“Bernard, I swear—” Micah began.
“You know the college policy,” Bernard said, his stare boring into Micah. “We do not condone romantic relations with our students. It besmirches the reputation I’ve worked so hard to build for this college.”
“But professors are allowed to have relationships with their students now,” Spike said, glowering. “It’s the new law.”
“Only if it’s proven that they’re not exchanging favors for grades.”
“I’m not,” Spike protested.
Except Bernard glanced at the photos on Micah’s desk. One of them stood out—the picture of Kai and Spike grinning, arms around each other. Recognition flashed through Bernard’s eyes; Micah’s heart squeezed. Kai was Bernard’s illegitimate son; Bernard didn’t want that news spreading.
Ice slid down Micah’s spine. “It isn’t how it looks—”
“I forced him,” Spike said suddenly, stepping forward. “I kissed him without his consent.”
But that would ensure Spike’s expulsion from the college.
Micah shook his head. “No. I coerced him.”
Spike turned to look at Micah in horror. “No!”
“Then both of you are at-fault.” Bernard nodded Harold toward the desk. “Take the assignments, and Davis’ computer. We’ll launch an investigation.”
“You don’t have to.” Micah swallowed, panic fluttering in his throat. “I didn’t exchange grades for favors with Spike. He earned them through his own efforts.”
Harold Saxon glanced at the photo. “And Kai Ventura?”
Micah fought to keep his composure. “Not him, either.”
“But he was your alpha.” Bernard’s stare burned holes into Micah’s skin. “That scent on your skin belonged to him.”
Micah didn’t say anything. He couldn’t afford to. And Harold’s sneer grew.
“Intimate relations with two students?” Bernard asked. “With your history of handing out favors, a thorough investigation is necessary. You’ll be suspended until further notice.”
Micah’s stomach dropped to his feet. His ears rang.
Spike looked disbelieving. “What favors? Micah doesn’t do that.”
Bernard shot Spike a withering look; Micah knew what Bernard would say, moments before he did.
“Did you think your... professor acquired his position through the standard means?” Bernard raised his eyebrow. Even Harold looked surprised. Micah wanted to dissolve into a puddle. It was his darkest secret. The one nobody could ever find out.
“Bernard,” Micah choked. Not in front of Spike. Please, no. “You can’t—”
Spike turned to look at Micah, surprise growing on his face.
If it had only been Bernard and Harold, maybe Micah might have survived. But seeing Spike’s confusion, then realization, and shock... Micah could no longer face his alpha. I’m not the upstanding person you thought I was.
Never mind that Micah had traded blowjobs for his position so he could feed his son. Never mind that it had happened years ago.
Bernard drew himself to his full height. He scanned the office, then nodded at a frowning Harold. “On second thought, we’ll bypass the preliminary investigation. For your past conduct, Davis, and your present liaisons with your students, you’re fired.”
Micah couldn’t breathe. Ice slid through his heart. He touched his belly, but his thoughts had ground to a halt.
“You can’t do that,” Spike snapped. “That’s against the law!”
“I’m the college president,” Bernard said dismissively. “My word is the law.”
Spike growled, pointing at Micah. “Then you don’t know what kind of talent you’re losing. Do you have any idea what sort of worth Micah has?”
Bernard glanced at Micah, his stare sweeping from Micah’s face, down to his hand, and his belly. “No,” Bernard said. “I don’t. All I see is a failure who’s been slinking along, trying to hide his incompetence.”
“I always knew Davis’ standards dropped after he was hospitalized,” Harold added, mocking.
In that moment, Micah had never hated his scars more—they felt like thick, lumpy slugs on his skin, reinforcing the notion that Micah couldn’t do anything right. That, try as he might, there were parts of Micah that no one could possibly see past. Ugliness that Spike and Kai couldn’t live with forever.
Bernard turned. Spike lunged.
“Don’t fucking say that to him,” Spike snarled, swinging his fist at Bernard’s head.
Micah’s heart stopped. No! He leaped at Spike, grabbing Spike’s arm before his fist connected with Bernard. “Spike,” Micah hissed, yanking him back. “Don’t!”
Bernard whirled around, glaring at Spike. “I usually give three warnings to a student, but you’ll only get one. Another offense, and you’ll be expelled.”
With that, Bernard swept out of the office, Harold in tow. Micah held on tight to Spike’s bicep until Bernard and Harold were no longer in earshot.
Spike shook Micah’s grip off, his eyes flashing. “Why’d you stop me? That bastard deserved a punch!”
And so do I, because I’ve hidden a truth from you, and I’ve done terrible things in my past. Micah straightened his shoulders, his face burning with shame. He couldn’t look at Spike. I’m fired. I shouldn’t have let him kiss me. We shouldn’t have started any of this.
He turned, carefully picking up the stationery scattered around his desk. Tomorrow, and the day after... where would he go to earn money? He was already forty-one, and he had a baby on the way.
“He was bullshitting,” Spike said, stepping closer. “You didn’t sleep with him just for a job.”
“I did.” Micah said it quickly, so he had no time to second-guess himself.
Spike sucked in a sharp breath. And the silence between them stretched, Spike absorbing Micah’s shameful truth, imagining what Micah had done with Bernard. At some point, he would tell Kai, too, and Micah couldn’t possibly bear both his alphas knowing the truth about him.
If Spike threatened Bernard a second time... he would lose his place at the college. The longer Micah let Spike stay close, the more Spike would want to protect him. Even if it was to Spike’s own detriment.
Micah couldn’t let that happen. Not to someone with so much potential. Not when Spike had cradled his face and given him that toe-curling grin.
The more Micah thought about it, the more his remaining options became clear. Spike couldn’t stay with Micah. Neither could Kai. Micah didn’t know when he’d find another job. He couldn’t possibly drag Spike down with him, or accept money from Kai.
Your looks don’t
