Page 79 of Baseball and Shifters

“I… Of course,” Dean Harold agrees quickly. “We’ll process the change immediately.”

“And I’d like a full report of whatyouallowed to happen today on my desk, by the close of business.”

“Yes sir, Mr. Ashford.”

Demi stares Dean Harold down and for a second, I think that’s the end of the conversation, but then he crosses his arms again narrowing his eyes.

“While we’re here, I have another question for you. Why is Lucas still under investigation for protecting his mate? Why was he benched and threatened with expulsion when he was not the instigator in the incident?”

Dean Harold’s confusion is instantaneous. “Wait, Rachel was involved in the incident with Mr. Hopper?”

Liam makes a sharp sound somewhere between a laugh and a scoff.

“See?” Demi says, his voice rising slightly. “This is exactly your problem. You don’t even know the full scope of the situation you’re punishing him for. You benched one of your star players without ever allowing him to explain the context of whathappened. Why is that, Dean Harold? Could it be because he’s a scholarship student?”

Dean Harold opens his mouth to reply but Demi barrels onward.

“Because from where I’m sitting that’s exactly what it looks like. And you know what,Andrew,”Demi’s voice takes on a sinister edge. “I fund the majority of those scholarships, and I’m pretty damn close with all of the other donors. How many of those donors, me included, are responsible for the majority of your extra funding to keep this school running? How do you think they’d feel about continuing their support if they knew you were unfairly targeting scholarship students?”

Demi’s mic drop moment is awe inspiring. We all sit in silence for a beat waiting for the dean to respond.

“That won’t be necessary,” Dean Harold finally says. “Lucas is officially cleared of all wrongdoing, effective immediately. And the notation of the disciplinary action will be removed from his permanent record.”

“And what about Trent?” Lucas growls. “The one who harassed her, has been harassing her since the first day of classes.”

“We… uh… we hadn’t… we haven’t yet opened an investigation,” Dean Harold stammers. “But we certainly can.”

“You’ll open one today,” Demi cuts in, voice sharp as steel. “A full inquiry. I want a full report on my desk regarding what you find and what actions you will be taking. And I expect that when you find that what my children have told you is one-hundred percent true, you will be doing much more than benching Trent Hopper for one game. You have a zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual harassment, if I remember correctly.”

Dean Harold nods a little too aggressively, I have the feeling he would agree to just about anything Demi says at this point.

“Yes, of course, Mr. Ashford. I will have those reports to you as soon as possible.”

“Good,” Demi says with finality. “Thank you for your time, Dean Harold, I’ll hear from you soon.”

Those of us who are seated rise and when we’re all standing, the six of us file out of the room. Once we’re in the hallway I release a breath I didn't realize I had been holding and some of the tension slips out of my body. Lucas threads his fingers through mine and Liam throws his arm over my shoulder as we make our way outside.

Walking down the front steps, I take in a big breath of fresh air and release it. It’s finally hitting me that we won. My father is banned from campus, Lucas is free and clear, and Trent is under investigation.

“I’m proud of all five of you,” Demi’s tone has shifted to something softer and more… fatherly. “You’ve all grown so much in such a short time. Your bond is obviously strong, look at the way you stood together today.” He shifts to lock Derrick in his gaze. “And you, my boy, I am so proud of you. Not only did you protect your mate and pack when they needed you, you did it with a reasonable and not excessive amount of force and you knew when to hold back. That’s a level of control that takes some dragons half a century to master.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Derrick replies, and I swear I see my dragon blush.

“Thank you, son. And thank you for calling me in as soon as you were able. You know I’m always here for you whenever you need me.” He turns back to the group of us, “that goes for all of you. I am only ever a phone call away.”

Demi ushers us all into a group hug, and I love every second of it. Surrounded by the safety and comfort of my mates and for the first time in my life, my dad.

“Rachel,” Demi says when we’ve all broken free from the hug, drawing my attention. “My mate, Helene, and I would love it if you joined us in our VIP box for the home game tomorrow.” His blue and gold eyes seem to swirl as I lose myself in them.

My pulse picks up a bit at the thought of meeting Derrick’s mom without Derrick by my side, but the way Demi still holds my gaze has it coming back down.

“Oh. I…” I don’t want to turn him down, but I also already promised to sit with the girls at the next game. “It’s just that I, well I had plans to sit with my roommates who are also my besties and I don’t want to bail on them, but I also don’t want to turn you down. But also I’m kind of worried about meeting Derrick’s mom without Derrick around. I’ve never had a mom, what if she doesn’t like me. That would really suck because then I didn’t just lose one mom I lost two and I…” I smack my hand over my mouth to stop myself from continuing to word vomit every thought in my brain.

What the hell is going on? Why did I just spill everything like that?

Derrick and Demi are sharing a bit of a chuckle, but they don’t keep me waiting too long before filling me in.

“It’s his dragon power,” Derrick informs me. “If you look in his eyes for too long, he puts you in a sort of trance and then you can’t help but spill every thought running through your mind.”

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