Chapter 37
Chapter
Thirty-Seven
Jasper awoke to voices outside the cave. He recognised Kraghol’s voice immediately. Then he heard another voice.
He couldn’t make out the words they spoke. He crawled from the furs, trying to get closer to the cave entrance so he could listen.
“It was a mistake to partially mate the human,” the other krampus said. “But I will help you fix this mistake.”
Jasper tensed.
“I will break the bond, on the condition that you must depart from the forest. Immediately. Go away and forget all about the human. Then you can find a proper krampus mate. And you can leave this foolish mistake behind,” the other krampus said.
Jasper held completely still, waiting and willing Kraghol to say something. To protest. To disagree. To argue. But Kraghol remained silent.
With fumbling hands, Jasper dressed.
“Take this—” A gust blew, drowning out their conversation. He strained his ears. But although he could hear their voices, he could not make out what they were saying over the wind.
Finally the wind died away.
“You’re right,” Kraghol said. “Help me break the bond.”
Jasper fell back on the bed. Pain like knives slid into his chest.
How could Kraghol just want to break the bond? Just like that? He’d not heard every word, but he’d heard enough.
With trembling legs, he stood and approached the cave entrance. They looked towards him. Kraghol’s eyes widened. Jasper stared at Kraghol and the other krampus. She was as tall and broad as Kraghol.
Then a flash of red on the snow caught his eye. He turned his head. His throat clenched. The red scarf he’d made lay in the snow. He’d spent nights staying up, crocheting it.
It hadn’t been the most well-made scarf, but it had been made with love. He’d been so excited to gift it. And Kraghol had seemed pleased to receive it. After all, it was the krampus’s first Christmas gift.
Now it lay in the snow, discarded and cast aside. Just like how Kraghol wanted to discard and cast Jasper aside.
Heart pounding in his chest, Jasper looked at Kraghol. “So that’s how we end? Just like that?”
Kraghol stared at him, mouth ajar.
Jasper took a step towards him. “Well? Don’t just stand there. Fucking answer me!”
The other krampus stepped away from Kraghol. But she didn’t leave. She just stayed there, watching them.
But Jasper’s focus remained on Kraghol, the krampus who’d asked to break the bond with him. The krampus who was breaking his fucking heart.
“It is for the best, Jasper,” Kraghol said softly.
A sharp pain twisted beneath his ribs. He suppressed a groan. “For the best?” His voice wavered. “You can’t mean that.”
“You are unwell, Jasper. You are sick. If we break the bond, then you will be better. You will be healthy again. Can’t you see that?”
“And then what? What will happen between us then?”
Kraghol opened his mouth. He closed it. He looked away.
Jasper deflated. “You still don’t want a future with me.” The ache in his chest spread through his torso, pulsing and spasming. “You still don’t want me. After everything. You still don’t want me.”
Kraghol stepped towards him, reaching out. “There can be no future for us. Surely you must see that.” He tried to take Jasper’s hands.
But Jasper stumbled back. Agony flared through his limbs.
“I am sorry. We cannot be together. I am a krampus. You are a human,” Kraghol said.
“So all those moments we shared mean nothing to you?” Jasper demanded. “You’re really just going to move on from me so easily. Find a proper krampus mate!”
“What? No. It’s not like that.” Kraghol shook his head.
Jasper’s vision blurred. His legs wobbled. He turned towards the cave entrance. He took a step and placed a hand against the rock for support.
What the fuck is happening to me?
Kali whimpered. She rubbed against Jasper’s calves.
“Jasper!” Kraghol’s panicked voice rang out. “Jasper, what is wrong?”
“I’m fine,” Jasper snapped. He fought to draw air into his lungs.
“Is it the illness?” Kraghol placed a hand on his shoulder. “Come back into the cave near the fire and sit down. You need to rest.”
Jasper knocked Kraghol’s hand away. His head swam. “Me and my illness are not your concern! I am not yours to care for! I am your mistake! Remember?
“You want to break the bond between us, you don’t want a future with me, so just stop!” Jasper shouted. “I am not yours, so stop acting like I am.”
Kraghol dropped his hand. “Jasper, I—”
“No.” Jasper shook his head. “No. You want to be rid of me. So don’t pretend you care!”
“I do care—”
“Not enough!” Jasper’s eyes stung.
Would Kraghol soon forget Jasper? Would he cast aside all the memories just like he had the scarf?
“We’re done,” Jasper choked out. “We’re done, and I won’t be back.” With the world still spinning, Jasper strode away from Kraghol.
“Jasper!” Kraghol called out.
But Jasper just kept walking, struggling to keep himself upright. His ears rang. Bile burned his throat. After several moments, Kali ran up beside him. She walked close.
Jasper didn’t look back. Part of him wished Kraghol would come after him. He wanted Kraghol to fight for them. Just once he wanted Kraghol to be the one fighting for them.
But ever since the start of the relationship, it had always been Jasper who had tried to make them work. Now it was clear why. Because Jasper was the only one who gave a shit about this relationship.