Page 5 of Hexmate

I just stood there, doing everything I could not to cry. I wouldn’t give him another reason to despise me.

“So, starting tomorrow, you can get a job on campus instead of wasting your time.” He let go of me at last, taking a step back and straightening his blazer. “Then at least you’ll be a little less of a drain on my wealth.”

“The… the only jobs are tutoring,” I said weakly. “And I’m… I’m not…”

“Good enough?” he scoffed. “Shocking. But I’m sure there are plenty of jobs even the custodial staff is too talented for.” He waved a hand in the air, a shining golden portal opening up behind him. “I’ll speak to the dean. You’ll start tomorrow.”

Without so much as a backward glance, my father stepped through the portal. It snapped shut behind him and I was left in the forest by myself, my shoulders quaking as I tried and failed to hold back my sobs.

At this rate, I wasn’t sure I had much longer to live. And even though I was Damien Cromwell’s son, I had no doubt he would get rid of me long before he endangered the family reputation.

I wished more than anything I could do some real magic. Or run away. But neither seemed possible, not when my father was one of the most powerful and well-connected witches in the entire country.

Chapter 3

Atlas

With a grunt, I lifted my opponent skyward, fell back, and slammed him onto the mat. I heard all the breath leave his body and he gasped and clawed, searching for it once more. But I had his sweaty legs in my grasp, and I was too big for him to lift off as I pressed his shoulders to the mat. The wolf inside me pulsed with power, my Alpha blood on fire as I heard the referee begin to count.

“One! Two! Three!” the ref called in quick succession. “Fall!”

I released my grip and stood, chest heaving as I looked down at my defeated opponent. His eyes were wide, a mix of shock and awe as he stared up at me. The crowd in the academy gymnasium erupted in cheers, my packmates howling their approval.

“And the winner is... Atlas Faolan!” the announcer’s voice boomed over the speakers.

I offered a hand to help my opponent up, feeling the tremor in his fingers as he grasped mine. The touch sent a jolt through me, awakening something primal. Our eyes locked, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of submission. It wasn’t out of the ordinary, though. All werewolves submitted to an Alpha eventually.

“Good match,” I growled, my voice husky with exertion and dominance.

He nodded, his head kept low. “You’re really powerful…” he murmured, loud enough for only my enhanced hearing to catch.

As we left the mat, Coach Harding clapped me on the back. “Well done, Faolan. You’re shaping up to be one of the strongest Alphas we’ve seen at Widdershins Academy in years.”

I grinned, letting a hint of fang show. “Thanks, Coach. Just doing what comes naturally.”

As I made my way to the locker room, the scent of sweat and adrenaline thick in the air, I couldn’t shake the lingering buzz of victory. My wolf was still close to the surface, demanding more–more domination, more submission, more... everything.

I stripped off my singlet, muscles flexing as I tossed it into my gym bag. The cool air hit my overheated skin, and I inhaled deeply, trying to center myself. That’s when I caught it–a scent that didn’t belong. Something earthy and electric, like ozone after a lightning strike.

My head snapped up, nostrils flaring as I scanned the locker room. Most of my teammates were still out celebrating, but there, in the far corner, stood a lean figure I’d never seen before. He was staring at me, green eyes wide and unblinking.

“You shouldn’t be in here,” I growled, stalking towards him. “This area is for athletes only.”

He didn’t flinch, didn’t look away. Instead, he lifted his chin defiantly, a spark of challenge in those emerald eyes. “I have every right to be here,” he said, his voice low and melodic. “I’m a student too.”

I inhaled sharply, catching more of his scent. It was intoxicating, unlike anything I’d ever encountered before. My wolf stirred, curious and hungry.

“You’re not on any of the teams,” I said, closing the distance between us. I towered over him, using my size to intimidate. “What are you really doing here?”

A smirk played at the corner of his lips. “Observing. Studying. You werewolves are fascinating creatures.”

My eyes narrowed. “You’re a witch,” I growled, the realization hitting me like a punch to the gut. No wonder his scent was so strange, so alluring.

He nodded, unafraid. “Guilty as charged. The name’s Rowan, by the way.”

I should have been repulsed. Witches and werewolves didn’t mix - it was one of our most ancient laws. But something about him drew me in, made me want to lean closer, to breathe in more of that intoxicating scent. My wolf was restless, urging me to claim, to mark, to possess.

“Atlas,” I grunted, my voice rougher than I intended. “And you still haven’t answered my question. What are you really doing here?”

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