Page 4 of Hexmate (Widdershins Supernatural Academy #1)

Chapter 4

Caden

“ H ow was your first day of prison?” my roommate asked the moment I walked through the door. He glanced over at me, his green eyes glimmering in the dim light, a wide smile spreading over his face. “Did the jocks give you a swirly?”

“No, Wild,” I sighed. “They didn’t.”

“Well, there’s always next time,” he grinned. He put his book down, turning toward me, the gold rings in his pointed ears shimmering. “Was it horrible?”

I walked over to my bed, dropping my bag on the floor and flopping down on my stomach. “It was… smelly.”

Wild snorted, his pointed ears twitching with amusement. “Smelly? That’s all you’ve got?”

I buried my face in my pillow, inhaling the clean scent of laundry detergent. It was a welcome respite from the pungent odors that had assaulted my nostrils all day. “You have no idea,” I mumbled into the fabric. “It’s like someone bottled essence of sweaty jock and wet dog, then sprayed it all over the place.”

“Mmm, sounds delightful,” Wild purred, and I could practically hear the mischievous grin in his voice. “Maybe I should get a job there too. I’m always down to stare at a bunch of sweaty jocks.”

I lifted my head to glare at him. “Don’t you dare. I need at least one place where I can escape your particular brand of chaos.”

Wild clutched his chest in mock offense. “You wound me, darling. I thought you loved my chaos.”

“Like a hole in the head,” I retorted, but I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. Wild had that effect on people–infuriating and endearing in equal measure. He was the only friend I had in all of Widdershins Academy. Being around him, though infuriating at times, felt like the most normal part about my life.

He slid off his bed with feline grace, sauntering over to perch on the edge of my bed. His short, sandy brown curls flopped forward as he leaned in close. “Come on, tell me more. I want all the juicy details. Did you see any cute guys? Any secret supernatural shenanigans?”

I rolled my eyes but sat up to face him. “It’s a gymnasium, Wild. Not exactly a hotbed of romance.”

“Gyms can be very romantic,” he insisted with a wink. “All those hormones, forbidden desires… the open showers…”

“You’ve been reading too many trashy novels again, haven’t you?”

Wild grinned, unashamed. “Maybe. But seriously, nothing interesting happened?”

I hesitated, thinking back to the strange incident in the locker room. The way Rowan, a fellow witch, had tried to have his way with one of the werewolves using wolfsbane. It was the equivalent of slipping drugs into drinks at the club, but it only worked on wolves. I still couldn’t figure out what Rowan had been trying to do to Atlas. Although, the way things had been heading and the look on his face told me that it wasn’t good. He clearly didn’t care who he hurt as long as he got what he wanted. Typical power-hungry witch.

Wild’s ears perked up, sensing my hesitation. “Ooh, there is something! Spill!”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “It’s kind of private,” I said, not sure if Atlas would want me sharing the story around the school. Not to mention, Rowan had a powerful family and Wild wasn’t good at keeping secrets. “But let’s just say I stopped someone from getting taken advantage of.”

Wild’s eyes widened with interest. “Oh? Do tell. Who was the damsel in distress you saved?”

I hesitated, torn between my desire to confide in Wild and my instinct to keep Atlas’s ordeal private. “It was... one of the werewolves,” I admitted finally. “A witch was trying to use wolfsbane on him.”

Wild let out a low whistle. “Damn, that’s messed up. Good thing you were there to play hero.” He paused, a sly grin spreading across his face. “Was he at least hot? The werewolf, I mean.”

I felt heat creep into my cheeks. “Wild, that’s not the point-”

“So that’s a yes,” he interrupted, looking positively gleeful. “Come on, give me details. Tall? Muscular? Brooding?”

I groaned, flopping back onto my bed. “Fine. Yes, he was... attractive. But it doesn’t matter. Witches and werewolves don’t mix, you know that. And nobody wants to mix with me.”

Wild snorted. “Please. Rules are made to be broken, especially the stupid ones.” He leaned in closer, his eyes twinkling. “Just because this school is funded by a bunch of asshole purist witches doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun. I don’t let it stop me.”

“You’re a fae,” I sighed. “Not a single one of you follow rules.”

“That is a vicious stereotype,” he grunted, crossing his arms over his chest. He glanced down at me, giving me a wink. “And one that is completely true.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Wild’s antics, some of the tension from the day finally easing out of my shoulders. But as my laughter faded, the reality of my situation settled back in.

“It doesn’t matter anyway,” I said, my voice quieter now. “Even if I wanted to pursue something - which I don’t - Atlas would never be interested in someone like me.”

Wild’s eyebrows shot up. “Atlas? As in Atlas Faolan? The alpha’s son?”

I winced, realizing I’d let the name slip. “Yeah, that’s him. But you can’t tell anyone, okay?”

“Your secret is safe with me.” A slow, wicked grin spread across Wild’s face. “But honey, you’ve got it bad. That’s plain to see. And for quite the catch, too.” He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “I hear he’s hung like a-”

“Wild!” I yelped, shoving him away. “I don’t want to hear about... that.”

But even as I protested, I couldn’t help the way my mind conjured images of Atlas - his broad shoulders, the way his muscles rippled under his skin, those intense golden eyes that seemed to see right through me. And even though he was still wearing his wrestling singlet around his waist when I saw him… it didn’t leave much to the imagination. He was undeniably hung.

I forced those thoughts from my mind, shaking my head. “It doesn’t matter, anyway. Nothing can happen between us.”

Wild’s eyes glinted mischievously. “Oh really? And why’s that?”

“You know why,” I sighed. “He’s a werewolf, I’m a witch. Our kinds don’t mix.”

“Pfft, ancient history,” Wild waved his hand dismissively. “This is the twenty-first century. Surely those old prejudices are fading by now.”

I gave him a pointed look. “Have you met the professors at this school? They’d sooner burn me at the stake than let me date a werewolf. Professor Blackwood in particular.”

“Kinky,” Wild waggled his eyebrows.

I groaned, burying my face in my pillow again. “You’re impossible.”

“I prefer to think of myself as delightfully incorrigible,” he replied cheerfully. “But seriously, don’t let those stuffy old witches dictate your love life. If you like Atlas, go for it.”

“It’s not that simple,” I mumbled into the pillow.

“It could be,” Wild insisted. “You just have to be willing to take a risk.”

I lifted my head to give him a skeptical look. “A risk that could get me expelled or worse. My father would also kill me. And besides, you know how strict the academy is about interspecies relationships. Ever since that couple a few years ago, the witch that took a werewolf as his familiar and attacked the other students… they don’t allow those kinds of bonds anymore.”

Wild rolled his eyes. “Please, half the student body is hooking up in secret. You think those pureblood witches aren’t getting it on with vampires and fae behind closed doors? Trust me, I know.”

I sat up, intrigued despite myself. “How do you know?”

He tapped the side of his nose with a sly grin. “Fae senses, darling. We can smell lust and secrets from a mile away. This place is practically dripping with it.”

I chewed my lip, considering his words. The idea of pursuing something with Atlas was tempting, but the risks... “Even if that’s true, Atlas is different. He’s the Alpha’s son. There’s no way he’d risk his position for someone like me.”

Wild’s expression softened. “Don’t sell yourself short. You’re smart, powerful, and cute as hell. Any wolf would be lucky to have you.”

Then it was my turn to laugh. “Powerful? Who the hell are you talking about? I’m the most powerless witch in this school, all the professors despise me, and my own father has threatened to kill me if I don’t suddenly find magic I’ve never had and live up to the family name.” I flopped my face down in my pillow. “I’m the last person anyone would want.”

Wild’s expression turned serious, a rare occurrence for the typically carefree fae. He reached out and gently squeezed my shoulder. “Hey now, none of that self-deprecating nonsense. You’re stronger than you realize. And just because those crusty old professors and your idiot of a father can’t see your potential doesn’t mean it isn’t there.”

I lifted my head, giving him a skeptical look. “You’re just saying that to make me feel better.”

“Am I?” Wild raised an eyebrow. “Tell me, how many other witches do you know would have stopped that wolfsbane attack today?”

I opened my mouth to argue, then closed it again. He had a point. Most witches wouldn’t have even noticed what was happening, let alone cared enough to stop it. Most witches ignored herbalism classes. They couldn’t tell the difference between a tomato and a pumpkin. But it was one of my favorite subjects.

“See?” Wild grinned triumphantly. “You’ve got skills, darling. They might not be the flashy kind of magic the academy values, but they’re valuable, nonetheless. And they were valuable to Atlas.”

I sat up slowly, mulling over his words. “Maybe... but it still doesn’t change anything with Atlas. Even if he was interested - which he’s not - it’s too dangerous.”

Wild’s eyes gleamed with mischief. “Dangerous, schmangerous,” Wild scoffed, waving his hand dismissively. “The best things in life are a little dangerous. And from what I’ve heard about Atlas, he’s not exactly the type to shy away from a challenge.”

I felt a flutter in my stomach at the thought of Atlas, remembering the intense look in his golden eyes when I’d intervened earlier. There had been something there, a spark of... something. But I quickly pushed the feeling aside.

“It doesn’t matter,” I insisted, more to myself than to Wild. “Nothing can happen between us. End of story.”

Wild opened his mouth, no doubt to argue further, but was interrupted by a sharp knock at our door. We both froze, exchanging confused glances. It was well past curfew - who could be visiting at this hour?

“Hide the contraband,” Wild stage-whispered, dramatically shoving a few questionable items under his pillow.

I rolled my eyes at his antics and cautiously approached the door. When I opened it, my breath caught in my throat.

There, filling the entire doorframe with his imposing presence, stood Atlas Faolan. His dark hair was slightly damp, as if he’d just showered, and he was wearing a tight black t-shirt that clung to his muscular frame. His golden eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race.

“Sorry to bother you,” Atlas said, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine. “Can we talk, Caden?”

I stood there, frozen in shock for a moment before Wild’s voice snapped me back to reality.

“Ooh, a gentleman caller,” he called back to me. “Do you need a chaperone, Caden? To preserve your honor, of course.”

I felt my face flush with embarrassment. “Shut up, Wild,” I hissed pushing myself up from the bed and jogging over to Atlas. “Um, sure. Let’s... let’s go for a walk.”

Atlas nodded, stepping back to allow me into the hallway. As I closed the door behind me, I caught a glimpse of Wild’s gleeful expression and knew I’d be in for a thorough interrogation later.

We walked in silence down the empty corridor, our footsteps echoing off the stone walls. The air felt thick with tension, and I found myself stealing glances at Atlas out of the corner of my eye. My heart was pounding, and I swore I could feel the heat rolling off him. We stopped at the end of the hall, silently turning toward one another.

“Sorry to bug you. I just… uh… forgot I had a morning practice tomorrow that I didn’t tell you about,” he said, his golden eyes darting between my own.

“Oh.” I replied, trying my best not to sound disappointed. “We can cancel the coffee. That’s fine.”

“No!” His hand shot out, grabbing my arm. He glanced down, as if he surprised himself. “I don’t want to cancel. I just need to bump it back is all.”

“You don’t have to do this, Atlas.” I wasn’t sure if I was trying to convince him or myself. “Really. You don’t owe me anything.”

“I want to have coffee with you,” he growled. I swore I could see his hackles rise although he was in human form. “And I’ll buy you lunch. What do you say?”

I glanced down at his fingers still wrapped around my bicep. His hands were huge and the point of contact between us was nothing but electricity making my entire body shiver. Usually, it was only Wild giving me playful hugs here and there. But this… there was real heat behind it, which was something I was desperately unaccustomed to.

“I-If you insist,” I said at last, my voice shaking. “Then yeah. That’s fine.”

Atlas’s grip on my arm loosened, but he didn’t let go entirely. His thumb brushed lightly over my skin, sending tingles up my spine.

“Good,” he said, his voice low and husky. “Meet me at the campus coffee shop at noon. I’ll meet you when I’m done with practice.”

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Atlas’s eyes roamed over my face, lingering on my lips for a moment before he stepped back, breaking contact.

“I should go,” he said, running a hand through his damp hair. “But Caden... thank you again for earlier. I owe you at lot more than just coffee.”

Before I could respond, he turned and strode down the hallway, his muscular form disappearing around the corner. I stood there for a moment, my heart racing, trying to process what had just happened.

When I finally returned to my room, Wild was perched on the edge of his bed, practically vibrating with excitement.

“Well?” he demanded as soon as I walked in. “Spill! What did tall, dark, and furry want?”

I sank onto my bed, still feeling dazed. “He... asked me to have lunch with him instead of just coffee.”

“Yep,” Wild nodded. “That’s what I thought.”

I turned to him, one eyebrow lifted. “What thought is that?”

Wild got up from his bed, came over to mine, and leaned close to my face, his bright green eyes glowing.

“That werewolf,” he whispered, nodding toward the door. “He wants to fuck you.”

I just rolled my eyes, pushing him away. “Go to bed, Wild. Leave me out of your horny fantasies.”

“I’m right,” he said coolly, plopping down on his own mattress once more and lacing his fingers behind his head. “Fuzzbutt wants to bang you. And when you find out I’m right, I expect a full apology.”

“Whatever.”

But, as I rolled over on my bed to face the wall, my heart was beating a million miles a minute. I secretly hoped that Wild was right even though I knew it wasn’t possible. But reality could wait until morning. For now, I could escape into my dreams where I was allowed to be anything I wanted.

Closing my eyes, I let the darkness swallow me and dreamed of strong arms and golden eyes.