Page 51 of Hexmate

Atlas’s entire demeanor changed instantly. His back straightened, his shoulders tensed, and he stepped slightly in front of me, as if shielding me from the newcomer’s gaze.

“Father,” he said, his voice tight. “What are you doing here?”

Chapter 20

Atlas

The silver-haired man’s eyes darted between me, Caden, and Karrick on the bed. His nostrils flared, no doubt catching the mingled scents in the room.

“I received word of the attack,” he said, his deep voice rumbling through the small space. “As an Alpha and one of the school board, it’s my duty to investigate when one of the students is harmed.” His piercing gaze settled on Caden. “And who might this be?”

I felt Caden’s hand tighten around mine. “This is my... friend,” I said carefully. “He’s here with me to check on Karrick.”

The alpha’s eyes narrowed, and I could practically feel the disapproval radiating off him. “A witch,” he said, his tone making the word sound like a curse. “I see.”

The vampire investigator cleared his throat. “Mr. Faolan, perhaps it would be best if you and your…friendstep outside for a moment.”

I pulled Caden toward the door, making a wide berth around my father. Even though he was my kin, I made sure to keep myself between him and Caden until we were out in the hallway once more. My heart raced in my chest as I leaned against the wall, panting as if I’d been holding my breath the entire time.

Caden’s fingers trembled in mine as we stood in the hallway, the tension from the room still clinging to us like a heavy fog. I could hear his heart racing, matching the frantic rhythm of my own.

“Atlas,” he whispered, his blue eyes wide with fear. “Who was that? Why did he look at me like that?”

I swallowed hard, trying to find the right words. “That was... my father. The Alpha of our pack.”

Caden’s face paled, making his freckles stand out even more starkly against his skin. “Your father? But he seemed so...”

“Cold?” I finished for him. “Yeah, that’s just how he is. Especially when it comes to...” I trailed off, not wanting to voice the truth we both knew - that our relationship was forbidden.

Before I could say more, the door opened, and the vampire investigator stepped out. His dark eyes swept over us, lingering on our joined hands.

“Mr. Faolan, your father wishes to speak with you. Alone.”

My stomach dropped, but I nodded, knowing I had no choice. I turned to Caden, cupping his face gently with my free hand. “Wait for me here, okay? I won’t be long.”

Caden nodded, his eyes still wide with worry. I gave his hand one last reassuring squeeze before reluctantly letting go and stepping back into the room.

My father stood by the window, his broad shoulders tense as he gazed out at the campus grounds. The vampire investigator had discreetly excused himself, leaving us alone with an unconscious Karrick.

“Atlas,” my father’s voice was low and controlled, but I could hear the underlying anger. “What exactly is going on here?”

I straightened my spine, trying to project confidence I didn’t feel. “I told you, Father. Karrick was attacked. I’m here to check on him, as any friend would.”

He turned, his silver eyes flashing dangerously. “And the witch? Is he just a ‘friend’ as well?”

My heart hammered in my chest, but I met his gaze steadily. “His name is Caden. And yes, he’s my friend.”

My father’s lip curled in disgust. “Do not lie to me, boy. I can smell him all over you.” He took a step closer, his imposing figure looming over me. “You reek of him. Of witch magic and... other things.”

I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to back away. “What I do, and who I’m with, is none of your concern.”

His hand shot out, gripping my arm with bruising force. “It is very much my concern when the future Alpha of our pack is consorting with a witch!” he snarled. “Have you forgotten everything I’ve taught you? Witches are not to be trusted, let alone... touched.”

I wrenched my arm free, anger bubbling up inside me. “Caden is different. He’s not like the witches in your stories.”

My father’s laugh was cold and humorless. “They’re all the same, Atlas. Manipulative, power-hungry. They’ll use you and discard you without a second thought.”

“You don’t know him,” I growled, feeling my wolf stir beneath my skin.

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