Page 42 of Hexmate

I finished adding the vanilla syrup to his drink and walked over to him, handing him the glass. Our fingers brushed, sending a spark of electricity through me.

“You’re right,” I said softly, my eyes locked on his. “And that’s why we keep them safe. There are some things that shouldn’t be forgotten, even if certain witches would like us to forget.”I paused for a moment, taking a sip of my drink. “Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.”

Caden nodded solemnly, taking a sip of his iced coffee. “I understand. There’s so much history here, so much knowledge.” He glanced around the room again, his eyes lingering on a particularly ornate tome. “It’s overwhelming, honestly.”

I watched him, fascinated by the way his mind worked. Most people would be intimidated by all this, but Caden seemed genuinely intrigued. It made my wolf stir again, pleased by his curiosity and intelligence.

“You can look at anything you want,” I said, moving closer to him. “I trust you.”

Caden’s eyes snapped to mine, surprise evident in their blue depths. “Really? But some of these books... they look ancient. Priceless, even.”

I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant even as my heart raced at our proximity. “They are. But you’re my mate. What’s mine is yours.”

A blush crept across Caden’s freckled cheeks, and he ducked his head shyly. “That’s... that’s a big deal, Atlas. Are you sure?”

Instead of answering, I gently took his hand and guided it up to the book he was reaching for. “You might like this one actually,” I said, watching him pull it from the shelf. “It explains mates and their bonds in great detail from the werewolf perspective. It might help you better understand what I’m feeling.”

Caden’s fingers trembled slightly as he took the heavy tome from me. His eyes widened as he examined the intricate silver runes etched into the leather cover.

“This is incredible,” he breathed, carefully opening the book. The pages were thin and delicate, covered in flowing script interspersed with detailed illustrations.

I guided him over to the cushions surrounding the low table. We sat down, side by side, our thighs just barely touching. The warmth of his body next to mine sent tingles across my skin.

“Look here,” I said softly, leaning in close to point at a particular passage. The scent of him - like fresh rain and pine needles - filled my senses. “This part talks about how werewolves can sense their mates even before the bond is fully formed.”

Caden bent his head to read, his blonde hair falling forward to brush against my cheek. I had to clench my fists to keep from reaching out to run my fingers through those silky strands.

“It says the wolf will be drawn to their mate’s scent and presence,” Caden murmured. He glanced up at me through his lashes. “Is that why you kept searching me out after we met? Even though you tried to pretend it was just to thank me?”

“Ididwant to thank you,” I grinned, feeling my cheeks burn slightly. “But yeah… I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was so drawn to you that I couldn’t stay away.” I glanced down at the book again, the words hard to make out in the dim light. “Oh. I almost forgot.”

Jumping up, I headed back toward the door. There, on the wall, was a glowing blue circle of enchanted metal set into the wall. It was divided up into twelve different pieces, like a pie. Reaching out, I pressed the nine o’clock wedge, the magic fluttering around my finger.

In an instant the entire room shifted. The glowing blue metal inlaid into the walls changed color and expanded. What had once just been a dull glow was now a projected image, an illusion covering every wall including the ceiling. Caden gasped as it took form, the room filling up with light. The cushions, table, and bar stayed in place, but now they looked as if they were mysteriously located in the middle of a summertime forest. Dappled light pierced through the canopy above, casting everything in ayellow-green glow. The scent inside the room shifted and even the sounds of the woods seemed to seep in from nowhere.

“What… What kind of magic is this?” Caden whispered, his jaw hanging open in awe.

“The expensive kind,” I laughed, happy to see him so bewildered. “The enchanted copper running through the walls has the ability to create illusions complete with smells and sounds. It’s a good place to escape when I need to shift and unwind. It makes me forget I’m cooped up in this academy for a while.” I looked around at the forest surrounding us, the illusion so realistic I could barely tell where the walls were anymore. “I like this one the best. It… It feels like home.”

Caden’s eyes sparkled with wonder as he took in the magical forest surrounding us. “It’s beautiful,” he breathed. “I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

I couldn’t help but smile at his amazement. “There are twelve different settings,” I explained, gesturing to the circle by the door. “Each one is a different environment. Forest, beach, mountains, even underwater.”

Caden’s gaze returned to me, curiosity burning in those blue depths. “Why show me all this, Atlas? You said you’ve never brought anyone here before.”

I swallowed hard, suddenly feeling vulnerable. “Because... because I want you to know me. All of me.” I took a step closer to him, drawn by an invisible force. “And I want to know you too, Caden. Every part of you.”

A blush crept across his freckled cheeks, but he didn’t look away. “Even the parts that are... different?” he asked softly. “The witch parts?”

I nodded, reaching out to cup his face gently. “Especially those parts. I know witches and werewolves aren’t supposed to be together, but that’s just everyone else’s opinion. I’ve read some of these books here and I know the truth. Werewolves andwitches make powerful unions. They are something that should be revered, not forbidden.” I leaned in closer. “And the feelings I have for you are worth more than any power I could gain being your mate.”

Caden shivered in my grasp, but he didn’t pull away. “So… you said this setting makes you feel at home. Is this where you grew up?”

I smiled, kissing the tip of his nose before I pulled back. “No. Wherever this is, I’ve never been there. But it feels a lot more like home than the perfectly manicured woods on my father’s estate. There everything feels almost… clinical. It’s too clean, too planned. But this,” I said, gesturing to the forest around us. “This feels like the world before there were so many people. A place untouched by the march of progress. That’s the kind of forest I feel like I would call home.”

“I wish I could make something like this,” Caden smiled, staring up at the canopy above us. “I love plants and the green things of the world… but my magic… it’s hardly powerful enough to grow saplings much less an entire forest.”

“Every tree starts as a sapling,” I said, catching his gaze once more. “Maybe that’s your problem with magic.”

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