Page 19 of The Krampus's First Christmas Gift

“Do you live in this forest?”

“Yes.”

Another one-syllable answer. Jasper held in a sigh. “Have I offended you?”

“What? No.” Kraghol shook his head, clearly agitated. “You do not bother me.” But it was clear he did not wish for Jasper and Kali to be here. Still, Jasper was loath to leave.

But Kraghol must feel the connection too! Why else would he have been watching and following Jasper? So why was the krampus lying to him now? Why was he pretending to not feel what Jasper was feeling?

He’d taken a step towards solving the mystery. Still, he had much to unravel. But how would he get this grumpy krampus to open up and speak to him when he clearly didn’t want to?

Chapter

Eleven

“You must go home.” Speaking the words made Kraghol feel like he was choking on gravel. He didn’t want Jasper to leave. But he should. It was for the best.

Although, with his almost mate in his space, it was hard for Kraghol to remember the reasons why. Truthfully, Kraghol just wanted to sit by Jasper, listen to his voice, and find out more about him and his life.

As it was, he’d file away every scrap of information he’d already learnt about Jasper and think of this interaction when he was alone in his cave for years to come. But he couldn’t let Jasper know that.

And Jasper was not afraid of him. He’d not shown even a smidgen of fear. Only curiosity. And wasn’t that a wonder. Kraghol could not wrap his head around it.

Still, this was wrong! It was one thing to follow Jasper and protect him from harm in the forest, which he’d clearly needed, since he’d just collapsed. But it was another thing entirely to spend time together.

They came from two different worlds. They did not belong together. Light and darkness could not coexist.

“Can’t I stay just a little while longer?” Jasper asked.

Kraghol hesitated. He wanted to say yes. His heart yearned with the need to keep Jasper close.

In years past, krampuses would sometimes capture those they found roaming the city on Krampus Night. They’d put them in cages and cart them around, sometimes even taking them into the forest for days before releasing them.

The practice had fallen away. But for a brief second, Kraghol wished he could keep Jasper imprisoned in his home for the rest of his life.

“No.” Kraghol shook his head. “You have to leave. It is almost dark. It is dangerous after dark in the forest.”

Jasper laughed.

Kraghol paused. Suddenly he remembered hearing that laughter months ago when he’d first seen Jasper and his brother together. The sound reminded him of sunshine. He longed to bask in it.

“It is not that dangerous,” Jasper said. “One of my brothers lives in the forest. In a cave with his werewolf mate.”

Kraghol actually knew this already. He’d seen the werewolf and human talking and casting some spell the other day. Briar, the human, had mentioned the name Jasper. Kraghol had wondered if it was the person. Now he knew for sure.

In fact, the spell had been cast on Jasper and some of his other siblings. Kraghol didn’t know much about spells and he had no idea what the purpose of that spell was. But from what he heard, it was meant to help Jasper and the others.

“Werewolves are strong,” Kraghol said. “They are fighters. Your brother’s mate would protect him.”

Jasper tilted his head. He smiled, and it was like a spear to Kraghol’s heart. “And wouldn’t you protect me?”

The words sucked the air from Kraghol’s lungs. The yes tingled on his lips, wanting to burst forth. He wanted to go to hisknees before Jasper and pledge himself to protecting the human until he drew his very last breath.

But that could never be. They could never be. He could not be Jasper’s guardian. Just as he could not be his mate.

“I will escort you to the forest’s edge,” Kraghol said. “I will protect you and keep you safe until then.”

Jasper didn’t speak for a second. “Fine.” He stood.