“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.

  He squeezed his eyes shut, wishing it wasn’t true whilst knowing it was.

  Kraghol danced amongst the krampuses, soul sinking in his body. He opened his mouth and screamed from the bottom of his aching soul.

  He wished his life could be different. He wished he could find a way to get away from all this. He wished he could find a way for he and Jasper to be together. But that could never be.

  Chapter

  Eight

  Jasper let out a breath as Kali darted forward, bushy orange, black, and white tail whipping through the air.

  “You like being back here in the forest, don’t you?” Jasper walked behind his fox familiar. “I guess this is your first home.”

  Kali darted back and forward, kicking up snow. Jasper huffed out a laugh. At least one good thing had come from his accident. He’d found Kali. He’d have struggled without her by his side the past few months.

  Being with her brought a smile to his face. He didn’t smile much these days.

  He raised his gaze to the sun. Its soft light flittered through the branches. He closed his eyes, letting the weak winter sunlight fall on his cheeks. He inhaled the frigid air.

  He let out a sigh as he opened his eyes. Jasper wished he could solve the puzzle of why he always felt better in the forest.

  Kali sprang into the air and landed amongst a pile of snow. She rolled around in it.

  “Aren’t you getting cold?” Jasper knelt beside her. But he knelt on a jagged rock that hid beneath the snow. “Aww!” he cried as he rubbed at his leg. “Fucking rock,” he muttered.

  Kali pressed forward as if examining his wound.

  “It’s nothing,” Jasper assured. “Worst I’ll get is a slight bruise.”

  Then Kali stilled. Her gaze flicked over Jasper’s shoulder.

  Jasper whipped around. Something moved, ducking behind a tree. His heart clenched.

  Is there someone watching me?

  Slowly he rose. Sometimes he thought he saw shadows amongst the trees. Most of the time, he thought he imagined it. But he’d definitely seen something just now. And that feeling tugged him forward.

  Holding his breath, he took one step forward. Then another.

  Suddenly Kali dashed towards where the shadow had disappeared. “Yelp! Yelp! Yelp!” Excitement flowed through their bond.

  “Kali!” Jasper called out.

  Then something dark, tall, and furry ran away from them.

  Jasper’s mouth fell open. Kali sprinted after it.

  “Stop!” Jasper called out, not sure if he was calling out after Kali or the creature.

  Kali didn’t pause. Unsurprisingly, neither did the creature. They both just kept running.

  Jasper bolted forward, joining the chase. He knocked into branches. They struck his body and face. His boots sank into the snow. He stumbled and tried not to fall over as he ran.

  He couldn’t get a clear visual of the creature. It darted and wove between the trees. But it was big! And it ran on two legs. He glimpsed horns. And fur.

  What is this thing? And is this who I’ve been searching for?

  Jasper sprinted. His heart thudded in his ears. He panted, struggling to breathe. Still, he couldn’t stop. He had to see what this thing was. It was important! He knew it was.

  His legs ached as he ran as fast as he could. His lungs fought for air. They screamed at him to stop.

  Kali barked as she continued the chase.

  Jasper clutched at his chest. He wheezed. The other two got further and further ahead. Jasper struggled to keep up.

  His vision blurred. Still, he kept running, kept pushing himself onwards. He had to keep going!

  He knew he should stop. But he couldn’t. He had to keep going! Something kept urging him on.

  This creature has the answers! If Jasper got them, then maybe he could finally be at peace and the aching, yearning need burning inside him would let him be.

  “Please! Stop!” Jasper screamed.

  His legs shook. Unable to keep going, Jasper dropped to his knees. He tilted his head back, trying to get air into his constricting airways. The trees, sky, and sun spun around and around above him.

  He swayed. He heard Kali bark. Jasper shoved his hands into the snow, trying to steady himself. His whole body trembled.

  The world jerked sideways as he collapsed into the snow.

  Chapter

  Nine

  Oh no. Oh no. Oh no.

  Kraghol sprinted towards Jasper’s limp form.

  He’d heard Jasper calling out. He’d glanced back in time to watch Jasper collapse. He’d stopped, stomach tightening. He’d run back, Kali at his heels.

  Jasper lay unconscious in the snow.

  This is all my fault. I got too close once again. But he’d heard Jasper cry out in pain and had to come closer.

  Kraghol fell to his knees. He looked over Jasper’s body. “Please be okay.”

  Kali circled Jasper, whimpering softly.

  With trembling hands, he reached forward. He hesitated before touching Jasper and rolling him onto his back. Jasper’s eyes remained shut, his skin pale. Snow stuck to his clothes, skin, and hair. He touched Jasper’s cheek.

  “He’s cold.” Kraghol glanced at Kali. “What should I do?”

  Kali nuzzled Jasper’s side.

  Kraghol didn’t know what that meant. But he didn’t think Jasper should remain out here. He wrapped his arms around Jasper’s slender frame and stood. He was reminded of Jasper’s lifeless body when he’d pulled him from the water. At least this time, Jasper breathed.

  “I’m so sorry.” Kraghol walked in the direction of his cave. “I hadn’t meant for you to see me. I hadn’t meant for you to try and chase me. But why did you collapse?”

  That didn’t make any sense to Kraghol. They hadn’t run that far. He didn’t think humans just randomly collapsed if they ran. But maybe it was too cold for him out here. Or maybe humans were weaker than he thought.

  Kali followed along behind him. Kraghol stared down into Jasper’s face.

  “Please be okay. Please.” Kraghol wished for some movement, a fluttering of eyelashes or an opening of an eye. He increased his strides, desperate to get Jasper out of the cold.

  When he reached his cave, he placed Jasper on his bed comprised of a pile of furs. Kali jumped up beside Jasper, snuggling close.

  “Good, Kali.” Kraghol stroked her. “You keep him warm.”

  She lay down on Jasper’s chest, gazing down into his face.

  Kraghol set to starting a fire in the pit. Soon it blazed, warming the small, dark cave. He rose and turned back to Jasper. “Please wake. I’m so sorry. Forgive me. Please don’t be hurt.”

  He glanced around his cave, wishing he knew what else to do to help Jasper. But all he had was his firepit, a pile of wood, and his bed in the cave. Nothing else.

  He glanced down at Jasper, wishing he could once again pour his life essence into him to heal him. But even he knew you could only do that once. He lifted his hand to touch Jasper’s cheek.

  Then he pulled back. Jasper would not want his touch. In fact, if Jasper woke, he would be terrified to see a monster hovering over him. That would not do.

  Swallowing, Kraghol backed up into a nook along the wall of the cave, where the firelight did not fall. He crouched, hiding himself from view so Jasper would not see him as soon as he woke.

  “Please wake,” he whispered. “Please be okay.” Fear slid its cold fingers up his spine.

  Jasper had to wake. Jasper had to be okay. Kraghol would never forgive himself if Jasper did not.

  He’d somehow harmed Jasper. But why had he collapsed? Kraghol still didn’t understand it. Maybe he should go see Freya. As a spiritual guide, she studied healing. But would she know how to heal a human? And even if she could, would she? Their kind did not care for anyone that was not a krampus.

  If he went to her for help, she’d definitely have questions. She’d want to know why Kraghol looked after a human. Perhaps if she saw them together, she’d recognise the partial mate bond between them. After all, spiritual guides were experts on mate bonds.

  He didn’t know if calling on his sister would do any good. It might make the whole situation worse. But as the minutes ticked by and Jasper remained unconscious, Kraghol grew more and more desperate. He stepped forward, about to head out and find Freya. Then Jasper stirred and shifted.

  Kali’s ears pricked up. She whined.

  A groan escaped Jasper.

  Kraghol took a step forward. He halted. Then he stepped back and crouched. Jasper could not see him. He’d be frightened. Kraghol pressed himself against the cold, jagged rock whilst his soul begged him to go and hold his almost mate.

  He let out a breath, forcing himself to remain still.

  Hopefully he will wake, not see me, and just leave and go home.

  Kraghol doubted that would happen. Jasper would have questions. He’d see the fire. He’d wonder how he’d gotten there. And if he looked around the cave, he’d see the large, hulking form in the corner. Maybe Kraghol should have gone outside. But he could not have left Jasper alone.

  Groaning, Jasper sat up. Kali licked his face.

  “Hi, Kali.” Jasper stroked her. “It’s okay, girl.” He blinked and looked around. “But what the fuck happened? How did I get here?”

  He turned to the fire. It crackled and glowed. For several seconds he stared at it, brows furrowed. Then Jasper turned, lifted his head, and looked directly at Kraghol, like he sensed him.

  “You. It’s you,” Jasper said, voice hoarse. “You’re the one I’ve been searching for.”

  Kraghol’s stomach clenched at the words.

  “Why have I been searching for you?” Jasper leaned towards him.

  Kraghol lowered his head, not sure what to say.

  Jasper narrowed his eyes. “I can’t see you. Step into the light. Please.”

  Kraghol shook his head, pressing back against the wall. He didn’t want Jasper to see him. He didn’t want to see the horror in his half-mate’s eyes. He couldn’t bear that.

  “Please,” Jasper repeated.

  A desire to come closer warred with the urge to stay hidden. He clenched his hands.

  But Jasper was his almost mate. And Jasper wanted him to come closer. Jasper had asked him to. He’d practically begged. Kraghol could not deny him.

  He took a deep breath. He squeezed his eyes shut. Bracing himself, he rose to his full height and stepped out of the shadows.

  He expected a scream. Or at the very least a gasp. Perhaps stumbling footsteps as Jasper fled the cave and him. But instead, only silence followed.

  He opened his eyes.

  No disgust or fear showed on Jasper’s face. Instead, Jasper stared at Kraghol, deep-brown eyes assessing. Kali stared at him too, tail swaying.

  “Who are you?” Jasper asked. “And why have I been looking for you?”

  “I am a krampus.” With great reluctance, he tore his gaze from Jasper’s lovely face. “And I do not know what you mean.”

  He could not tell Jasper the truth, that he had created a partial mate bond between them. Jasper would be repulsed to learn what Kraghol had done, even if it had been to save his life. For several moments, Jasper didn’t speak.

  Kraghol wanted to retreat into the shadows, hide his face, horns, tail, and hooves from this beautiful man. But Jasper had wanted to see him. So he stayed exactly where he was.

  Chapter

  Ten

  Jasper’s heart stuttered in his chest as he stared at the krampus in front of him.

  Black horns curled upwards. Dark fur covered his toned and very muscular body. Hooved feet pressed into the dirt. A long furry tail hung behind him. A bit of fabric tied around his waist covered his groin and upper thighs.

  The krampus lowered his face, as if he didn’t want Jasper to see him. And he was tall too. He stood at least a full head higher than Jasper, and he was significantly wider and more muscular. Still, Jasper didn’t feel a shred of fear.

  In fact, he felt a stirring of attraction inside his gut. He itched to move towards the krampus and touch him. He wanted to stroke his hands over those broad shoulders. He wanted to slide his fingers along those horns and explore the texture. Were his horns smooth or rough?

  And he wanted to hold the krampus’s chin and force him to meet Jasper’s assessing gaze.

  But why? Why do I feel this way?

  “Who are you?” Jasper asked again.

  “I am a krampus,” he said in a deep growling voice.

  “But that is not your name, right?”

  The krampus exhaled. He glanced from side to side, avoiding Jasper’s gaze. “I am a krampus,” he repeated. Then he hesitated. “My name is Kraghol.”

  “Kraghol,” Jasper repeated. He shifted closer on the pile of furs. “Why am I here, Kraghol?”

  Kraghol shrugged, upper lip curling. “I do not know why you came to the forest.”

  “Not that. What am I doing here in this cave?” Jasper gestured around them.

  Kraghol flexed his hands, still not meeting Jasper’s gaze. For several moments, he did not speak. Finally he answered, “You lay in the snow, unconscious. I brought you here so you would not die.” He shrugged again, as if saving Jasper’s life meant nothing. “Why did you collapse?”

  Jasper did not want to go into his illness at the moment. Especially when he had so many of his own questions. “I’m just a little tired at the moment. Overworked and whatnot.”

  “You should be more careful.” As he spoke, his sharp teeth glinted in the firelight.

  All of a sudden, Kali hopped down from the bed and bounded over to Kraghol. She ran circles around Kraghol’s ankles. “Yip! Yip! Yip!” She rubbed against his furred legs.

  Kraghol stared down at her, gaze flicking between Kali and Jasper…as if he was uncertain.

  “That’s strange.”

  “What is?”

  “Kali is always nervous of strangers.” Except for when she’d found Jasper. For some reason, Kali had taken to his unconscious form immediately and refused to be parted from him.

  Now here she was, begging Kraghol for a little attention. Affection flowed through the witch-familiar bond. However, if Kraghol felt the urge to pat her, he did not give in to it. He crossed his arms over his wide chest, ignoring the excited fox.

  After a moment, Kali whined, sitting on her hind legs. She blinked up at Kraghol with bright amber eyes. Jasper could feel her rejection. And confusion.

  But why is she confused?

  Tail between her legs, Kali returned to Jasper, hopped amongst the furs, and snuggled close. She whined. Jasper stroked her soft fur, pulling her close, knowing she needed to be comforted.

  Kraghol stared at Kali, brows lowered. When he realised Jasper watched him, the krampus looked away.

  Did Kali feel this strange connection to Kraghol too? Like Jasper did? Because Jasper definitely felt a connection to the krampus. But if Kraghol felt it, he did not show it at all. In fact, he looked displeased to have Kali and Jasper here.