "Essential for you humans, right? Drink up whenever you want. It's clean."

She kneels by the water's edge and cups her hands to take a sip. I watch her throat move as she swallows, a primal part of me stirring at the sight.

"It's delicious," she says, looking up at me with a smile that makes my chest tighten.

"Course it is," I reply, puffing out my chest. "Only the best in my territory."

I lead her to another section of the cave, where natural shelves in the rock form perfect storage spaces. "Here's where I keep my supplies. Food, furs, whatever else I need."

She runs her fingers along a soft pelt, and I imagine those same fingers tracing the contours of my body. I shake off the thought. Not yet.

"You've made quite a home here," she says softly.

"Damn right I have," I growl, pride swelling through me. "An Umbrath knows how to survive. And now, so will you."

I turn to face her, my green eyes boring into hers. "This is your home now, too, Bella. Everything here is yours to use. You're under my protection."

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 humans interact. 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.

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 content myself 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.