Page 53 of Hexmate

The investigator reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a small piece of paper. He held it out so we both could read it easily.

A monster deserves a cage. These attacks will continue until these beasts are removed from the school permanently.

“Any idea who might’ve written something like that?” he asked, folding it up and putting it away once more.

“No,” I said.

Caden just shook his head. “It… It could be anyone in the magic program, student or teacher. We’re taught to distrust anyone who isn’t a witch.”

“We’re taught the same thing,” I added. “That witches are dangerous and only want us as a magical battery.”

The investigator nodded grimly. “That’s what I was afraid of. This kind of deep-seated prejudice doesn’t manifest overnight. It’s been brewing for a long time.”

He glanced between us, his expression softening slightly. “You two... you’re different. A witch and a werewolf, together. It’s rare, but not unheard of. Perhaps you could be the bridge this school needs.”

I felt Caden tense beside me, no doubt remembering the hostility radiating from my father. “I don’t know if we’re ready for that kind of responsibility,” he said quietly.

The investigator smiled sadly. “Sometimes, we don’t get to choose our battles. They choose us.” He straightened his jacket. “I’ll continue my investigation. In the meantime, stay vigilant. And... stay together. You might be safer that way.”

As he walked away, I turned to Caden, cupping his face gently. “Are you okay? I know this is a lot to take in.”

Caden leaned into my touch, his eyes closing briefly. “I’m scared, Atlas. Your father, the attack on Karrick, this note… it feels like the whole world is against us.”

I pulled Caden closer, wrapping my arms around him protectively. His scent - a mix of green things and earth - filled my senses, calming the rage that still simmered beneath my skin.

“I know,” I murmured into his hair. “But we’re stronger together. We’ll figure this out.”

Caden nodded against my chest, his fingers curling into my shirt. When he looked up at me, his blue eyes were filled with a determination I’d never seen before.

“You’re right,” he said softly. “We can’t let them win. We can’t let fear and hatred tear us apart.”

I smiled, feeling a surge of pride and love for this brave, beautiful witch in my arms. “That’s my mate,” I said, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead.

“But… Atlas?”

“Yeah?”

“Will you… uh… will you stay with me?” he asked, those blue eyes fixed on mine. “I just… don’t want to be alone right now. And I don’t want you out of my sight.”

I couldn’t help but smile. Taking his hand in mine, I led him toward the opposite end of the infirmary where we could slip out the back door without being noticed.

“Of course I’ll stay with you,” I said. “As long as you like.”

Chapter 21

Caden

Over the next couple of days, Atlas barely left my side. The rest of the academy had gone fairly quiet as well. Classes were cancelled the day after the attack on Karrick to give everyone a chance to calm down. Or at least that’s what the administration told us.

The truth was that during that day off, the school had doubled the security on campus, strengthened the barrier, and began putting protection wards up. They were placed around the dorms to keep non-students out, which I supposed made sense. But at the same time, Karrick wasn’t attacked in a dorm and classes weren’t going to be cancelled forever. Eventually all of us were gonna be in danger once more. And there was no way the school was going to close, not when the witch elite that had nothing to lose was in charge.

It took a lot of convincing to get Atlas to let me go to class that morning. He seemed particularly intent on protecting me. While I didn’t have anything to fear from someone attacking monster races, there was still the unresolved issue with Rowan Hargrove. After Atlas blinded him in one eye and disfigured his face to save me, I had a good feeling that Rowan would be slowly plotting revenge against us. He was like a viper, happy to sitperfectly still until the opportune moment to strike. Still, with all the increased security around campus, I had a good feeling he’d bide his time for now. He and his family weren’t the type to lash out publicly. He’d wait until there were no witnesses.

So, despite the veil of darkness surrounding the academy, I went to class.

The air in the lecture hall felt heavier than usual, like the collective anxiety of the students had settled into the walls themselves. Whispers filled the space, hushed conversations about Karrick’s condition, about the security measures, about whether or not we were actually safe.

I slid into my usual seat near the back, feeling Atlas’s presence even though he wasn’t there. He had walked me to class—like some overprotective guard dog—but stayed outside, promising to meet me when he was done with practice. I knew better than to argue. He was determined to keep me within reach as much as he could.

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