Page 13 of Hexmate

“My roommate,” Caden sighed. “Wild. He’s a fae. Apparently, he knows a lot about people.”

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. The idea of someone knowing personal details about me without my knowledge was unsettling. “Well, he’s right. But it’s different. My pack... they’re family. Even if I don’t meet expectations, they won’t...” I trailed off, not wanting to say the words ‘make me disappear.’

Caden nodded, a sad smile on his face. “Must be nice.”

We ate in silence for a few moments, the weight of our conversation hanging between us. I couldn’t stop thinking about what Caden had revealed. The more I learned about him, the more I wanted to protect him, to shield him from the cruelty of his own family, even though it wasn’t my place to do so.

All we’d done was have lunch together and the feelings I had toward Caden were getting out of control. So, as I ate, I tried to think up ways to make my exit. With the direction the school was going and Caden’s clearly fucked up family, there was a good chance even being friends with him could be dangerous. Not to mention this growing attraction in the pit of my stomach put my entire future in jeopardy. I needed to cut things off cleanly without hurting his feelings.

“Well,” Caden said, pushing himself up from his chair. “You got lunch with me. Your debt is paid.”

“I… What?” I asked, confused by his sudden proclamation.

“It’s okay,” he smiled sadly. “I know you just did this to be nice. But you don’t owe me anything and I know you don’t want to be friends with me. Nobody does. And for a good reason.” He picked up his tray, silverware clattering over the metal surface. “It was nice to meet you, Atlas. And keep yourself out of trouble, okay?”

“Wait,” I said, standing up abruptly. My chair scraped loudly against the floor, drawing a few curious glances. “That’s not... I didn’t...”

Caden paused, his blue eyes meeting mine with a mixture of confusion and guarded hope. I swallowed hard, suddenly unsure of what to say. I had been planning to end things, to protect us both from the complications our friendship could bring. But seeing the resignation in his eyes, the quiet acceptance of loneliness, made something in my chest ache.

“Look,” I said, lowering my voice and stepping closer to him. “I’m not great at this whole... friend thing. But I’m not here just because I felt obligated. I wanted to have lunch with you.”

Caden’s eyebrows rose slightly. “Really?”

I nodded, surprised to find I meant it. “Yeah. And I’d like to keep hanging out, if you want to. Screw what anyone else thinks.”

A small smile tugged at the corners of Caden’s mouth. “Even if they try to separate us?”

“Especially then,” I said, feeling a surge of defiance. “We’re the students here and we need to stand our ground. Fuck what those old geezers think.”

Caden’s eyes widened at my words, a mix of surprise and admiration flickering across his face. “Wow, I didn’t expect that from you. You seemed so... by the book.”

I shrugged, feeling a bit sheepish. “Yeah, well, sometimes rules need to be challenged. Especially when they’re unjust.”

Caden set his tray back down on the table, his body language relaxing slightly. “So... you really want to be friends? Even with everything going on?”

“Yeah,” I said, surprising myself with how much I meant it. “I do.”

A genuine smile spread across Caden’s face, lighting up his blue eyes in a way that made my heart skip a beat. “Okay then. Friends it is.”

Chapter 6

Caden

Atlas 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.

---