Page 13 of The Krampus's First Christmas Gift

“That’s not true, Grandmother,” he said, although he knew it was.

His throat tightened at just the thought of running through Anorra whilst horrified children watched him from their windows. He wondered what it would be like to make a child smile instead of cry. Or laugh.

Kraghol just wasn’t a very good krampus. Nor did he want the life of a krampus.

For a second, he thought of Jasper. He wondered what his partial mate’s life was like. Kraghol had never been inside an actual building before. But when he’d run through the streets, lanes, and alleys of Anorra on Krampus Night, he caught glimpses of the insides of the homes through the windows.He saw comfy chairs, beds, fireplaces, decorated trees, and glittering baubles.

Did Jasper have all those things in his home? In winter did he sit by a pretty tree in front of a fireplace, on a cosy-looking chair?

Kraghol’s heart swelled in his chest.I hope he has all that. And so much more.He wished Jasper had happiness and joy and beauty and warmth for all his days for the rest of his life.

And he hoped with all his might that Jasper would not look out his window on Krampus Night and see the monster that was Kraghol. Kraghol’s stomach clenched as he stared at his grandmother’s hooves.

“Everyone must pull together this year, especially after last Krampus Night.”

“That could not be avoided, Grandmother. The snowstorm could not be overcome.”

“Excuses!” she snarled. “We could have yelled louder. We could have banged on windows and rattled doors and filled their souls with dread until they shit and pissed themselves.” The light from the fire danced on her dark fur. “But this year will be better.” She smiled.

His grandmother truly loved Krampus Night.

Every year, foolhardy individuals intentionally stayed out so they could brave being chased by the krampuses. Usually it was a bunch of young fools. To them it was a challenge to try to outrun the krampuses. His grandmother delighted in hunting them down and beating them with her switch or whip.

Of course, there were others who also liked to be chased by krampuses. But they did not wish to outrun them. They wanted to be fucked by a krampus. His grandmother also liked to hunt down these individuals.

She looked at Kraghol. “As my blood, I expect you to do your part this year.”

He inclined his head.

She stared at him. His entire life, he’d always felt like she’d seen right to his soul and to his defects as a krampus.

“And I have been thinking.” His grandmother straightened her muscular shoulders. “After Christmas, you should take a mate. Perhaps finding a krampus mate will solidify your place amongst us and remind you of your duty.”

His heart thumped rapidly against his ribs. Kraghol lowered his gaze in what he hoped would be seen as respectful.

He could not obey his grandmother in this. Even if he had wanted to. He could not mate a krampus. Not now. Because he was already partially mated to Jasper. And he did not know how long it would take for that partial bond to fade. He didn’t dare ask anyone.

His grandmother looked back to the fire and the other krampuses dancing and hollering. Their tongues lashed at the skies. Switches and whips swung through the air. Bells jangled.

“You are a krampus. You have a duty, Kraghol. I expect you to remember it and fulfil it,” his grandmother said, voice like flint.

“Yes, Grandmother.”

“Look at your family. They make me so proud.” His grandmother lifted her hand towards them.

Kraghol looked. Freya, Thorsten, his mother, and his father writhed and danced by the flames and amongst the smoke.

“We are the monsters in the dark,” his grandmother said. “This is who we are. This is our role. We are here to keep order. To remind people to behave or face chaos and terror. Be proud to be one of us, Kraghol. You are a krampus. Embrace it.”

Kraghol didn’t respond. But his grandmother’s words crept like ice through his veins. He fought the urge to shiver despite the heat of the bonfire.

His grandmother flicked her hand towards those dancing around the fire. “Now join your family. Join your kin.”

Without a word, Kraghol obeyed and walked forward. He joined his parents, his sister, and her mate. His parents smiled at him.

Kraghol danced. But inside he wished he was anywhere but here.

Yes, this is where I belong. I am a krampus. This is all I can ever have.