A confused light bulb went off above Angelo's head. "Krampus...?"
"You got it."
"But... you're soniceto kids!" Angelo argued. Frowning, he added, "The Krampus in legends I know punishes naughty kids with a switch."
I shook my head. "People always twist my intentions. But I can't say I blame them. I don't show my face to humans anymore—none except you. So I shouldn't expect them to paint me in a decent light, especially not when I look like a demon."
Angelo pouted and crossed his arms. "You do not. You're soft and warm. And really cute."
I chuckled at his insistence that I wasn't scary. I supposed cuteness was in the eye of the beholder, and it warmed my heart to know Angelo—my fated mate—thought I was cute.
Oh, right. That was a whole other conversation we needed to have.
But first, taking care of Angelo was more important. He'd only come in from the blizzard a couple minutes ago and his cheeks were still rosy from cold. My instincts told me to tend to him.
"Enough blabbering about me. Let's get you warmed up," I said, gesturing to the couch. As Angelo sat down, I said, "Please make yourself at home. Do you need an extra blanket? What about a hot drink?"
Angelo smiled. "Sure! I'd never turn down a hot chocolate."
A giddy feeling bubbled up in my chest as I ran to the kitchen, my hooves clopping on the floor. Did that really just happen? Angelo—myomega—accepted me without a single doubt. Now he sat on my couch while I fixed him a hot chocolate... It was a dream come true.
After stirring the cocoa powder and milk, I topped it off with the fattest marshmallows in my cupboard. Nothing but the best for Angelo.
"Thanks, Karl," he said with a smile.
He took the red-and-green mug from my hands. I sat next to him with a matching drink of my own.
Angelo sighed contently after taking a sip. "This is amazing. It really hits the spot."
I stared at the mountain of marshmallows floating in my mug. "I'm sorry for leaving you out in the cold for so long. I was a coward for not letting you in right away."
Angelo shook his head. "No, it's okay. I understand why you were nervous."
My tail twitched. Angelo took my identity so well that I wished I'd told him sooner to save us both the grief.
"So... Krampus, huh?" Angelo said.
"The one and only."
Angelo smiled. "I had no idea he'd be so nice. Especially to kids. You're amazing with them."
I snorted. "All that stuff about whipping naughty children with a switch isn't true. I have no clue who made that crap up, but they sure did paint me in a negative light."
Angelo put his hand on top of mine. "Well, I know the truth. I know therealKrampus, and he's the best alpha I know."
Heat warmed my cheeks—and it wasn't from the fireplace.
A tingle ran up my arm from where Angelo's skin met mine.
I met his eyes. They glimmered with barely hidden desire, lighting a fire in my core. My hunch was correct. I wasn't the only one experiencing this feeling. Angelo was, too.
"I may be the best alpha you know," I said in a low voice. "But you're the best omega I know."
His cheeks turned as red as Christmas baubles. "R-really?"
"You accepted me without a second thought. Any other human would've run away at the sight of me."
Angelo frowned, ready to argue, but I cut him off.
