Page 23 of Hexmate (Widdershins Supernatural Academy #1)

Chapter 23

Caden

“ I s he alright?” Atlas asked the moment I stepped out of the infirmary.

This time campus was quiet. There was no crowd of worried students, no security, and no professors. It was just a dark, quiet night with a gentle snow falling all around us.

“He’s alive,” I replied, numb with worry and shock from head to toe. “But he’s cursed too, bound in his true form until the spell is lifted.”

“Can they lift it?”

I shook my head. “At this point… they think the only way to wake him and Karrick up is to catch the witch responsible. Or kill him.” I felt the lump rising in my throat and fought to hold back my tears. “I… I just wish there was something I could do… Wild has been my only friend for years…”

Atlas stepped forward, pulling me into his strong arms. I let him envelop me, allowing myself to be swept up in his warmth even if it only distracted me for a moment.

Atlas’s embrace was a fortress of muscle and heat, his scent a heady mix of earth and musk that threatened to overwhelm my senses. For a moment, I allowed myself to sink into him, to forget the horror of what had happened to Wild and Karrick.

“Whoever is behind this,” he said softly, “they’re getting closer to us. And I’m… well, I’m worried you or I might be next.”

I buried my face deeper in his chest. I didn’t want to admit he was right, but the cold fear clutching my heart told me he was right. I’d been wondering the same thing for a while, the feeling nagging at my gut. It made me think more and more that it was either Rowan or my father behind it all. The pieces lined up. And that meant both of us were in a lot of danger.

“What should we do?” I asked, unable to meet his gaze.

“The only thing we can do,” Atlas murmured. “Mate. And then you make me your familiar.”

I held him tighter, his words sending a shiver down my spine despite the fear in my belly. “I won’t force you to do that…”

“You’re not forcing me,” he replied, lifting my chin with his index finger so our eyes met. “I’ve wanted to mate with you since the moment I met you. I’d hoped to give you more time, to make this romantic and beautiful, but between the attacks and your father, I don’t think we have any other choice.” He pulled me close, kissing me softly on the lips. “I’d rather be your familiar than risk losing you. My heart is yours, so why shouldn’t my power be yours too?”

“But… it can’t be undone…”

He brushed my hair out of my face, cupping my cheek. “I know, Caden. And I’m happy for that because… well… because I love you.”

My heart skipped a beat at Atlas’s words. I searched his golden eyes, looking for any hint of doubt or hesitation, but found only unwavering certainty. The intensity of his gaze made me shiver.

“Atlas, I...” I swallowed hard, struggling to find the right words. “I love you too.” It felt incredible to say that at last even though I knew logically it was far too early. “But this is such a huge step. Are you sure?”

He nodded, his thumb gently caressing my cheek. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. You’re my mate, Caden. My other half. I want to protect you, to be bound to you in every way possible. And once we are, I can keep you safe.”

I closed my eyes, leaning into his touch. The thought of mating with Atlas, of binding our souls together, sent a thrill of excitement and terror through me. It was everything I’d dreamed of, but the circumstances were all wrong.

“What about your pack?” I whispered. “Won’t your father reject you if you mate with a witch?”

Atlas’s jaw clenched, a flicker of pain crossing his features. “They might. But I don’t care. You’re more important to me than any pack.”

His words both warmed and terrified me. The weight of his sacrifice settled heavily on my shoulders. He was giving up everything to be my mate. And then he’d give up even more to be my familiar. Being bound together on that level meant we’d spend every day together for the rest of our lives. He’d be mine. Forever.

“We should find somewhere private,” Atlas murmured, his breath hot against my ear. “The mating requires… intimacy. I have to… breed you… in my Alpha form.”

His voice echoed in my chest, sending a shiver through my entire body. I nodded, knowing what that meant. “There are two ways to make you my familiar. Blood magic… or sex magic.”

“Well,” Atlas grinned, despite the gravity of the situation. “I know which one I’d rather do.”

My heart raced as Atlas took my hand, leading me away from the infirmary and towards the library. “We can use my private room,” he said softly. “Nobody will bother us there. And despite your father’s curse over you, the room can cut us off from him for a little while at least. I never turned on the wards because I didn’t think we needed them. It’ll at least give us some privacy for a few hours.”

I followed Atlas through the darkened campus, my heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and fear. The snow crunched softly beneath our feet as we made our way to the library, our breath visible in the frigid night air.

Once inside, Atlas led me down the stairs to the basement, then through the winding halls to his secret room. He pushed the hidden door open, grabbed my hand, and pulled me inside. All the plants that had sprung up on the cushions last time had been cleared away. The entire place looked just as it had the first time I saw it.

“Here we are,” Atlas said softly, closing the door behind us. He reached out toward the dial on the wall, activating the center arcane symbol as if it were a simple push button. I felt the wards shimmer into place around us, the magic laced walls now glowing a dull gold instead of their usual blue.

“We’re safe now,” he said. “At least for a little while. These wards won’t keep someone like your father out forever, but it should at least stop him from spying on you for a few hours. That’ll be long enough to bond and try to break the curse he has over you.”

“We’ll still have to drain all my blood to get rid of his magic,” I said, my body trembling at the thought. “It’ll be… dangerous.”

Atlas shook his head, taking my hand softly. “Once you make me your mate, I can lend you my healing powers through our bond.” He leaned in close, kissing me on the forehead. “You’ll recover faster than you can bleed, I promise you that. And once you make me your familiar… well, I can only imagine that ability will get stronger. Your father won’t know what’s happened until it’s far too late.”

He was right. With the wards up, the sudden surge in my power would go unnoticed by my father. And if we broke the curse tonight, he might not notice the connection missing. That could give Atlas and I the chance we needed.

“When we’re done with this,” I said, looking up at him. “Will you run away with me?”

He smiled. “I’d follow you to the ends of the earth, Caden. Whatever you wish, I’ll do anything I can to make it come true.” He paused, looking me over carefully. “Are you ready?”

I nodded, swallowing hard. “I… I think so.”

I stood in the center of the room with him, suddenly nervous. This was really happening. Atlas pulled me in slowly, his golden eyes glowing in the dim light. He cupped my face in his hands, kissing me deeply. I melted into him, clinging to his broad shoulders as desire flooded through me.

“All I want is for you to be safe,” Atlas whispered against my lips. “And to hold you in my arms for as long as you’ll let me. Even if we’re bonded, I want you to know that I’ll never hold you back. I won’t take your freedom away from you like your father has.”

“I know,” I replied, kissing him back. “Atlas?”

“Yeah?”

“What does your… uh…” I glanced down at the bulge in his jeans, too shy to say it out loud. “What does it look like in Alpha form?”

He smiled. “I think it would be best just to show you.”

Atlas stepped back, his golden eyes never leaving mine as he began to undress. My breath caught in my throat as his muscular body was revealed inch by tantalizing inch. When he was fully nude, he gave me a heated look that made my knees weak.

“Ready?” he asked softly.

I nodded, unable to find my voice.

Atlas closed his eyes, his body tensing as the transformation began. Fur sprouted across his skin, his muscles bulging and reshaping. His face elongated into a muzzle, sharp teeth gleaming. Within moments, a massive black werewolf stood before me, easily seven feet tall on his hind legs.

My heart raced as I took in Atlas’s Alpha form. He was magnificent - powerful and primal. His golden eyes glowed with intelligence and desire as they roamed over my body. I hadn’t gotten a good look at him the night he saved me from Rowan. Now that I did, it made me nearly speechless.

“You’re beautiful,” I whispered, reaching out to touch his fur.

Atlas rumbled low in his chest, leaning into my touch. His muzzle nuzzled my neck, hot breath fanning across my skin. I shivered as I felt something brush against my thigh. Looking down, I gasped softly.

His cock was enormous, easily as thick as my wrist and nearly twice the length of my own. The shaft was a deep red, glistening with pre-cum at the tip. At the base was a thick, pulsing knot. My mouth went dry at the sight, a mix of arousal and trepidation flooding through me.

Atlas whined softly, sensing my hesitation. He nuzzled my cheek gently, his tongue darting out to lick my jaw. The tender gesture calmed my nerves somewhat.

“It’s okay,” I whispered, more to myself than to Atlas. “I trust you. Just be gentle with me, okay? I… I’ve never done this before.”

I began to undress with trembling hands, hyperaware of Atlas’s intense gaze following my every move. When I was finally naked, Atlas growled appreciatively, his golden eyes roaming hungrily over my body.

He circled me slowly, his fur brushing against my skin and sending shivers down my spine. When he came to stand behind me, I felt the heat of his body enveloping me. His massive paws settled on my hips, claws pricking gently at my skin.

I gasped as I felt the hot, slick length of his cock pressing against my lower back. Atlas rumbled low in his chest, the sound vibrating through my entire body. His tongue lapped at my neck, leaving a trail of tingling warmth in its wake.

“Atlas,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “I’m scared. Not of you… but everything that’s about to change.”

He whined softly, nuzzling my cheek in reassurance. His paws gently turned me to face him, and I found myself staring into those mesmerizing golden eyes. There was such tenderness there, such love, that it made my heart ache.

Slowly, carefully, Atlas lowered me onto the cushions scattered across the floor. He loomed over me, his massive form blocking out everything else. I reached up, running my fingers through his thick fur.

“I love you,” I murmured.