15. Bella

15

BELLA

I step out of the cave, the crisp mountain air filling my lungs. It's a welcome change from the musty scent inside. The sun warms my face, and I can't help but smile. This newfound freedom, it's exhilarating.

My fingers brush against the rough bark of a nearby tree. "Who would've thought I'd end up here?" I mutter to myself, shaking my head in disbelief.

I soon begin my foraging. I scan the ground for any edible plants. As I work, my mind wanders to him. Jytos. The monster. My protector. My... something more?

A shiver runs through me, and it's not from the cool breeze. I can't help but think about his touch, gentle despite those fearsome claws. His green eyes, how they soften when they look at me.

"Get it together, Bella," I chide myself, but my heart races all the same.

I spot some berries and kneel to gather them. My hands shake slightly as I work. My thoughts are a jumble of confusion and desire.

"He's not human," I whisper, trying to convince myself. But then again, humans threw me away like trash. Jytos... he saved me. Protected me. Cares for me.

I stand up and stretch my back. The mountains loom around me, majestic and indifferent to my inner turmoil. I feel so small here yet so free. Back in the village, I was nothing. Here, with Jytos, I'm... everything.

My cheeks burn at the thought. I've never felt so wanted, so cherished. It's terrifying and exciting all at once.

A bird calls overhead and startles me from my reverie. I look up, watching it soar across the azure sky.

"I'm stronger now," I realize aloud. Living with Jytos, learning to survive - it's changed me. I'm not the meek village girl anymore. I'm becoming someone new, someone braver.

I continue my foraging. My movements grow more confident. Each plant I identify, each root I dig up, is a small victory. Proof that I can survive out here.

As I work, I can't help but imagine Jytos's reaction when I return with my bounty. Will he be proud of me again? Will those strong arms wrap around me in appreciation?

The thought sends a thrill through me. I want that. I want him. The realization hits me like a physical blow, leaving me breathless.

"Oh gods," I whisper. "I'm falling for him."

It should be wrong. He's a monster, after all. But in my heart, it feels so right. He understands me in a way no one ever has. Sees me for who I truly am.

I breathe in deeply, steadying myself. This new life, these new feelings - they're overwhelming. But for the first time, I feel truly alive.

As I gather my foraged goods to return to the cave, to Jytos, I can't help but smile. Whatever comes next, I'm ready to face it. With him.

Soon, the sun dips low on the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. I'm so lost in my thoughts about Jytos that I barely notice the changing light. My basket's nearly full of foraged goods, and I can't wait to show him what I've found.

Suddenly, a twig snaps behind me.

I whirl around, my heart leaping into my throat. "Jytos?" I call out, hopeful. But the silence that follows is deafening.

Another snap, closer this time. My pulse quickens. Something's not right.

I take a step back, my eyes scanning the darkening forest. That's when I see it – a pair of glowing eyes in the shadows. My blood runs cold.

"No," I whisper, panic rising in me. "No, no, no."

The waira emerges from the underbrush, its razor-sharp teeth glinting in the fading light. It's massive, easily twice my size, with matted fur and claws that could tear me apart in seconds.

I drop my basket and berries scatter across the forest floor. "Stay back!" I shout, trying to sound braver than I feel. But my voice quivers, betraying my fear.

The beast lunges forward. I dodge, barely avoiding its snapping jaws. My back slams against a tree.

"Jytos!" I scream, desperation clawing at my throat. "Jytos, help me!"

The waira circles me, its eyes never leaving mine. I grab a fallen branch, holding it out like a pathetic shield. "Get away from me!" I yell, swinging wildly.

It charges again. I swing the branch, catching it across the snout. It yelps, more surprised than hurt. But now it's angry.

With a snarl, it swipes at me. I feel a searing pain across my arm as its claws rip through my sleeve and into my flesh. I cry out, stumbling backward.

"Jytos, please!" I sob, clutching my bleeding arm. "Where are you?"

The waira advances, backing me against the tree. I can smell its rancid breath and feel the heat of it on my face. This is it, I think. This is how I die.

But no. I won't go down without a fight. Jytos taught me better than that.

I grit my teeth and lash out with my good arm, jabbing my fingers into its eye. The beast howls in pain, rearing back. I seize the moment and run.

My legs pump furiously as I tear through the forest. Branches whip at my face, roots threaten to trip me, but I don't slow down. I can hear the waira crashing through the undergrowth behind me, gaining ground.

"Jytos!" I scream again, my voice raw with terror. "Help me!"

I risk a glance over my shoulder. The waira is right there, its jaws snapping at my heels. I push myself harder, my lungs burning, my injured arm throbbing.

But I'm tiring. I can't keep this up much longer. Where's Jytos? Why hasn't he come? Did he abandon me?

No. I can't think like that. He'll come. He has to.

I burst into a small clearing, hoping for some advantage. But my foot catches on a root and I go down hard. Pain explodes through my knee as I hit the ground.

I roll onto my back, facing the advancing waira. It's over. I close my eyes, bracing for the inevitable.

"Jytos," I whisper, a tear sliding down my cheek. "I'm sorry."

Suddenly, a deafening roar shatters the air, and my eyes snap open. There, silhouetted against the fading light, stands Jytos. My heart leaps. He came for me.

"Get your fucking claws off her," Jytos growls, his voice dripping with menace.

The waira whirls, momentarily distracted. I scramble backward, wincing as pain shoots through my injured arm and knee.

Jytos doesn't wait. He launches himself at the beast, tentacles whipping through the air. The waira meets his charge with a snarl, and they collide in a tangle of limbs and fury.

I watch, transfixed, as Jytos fights. He's magnificent, his black skin glistening with sweat, muscles rippling beneath. His tentacles lash out, wrapping around the waira's throat and limbs. The beast howls, thrashing wildly. Its claws rake across Jytos's chest, leaving bloody furrows. I gasp, but Jytos barely flinches.

"That all you got?" he taunts, grinning savagely. His sharp teeth gleam in the dying light.

The waira lunges, jaws snapping. Jytos ducks, then drives his fist into its gut. The crack of breaking ribs echoes through the clearing.

Blood sprays as Jytos's claws find purchase in the waira's flesh. He rips and tears, his face a mask of primal rage. "You dare touch what's mine?" he roars.

My breath catches. His? The possessiveness in his voice sends a shiver through me.

The waira tries to retreat, but Jytos's tentacles hold it fast. "Where you going, asshole? We're just getting started."

With a sickening crunch, Jytos snaps one of the beast's legs. It howls in agony, and I flinch. But a part of me... a part of me thrills at Jytos's brutality.

He's doing this for me. He's unleashing all this violence, this raw power, to protect me.

He lifts the waira up, muscles straining. With a roar, he hurls it against a nearby tree. The trunk splinters from the impact.

"Jytos," I whisper, awed by his strength.

He turns at the sound of my voice, his green eyes finding mine. For a moment, the battle rage fades, replaced by something softer. Concern? Tenderness?

The waira, battered and broken, makes one last desperate lunge. Jytos whirls, catching its jaws in his hands. His arms bulge as he forces them apart.

"Big mistake," he snarls.

With a savage twist, he tears the waira's head clean off. Blood fountains, splattering across Jytos's black skin like macabre war paint.

The headless body collapses, twitching. Jytos stands over it, chest heaving, tentacles writhing restlessly. He turns to me, and my breath hitches.

He's terrifying. He's beautiful. He's mine.

"You okay?" he asks, his voice gruff but laced with concern.

I nod, unable to find my voice. He strides towards me and kneels beside me. His hands are surprisingly gentle as they examine my wounds.

"Stupid fucking waira," he mutters. "Should've killed it slower."

A laugh bubbles up in my throat, half hysterical. "My hero," I manage to say.

His eyes lock with mine, intense and searching. "Yeah," he says softly. "Yours."

And just like that, everything changes. The air between us crackles with electricity. His hand cups my cheek, smearing blood across my skin. I should be repulsed, but I'm not. I lean into his touch, craving more.

"Jytos," I breathe, my heart pounding.

He leans in, his breath hot on my face. "Tell me you want this," he growls.

I nod, unable to speak. It's wrong, it's crazy, but I've never wanted anything more in my life.

His lips crash into mine, hungry and demanding. My hands fist in his hair, pulling him closer.

When we finally break apart, we're both gasping. He rests his forehead against mine, his tentacles curling protectively around us.

"Mine," he says again, his voice rough with emotion.

I smile, feeling truly safe for the first time in my life. "Yours," I agree.