Page 6 of Hexmate (Widdershins Supernatural Academy #1)

Chapter 6

Caden

A tlas Faolan was my friend. I could hardly believe it. Of course, I knew how pathetically sad that sounded, but that didn’t make it any less true. Now, after two years at Widdershins, I’d managed to make a whole two friends.

I was basically popular.

I couldn’t help chuckling to myself at my own little sad joke. Still, I was happy. Wild was great company and a great roommate, but it was nice to meet someone else from a different walk of life. And so freaking handsome.

I tried not to let my mind wander too far down that path. Atlas was untouchable, and not just because he was way out of my league. Witches and werewolves didn’t mix, everyone knew that. It was practically law. And with the dean’s announcement on the way, it was about to become law at the academy at least.

But as I watched him from across the cafeteria, laughing with his wrestling teammates, I couldn’t help but feel a pull towards him. His golden eyes sparkled as he threw his head back, his muscular frame shaking with mirth. I found myself wondering what it would be like to run my fingers through his dark hair, to trace the contours of his broad shoulders.

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. This was dangerous territory. Atlas might be my friend now, but that’s all he could ever be. I had to remember that.

Just then, as if sensing my gaze, Atlas looked up and caught my eye. He flashed me a smile that made my heart skip a beat, then gestured for me to join him and his friends. I hesitated for a moment, knowing I’d be stepping into the wolf’s den, quite literally. But something in Atlas’s expression made me gather my courage and stand up, my tray in hand.

However, I only made it a step or two before a trio of my classmates stepped in front of me. All of them were witches and their leader, of course, was Rowan. And judging by his cruel smirk, I knew he was still pissed at me for getting between him and Atlas that night he tried to drug him. Rowan wasn’t the type to let things go easily. He was well known for his wrath. And considering his family was almost as powerful as my own, I had no doubt he almost always got away with it.

“Well, well, well,” Rowan drawled, his eyes glinting with malice. “If it isn’t the little witch who thinks he can play with the big bad wolves.”

I tried to sidestep him, but his cronies moved to block my path. My heart raced, but I kept my face neutral. “I don’t want any trouble, Rowan.”

“Oh, but trouble wants you,” he sneered, leaning in close. The acrid scent of his magic made my nose wrinkle. “You made a big mistake getting in my way, Cromwell. And now you’re going to pay for it.”

I felt the first tendrils of his magic reaching out, probing for weaknesses in my defenses. But before I could react, a low growl reverberated through the cafeteria. The sound sent shivers down my spine, and not entirely from fear.

“Is there a problem here?” Atlas’s deep voice came from behind me, and I felt the heat of his body as he stepped close, almost protectively.

Rowan’s eyes widened slightly, but he quickly masked his surprise with a sneer. “Nothing that concerns you, dog. This is witch business. Go back to your cage.”

Atlas’s growl deepened, rumbling through his chest. I could feel the vibration against my back, and it sent a thrill through me despite the tense situation.

“Caden is my friend,” Atlas said, his voice low and dangerous. “That makes it my business.”

I felt a warmth spread through me at his words, but I tried to keep my face impassive. Rowan’s eyes narrowed as he looked between Atlas and me, a calculating gleam in his gaze.

“Oh, I see,” Rowan said, his lips curling into a cruel smile. “The little witch has found himself a guard dog. How... quaint.”

Atlas took a step forward, his massive frame towering over Rowan. The air around us seemed to crackle with tension, and I could sense other students watching the confrontation unfold.

“Walk away, Rowan,” Atlas warned. “Before I make you regret ever laying eyes on Caden.”

For a moment, I thought Rowan might actually back down. But then his hand shot out, grabbing my wrist. I felt a jolt of his electric magic, sharp and painful, lance through me.

I gasped, my knees buckling as Rowan’s magic seared through me. But before I could fall, Atlas’s arm wrapped around my waist, steadying me. His touch sent a different kind of jolt through my body, a warm current that seemed to push back against Rowan’s malevolent magic. How was that possible?

“Big mistake,” Atlas growled, his voice deeper and more guttural than I’d ever heard it.

In a blur of motion, Atlas’s free hand shot out, gripping Rowan’s wrist and twisting it away from me. Rowan cried out in pain and surprise, his magic dissipating as his concentration broke. The cafeteria fell silent, all eyes on us.

“You dare touch me, you filthy mongrel?” Rowan spat, trying to wrench his arm free. But Atlas’s grip was like iron.

“I dare a lot more than that,” Atlas snarled, his golden eyes flashing dangerously. I could feel the tension in his body, the barely contained rage. He was holding back, I realized, fighting against his instinct to shift and tear Rowan apart.

“Atlas,” I murmured, placing a hand on his arm. “It’s okay. Let him go.”

Atlas’s grip tightened for a moment, and I could see the internal struggle playing out across his face. His jaw clenched, muscles rippling beneath his skin as he fought to control his anger. For a heart-stopping second, I thought he might actually attack Rowan right there in the cafeteria.

But then, slowly, he released Rowan’s wrist. The witch stumbled back, rubbing his arm and glaring daggers at us both.

“This isn’t over,” Rowan hissed, his eyes darting between Atlas and me. “You can’t protect him forever, wolf. And you,” he turned his venomous gaze on me, “you’ll regret crossing me, Cromwell. Your daddy isn’t here to save you now.”

With that, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the cafeteria, his cronies scurrying after him like rats abandoning a sinking ship. The tension in the air slowly dissipated as conversations resumed, though I could still feel curious eyes on us.

Atlas’s arm was still around my waist, his touch both comforting and electrifying. “Are you okay?” he asked, those golden Alpha eyes sweeping over me.

“I’m fine,” I nodded, shaking off the last of the tingling sensation Rowan’s magic left in my body.

“Sorry I got you into this…”

“You didn’t,” I sighed. “I’m the one that stepped between you two, remember? Besides, Rowan has had it out for me since the day I stepped foot on this canvas. Apparently, our families have an unspoken rivalry I know nothing about.”

Atlas’s arm tightened around me for a moment before he reluctantly let go. I immediately missed his warmth.

“That doesn’t make it okay,” he growled, his eyes still flickering with anger. “He had no right to touch you like that.”

I shrugged, trying to downplay the incident. “It’s just how things are here. Witches like to throw their weight around.”

Atlas’s expression darkened. “Not anymore. Not with you.”

His words sent a thrill through me, but I pushed it down. I couldn’t let myself hope for something that could never be.

“Atlas, you can’t... we can’t...” I struggled to find the right words. “You know witches and werewolves don’t mix. It’s too dangerous.”

He stepped closer, his scent enveloping me - pine, earth, and something wild that made my heart race. “I don’t care about the rules, Caden. We’re…”

“We’re what?” I asked, leaning closer.

“We’re friends,” he said at last, shaking his head. “And friends watch out for one another. Right?”

I swallowed hard, unable to look away from his intense gaze. I felt something as his eyes searched mine. The pull towards him was undeniable, like gravity. But I knew the consequences of giving in to that pull could be catastrophic.

“Right,” I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper. “Friends.”

Atlas held my gaze for a moment longer, something unspoken passing between us. Then he cleared his throat and took a step back, breaking the spell.

“Come on,” he said, gesturing towards his table. “You can sit with us. No one will bother you there.”

I hesitated, glancing at the group of wrestlers watching us curiously. “Are you sure? I don’t want to cause any trouble.”

Atlas’s lips quirked into a smile. “Trust me, Caden. You’re not the one causing trouble here.”

With a deep breath, I nodded and followed him to the table. Atlas’s teammates made room for us, some eyeing me warily, others with open curiosity. I could feel their eyes on me as I sat down, hyperaware of Atlas’s solid presence beside me.

“Guys, this is Caden,” Atlas introduced me, his tone leaving no room for argument. “He’s with us now.”

There was a moment of silence, and I braced myself for rejection. But then one of the wrestlers - a burly purple skinned dark elf - reached out his hand. “Nice to meet you, Caden. I’m Silver.”

I shook his hand, relief washing over me. “Thanks, nice to meet you too.”

The ice broken, the other wrestlers introduced themselves as well. Though some still seemed wary, they were polite enough. I could feel Atlas relaxing beside me as the conversation resumed, though he stayed close, his thigh pressed against mine under the table.

As I picked at my food and tried to follow the discussion about upcoming matches, I couldn’t help but marvel at how surreal this felt. Me, a witch, sitting at a table full of shifters. And not just any shifters- these were some of the strongest guys in the school, and the most popular.

Atlas leaned in close, his breath tickling my ear. “You okay?” he murmured.

I nodded, suppressing a shiver at his proximity. “Yeah, just... processing.”

He chuckled softly. “I know it’s a lot. But you’re doing great.”

I smiled nervously, trying to ignore the butterflies in my stomach at Atlas’s praise. As I glanced around the table, I noticed a few curious glances from his teammates. One of them, a stocky redhead with freckles, leaned forward with a mischievous grin.

“So, Caden,” he said, his voice carrying a hint of challenge. “What’s a witch like you doing hanging out with us monsters?”

I felt Atlas tense beside me, but before he could intervene, I straightened my shoulders and met the redhead’s gaze. “Just broadening my horizons,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. “Unless that’s a problem?”

The redhead’s grin widened. “Not at all. In fact, I think it’s about time we had some new blood around here. Might keep things interesting.”

Atlas relaxed slightly, but I could still feel the protective energy radiating off him. “Caden’s not here for your entertainment, Ryder,” he growled, a warning in his tone.

Ryder held up his hands in mock surrender. “Easy there, Alpha. I’m just making conversation.”

The tension at the table eased as Ryder backed down, but I could still feel Atlas’s protective energy radiating beside me. I appreciated his defense, but I also knew I needed to hold my own if I was going to survive in this new social circle.

“So, Ryder,” I said, leaning forward slightly, “since you’re so interested in keeping things entertaining, why don’t you tell me about the most interesting match you’ve had? I hear the wrestling team here is pretty intense. Or at least, I know their smell is in the locker rooms.”

The others laughed, but Ryder’s eyes lit up at the question, and he launched into a story about a particularly grueling match against a rival school’s team. As he spoke, I could feel Atlas relax beside me, his thigh still pressed warmly against mine under the table. I knew I should pull away, but I couldn’t bring myself to move. The contact felt too good between us, like little fireworks radiating through my body.

The conversation flowed more easily after that, with the other wrestlers chiming in with their own stories and jokes. I found myself laughing along, surprised at how comfortable I felt among them. It was so different from the calculated politeness and underlying tension I was used to with other witches.

As lunch drew to a close, Atlas leaned in close again. “We have a study group later in the library. Want to join us?”

I hesitated, torn between wanting to spend more time with him and knowing I not only had work to do, but a now a job to attend as well.

“I can’t,” I sighed. “I’m sorry. I’ve just got too much to do, and I’ve got work tonight.”

“Do you like working for the school gymnasium?” Atlas asked, lifting an eyebrow. “I think the smell alone would kill me.”

“It’s gross,” I nodded. “But I have to. My father is demanding I pay some of my tuition because he claims I have too much free time.”

“Do you?”

I shook my head. “This lunch with you? That was all the free time I had today. And I’ve got a big report on magic runes due tomorrow, so I’ll be lucky if I sleep tonight.”

He looked at me, his shoulders drooping. “I’m sorry I took up all your time…”

For some reason, I reached out and placed a hand on his thick shoulder. “It’s alright,” I smiled. “I had fun. And your friends are nice. Way nicer than I expected.”

“They’re good guys. Crass, but good.” He leaned a little closer, his lips almost against my ear, sending a shiver through my body. “And I meant what I said. You’re one of us now. So, if anyone messes with you… you just let me know, okay? I’ll protect you.”

As I leaned back and looked up into those soft golden eyes of his, I knew he was telling the truth.

“O-Okay,” I stammered, my heart beating a million miles per hour. “I’ll do that.”

“Good,” he nodded, patting my thigh. “Go work on your report and I’ll find you again tomorrow.”

I stood up, my heart still racing. “Alright. Bye.” I walked maybe five steps before I stopped and looked back. “And thanks again, Atlas.”

“No problem, buddy.”

Even though it was a terribly common pet name and probably meant absolutely nothing, it still sent a thrill through my chest. As I headed back to the dorms to start my paper, I don’t think my feet touched the ground the entire way.