Page 105 of Baseball and Shifters

“Focus on the interview first,” he says, crossing the space between us and planting a kiss on my forehead. “Then I think you’ll get a pleasant surprise.”

I scowl at him, but it doesn’t last. Whatever he’s hiding must be good. And it gives me just enough of a distraction to keep from spiraling again. I take a breath, then another, letting the mystery, whatever it is, pull my mind away from Trent’s voice and my father’s shadow.

We reach the admin building, the bright white stairs almost blinding in the sunlight. Demi moves to the head of our pack holding the door at the top of the steps open for us. No one speaks much as we make our way down the hall toward the sameconference room we used before. I think we’re all a little too aware of what this meeting means.

Closure. Truth. Accountability.

Freedom from my father’s hold after all these years.

When we step into the room, I almost falter. The table is long, polished, and surrounded by three members of the Eternal Council’s investigation branch. Two women and one man, all dressed in dark grey suits with silver accents, stand to greet us with kind, but serious expressions. Dean Harold stands off to the side, looking deeply uncomfortable. His tie is slightly askew, and there are faint lines under his eyes like he didn’t sleep much last night.

They don’t ask me to sit alone. Instead, Liam and Lucas take the seats on either side of me, each taking one of my hands in theirs. Derrick and Bas stand like sentinels behind me, a hand on either shoulder and Demi takes the seat on the other side of Liam.

Demi slides a thick manilla envelope across the table to one of the women. “You have everything you need.”

The woman I assume must be the lead investigator, based on the number of stars and small rectangular badges on her chest, takes the folder and gives Demi a curt nod. She turns her eyes on me and I think I see a softness there despite the seriousness of her tone.

“Rachel St. James. We are here to record your statement. Take your time. We’re not here to rush or pressure you. We just want a truthful full account. The more you can tell us the less likely it is that you will ever have to repeat your story to officials again.”

I nod. My voice isn’t ready, yet. But I can do this. Iwilldo this.

For me.

For the girl who thought she’d always be alone.

For the pack who showed me different.

And as I start to speak, I feel them surrounding me, lending me their strength. My voice is soft at first but it gets stronger, every word carried not by me alone, but by us. Our bond, the one we built together with love, care, and kindness.

When it’s over and the recorder is shut off, the investigators all nod with quiet approval. Looking at my mates, I see not pity, but awe and pride, I finally feel it settle in my chest.

I’m not just surviving anymore.

I’m healing.

The investigators pack their things and offer handshakes around the room before making their way out of the conference room. When they’re gone, Dean Harold steps up to the table and awkwardly clears his throat.

“There’s one more thing,” he says, voice cautious and nervous. “Something the school would like to offer, in light of… everything.”

I blink, unsure of where this is going. Liam and Lucas tense beside me and Bas releases a low rumbly warning growl. Derrick elbows him in the ribs silencing the growl, telling me he knows something the rest of us don't. Maybe this is the surprise he was talking about.

Dean Harold gulps and turns his gaze to Demi, who gives him a small nod to continue.

“Not as restitution,” he hurries out. “Though fate knows you deserve that and more. But as a part of a new initiative the board approved this week.”

I raise a brow but remain silent.

“We’ve decided to open up the unused block of townhouses in the employee living block to bonded packs who would like to live together. They’re private, fully furnished and offer much more privacy than the dorms. Given your circumstances, Miss St. James, you and your pack are being offered the first one before applications open up next semester.”

I stare at him. “You want… to give us a house?”

“On-campus,” he clarifies quickly. “Still within school boundaries and protections. Still monitored for safety. But… yours. If you’d like it.”

The guys shift around me, each reacting in their own quiet way. Lucas and Liam release twin whistles and Bas mutters a quiet ‘Finally,’ under his breath. Derrick nods once, he already knew what was coming and obviously approves.

A house. Our own space. No more having to bounce between dorm rooms or making beds on the floor. A home. Together.

“I think… I’d like that,” I say, my bonds bright with my mates’ approval and excitement. “We’d all like that.”

---