Page 9 of Hexmate

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.

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