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Dean Clearwater furrows his brows, tightening his jaw without saying a word. Silence blankets the office, and I wish I could hear what goes through his mind. Just from his change in demeanor, I know I’ve lost a bit of his respect. This is something I should’ve addressed immediately, but I didn’t want to. I find my personal relationship and pack issues to be no one’s business.
“You’re engaged to a student?” Dean Clearwater scrubs his hands over his face, processing our admission. “There’s an omega enrolled here?”
“You know there are no order requirements. None of this is the issue. The problem is that we’re being blackmailed by a former student who has recently been expelled for disgusting behavior. He has gotten several other students involved, and they’re trying to create a scandal to tarnish our reputations, including Clearwater’s.” I hit the video icon on Ezra’s phone, setting it in front of the dean.
His expression morphs from confusion to shock to anger as the video replays, capturing Chaz threatening us and Leo with the idea of encouraging steroid use on the football team.
I clench my fingers, my anger rising again, watching the video unfold. It doesn’t show any of us, nor does it show the violence, which I’m thankful for. But damn it. Reliving this is just as bad as the first time, if not worse. Because all I can think about is what else I could’ve done to prevent any of it from happening.
Dean Clearwater slides the phone back to me and stands from his chair, pouring himself another glass of whiskey. He paces, mumbling to himself. His musky scent grows more intense, and I push my chair back and rise to my feet, uncomfortable that he stands taller than me while I’m sitting.
“This is quite the predicament. If it were any other professors on this campus, I’d have no choice but to demand a leave of absence while I discuss this with the board. Because it’s you, Misters Hart, and you have done nothing but great things for the school, I would like to keep this discreet. The first thing you must do is pull your omega from this university. We can backdate the paperwork to prove that you took appropriate action immediately.” Dean Clearwater glances at me before returning to the rest of my pack mates. “Then we must handle the Athletics Department. We cannot let such things reach the media. We’ll threaten immediate expulsion unless they sign NDAs and contracts that they’re at fault and go through drug testing weekly.”
Jonah gets to his feet and crosses his arms. “Scarlett is nearly finished with her education. We would like to hold out until spring. She’s been offered a position right here with the new Director of the Art department. She can’t accept it unless she graduates.”
Dean Clearwater scowls. “Now what is that of any use? She’s young and fertile and is ready to start breeding, is she not? That is why you have decided to claim an omega, right? You know that it’s important. You’re not getting any younger either.”
“A pregnancy will not interrupt the rest of her education. You do know it takes nine months to have a child, or have you never taken the appropriate sex-ed classes?” Leo asks, growling with his words.
“Do not disrespect me!” Dean Clearwater shouts, erupting in anger. “You have put this mess on me and this university, and I’ll not allow such a scandal. My decision is final. You either pull her out of CU, or I will expel her.”
Ezra smacks the desk. “You—”
Dominic grabs his shoulder and pulls him back, spinning him around and getting in his face. The last thing we need is for Ezra to act on his anger, especially because we’re more volatile now that Scarlett has been threatened and our lives as we know it are being jeopardized.
“Control your pack, Adrian,” Dean Clearwater says, his voice rumbling with his wrath. “I will not stand for this disrespect.”
“I’m their leader, not their authority. We’re equals in our household. And as for what you’re demanding? No. I will not waste all the work Scarlett put in just to appease you. You need to handle the students here more appropriately. There needs to be stronger consequences for poor behavior such as stalking, assaulting, and being disgusting human beings.” I stand my ground, crossing my arms over my chest. “I came to you as a courtesy. I wanted to get ahead of the situation so we could handle it appropriately together. I did not come here to have you demand such things from my pack. And if you insist, I will not hesitate to break our alliances. You know that the mayor grows weak. I’ll not hesitate to run for office or resist informing all of my personal network and allies of the many discussions that you have ignored over the years. Don’t test me, Franklin. Do you understand? We will be discreet with Scarlett, and she will not be in any of my pack mates’ classes next semester. I demand the same courtesy you would give one of your own family members. Just like you did with Jonah’s predecessor in his department.”
Because I’ve done some digging. Jonah’s department head was caught cheating on his wife with a library assistant, and they were caught fucking in the room used to hold some of our most ancient books. He had been transferred, so he could hide the scandal, but he was not fired. His wife has also been paid off to hide his foul behavior. His only real consequence was giving up his position as department head.
“How dare you try to coerce me, Adrian,” Dean Clearwater snaps, flaring his nostrils.
“I’m not trying. That is how the situation will be handled, because you can’t see outside your precious position. You know I’m the best at my job, and I bring in millions of dollars for Pack Clearwater. I would prefer to stay here, but if it comes down to it, I could always find a new position elsewhere. My omega is highly regarded up north with Pack Carlisle.” I bite the inside of my cheek with my words, hoping Dean Clearwater doesn’t call my bluff. Because there’s no way in hell that I’d ever ask Scarlett to return to San Francisco or be near her family if she didn’t want to be.
Dean Clearwater holds my gaze, staring at me as if he could possibly intimidate me. But in a battle of wills, I would win. I have my pack by my side, standing tall and giving me the strength to get what we want.
“Don’t make me regret this, Adrian. If I so much as hear anyone whispering about Pack Hart or your omega, I will not hesitate to destroy all of your careers.” Dean Clearwater averts his eyes, submitting to my demand. He damn well knows that he couldn’t mess up my career. He’s not innocent either. Every damn alpha in power has something to hide, and Dean Clearwater has an entire house of skeletons, his closet not nearly big enough to hide his bullshit.
I nod my head and offer my hand. “You have my word. Everything will be handled accordingly. I’ll send you the information about the students if you want to handle them yourself.”
Dean Clearwater ignores my hand and turns toward his bookshelf. “Get out of my office. This will not be forgotten, so you better ensure you get the contracts in order and you accept whatever position and do any favor Pack Clearwater asks of you for this university.”
I motion to Ezra, Dominic, and Jonah to head out before me. They exit Dean Clearwater’s office, giving me a moment alone.
I surprise Dean Clearwater by grabbing his shirt and pulling him close. “We don’t take threats lightly. Be careful what you say, Franklin. We both know you’re not innocent, or should I bring up—”
“That won’t be necessary, Adrian. As long as we have a mutual agreement, then we will handle whatever scandal thrown at us. I will not lose this position.” Dean Clearwater straightens his suit jacket. “I didn’t think you had it in you, but you have always been full of surprises, haven’t you?”
“Because I see things differently. Be aware, Franklin. Things are changing. You need to decide whether you will step out of the way or...” I smirk at him, letting him fill in my silent command.
I don’t wait for him to respond. He will not get the last word. Not anymore.
Because the most important thing to me right now is Scarlett.
I will not let her down.
22
