AllFreeNovel
Share Us
To ensure he never does anything to hurt anyone ever again.
21
Adrian
Revelations
DeanClearwatersitsathis dark mahogany desk, sipping golden whiskey in a crystal tumbler. Cigar smoke taints the air, hiding his usual filthy musk. I suspect he doesn’t shower as often as he should, but I know the gesture is purposeful. He wants every student and staff member on campus to catch a whiff of his alpha stench.
I pull a wad of fabric from my pocket and dab my nose, the fragrance of Scarlett’s panties enough to settle my annoyance.
“Where is the rest of your pack, Adrian? I thought they’d be joining you.” Dean Clearwater sets his tumbler down and motions to a decanter of whiskey. “May I offer you a drink? I think we’re beyond the stuffiness of professionalism after two decades, don’t you think?”
Which is why I thought it was acceptable calling upon him at this late hour. I should be used to his casual behavior, but in a moment like this, where I need to discuss serious matters and not some power shift occurring in the main branch of Pack Clearwater and those I serve under, he acts as if we’re here to socialize.
“They’ll be here soon,” I say, strolling forward, tucking Scarlett’s panties away again. “I wanted a moment alone to prepare you for our visit.”
Dean Clearwater sits straighter in his chair, cocking his head. “Is this not good news about the expansion of the university in San Francisco or about the English department head position? I assumed this would be a positive meeting. A celebration.”
Because no one chooses to talk to Dean Clearwater about issues to his face. The man has overserved his time at the university and should have retired a decade ago. The bastard is pushing close to eighty. But some men can’t give up control or power.
“My apologies, Dean Clearwater. You must’ve misheard my call when I said it was urgent.” I sigh and sit in the chair across the desk from him. “San Francisco is still under contract as well as Jonah’s decision on whether or not he wants the position.”
Dean Clearwater rests his elbows on the desk. “I’ll offer him a thirty percent increase. I need someone I can trust.”
Jesus Christ. The man can’t think of anything outside himself.
“Which is why I’ve come to you. We’ve been working together my entire career. You’re a most trusted ally, and I wanted to address some possible issues that may come to light.” I crack my knuckles, meeting Dean Clearwater’s brown eyes. He was the man who recruited me after I graduated from Alpha Academy. “We’ve found ourselves in...a bit of a predicament and need your allegiance.”
A knock sounds on the door, dragging Dean Clearwater’s attention from me. Without waiting, the door cracks open, and Jonah, Ezra, and Dominic stroll in, remaining expressionless. Leo and Scarlett aren’t behind them, their absence striking a nerve inside me.
Dominic closes the space and rests his hands on the back of my chair, leaning down. “Scarlett wouldn’t leave the closet. She’s not feeling well, and we didn’t want her stressing out.”
I remain expressionless despite his words sending a cool wave down my back. She needs all of us with her, and it kills me that I have to deal with such bullshit because of some entitled, psychotic douche. I’m too damn old for this. If I didn’t have so much to lose, I’d have beat the Pack Miller reject into submission. The fact that he doesn’t have as much to lose makes him dangerous. We must get ahead of things.
Dean Clearwater crosses his arms over his chest, glowering in silence as Jonah, Dominic, and Ezra pull chairs from the wall to sit in front of him. I feel younger under his scrutiny and like a frat boy who fucked up and must beg for forgiveness and a second chance.
I’m better than this.
My pack is better than this.
“Misters Hart, it’s getting late. Had I known this wasn’t going to be the meeting I expected, I’d have postponed until an appropriate hour.” Dean Clearwater swigs his whiskey, draining the glass. “Please make it quick.”
“This should take great precedence to you, considering we’re respected members of the staff and Pack Clearwater.” I open my hand to Ezra, silently asking for him to hand over his phone and the evidence. “We have been keeping such personal matters quiet, but it seems things have gotten out. As you know, we have been in search of an omega and were planning to marry this year. We found Scarlett and proposed to her a couple of weeks ago. Her pack works under Pack Carlisle.”
Dean Clearwater sits up straighter, his eyebrow shooting up on his head. “Oh, I suppose a congratulation is in order. This is quite fantastic news.”
“Yes, it’s absolutely thrilling for us. Our fiancée is everything we could’ve imagined...except we thought she was older. We assumed her pack had graciously allowed her to pursue a career instead of obligating her to find a pack right out of Omega Prep. Like how things went with us.” I shake away my nerves. “However, it seems there was a bit of a mistake on her profile.”
“A mistake? What do you mean? Is she widowed? Rejected?” Dean Clearwater leans forward, engrossed in our personal matters.
I side-glance Dominic. “Not exactly—”
“I’m just going to spit it out.” Jonah groans and links his fingers together, resting his elbows on the desk. “Scarlett was sent to Clearwater University to hide the fact that she wasn’t engaged yet. This was due to the mistake with her age on her profile. You know how societal standards are. Her pack was ashamed.”
“I don’t think I’m following,” Dean Clearwater says, swigging another mouthful of whiskey.
Jonah stiffens. “What aren’t you getting? Scarlett’s a student here, and we have already completed negotiations and have arranged a summer wedding.”
