Page 78 of Hexmate

“Maybe he didn’t know,” I suggested. “Blackwood thinks your mother might have been a dryad or some kind of nature spirit.”

“Why does she care? She hates me.”

I nodded. “I think she might’ve seen the error of her ways.” Caden scoffed and I couldn’t help but agree with him. Admitting a mistake didn’t automatically equal forgiveness. “She said it wasn’t enough to redeem her, so she’s going to try to do better. In fact, she’s the reason I brought you here, the reason you’re awake again.”

Caden stared at me, his blue eyes searching mine. “She… She wanted to help me?”

“Yeah. And you don’t have to forgive her right away, but I think she means well.”

“What about Karrick and Wild?!” he spat suddenly, sitting upright. “Are they okay?!”

I took his shoulders in my hands, holding him steady as he swayed. “They’re fine. They woke up the moment you killed Damien.”

“And the academy?—”

“Is back to normal,” I said softly, smiling at him. “The dean rescinded his statement, and the board of governors is back inits right mind again.” I pulled him close, my hand on his cheek. “You did good, Caden. Alotof good.”

He stared at me, his eyes glossy with unshed tears. “Am I really free?” he asked softly. “At last?”

“Free of Damien Cromwell? Yes,” I nodded, pressing my lips to his. “But free of me? Never.”

His breath hitched for a moment, the plants around us glowing soft and golden. “I… I love you, Atlas.”

“I love you too, Caden.”

Epilogue: Caden

“Why are you still working here?” Wild asked, giving me a nudge. “Didn’t you quit this job like two months ago?”

“Yeah,” I nodded, leaning against a broom near the gymnasium bleachers. “But if you hold a broom and look like you belong here, people don’t question why you’re here after hours or charge you admission.”

He raised an eyebrow. “And why are you here after hours?”

“Why do you think?”

A wide grin spread over Wild’s face. “What happened to my shy roommate? Who is this confident slut I see in front of me?”

I just shrugged. “Killing a man changes you.”

“So does getting knotted by a werewolf, apparently.”

“That definitely helped.”

He crossed his arms, both of us grinning as the crowd around us erupted in cheers. On the mat, Karrick had just pinned his opponent, a rather buff vampire from another school. He stood up, pumping his fist in the air in victory. Ever since the curse was lifted a month ago, he’d been itching to get back on the mat. This was the first make-up meet the Widdershins wresting team had after everything went down. All of them were ready to get back to the competition, including Atlas. I couldn’t blame them either.It was nice to have some normalcy for once after my father and Rowan attempted to purify campus. Thankfully, all that was now just a bad memory that I hoped would fade in time.

“Speak of the devil,” Wild said, gesturing toward a hulking figure stepping up the mat.

I smiled, my eyes soaking in every detail of Atlas’s body as it flexed under a thin layer of spandex. I loved seeing him in that singlet, dripping in sweat. He glanced up and through the bond I felt him chastise me for gawking so openly. He could feel my arousal through our bond, and I watched him shift his junk to the side. I couldn’t help but smile. I loved having such a profound effect on him. And once this meet was done, I had a good feeling he’d make me pay for it in the locker room. That was my favorite kind of punishment.

Wild tapped me on the shoulder. “Whatever you’re doing, stop it,” he grinned. “As much as I’d love to watch your boyfriend get all bricked up in front of everyone, maybe give him a break. I’m not sure his opponent wants to get covered in wolf cock.”

I snorted, leaning closer to Wild. “Fine, fine. I’ll behave.”

But I didn’t stop watching. How could I? Atlas moved like liquid power on the mat, all controlled aggression and perfect form. When he locked eyes with his opponent—some broad-shouldered bear shifter from Crescent Valley—I felt a growl build in my own chest. Atlas sensed it through our bond and his lips quirked up just slightly.

“You two are disgusting,” Wild muttered, but I could hear the affection in his voice.

The whistle blew, and Atlas lunged forward. His hands found purchase on his opponent’s shoulders, and with a swift movement that looked almost effortless, he took the bear shifter down to the mat. The crowd erupted again, and I felt a surge of pride that wasn’t entirely my own.

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