Kraved by Krampus (Yule Be Mine Monster)

4. Krampus

Chapter four

Krampus

T he delicious scent of her fear mingles with her natural allure as she backs away. My magic pulses, calling to the latent power within her. Time to show her exactly what she’s been writing about.

I lift my hand, directing shadows to dance across the walls. “The storm will keep us here until you accept what you are.” The windows rattle as wind howls outside, my power manifesting in the weather.

Her pulse races. I can hear its frantic rhythm. “You can’t keep me here.”

A dark chuckle escapes me. “I already have, little one.”

The manuscript’s ashes now swirl at my feet, responding to her surging emotions. Perfect. I gather the dark particles, weaving them into reality. The cabin’s warm interior melts away, replaced by the midnight forest from her fevered writings.

Her eyes widen as massive trees materialize around us, their branches reaching like gnarled fingers toward a star-strewn sky. Mist curls around our feet as the scene solidifies. Her practical sweater and jeans transform into the gossamer dress she’d described in such loving detail—all flowing fabric and shadows, hugging every delicious curve.

“This isn’t real.” Her voice trembles, but there’s wonder beneath the fear.

“Your imagination made it real enough to summon me.” I stalk forward, savoring how she retreats. “Every word you wrote called to me.”

She turns and runs, exactly as she’d written. My blood pounds with raw hunger as I give chase through the phantom forest. She’s my prey.

Her bare feet barely touch the ground as she flees, the dress streaming behind her like smoke, the gossamer fabric catching the moonlight. The forest seems to bend to her will, creating a path that only makes the chase more thrilling.

I let her think she’s escaping, savoring the way her heart races, the way she glances back with those wide, expressive eyes.

Her terror radiates from her, yet beneath it pulses something deeper—a flash of wild delight that matches the thrill coursing through me. But when she darts behind a massive oak, its ancient bark rough and unyielding, I’m already there.

I cage her with my arms, the heat of our bodies mingling in the cool night air. Her back presses against the tree, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she realizes there’s no escape. Not from me. Not from this.

“Found you,” I growl softly.

Her chest heaves as she stares up at me. The dress has slipped off one shoulder, pale skin practically glowing in the ethereal light. My fingers itch to trace that exposed curve.

“This scene.” She swallows hard. “I wrote this scene.”

“You did more than write it. You wove it from pure magic.” I lean closer, drawn by her quickening breath. Her lips part slightly as I close the distance.

The forest scene shimmers and begins to fade before our lips meet, the cabin’s reality bleeding back through. But I’ve made my point. The look in her eyes tells me she felt the truth, even if she’s not ready to admit it.

The last wisps of forest magic dissipate, leaving us standing in the living room. Outside, the supernatural storm rages on, ensuring we have all the time I need for her to accept her destiny.