Fifteen

  “Are you sure?” Kraghol’s head swam. He felt dizzy with lust and the scent of Jasper. Still, he could not comprehend that Jasper could actually want him!

  “Yes.” Jasper’s gaze roamed Kraghol’s body before fixing on his cloth-covered dick. His hand once again tugged at the fabric. But he didn’t remove it. He waited for Kraghol to respond.

  With shaking hands, Kraghol undid the tie himself, letting the fabric fall away, revealing his thick dark-grey cock with its flushed, almost black head.

  “Fuck,” Jasper whispered.

  Before Kraghol had time to comprehend exactly what that meant, Jasper wrapped his hands around Kraghol’s stiff prick and squeezed. Kraghol groaned, eyelids drooping.

  “You’re huge. So thick. And long.” Jasper moved his hand up and down, fingers bumping against the ribbing that circled Kraghol’s cock.

  Kraghol shivered. He knew he was rather large. Thankfully, Jasper didn’t seem to mind.

  Jasper stroked him, hand sliding over the pronounced head. “Does that feel good?” he whispered. Still stroking, he leaned in close, breath brushing the skin of Kraghol’s throat. “I want to make you feel good.”

  “It feels incredible.” Kraghol placed a hand on Jasper’s side. “But I want to see you too. Will you remove the rest of your clothing?”

  Jasper grinned. “With pleasure.” He lifted his hips. With his free hand, he shoved at his drawers. But he seemed unwilling to release Kraghol’s dick from his grip for even a second. So Kraghol helped, dragging the drawers down Jasper’s thighs.

  Jasper’s cock slapped against his belly, leaking drops of pre-cum. The flushed head called to Kraghol’s mouth. He yearned to wrap his lips around it and suck. But for now, he wrapped his hand around Jasper’s length and stroked.

  “Oh!” Jasper cried out.

  They jerked each other. The sound of their moans, their heavy breathing, and hands stroking cocks filled Kraghol’s ears. The scents of their arousal mingled between them and danced on Kraghol’s tongue.

  His gut tensed as the pleasure coiled inside him. “Jasper.” Kraghol stared into the eyes of the young man, unable to comprehend how they’d gotten here. “You’re so beautiful.”

  Jasper’s eyes gleamed. “I find you quite appealing too.”

  Kraghol opened his mouth to say something, because how could that be?

  But then Jasper placed a hand on Kraghol’s chest, pushing him onto his back. He straddled Kraghol and released his cock. “Now I want to taste your massive dick.” He licked his lips.

  Kraghol’s breath caught.

  Jasper shimmied down his body, skin brushing against fur. Kraghol’s hands cupped Jasper’s shoulders as the man settled between Kraghol’s spread thighs, gaze fixed on Kraghol’s prominent erection.

  Jasper gripped his dick, squeezing the thick base. Kraghol moaned. His fingers tightened on Jasper’s shoulders. Jasper’s gaze flicked up, meeting Kraghol’s. He opened his mouth wide, sticking out his tongue.

  Then he licked around the smooth, almost black head. Kraghol watched in awe, captivated by the erotic sight. Copious pre-cum spilled from the slit and slid down the sides of his length. Jasper lapped it all up.

  Kraghol gasped. He threaded a hand through Jasper’s hair, combing his fingers through the dark lengths.

  Then Jasper opened his mouth wide and took the tip into his warm, wet mouth. Inch by inch he swallowed more of Kraghol’s prick. He kept squeezing the base.

  “Jasper,” Kraghol cried out. His balls tingled as Jasper continued to suck and slurp him down.

  Jasper’s cheeks hollowed, and the suction increased. He bobbed his head faster. Kraghol’s whole body tightened. His balls pulled up close to his body.

  Pleasure mounted inside him. “I’m close.” His gut clenched. He tugged gently at Jasper’s hair in warning.

  But Jasper just sucked harder and took more of Kraghol’s length into his mouth.

  Kraghol tilted his head back. He howled as his dick jerked. Pulse after pulse of seed spilled into Jasper’s mouth. Jasper drank down every drop of his cum.

  Kraghol sagged. With a pop, Jasper released his cock. Kraghol glanced down at Jasper, with his flushed cheeks and swollen lips.

  Kraghol growled, “Now it’s my turn.” He reached down and gripped Jasper by the waist, lifting him up and over Kraghol.

  A surprised bark escaped Jasper before he was pushed into the furs. Kraghol reversed their positions and crawled on top of Jasper. He gazed down at the human.

  Then he moved down Jasper’s body. Jasper’s hard cock pointed towards him. He wrapped a hand around the length and stroked. His mouth watered at the sight and scent. But he wanted to taste Jasper somewhere else.

  Releasing Jasper’s cock, he gripped the human’s hips and flipped him onto his front. A yelp escaped Jasper as he was placed on his hands and knees. Then Kraghol leaned forward and extended his long tongue. It flicked in the air as he tugged Jasper’s arse cheeks apart.

  Jasper inhaled. The pointed tip of Kraghol’s tongue neared Jasper’s entrance. He swiped it over the tight ring of muscle.

  “Oh!” Jasper’s arse cheeks tensed.

  Kraghol leaned forward, tongue spearing inside Jasper’s tight, hot hole. He pushed in and then pulled back. He repeated the motion over and over, going deeper each time. Jasper cried out.

  Kraghol wiggled his tongue further in. The tight muscles around his tongue squeezed. He withdrew his tongue only to spear it deep once more. Jasper’s thighs trembled as Kraghol fucked him with his tongue.

  “Kraghol!” Jasper shouted, the sound echoing in the cave.

  Kraghol’s tongue slid deeper. And deeper. And deeper still.

  Jasper’s arms and legs gave out. He collapsed onto the furs. But Kraghol followed him down. He plunged his tongue deeper still, searching for and seeking that magic spot.

  Jasper keened as Kraghol found the nub. He slid over it, working it. Jasper sobbed, channel tightening almost painfully around his tongue.

  “Kraghol!” Jasper writhed. “Oh fuck!” His hands gripped the furs, knuckles turning white as Kraghol kept tongue-fucking his hole. “I’m so close. Please,” he begged, voice hoarse.

  Then Kraghol shoved his arm under Jasper. He wrapped his hand around Jasper’s leaking cock. He stroked as he continued to plunder Jasper’s hole with his tongue.

  Jasper’s whole body went taut. Suddenly he was crying out, dick jerking in Kraghol’s hand and spilling.

  Kraghol kept stroking his prick and kept licking inside him until he’d wrung every inch of pleasure from Jasper’s body. Finally, he withdrew his hand and tongue. He stared down at Jasper, who lay boneless and unmoving in Kraghol’s bed.

  He lay down beside Jasper. Jasper turned sluggishly towards him. He kissed Kraghol, soft and slow. When the kiss broke, Jasper moved in close, nuzzling Kraghol’s chest and wrapping his arm around him.

  Kraghol swallowed, uncertain how to respond to such an intimate act.

  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.

  Jasper’s brows furrowed as if he was trying to process. “Kraghol.” He paused. “Are we…” He swallowed. “Are you and I mates?”

  “No,” Kraghol rushed out. “Well, not quite.”

  “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

  “You see, for a mate bond to be completed, each individual would need to pour their life essence into the other. That would complete the mating ritual and the bond,” Kraghol explained. “But only I poured it into you. So we are not mated. We are more like half-mates or almost mates. And with time, since the bond will not be completed, it will dissolve entirely. It will turn to nothing.”

  Jasper didn’t respond. He just stared at Kraghol, face unreadable.

  “I am truly sorry, Jasper.”

  Jasper frowned. “What are you sorry for exactly? For saving my life and creating the bond? For hiding from me? Or for what just happened here?”

  “For all of it,” Kraghol said.

  Jasper’s brows rose. “So you wished you’d left me to die rather than be half-mates with me?”

  “No. Of course not!” Kraghol said. “But don’t you see? I have caused you problems. It would be reasonable for you to be upset. You are connected to me. That is why you keep coming to the forest. That is why you want and desire me. If it weren’t for the bond, you wouldn’t want someone as hideous as me.”

  “Don’t speak about yourself like that!” Jasper snapped. Then he shook his head. “This is a lot to take in.”

  He stared at the furs between them for several long seconds. “Look. I don’t know why you’d think I’d be upset about you saving my life. It sounds like the only option was to partially mate me or leave me to die. And I’m happy I’m alive.”

  Kraghol let out a breath, his shoulders relaxing slightly. “I’m glad you see it that way.” It was the truth of the situation, but Kraghol still had expected Jasper to be displeased.

  A long silence followed. Kraghol stared at Jasper, who seemed lost in thought.

  “This is all pretty confusing.” Jasper’s gaze met his. Then, after several moments, he reached out and touched Kraghol’s arm almost tentatively. “But, Kraghol, I like you. I do. And I want to explore this. I want to get to know you properly.” He gave a lopsided smile. “Maybe if we get along, we can complete the ritual and become proper mates.”

  For several long heartbeats, Kraghol didn’t breathe. He couldn’t. He’d never expected this response. He’d expected rage and yelling, even if Kraghol had done what he had to save Jasper’s life.

  For half a second, hope sparked in his chest. But then it snuffed out just as quickly as he remembered the truth of the situation. “We can never be mates. I can only complete the mate bond with another krampus.”

  “Oh.” Jasper’s gaze dropped. He licked his lips. “Well, even if we can’t make the mate bond work, we could still spend time together. Maybe we will discover that we really like each other and want to make a go of something.”

  “No.” Kraghol rose and moved away from the furs and the temptation that was Jasper. “It would be impossible for us. We are from two completely different worlds. I am a krampus. A monster. A creature of darkness and terror and fear. Meanwhile, you are light and beauty and sunshine. We do not belong together.”

  He could never be a part of Jasper’s world. And Kraghol would never bring Jasper into his vile life. He despised his own existence. He would not condemn Jasper to it.

  He grabbed his scrap of clothing and tied the cloth around his waist. “You should leave.” He forced himself to keep speaking. “You only feel as you do because of the bond I forced on you. We do not belong together.”

  Jasper sucked in a breath, the hurt in his brown eyes so clear.

  Kraghol looked away. “I am truly sorry, Jasper.”

  This was for the best. He should never have given in to Jasper’s touch. But he could not resist his half-mate. At least he could forever remember Jasper in the cold, dark years that stretched ahead of him.

  Jasper and Kraghol had no future. A rock might gaze up at the sky and fall in love with a star, but that did not mean they could make a life together.

  “But do not worry,” Kraghol said. “The half-mate bond will weaken and fade with time. The connection you feel to me will disappear entirely. Everything will return to as it was. To as it should be.”

  Chapter

  Seventeen

  “But what if I don’t want the connection to disappear?” Jasper had never felt this way about anyone before. He couldn’t just give up on it!

  And okay. Maybe he felt that way because of the half-mate bond or whatever. But he didn’t want to relinquish these feelings. Not without a fight!

  “It is the way it has to be,” Kraghol said, voice rough.

  Jasper pressed his lips together. It seemed that Kraghol had planned this out. Apparently, Jasper had no say in it.

  “So that’s it? You save my life. You pour your life essence into me and make us half-mates. You create all these feelings and needs inside me.”

  Jasper rose to his feet, snatching up his clothes. “Then I spend ages trying to find you. Practically every day I came into the forest looking for you. Then I finally find you. We fuck. Then you tell me to bugger off!”

  Jasper tugged on his clothes, trying to ignore the stinging pain of rejection.

  “That’s not…” Kraghol shook his head. “No.”

  “No? Well, that’s what it feels like to me.” He accidently dropped his trousers onto the dirt floor.

  Kraghol leaned down to pick them up.

  “I can get them,” Jasper snapped. He grabbed his trousers and yanked them on, ignoring the dirt. “I understand. You had your way with me, and now you want me gone.”

  “That’s not it at all!” Kraghol’s brows furrowed. “If you take some time to think over what I have told you, you will realise that what you feel is just this partial bond. Once the bond fades, you will feel nothing for me.”

  Jasper swore he heard a hint of sadness in Kraghol’s voice.

  “It’s for the best, Jasper. It’s what is best for you.”

  “Stop it!” Jasper held up a hand. “Stop telling me what I want or how I feel or what’s best for me.”

  True, what Kraghol had told him was a lot to process. Jasper had learnt a lot in the last couple of minutes. His thoughts reeled, and he needed to think through it all. But he’d never liked being told what to do or what was best for him. He tended to do the opposite on principle, regardless of whether he should.

  And right now, he did not want to leave Kraghol. It stung that that was what Kraghol wanted.

  In the following silence, Jasper pulled on his coat and boots. He should walk to the cave entrance and leave. Instead, he hesitated.

  “Are you sure we can’t complete the mate bond?” he asked, feeling both foolish and desperate. Because the idea of mating Kraghol appealed to his very core.

  He didn’t care if it appealed because of the half-mate bond. Jasper just knew he felt how he felt. He didn’t want to walk away and let these feelings disappear into nothingness. That sounded like complete and total shit! And if they could mate, wouldn’t the feelings he felt right now stay forever?

  “You are not a krampus,” Kraghol said once again. “Only a krampus can mate a krampus. But like I said, the partial bond will disappear completely. Then you will no longer want to be around me.”

  Jasper shoved his hands into his pockets. He let out a shaky breath. He did not want the yearning to disappear. He wanted to have that which he yearned for. And that was Kraghol!

  But maybe Kraghol was right. Maybe his feelings couldn’t be trusted. Maybe he should just stay away. At least for a little while.

  Then Jasper paused. Was his strange sickness linked to the half bond? That would explain why it had started after the accident. It also explained why he felt better in the forest and why it went away completely when he was near Kraghol.

  According to Kraghol, the bond would fade with time. Maybe the sickness would fade too? That made sense. At least, he thought it did.

  Kali yelped. She stood, awake and alert, glancing between them. Her nap had clearly been disturbed by their disagreement.