Page 29 of The Krampus's First Christmas Gift

It had never been like that for Kraghol before. There’d been no soft kisses or touches before, during, or after sex. He’d never even fucked in a bed. It was always outside on the ground or up against a tree.

After a few moments, he slowly wrapped his arms around Jasper. Jasper exhaled. Kraghol closed his eyes, relishing the feel of the young man beside him.

But as the bliss ebbed, the reality of the situation settled heavily in his gut.

Jasper doesn’t belong with me.

Then he frowned. Did Jasper only desire him because of the half-mate bond?

Horror replaced any lingering pleasure. Was that why he’d wanted to fuck Kraghol? Because of the partial bond? It had to be. There could be no other explanation!

The fire crackled. He closed his eyes.

And Jasper still knew nothing of that! Shit.

“We shouldn’t have done that,” Kraghol said, voice soft.

Jasper’s whole body tensed. He propped himself up, eyes narrowing. “What? Why?”

Chapter

Sixteen

“It was a mistake,” Kraghol said.

“Why… Why would you say that?”

Kraghol closed his eyes. He knew he needed to come clean. He needed to admit the truth so Jasper could understand it all.

No doubt Jasper would be upset once he understood all Kraghol had done. Especially because he’d now understand that he’d only desired Kraghol because of the bond.

He’ll hate me.

But that might be for the best. Then he’d stay away until the bond disintegrated into nothingness.

“There are things I have not told you,” Kraghol said. “Things you need to know.”

“Like what.” Jasper sat up.

Kraghol swallowed.

“Come on, Kraghol. Spill. Why was that a mistake?” Jasper demanded. “And what have you been keeping from me?”

Kraghol stared at Jasper’s hand with long, elegant fingers that rested on the furs. “I was there the day you fell into the pond. I jumped in and pulled you out. You weren’t breathing.”

Jasper stilled. “What? You saved me?”

“You looked so fragile. So small.” Kraghol could still see Jasper’s lifeless body in his arms. “I didn’t know what to do. But I couldn’t let you die. I just couldn’t. So I did the only thing I could think of. I poured my life essence into you, and it healed you.”

“What? What does that mean? What’s a life essence? And how did it heal me?” Then Jasper frowned. “But then why did you leave me before I’d woken?”

It was a lot of questions. Kraghol struggled to sort through them. “Pouring my life essence into you is a krampus ritual. It can heal.” He hesitated. “And it is part of our mating ritual.”

Jasper gaped.

Kraghol rushed on, “I should not have performed it on a human. I did not even know if it would work. But I did it, and it healed you. And I had to leave before your brother saw me.”

A heavy silence followed.