"We should go back to bed," she said.
"In a minute," I said, pulling her against me, needing to feel her heartbeat. "Just... let me hold you."
She melted into me, her scent continuing to soothe the violent edges of my nature. For the first time since claiming her, I felt something other than fear or rage.
I felt hope.
Chapter 13
Harper
Two days later…
The conference room at the Grizzlies arena smelled like disappointment and expensive cologne. Richards sat at the head of the table, flanked by two lawyers I didn't recognize and Sullivan, who wouldn't meet my eyes. They'd summoned me at 7 AM, barely twelve hours after Knox's suspension.
"Dr. Graves, please sit," Richards said, gesturing to the chair across from them. The power dynamic wasn't subtle.
I remained standing. "I prefer to stand."
Richards' jaw tightened. "Very well. I'll be direct. Your... involvement with Knox Maddox has created an untenable situation."
"My medical treatment of a player?" I asked innocently.
One of the lawyers, a Beta woman with sharp eyes, leaned forward. "We have multiple witnesses who heard evidence of sexual contact between you and Mr. Maddox."
"Witnesses who heard sounds through hotel walls," I corrected. "Hardly conclusive."
"Dr. Graves," Richards said, his tone patronizing, "we're trying to help you here. This situation reflects poorly on everyone, but especially on you."
"How so?" I asked.
"An unmated Omega, alone with a volatile Alpha during a storm..." The lawyer let the implication hang.
"Are you suggesting I provoked him?" My voice was steady, but rage simmered underneath.
"We're suggesting that the situation was... complicated," Richards said carefully. "Knox has a history of violence. You were in heat. Perhaps judgment was impaired on both sides."
"My judgment was fine," I stated.
Sullivan finally spoke. "Harper, he claimed you. That's not something that happens between a doctor and patient with good judgment."
"No, it's something that happens between compatible adults," I shot back.
"Adults in a professional relationship," the female lawyer interjected. "Dr. Graves, the medical board takes these violations seriously. Your license could be under review."
There it was.
The threat.
"For what? Being claimed? That's not illegal," I said.
"For engaging in sexual contact with a patient under your care. For compromising medical objectivity. For creating a hostile work environment," she listed.
"Hostile for whom?" I demanded.
"For the other players who now have to wonder if their medical care is compromised. For the staff who have to work around this... situation," Richards said.
"You mean for the Alphas who now know I'm claimed and off-limits," I translated.
