20. Jytos

20

JYTOS

T he icy wind whips against my rough face as I stalk through the snow-covered forest on the hunt for more food. My tentacles twitch, sensing every minute change in the air. Something's off. The usual stillness of these mountains has been disturbed recently.

I crouch down and examine some tracks in the snow. Waira. And not just one or two. These prints tell a different story - a whole damn pack has been through here.

"Fuck," I mutter angrily, my breath clouding in the frigid morning air.

The tracks are fresh as the ground is barely dusted with new snow. The waira are moving with purpose and heading closer to my territory. To my cave. To Bella. A growl rumbles through me at the thought of those mangy beasts anywhere near what's mine.

My tentacles writhe restlessly, itching for a fight. I follow the trail moving silently despite my massive size. Years of hunting have honed my skills. Nothing escapes my notice - not the bent branches, not the tufts of fur caught on thorny bushes.

As I crest a hill, I spot them in the valley below. At least a dozen waira. Their dark matted fur stands out against the pristine snow. They're gathered around something - probably the carcass of some unfortunate creature.

I watch them intently, noting their movements, their hierarchy. Knowledge is power, and I'll be damned if I let these mutts catch me off guard. The alpha of the pack raises its head suddenly, sniffing the air. For a moment, I think it's caught my scent. But no - it's distracted by something else. Something in the direction of my cave.

My blood runs cold. Bella. She could be out there, alone and vulnerable. The waira haven't spotted her yet, but it's only a matter of time.

Every instinct in my body screams at me to rush back and scoop her up, keeping her safe. But I force myself to stay put for a moment. Charging in without a plan is a fool's move. I need to be smart about this. These waira are a threat, and threats need to be eliminated. Permanently.

As I watch the pack, my mind races with possibilities. I could take them on now, but the odds aren't in my favor. No, I need to be strategic. Set traps. Pick them off one by one. A plan starts to form in my mind. It'll take some time, but I'll make sure these bastards regret ever setting foot in my territory. I turn back towards the cave moving swiftly but cautiously, making sure the waira don't pick up my scent.

I try to step as gently as I can manage against the snow-covered ground as I trek back to our sanctuary. My tentacles whip silently through the air, sensing for any immediate threats. The scent of Bella grows stronger as I near the cave entrance, and my heart rate quickens.

"Bella!" I bellow as I burst into the cave. My eyes scan the dimly lit interior, searching for her familiar form.

She emerges from the shadows, her brow furrowed with concern. "Jytos? What's wrong?"

I stride quickly towards her, my tentacles reaching out to caress her face, reassuring myself that she's safe. "Waira. A whole fucking pack of them, heading this way."

Her eyes widen, fear flickering across her features. "How many?"

"At least a dozen," I growl, my teeth bared at the thought. "We need to prepare."

She nods, her initial fear replaced by a fierce determination. "What's the plan?"

I can't help but smirk a little. She's always ready to face whatever shit life throws at us these days. "We set traps. Make this place a death trap for those mangy mutts."

"What kind of traps?" she asks, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

I move deeper into the cave, gesturing for her to follow me. "I've got some ideas. First, we'll need to gather materials."

We spend the next few hours scouring the cave and surrounding area for anything that might be useful. She proves to be very resourceful, spotting things I might have overlooked. Her small size allows her to reach places I can't to retrieve sharp rocks and sturdy vines.

As we work, I explain my plan. "We'll set up a series of traps along the main approaches to the cave. Pitfalls covered with snow, trip wires that'll bring down boulders, that sort of shit."

She nods, her brow furrowed in concentration. "What about inside the cave?"

"That's where it gets interesting," I grin, my sharp teeth glinting in the dim light. "We'll create choke points, funnel them into areas where we have the advantage."

As we continue our work, I can't help but marvel at how seamlessly we function together. She anticipates my needs, handing me tools before I even ask for them. It's like she can read my mind, and it sends a thrill through me.

"I don't want anything bad to happen to you ever again," I growl, pulling her close. My tentacles wrap around her waist, holding her tight against my chest.

I suddenly crush my lips against hers, pouring all my possessiveness and need into the kiss. When we break apart, we're both breathless.

"We should get back to work," she says, her cheeks flushed.

I nod, reluctantly releasing her. "You're right. Those fuckers could show up any time."

We return to our preparations with renewed vigor. As night falls, we've transformed the area around our cave into a deadly gauntlet. I survey our hard work with satisfaction, my tentacles twitching with anticipation.

"Now we wait," I tell her, pulling her close once more. "And when those bastards come, we'll be ready for them."

The next morning, my eyes scan the dimly lit cave as I take in the sight of Bella eagerly making more preparations. Her brown curls catch the flicker of the morning light, and for a moment, the harsh reality of our situation fades into the background. She's become more than just a way to ease my loneliness – she's my confidant, my pupil, my everything.

I clear my throat, the sound echoing off the stone walls. "Bella," I say, my voice gruffer than I intend. "I need to teach you some more advanced fighting techniques. Those waira could be here any second and we may get separated."

She turns to face me, her brown eyes wide and earnest. "I'm ready, Jytos. Teach me what I need to know to survive any attack."

The determination in her voice sends a surge of pride through me. I nod, gesturing for her to follow me deeper into the cave. "Good. First, we'll work on your reflexes."

We spend hours training. I throw objects at her – stones, bits of wood – and she dodges them with increasing agility. Her small size and quick movements are an asset, and she uses them to her full advantage.

"Faster, Bella. You can't hesitate, not even for a second," I instruct, my sharp gaze never leaving her.

She grunts with effort, her body twisting and turning in a dance of survival. "I won't let you down, Jytos," she promises between breaths.

As the hours wear on, her skills improve dramatically. She's a natural, and every successful dodge or swift counterattack makes my chest swell with approval. I find myself watching her more intently, not just as her protector and mentor, but as an admirer captivated by her resilience and strength.

The air around us grows heavier as the night draws near. We're both sweaty and exhausted, but there's a spark in her eyes that ignites something deep within me. I can see her confidence growing with each passing moment, and it's a heady sight to behold.

"Enough for today," I say finally, my voice low and weary. Even though I can't tear my eyes away from her.

My tentacles soon coil restlessly at my sides as my exhaustion threatens to overtake me. We head towards our bed in the corner of the cave. It's simply a pile of furs and soft moss, but in this moment, it feels like the most luxurious palace.

She settles onto the bed, her eyes never leaving mine. "Thank you, Jytos," she says softly. "For teaching me how to protect myself, even though I know you could easily protect me."

I shake my head, moving to sit beside her. "You don't owe me any thanks, Bella. You mean the world to me. I want you to be safe, even if that means protecting yourself at times."

She smiles at that, a soft, genuine smile that lights up her entire face. "You mean the world to me too."

Her words pierce through the armor I've built around my heart. I lean in, capturing her lips in a fierce, possessive kiss. My tentacles reach out, cradling her body against mine. The soft curves of her figure drive me wild with desire, and I deepen the kiss, claiming her mouth with an urgency that leaves us both breathless.

As we break apart, I can see the hunger in her eyes – a hunger that matches my own. "Bella," I growl, my voice barely recognizable. "You're driving me mad with want."

I pull her closer to me, our bodies entwined in a desperate embrace, but I manage to control myself…for now. We can't afford to be distracted in this moment with the waira so close to our sanctuary.

We lie tangled in each other's arms, and I can't help but feel a sense of contentment. This woman – this brave, beautiful, incredible woman – has come to mean more to me than I ever thought possible.

"Sleep now, my fierce little survivor," I murmur into her hair, my tentacles draped protectively over her body. "Tomorrow, we face whatever comes our way. Together."

And as sleep finally claims us both, I know that whatever the future holds, we'll face it head-on – side by side. Because Bella is mine, and I am hers, and nothing in this world will ever change that.