Page 63 of Baseball and Shifters

“A danger?” My voice may be a whisper but the growl beneath it is impossible to miss.

“They’re suggesting you’re… unstable. They’re concerned you can’t control your wolf.” The dean chooses his words carefully as if he’s attempting to talk down a dangerous assailant.

“That’s bullshit,” I bite out.

“Lucas,” Coach Mace speaks again, his voice softer this time. “It doesn’t matter what I know, whatweknow. It’s what the board sees. And right now? It doesn’t look too good for you.”

“We’ve launched a full investigation,” Dean Harold continues. “We’ll be interviewing witnesses, reviewing security cameras, and asking for behavior reports from all of your teachers. Until we have the results, you’re on thin ice.”

“How long?” I ask, even though I already know I won’t like the answer.

“Two weeks.’ The dean says with a grim finality. “We’ll have the results by then. But in the meantime…”

“One misstep,” Coach warns, his eyes hard. “And it’s immediate expulsion.”

My heart plummets.

Two fucking weeks.

“Understood,” I mutter, my voice hollow.

“Lucas,” the dean’s voice cuts through my racing thoughts. “We’re doing everything we can to give you a fair shot.”

It doesn’t feel like a fair shot.

“You’re dismissed.”

I don’t wait for another word pushing out of my chair. I turn for the door.

“Barker,” Coach calls after me but I don’t stop.

I can’t stop.

The walk back to the dorm is a blur. My head pounds, my thoughts racing a mile a minute.

Danger? Unstable? Me?

I’ve trained my whole damn life to be in control. I’ve never hurt a single person who didn’t deserve it. And now… one mistake, one screw-up and I’m gone. I’ll lose everything I’ve worked so hard to get and all over a piece of shit oversized rat who thinks he has a right to talk shit to my mate.

By the time I reach the dorm, my body is practically vibrating with frustration. I push the door open and step inside without looking up. I stop dead in my tracks when I realize they’re all here.

Liam, Bas, Derrick and even Rachel.

Her emerald eyes meet mine instantly, concern and warmth radiating through our bond.

I can’t do this right now.

“Lucas?” Her soft voice wraps around me, soothing me in a way only she can.

But it’s not enough to calm the storm inside. I don’t say a word. I can’t. I just push past everyone and stop at my bedroom door.

“Moonbeam… I-I’m sorry. I just need a minute.” I push the door open and step inside closing it softly behind me.

The moment I’m alone I shatter. The weight of everything that just happened crashes down around me and a sob tears free from deep inside of me. I lean against the door, my head falling back as I drag in a shaky breath.

Two weeks. Two weeks, and they will know the truth. I can make it two weeks.

Rachel

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