Page 67 of Hexmate

Caden nodded, his eyes gleaming with a mix of determination and newfound power. “We’ll start tomorrow night after your next wrestling meet. There’s a path near the gym that a lot of the monster students use, but will be totally abandoned after the meet. Everyone will be keeping to the public areas to stay safe. It’s pretty close to where Karrick was attacked. And it’s secluded enough that he might think he has the advantage if one of us is alone.”

“You want me to go to a wrestling meet after all this?!” I scoffed.

“You have to. We can’t let them think anything has changed.”

“Okay,” I said shaking my head. It felt strange to go to something so superfluous after everything that had happened. But Caden was right. If I didn’t go, it would look suspicious. “And how do we make sure he takes the bait after it’s over?”

A sly smile spread across Caden’s face, one I wasn’t used to seeing. It sent a thrill through me. “We’ll stage an argument. Loud enough for anyone nearby to hear. I’ll storm off into the woods through the barrier, and you’ll follow, calling after me. If Rowan’s nearby, he won’t be able to resist. We’re the two people he wants to hurt most after all.”

I couldn’t help but grin. “Look at you, coming up with devious plans. I like this new side of you.”

Caden’s cheeks flushed pink again, the freckles across his nose darkening. “I’m still me. Just... more.”

“More is good,” I murmured, leaning in to kiss him again. This time, when our lips met, a current of energy passed between us that made the flowers around us bloom brighter, their scent intensifying. I pulled back, breathless. “Very good.”

Caden’s eyes had darkened, that new green rim around his blue irises seeming to glow. “We should rest. You need to recover your strength, and I need to practice controlling... whatever this is.” He gestured to a vine that had started creeping up his arm, seemingly of its own accord.

“And how do you propose we rest?” I asked, my voice dropping lower as I moved closer to him.

For a moment, I saw the old Caden—hesitant, shy—but then something shifted in his expression. He reached out, fingers curling around the nape of my neck, and pulled me to him with a newfound confidence that sent a thrill through me.

“Aren’t you tired of fucking?” he growled, his lips an inch from mine. “I figured your ass would be sore and used up by now.”

I couldn’t help but grin. “Tired of getting fucked by you? Never.” I leaned close, kissing him softly. “And I’m not sore at all. That werewolf healing is good for something.”

“Huh,” he smiled mischievously. “I’ll have to try harder this time I guess.”

I nodded eagerly. “Harder is good.”

“You’re such a horny pup.”

“Only for you, my mate.”

“Maybe next time you can wear your wrestling singlet?” he murmured in my ear. “I bet that would be hot.”

I growled with enthusiasm, my fingers squeezing his waist. “As you wish.”

With that, Caden’s lips crashed against mine, the pair of us toppling back onto the cushions that were still covered with moss and vines. All at once they bloomed back into life oncemore, writhing around us as Caden’s power surged. I couldn’t help but smile, feeling the vines creep around my legs once more. Being bound to him… it was better than I ever dreamed.

Chapter 27

Caden

If it wasn’t for the way that singlet hugged Atlas’s ass, I would’ve had a hard time focusing on the match. However, considering he was covered in glistening sweat and every inch of his muscular body was highlighted by the spandex stretched thin over him, I was too busy gawking at him to think of much else. Although his opponent, a Beastkin, was much larger than him, I had no doubt he would win his match. And now that we were bonded as both mate and familiar, I could feel his confidence and power through the bond. He knew he was going to win too.

Atlas moved with a primal grace that no human wrestler could match. The Beastkin lunged, but Atlas slipped aside effortlessly, his golden eyes flashing with predatory intent as he countered with a swift takedown. The crowd erupted, but their cheers faded to background noise as I focused on the way his muscles bunched and flexed beneath that damned singlet.

A wave of possessive heat surged through our bond, and Atlas’s gaze snapped to mine for just a moment. He knew I was watching. Knew exactly what I was thinking. A smirk curved his lips before he returned his attention to his opponent.

“Put him down, Faolan!” someone shouted from the stands.

I felt a thrill of pride mixed with desire as Atlas executed a perfect throw, pinning the Beastkin with ruthless efficiency. The referee slapped the mat, and Atlas rose to his feet, victorious as always. His chest heaved with exertion, dark hair damp with sweat, and I could feel his satisfaction pulsing through our connection.

The referee raised Atlas’s arm in victory, and the crowd went wild. His teammates howled their approval, not caring who might hear the inhuman sounds. Everyone at Widdershins Academy, including the visiting team, was part of the supernatural community, anyway. There was no reason for secrecy.

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, my arousal painfully obvious. Through our bond, I felt Atlas’s amusement at my predicament. The bastard was enjoying my discomfort.

As the teams lined up to shake hands, Atlas broke protocol to look directly at me again. His golden eyes seemed to glow under the gymnasium lights, and he mouthed two words: “Ten minutes.”

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