28. Bella

28

BELLA

I run my fingers over the rough-hewn cave walls, tracing the familiar contours one last time. This place, once my prison, has become a sanctuary over the last several months. Now, as Jytos and I prepare to leave, memories flood my mind.

"You okay?" Jytos's deep voice rumbles behind me.

I turn to face him, my heart swelling at the sight of his towering form. "Just... remembering."

He nods, understanding in his eyes. "This cave's seen a lot."

"It has," I agree, watching as he expertly packs our supplies. His tentacles move with surprising grace, wrapping Umbrath artifacts in protective cloth.

"Grab that bow," he instructs, nodding towards the crude weapon I'd fashioned. "You're damn good with it now."

I can't help but smile wide at the pride in his voice. "Thanks to you," I say, blushing slightly.

He grunts, but I catch the pleased glint in his eye. He tosses me a pack. "Fill this with those herbs we dried. They'll come in handy."

As I gather the pungent leaves, my mind wanders to our first days together. The fear, the uncertainty... and now? Now I can't imagine my life without him.

"What's going on in that head of yours?" he asks, his tentacles wrapping gently around my waist.

I lean into him, savoring his warmth. "Just realizing how differently I feel about you."

He chuckles loudly, the sound reverberating through his chest. "You're not scared of me anymore, that's for damn sure."

"No, I'm not," I agree, turning to face him. "I'm yours now, very willingly yours."

His eyes darken with desire. He leans down, his sharp teeth grazing my neck. "Damn right you are," he growls.

A shiver runs through me, but I force myself to focus. "We should finish packing."

Releasing me reluctantly, he grumbles, "Always the voice of reason."

I laugh, tossing him a bundle of furs. "Someone has to be."

As we continue our preparations, I can't help but marvel at how natural it feels. Working together, planning our future. It's so far from what I'd imagined when the village chose to sacrifice me to him.

I kneel down in the corner of the cave to grab the last of our supplies. The cold stone beneath me is a stark reminder of the life I once knew. From a village girl who flinched at every shadow to a woman who's stood shoulder to shoulder with a being born of nightmares, I've certainly come a long way.

I watch Jytos across the cave, his hulking form aglow in the firelight, as he meticulously packs the last of his artifacts. His tentacles dance with precision, wrapping items with the same care I've seen him use when handling me. It's a stark contrast to the raw power he wields in battle, the alpha strength that has slain countless waira to keep me safe.

"You're staring," he rumbles, a smirk playing on his sharp features.

I flush, caught in the act. "Just thinking about how strong you are and how you taught me your skills to survive out here."

He pauses, his eyes locking onto mine. "You've learned well in a short amount of time. You're not that same frightened and uncertain girl."

I can't deny that I've become stronger, braver. I've learned to wield a bow, to track, to fight. I've learned the language of the wind through the mountains and the subtle shifts in the air that speak of danger long before it arrives.

Yet, a sudden pang of nostalgia washes over me. It's a fleeting whisper of my old life. The warmth of the village hearth and the chatter of Mara and Tomas as we prepared meals. It's a distant memory now, replaced by my new reality with Jytos.

"Sometimes," I confess, "I miss the simplicity of my old life. But then I remember what it cost me – the fear, the loneliness. And I realize I wouldn't trade this for anything."

He moves to me, his large hand cupping my cheek. "You're mine now, Bella. And I am yours."

He leans down, his lips brushing against mine in a promise of protection, of passion, of a future. I yield to him, to the creature who claimed me as his own, who taught me to fight, to love, to live.

As we break apart, I turn back to the corner of the cave. "I really should gather the rest of our food and water stores," I mutter.

As I work tirelessly, I can't help but reflect on the journey that lies ahead. New lands, new dangers, a world beyond the confines of this cave. But with Jytos by my side, I suddenly feel invincible.

He soon joins me, his presence a comforting shadow. "You're lost in thought again," he observes, a hint of amusement in his voice.

I smile softly, meeting his gaze. "Just thinking about the road ahead. About all the things we'll face together."

He grunts, a sound that's become endearing. "We'll face them as we always have. Together."

And with that simple truth echoing in my heart, I know that no matter what trials we encounter, we will endure. For we are more than the sum of our parts: I am his heart, and he is my strength. Our love is the forbidden fruit, blooming in the harshest of climates, defying the world that would see us torn apart.

I am Bella, once a meek village girl, now a warrior, a lover, a partner to the monster who reigns over my soul.

We soon take a break from our packing and sit down for dinner. The flickering glow of the fire dances across the cave walls and casts shadows that twist and writhe like living things. Jytos sits across from me. His green eyes reflect the flames like twin emeralds. The scent of roasted meat fills the air, making my stomach growl.

I pick up a piece of the meat and take a small bite. Suddenly, I blurt out, "I used to think my life was set in stone. That I was destined to be the lonely spinster of the village, tending to everyone else's needs but my own."

He growls as his sharp teeth tear into a piece of the meat. "Sounds like a pretty miserable existence," he remarks, his voice low.

I nod in agreement. "It was. But now..." I trail off, my gaze meeting his. "Now I see a world of possibilities. With you."

He smirks, a rare, genuine smile that transforms his monstrous features into something almost tender.

My eyes drop to the makeshift bowl in my hands. "You've shown me a strength I never knew I had in me."

He leans forward, his gaze intense. "You're a survivor, Bella. You just needed someone to show you that."

I laugh softly, the sound echoing off the cave walls. "And you needed someone to show you that you're not a monster."

His smirk fades, replaced by a thoughtful expression. "Perhaps I'm still a monster on the outside. But you... you've tamed the beast within."

I reach across the fire, my hand brushing against his. His skin is rough, scarred from countless battles, but his touch is gentle. "I guess we've both changed for the better," I say.

Suddenly, his lips crash into mine with the force of a hurricane. The power of his kiss consumes every inch of my being. My heart thrums in my chest, a frantic rhythm that matches the fervent beat of his own.

I cling to him, my fingers curling into the hard muscles of his arms, anchoring myself to this being who has become my world. His sharp teeth graze my lower lip and sends a jolt of exhilarating fear mingled with desire coursing through my veins. He is all that is dangerous, all that is forbidden, and yet, in his embrace, I find a sanctuary that I never knew existed.

His tongue demands entry, and I yield to him. I am lost in the taste of him, the primal essence that is uniquely Jytos—a hint of the untamed wilds, a whisper of ancient magic, and the undeniable truth of his desire for me.

As we break apart, breathless and hearts pounding, his deep eyes bore into mine. There is a fierce possessiveness in his gaze, a silent vow that he will protect and cherish me until his last breath.

In that moment, I see beyond the sharp teeth and towering form, past the tentacles and the violence that simmers just beneath the surface. I see the being who has captured not just my heart, but my very soul.

"I want to see it all with you," I say suddenly. "The frozen wastelands, the ancient ruins, the mythical lands beyond the mountains. The whole entire world."

He raises an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eye. "You're asking for quite the adventure."

I grin, the excitement of it all making my heart flutter. "I am. And I know you're the one I want to share it all with."

He pulls me closer and says, "I want to share it all with you too."

I am suddenly struck by the realization that our real journey has only just begun. I find solace in the knowledge that no matter what we may face, we will face it as one. For we are not just survivors; we are warriors, forged in the fires of adversity and united by a love that is as powerful as it is forbidden.

As we settle down for the night, wrapped in each other's arms, I can't help but feel a sense of rightness. The world outside is harsh and unforgiving at times, but here, in the embrace of my monstrous lover, I am always safe. I am always home.

Though our future may be uncertain, we will find a way to carve out a life for ourselves, together. A life filled with adventure, love, and the freedom that comes from forging one's own path.