Page 35 of The Krampus's First Christmas Gift

Briar pushed his glasses up his nose. “It varies a great deal.”

“Interesting. That’s really interesting. So I know werewolves, and orcs, and pixies can have a mate, but what about say, krampuses? They have mates too, right?” Being subtle had never been Jasper’s strength.

Briar frowned. “Not much is known about krampuses in general. They tend to only interact with other krampuses. But I have read that they form a mate bond. But like with dragons, it is chosen, like with Avery and Jack,” he said, referring to Jack, their brother, who had mated a dragon the previous year.

“So could a krampus mate a human, like how a dragon could mate a human?”

Briar shook his head. “No. In the book I read, it said they only mate each other.”

“I see.” Jasper held in a sigh, even though he had expected as much. After all, that was what Kraghol had told him.

“In fact, the only time krampuses are known to interact with others is during Krampus Night.” Briar laughed. “I can’t imagine someone finding their mate then.”

“Yeah.” Jasper chuckled.

If Briar did wonder about Jasper’s abrupt fascination with krampuses, he didn’t say anything. He just resumed chopping apricots.

When he finished with the truffles, Jasper took off his apron. “I’ll head off now. I’m going upstairs to rest.” Lying came so easy these days. Kali, who had been sleeping beneath the counter, stood.

Everyone called out their goodbyes as he and Kali left the bakery. He walked straight past the stairs leading up to the apartment and continued in the direction of the forest.

At first, he’d felt guilty about all the lies. But he was used to it by now.

In his hands, he carried a small box of truffles. “I hope Kraghol likes them,” he said to Kali. “And I hope he is happy to see me.”

Kraghol had said that them having sex had been a mistake. He had also stated that they did not belong together. Jasper needed to find out more about that.

Was it simply because of their different backgrounds? Jasper could work with that. Because if Kraghol was willing to give them a chance, maybe Jasper could show him that they could be good together, despite their differences.

Or did Kraghol say that simply because he didn’t want Jasper? Maybe it was his way of getting Jasper to stay away.

Jasper swallowed. “Hopefully he won’t be unhappy to see me.”

Still, Jasper had questions he needed to ask.

But after that, if Kraghol truly does not want me, I’ll keep away. I’ll do what he says. Even if it hurts.

Chapter

Twenty

Why is he coming back?

Kraghol strode towards the edge of the forest. His stomach tensed, skin tingling as he felt Jasper approach. He quickened his footsteps. He paused amongst a copse of trees, waiting for Jasper to appear. The fur on the back of his neck prickled.

Despite everything he’d said, he longed to see Jasper again. Every muscle in his body tensed in eager anticipation. He held his breath.

He didn’t know why Jasper had returned and ignored his words, but Kraghol could not wait to see his half-mate.

It was foolish to think of Jasper as his half-mate. That bond would disappear soon enough. But Kraghol couldn’t stop himself.

My half-mate. My almost mate.

If only he could remove thehalfandalmost. He shook his head. It was a foolish thought. Beyond foolish even.

We do not belong together. We do not belong together. We do not belong together.

But then Jasper appeared like a ray of sunshine on this grey, gloomy winter’s day. Kraghol’s lungs expanded. Kali trotted along beside Jasper.