Page 35 of Hexmate

He nodded against me, still not speaking. I understood his silence. Last night had changed everything between us, and the weight of that realization hung heavy in the air.

Slowly, hesitantly, Caden’s hand moved across my chest. His touch was feather light, barely there, as if he was trying to make sure I was real.

I caught his hand in mine, pressing it firmly against my heart. “I’m here,” I murmured. “It’s really me.”

Caden’s breath hitched. He lifted his head, those blue eyes searching mine. The vulnerability I saw there made my chest ache.

“Atlas,” he whispered, his voice trembling. “I’ve never... I mean, I didn’t think...”

“Shh,” I soothed, cupping his face. “You don’t have to say anything.”

But Caden shook his head, determination flashing in his eyes. “No, I want to. I need to.” He took a deep breath. “Last night was... it was amazing. But I’m scared. What if this changes things at the academy? What if your pack finds out?”

I pressed my forehead to his. “Let them find out. I don’t care who knows. You’re my mate, Caden. Nothing else matters.”

His lips parted in surprise. “Mate? But... how can you be so sure? What if it’s a mistake?”

Instead of answering, I kissed him. Soft at first, then with growing intensity as Caden melted against me. I poured everything I felt for him into that kiss - all the longing, the desire, the fierce protectiveness. When we finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, I could see the wonder in Caden’s eyes.

“Oh,” he breathed.

I smiled, tracing my thumb along his jaw. “Yeah. Oh.”

For a moment, we just lay there, basking in each other’s presence. But reality was creeping in around the edges. The fire was dying down, and the chill in the air was becoming more noticeable.

“We should probably start heading back,” I said reluctantly. “The storm’s passed, and people will be worried.”

Caden nodded but made no move to get up. Instead, he snuggled closer, burying his face in my chest. “Just... a few more minutes?”

I chuckled, tightening my arms around him. “Of course. As long as you want.”

We lay there in comfortable silence, listening to the crackling of the dying fire and the soft whisper of snow sliding off the roof. I could have stayed like that forever, but I knew we needed to face the world eventually.

Finally, Caden sighed and sat up, shivering as the half-rotted blanket I’d found fell away from his bare shoulders. I couldn’t help but admire the way the pale morning light played across his freckled skin.

“We really should go,” he said softly, though his eyes lingered on me.

I nodded, sitting up as well. “You’re right. But first...”

I leaned in, capturing his lips in a tender kiss. Caden melted against me, his fingers tangling in my hair. When we parted, his cheeks were flushed and his eyes sparkled.

“Just something to keep us warm on the journey back,” I murmured.

Caden’s shy smile made my heart skip. I let him take the blanket, wrapping it around his shoulders since his shirt and jacket were in pieces on the floor. Then I transformed into my wolf form, allowing Caden to bury his hands in my thick fur for warmth as we set out.

The forest was a winter wonderland, branches heavy with snow. Caden’s breath puffed out in little clouds as we made our way through the drifts. Every so often, he’d lean down to whisper something in my ear - observations about the beauty around us, or soft words of affection that made my heart sing. Being out there with him was like seeing the world for the first time.

We made a small detour back to the ridge where I’d saved him from the other witches. Thanks to my excellent sense of smell, I was able to locate my school ID even though it was buried under the snow. I’d need it to get back through the barrier into Widdershins.

As we approached the academy’s barrier, Caden’s grip on my fur tightened. I could sense his anxiety rising. The reality of our situation was setting in - we’d have to face our classmates, our teachers, and all the questions that would inevitably come. Not to mention break a few rules in the process.

I slowed my pace as we neared, catching sight of a few people headed our direction. At first I expected it to be security coming to put me in chains and drag me off to the Elder Council to be punished. But as we neared the barrier, I realized it was a search party led by our roommates.

“Caden?!” Wild cried, catching sight of us. He burst through the barrier, running up and sweeping Caden up into his arms. “You’re alive! By the gods, I thought for sure I was going to find you dead in the snow somewhere!”

“I’m… okay…” Caden managed to gasp through Wild’s vice-like hug. “Atlas saved me.”

“I told him you’d be fine,” Silver added, stepping up behind Wild. He glanced down at me in my wolf form, giving me a wink. “Nobody dies when you’ve got an Alpha wolf protecting you.” He tossed a bag down in front of me. “I brought you some clothes. Figured yours might’ve gotten messed up with your shifting.”

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