Page 67 of Baseball and Shifters

It’s not gentle. It’s desperate. His hands grip my hips, almost painfully, as he pulls me flush against his chest and I melt into him. All the anger and hurt and guilt and worry turns into raw electricneed.I tangle my fingers in his hair and tug, his responding growl sends a warm shot of lust directly to my core.

Our bond pulses between us, a wild mix of raw emotions.

I don’t know where he ends and I begin and I don’t care.

A sharp voice cuts through the haze.

“Guys! You need to come,now.”

Bas strides down the row we’re standing in and we spring apart panting. I blink up at Liam, lips still tingling. His eyes are wide and wild but there’s no time to process.

“Lucas,” Bastian’s voice is tight, urgent. “It’s about Lucas.”

My heart plummets. I knew something was wrong with him. I should have gone to his dorm to check on him instead of coming here and hanging out with the girls.

“Shit.”

Liam grabs my hand, and without another word, we’re running through the stacks and out the library, not stopping until we get to their dorm.

Rachel

We get to the guys’ dorm and find Derrick pacing the room, his massive frame coiled tight with tension, eyes flicking to the door the moment we enter. He stops when we walk in and I almost collapse under the weight of his worry hitting me through the bond.

“What’s going on? Where’s Lucas? What happened?” The questions fly from my mouth as my eyes search the room for my missing mate.

“He’s not here. He was summoned to Dean Harold’s office for a disciplinary meeting,” Derrick says and it’s like a bomb goes off. Everything is dead silent for a split second before everyone starts talking at once.

“The fuck for?” Liam snarls.

“Oh God. This is all my fault,” I cry.

“What are you talking about, Firefly? What’s your fault?” Bas asks concern marring his features.

“Yesterday, after you left me and Lucas… there was an incident… Trent-” The sob I’ve been holding back finally breaks free.

“That piece of shit tried something again?” Liam growls, gnashing his teeth together.

I sniffle and try to catch my breath. “He was just being an asshole, like usual. But Lucas shifted and chased after him.”

“Good. At least my brother has some sense,” Liam grumbles.

“Yeah, but now he’s in trouble because of it. I just know Trent did something to get Lucas in trouble.” I bury my head in my hands and continue to cry.

“He was protecting his mate. Noone could blame him for that. I’m sure they’ll do an investigation, find out what really happened, and Trent will be the one in trouble, not Lucas,” Bas assures me. “The real question is why neither of you told us about it.”

“Lucas told me not to worry about him, that he would take care of Trent. And I didn’t talk to any of you the rest of the night because of Liam’s party.”

He takes a deep breath before letting it out along with any negative feelings before he walks up to me and wraps his arms around me, pressing his forehead against mine.

“I need to know you’re safe, Firefly. If Trent, or anyone, is bothering you, tell me. Please.”

I nod my head against his and sniffle as he rubs my back. I feel better in my mate’s arms, but I’m still so worried about Lucas, there’s no way I can completely relax.

The front door opens and we pull apart to see Lucas, hair mussed, shoulders slumped, and a storm behind his usually bright blue eyes. His anger and frustration hit me in the chest through the bond and I gasp. I try sending him all my love and support through the bond so he knows I’m here for him but his dead eyes make me think it’s not working.

“Lucas?” I breathe, wanting more than anything for him to tell me everything’s going to be okay. But he doesn’t.

He walks past without saying a word, only stopping at his bedroom door. “Moonbeam… I-I’m sorry. I just need a minute.” He pushes the door open and steps inside, closing it softly behind him.

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