Ian is somber as we make our way to All Saints Hall, but I spiral. This has to be what the dread I was experiencing was pointing me to. And all my affinity could really give me was a useless vision that doesn’t seem to pertain to anything.
I drag my feet as we climb the stairs to the headmaster’s office, and after the freshman has knocked, Headmaster Langford welcomes us in and dismisses her.
Picking up on my apprehension, Marcus posts up right outside the office door, ready to intercept any threat.
But the true threat lies in a manilla envelope sitting on the headmaster’s desk.
Normally an easy-going alpha with a jolly smile, today the headmaster’s ruddy face is drawn with regret.
“Headmaster, what’s happened? Is someone hurt?” Ian asks, his voice sharp.
Headmaster Langford shakes his head with a sigh and slides the envelope across his desk to me and Ian, but I already know what it’ll contain, because Andrew Radcliffe has sent me such an envelope before.
“I received these photographs this morning,” the older alpha says. “They’re unmarked, as you can see, but I have no question as to who sent them or how they were obtained. Or what he intends to do.”
Ian slides a few of the photographs from the envelope, and I immediately recognize a few of the pictures Rad took of me while stalking me my freshman year. They’re pictures ofus. Tender looks and stolen kisses, far more graphic pictures from when Ian saw me through my spring heat. I know I should feel ashamed—the headmaster has now seen me in a very compromising position—but instead, all I feel is fury.
“Mr. Radcliffe has, quite regrettably, forced my hand. Ian, doing this brings me no joy, but if I don’t, I’m certain that the next envelope of photos will be sent to our academy’s board members or even released to the public. It’ll be better for the both of you if we settle this privately. I’m sure you’re both aware that a relationship between a Fairhaven professor and one of their students is strictly forbidden. I’ve looked the other way when it’s come to the two of you, but Mr. Radcliffe has left me no choice.”
The headmaster lets out a heavy sigh. “Ian, I’m afraid you’ll have to choose between your position at Fairhaven Academy and your relationship with Miss Rose. I must stress that, whatever you choose, there will be no retaliation against Juniper. Her enrollment at Fairhaven is secure, regardless of your decision.”
Right now, I don’t give a damn about my enrollment. I’m watching the man I love lose the job he loves, lose hiscalling.
But my alpha doesn’t hesitate.
“Juniper. I choose her, now and forever. Always and unequivocally. Headmaster Langford, please consider this my formal resignation.”
“Ian!” I protest. “You love this job, and Fairhaven needs you.”
He turns to me, his bright blue eyes soft with affection. “You’re the love of my life, Juniper. I knew I’d have to choose eventually, and I always knew I’d choose you.”
“But—”
“But nothing, my darling.” He returns his attention to Headmaster Langford. “My decision is final, Headmaster. Thank you for the tremendous opportunity to teach at one of the finest academies in the world. With absolutely no regret, I tender my resignation.”
“And with the utmost regret, I accept it.”
“But your research! What about the ember?”
“Ah,” the headmaster says with a smile that makes his rust-red mustache twitch. “I’m sure there’s no exhaustive record of the materials Ian’s been loaned from Fairhaven’s library or requested from other academies. If a few of those old texts were to go missing, well, surely that would be the result of a clerical error, wouldn’t you think? Miss Rose, if I excuse you from your afternoon class, can I task you and your mates with packing up those materials while Ian and I process his resignation? There’s a truly tedious amount of paperwork to do.”
Ian’s lips twitch upward in a faint smile, and he gives me a subtle nod.
I stammer, desperate to make one last protest, but Ian takes my hand between our two chairs and gives it a squeeze. “Yes, Headmaster. We’ll see to it.”
I hesitate and finally stand, wishing I had any words of comfort to offer my alpha. But there’s nothing I can say, nothing that will erase the fact that a spiteful, scorned alpha has cost him his job, all because of me.
In the end, it’s Ian who comforts me.
He touches the back of my hand, and I finally look up into his eyes. His handsome face isn’t drawn or lined with regret. If anything, he looksrelieved. “I’ll see you at home, my darling. I shouldn’t be too late.”
I recognize a dismissal when I hear it. I also recognize the sound of two heavy carved crystal scotch glasses clinking on the headmaster’s desk as I carefully close the door behind me.
My pack is already there waiting for me, and Cassian pulls me into his arms when he sees how distraught I am.
“Ian resigned. We’ve been asked to pack up his office.”
“Oh, love. I can’t even say I’m sorry. You were always going to be his choice. Come on, we’ll get you a coffee, and you can boss us around as we pack up. All right?”
