Now they both suffered because of the incomplete mate bond. That was why Jasper kept visiting the forest: he was trying to find his half-mate. And that was why Kraghol could not keep his distance.
It was also why Kraghol could always sense exactly where Jasper was. He wasn’t certain why Jasper couldn’t do the same. Perhaps because he was human. Or perhaps because the bond hadn’t been completed. But although Jasper did not seem to beable to pinpoint Kraghol’s location, he seemed to know Kraghol was in the forest.
With time, the bond would dissolve between them. That was what happened to mate bonds that were not completed. The yearning they both felt would fade.
Until then the krampus would stay hidden, looking out for his almost mate.
Chapter
Five
Jasper’s head throbbed. He gritted his teeth, trying not to sag as he sat on a stool in the bakery, mixing ingredients in a large bowl.
His sister Ordelia hummed as she stirred a stew in a cauldron. Meanwhile his youngest brother, Trent, washed dishes. Lachlan and Kit, his brother and his brother’s partner, pressed pastry into tins.
Leo strode into the back area of the bakery. He’d been serving out front. “That arrogant phoenix came in again!”
Jasper straightened. “Did he?”
“He ordered two pies! Again.” Leo came over and stood next to Jasper.
“Oh.” Jasper tried to sound interested. He could feel his twin staring.
“He must really like your pies.” Trent wiped his hands on his apron.
“But he pretends he doesn’t! He called me apassablebaker.” Leo scoffed. “What a prick!”
Jasper laughed or tried to. He’d only been working in the bakery for a couple of hours, but already he struggled to keep going. He swallowed and rolled his tight shoulders.
He didn’t have to work as much as he did. His siblings had been clear that he should take time off as needed. But he hated feeling useless. And if he wasn’t here, he’d just be in the forest. And even though he felt better in the forest, walking for hours still took a lot of energy.
Leo kept staring at him.
Jasper racked his brain, trying to think of what sort of things he’d used to say in response to his twin. “He definitely sounds like he has a broomstick up his arse.”
Leo chortled. “He definitely does! And how are you doing?” he asked, voice softening.
“Fine.” Jasper shoved down the flare of annoyance at the question and the gentleness in Leo’s tone. These days, Leo always treated Jasper like a fucking child.
He’s just worried. It’s just because he loves you. Don’t be angry.
But Jasper was so fucking tired of the constant worry and concern. Of Leo watching and staring at him every minute of every bloody day.
He understood it. But he just couldn’t deal with it. He wished he could get better for his brother. He wished he could be his old self. But he wasn’t that witch anymore.
And he couldn’t talk to Leo about what was going on. He couldn’t put into words the constant ache, yearning, and need. He couldn’t understand it himself, so how could he explain it?
So now his twin just worried constantly, like the rest of his family.
But really, what could he say?Since my injury, I feel like a part of me is missing. But don’t worry. I know it’s in the forest. I just have to find it.
Early on, he had tried to explain it to Leo. He really had. But Leo’s frowns and suggestions of calling the healer back or getting a new healer showed he didn’t understand. And it just pissedJasper off that Leo didn’t get him when Jasper really needed him to.
Leo had always understood him. Jasper didn’t know what to do when he didn’t.
So now Leo hovered, treated him with kid gloves, and asked him how he was doing constantly. Jasper fucking hated it.
“I’ll head over to the Christmas markets in a little bit. Grady will already be there setting up the stall.” Leo hesitated. “I assume you aren’t coming today?”
