14. Jytos

14

JYTOS

T he stench of waira fills my nostrils, acrid and foul. My muscles tense and my tentacles coil tightly against my back. They are getting closer these last few days. Too fucking close.

I pace the cave entrance. Every sense in my body is on high alert. The sound of Bella's soft breathing from deeper within only fuels my rage. She's mine to protect. Mine to keep safe.

"Jytos?" Bella's voice echoes off the stone walls. "Is everything okay?"

I turn and see her silhouette in the dim light. My heart races, a mix of desire and protective instinct surging through me. "No, not really," I growl.

She takes a hesitant step forward. "What's happening?"

"Waira," I spit the word like venom. "Getting bolder. Closer."

Her eyes widen, fear etching across her delicate features. It makes my blood boil. No one, nothing, should ever make her afraid again.

"What are we going to do?" she asks, her voice trembling.

I bare my teeth in a feral grin. "I'm going to rip them apart if they dare come near."

I step out of the cave and scan the rocky terrain. The waira stench is stronger now, carried on the cold mountain wind. Let them come. I'll paint these rocks red with their blood. Nothing threatens what's mine and lives to tell about it.

The next morning, I lead Bella out of the cave, my tentacles twitching with anticipation. The mountain air is crisp and carries the scent of pine and distant snow. Perfect for a lesson in survival.

"Listen up," I say firmly, my eyes locked on hers. "Out here, it's kill or be killed. You need to learn how to defend yourself."

She nods, her curls bouncing slightly. "I'm ready to learn, Jytos."

Fuck, she's beautiful. I push the thought aside, focusing on the task at hand. "First, we're gonna work on your awareness. Close your eyes."

She obeys without hesitation, and I circle her slowly. My tentacles brush against her arms, causing her to shiver.

"Tell me what you hear," I demand.

Her brow furrows in concentration. "I hear... the wind in the trees. A bird calling in the distance. And... your footsteps?"

"Good," I grunt, pleased. "Now, what do you smell?"

She inhales deeply. "Pine, definitely. And... something musky. Is that you?"

I can't help but chuckle. "Yeah, that's me. You've got a keen nose."

Her eyes flutter open, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. "Is that good?"

"Damn right it is," I say, moving closer. "A strong sense of smell can save your life out here."

I reach out my hand and cup her face. Her skin is so soft under my rough palm. "You're doing well, Bella. But there's more to learn."

I show her how to move silently through the underbrush, how to spot signs of predators, how to find water. She's a quick study, her eyes bright with interest. It stirs something in me seeing her so eager to learn my ways.

As the lesson progresses, I find myself watching her more intently. The way she moves, the sound of her voice, the curve of her lips when she smiles. It's driving me fucking crazy.

"Jytos?" her voice snaps me back to reality. "Is everything okay?"

I realize I've been staring. "Yeah, everything's fine. You're just... you're doing good, that's all."

She beams at the praise, and I can't take it anymore. In two quick strides, I'm right in front of her. My tentacles coil around her waist, pulling her close.

"Bella," I growl, my voice low and rough. "I can't help myself anymore."

Before she can respond, I crash my lips against hers. It's fierce and hungry, filled with all the pent-up desire I've been holding back.

To my surprise and delight, she doesn't pull away. Instead, she melts into the kiss, her small hands gripping my arms.

When we finally break apart, we're both breathing hard. Her eyes are wide and her lips swollen from the kiss.

"Jytos," she whispers, her voice trembling slightly. "I... I didn't realize just how much you desired me."

I cup her face in my hands, my thumbs tracing her cheekbones. "How could I not? You're beautiful and amazing, Bella."

The word 'love' hovers on the tip of my tongue, but I can't bring myself to say it. Not yet. Instead, I pull her close again, burying my face in her hair and inhaling her scent.

"We should head back," I mutter, reluctantly releasing her. "It's getting dark, and the waira will be out soon."

As we make our way back to the cave, I keep her close, my tentacles wrapped protectively around her. The survival lesson may be over, but I have a feeling our real adventure is just beginning.

I pace the cave, my body twitching with restless energy. Bella's scent lingers in the air, driving me fucking crazy. It's been days since that kiss, and I can't get it out of my head. The taste of her lips, the softness of her skin under my rough hands – it haunts me.

"Jytos?" Her voice breaks through my thoughts. "Are you alright?"

I turn to face her, my eyes locking onto hers. She's standing there, all soft curves and gentle grace. It takes every ounce of my willpower not to grab her and claim her right then and there.

"I'm fine," I growl, my voice harsher than I intend. "Just thinking."

She takes a step closer, and I can hear her heart rate pick up. "About what?"

I clench my fists, my nails digging into my palms. "About you, Bella. About us."

Her eyes widen, and I catch a whiff of... is that desire? Fuck, it's intoxicating.

"Oh," she breathes, her cheeks flushing. "I've been thinking about that too."

I close the distance between us in two long strides. My tentacles reach out, wrapping gently around her waist. "Yeah? And what have you been thinking?"

She bites her lip, and it takes all my self-control not to kiss her right then. "I... I'm not sure. This is all so new to me."

I grab her hands and look deep into her eyes. "It's new for me too. But I know what I want."

"What's that?" she asks, her voice soft.

"You," I growl. "All of you. But only if you want me too."

She leans into my touch, her eyes fluttering closed. "I do, Jytos. I'm just... scared."

I pull her closer, my body enveloping hers. "You don't need to be scared with me, Bella. I'll protect you. Always."

She nods, burying her face in my chest. I stroke her hair, marveling at its softness. This feeling... it's more than just desire. It's something deeper, something I've never felt before.

But does she feel the same? The uncertainty gnaws at me, a feeling I'm not used to. I'm Jytos, the last of the Umbrath. I don't do uncertainty. I take what I want.

But Bella... she's different. She's not something to be taken. She's to be cherished, protected. Loved.

Fuck. Love. Is that what this is?

I look down at her, nestled against me, and I know. Yeah, this is love. And it's the most terrifying thing I've ever faced.

Later that day, I watch Bella from the cave entrance, my muscles tense as she wanders further into the forest. Every instinct screams at me to grab her, to drag her back to the safety of our den. But I force myself to stay put, my claws digging into the rocky outcrop.

"Don't go too far," I growl, my voice carrying on the wind.

She turns, a smile playing on her lips. "I won't, Jytos. I promise."

Fuck, that smile does things to me. I grunt in response, my eyes never leaving her as she explores. The sunlight catches in her hair, making it shine like polished copper. She looks so small out there, so fragile. One swipe from a waira's claw could tear her apart.

But she needs this. I can see it in the way her eyes light up as she discovers new plants, in the spring in her step as she climbs over fallen logs. She's not meant to be caged, even if that cage is my protection.

"Look at this flower, Jytos!" she calls out, holding up a delicate blue blossom. "Isn't it beautiful?"

I nod, not giving a shit about the flower but loving the joy on her face. "Yeah, it's nice. Just watch where you step, alright?"

She laughs, the sound echoing through the trees. "You worry too much."

"Someone has to," I mutter, scanning the treeline for any signs of danger.

As the days pass, I force myself to relax a bit more. Bella's treks grow longer, her confidence building with each outing. I still keep watch, my senses on high alert for any threat. But I let her roam further, explore more.

One afternoon, she returns with her arms full of berries and mushrooms. "Look what I found!" she exclaims, dumping her haul at my feet. "We can have these with dinner."

I eye the pile skeptically. "You sure these are safe to eat?"

She nods enthusiastically. "I'm certain. I used to gather these all the time in the village."

The mention of her old home sends a spike of jealousy through me. I push it down, focusing instead on her excitement.

Later, as we sit by the fire eating our meal, I can't help but feel a sense of pride. She's growing stronger, more comfortable. She's adapting to life out here, to life with me. And fuck if that doesn't make me want her even more.

"This is good," I admit, gesturing to the berries she gathered. "You did well today."

Her face lights up at the praise. "Thank you, Jytos. I'm glad you like it."

I reach out, my tentacles wrapping gently around her waist. "Bella," I growl softly, pulling her close.

She comes willingly, settling against my chest. I breathe in her scent. Mine, my instincts scream. All mine.