Dimitri walked beside me, his hand just resting on my back.

"I'm not going to break," I joked as I looked at him, punching the key code in the door.

"Are you sure?" he returned, a small smile crossing his lips. I chuckled and walked in, toeing my shoes off inside the door.

"Thank you for staying with me and bringing me home. Do you want a coffee or something?" I asked as I turned to him.

"I'd like that," he said but we both jumped at new noise coming from the living room. I turned and shook my head as Lissa flew from the room, wrapping her arms around me.

"You're okay?"

I returned her hug and rubbed her back. "I'm okay," I soothed gently.

"Christian said your monitor said your heartrate was one hundred and thirty! That's not okay!"

I shushed her softly and squeezed her. "I'm okay now. Breathe," I soothed as I pulled back. Christian lingered in the hallway.

"How did you know to elevate my legs?" I asked with a tilt of my head.

Christian shrugged. "I knew that you had a heart thing, but when you started at the Academy, Lissa told me how serious it was. So, I asked what to do in case of an emergency. She said that if you could lay down and elevate your legs, it would work most of the time."

I blinked at him. "I'm touched that you remembered that," I said.

Christian rolled his eyes. "I'm not a complete douchebag. You're Lissa's best friend. You kind of have to matter to me," Christian said plainly and I smiled.

"Well, I appreciate it that you stayed as calm as you did. Trying to keep someone calm when you're having an episode is hard," I said and then ran my hand through my hair, "You guys want coffee?"

Lissa nodded and smiled at Dimitri but I could tell that Christian was still confused. They followed me into the kitchen, and I shooed Zu off the counter. Abe's cat was always getting up on the counters, the windowsills, the beds, he even climbed onto the edge of the bathtub while I was in it. I barked at him and he fell into the tub. He wasn't so happy about that.

Zu meowed at me and flicked his tail. I didn't detest cats, I might have thought that he was a cute cat, with his big green eyes and his orange fur, but he was a fat asshole.

I started getting the coffee machine ready and then I pulled out a Gatorade from the fridge, cracking the seal and taking a big drink.

"How can you be thirsty after being hooked up to an IV?" Christian asked with a shake of his head.

I shrugged. "I figured if I drank pickle juice in front of you, it would mean I'd never hear the end of it, so I'm drinking this."

"Okay, but how are you thirsty?"

"Because I was seriously dehydrated and now, I'm at a normal level, so I'm thirsty," I explained and glanced at Lissa. She smiled at me and shrugged. We both knew that he didn't really understand.

"Rose has to drink more water than most people do," Lissa chided softly.

Christian 'ah'ed quietly and then looked at Dimitri.

"And Dean Belikov is still here?"

"Yes," Dimitri said calmly and Lissa smiled at me before making eyes in Christian's direction.

"He is my soulmate. My burn is on my fingers and his is on his wrist from when I tried to help him with his cuff link the first day at the Academy," I explained. Christian sat in silence for a moment and nodded his head a few times before narrowing his eyes at Dimitri.

"I really could care less if you're the Dean and make the rest of my high school life hell, but if you hurt her I will hurt you."

Dimitri's lips quirked for a second before he canted his head.

"Clearly understood," Dimitri said and accepted the coffee that I gave him.

DPOV

I frowned as I glanced at Rose. The school was wild today with the pep rally, but when Rose showed up at my office door with a furrowed brow, I knew the gym was the last place she needed to be. I stayed at my desk as I went over some reports from other teachers, glancing at Rose every few minutes. I told her that she needed to let her father know that she was in my office and that the headache was getting worse. All I got was her pulling her phone out of her bra, holding her thumb over the sensor and handing it to me.

I sent a message saying that she was dealing with a horrible headache and that she was resting on the couch in my office.

"On a scale of one to ten?" I asked quietly.

"Seven," she whispered back, her blazer draped over her eyes. Her medical file stated that sometimes she'd get headaches that verged on migraines, but it was bad enough that she looked a little green. I looked up from my report again when I heard a raised voice and I groaned quietly to myself.

While the soulmate marks were unspoken rules, there was one student, Camila Conta, who kept trying to pursue something that wasn't there. And it made it worse that she was a student too. And that her parents encouraged it because of my background and job. They thought that me being the Dean meant money.

I could hear Patricia trying to placate Carlos Conta, but I knew there was only so much she could do before he found a reason to come in here. I stood up and walked around my desk, reaching the door just as it burst inwards.

"Dean Belikov; you're a hard man to speak to," he started but then spotted Rose on the couch.

"What is this?"

I moved so that we were both out of my office, closing the door behind me.

"What is it that you require, Mr. Conta?" I asked plainly.

"You have a student in your office.

"Yes, she is having a medical episode, and I am keeping an eye on her," I said.

"Shouldn't she be in the nurse's room?"

"It's right next to the gym where there is a pep rally happening. That much noise would be counterproductive in this case. What is it that you need?"

Mr. Conta glared at my office door before shaking his head slightly.

"Nothing that you can help me with," he said as he spun on his heel. I watched him walk out of the office and glanced at Patrica.

"I wonder what kind of fresh hell he has in store," I muttered quietly. Patricia chuckled and smiled.

"How's that mate of yours doing in there? Can I get anything for her? A migraine is no joke," she said. I started to turn back to my office and stopped, turning to look at Patricia.

"What did you say?"

Patricia smiled at me. "I figured it out after her first day here, how she tore out of the office and you asking for her personal file while holding her medical file the minute she was out the door. And the burn mark on your wrist. I put it together," she said with a smile, "I don't judge. Nobody can tell when or where they meet their mate. Everyone knows that. Do her parents know?"

I crossed my arms over my chest, leaning on my shoulder against the door jam.

"I'm not sure about her mother; she's in Peru and they have a strained relationship. Her father, well, he scares the crap out of me, so I hope he does," I chuckled. I wasn't exaggerating, Abe Mazur did scare me a little, but he was overall a good man.

"Well, let's hope he does," Patricia said as the phone rang on her desk. I smirked and nodded as I headed back into my office, frowning to see Rose off the couch and hunched over the trash can.

"I really think you should go home and try to sleep it off," I said gently, running my hand over her back.

"Why? So, I can puke at home instead?" Rose groaned as she stood up. I frowned and watched her walk back to the couch, curling up on her side and burying her head under her blazer. I shook my head slowly and went back to review the reports.

I let Rose stay in my office throughout lunch, happy that she managed to finally fall asleep. Ms. Petrov stopped by my office during lunch, holding a packet for Rose and looked at her with pity.

"She didn't really miss anything today; we watched a movie and did an analysis. I'm pretty sure she's seen it before," Alberta said quietly as she set the papers on the corner of my desk.

"Thank you," I whispered. She nodded and looked at Rose with a worried expression.

"Anything you need?" I asked.

"No," Alberta said quietly, "I knew Rose when she was little. Her mother and I were friends. We drifted apart the last few years, but we chat from time to time."

I smiled. "Then you know all about the terror Rose was as a child," I chuckled quietly.

Alberta made a face and nodded. "Oh yes. Janine can say all she wants that she takes after her father, but she is just like Janine," Alberta said fondly.

I smiled and watched her walk out of the office. I stood up shortly after and left to grab something to eat, bringing back something for Rose as well. By the time the fourth period came around, I was starting to wonder if I should wake her up. After her last trash can event, I kept it next to the couch.

My phone buzzed on the table.

"Heads up, Conta is back," Patrica said over the intercom. I sighed and turned around to head back into the main office, sighing quietly to myself. Mr. Conta was standing in the main office with two other men, both of whom I recognized from the board.

"Gentlemen," I said with a nod of my head, already knowing where this is going.

"Mr. Conta has some concerns that he said were urgent and needed immediate attention," Mr. Pylar said with a stern expression.

"Is that so?" I asked.

"Yes. I think we should step into your office," he said, glancing at Patricia.

"That's not an option at the moment," I said honestly.

"And why is that?"

"Because I have a student asleep in my office," I said, "And I can assure you that Mr. Conta has the wrong idea of the matter."

Mr. Conta scoffed. "I can assure you that I don't have the wrong idea. It's completely inappropriate to have an underaged student alone in your office."

I opened my mouth to speak and but saved, or not, by Abe Mazur.

"Sorry to interrupt, I'm here to pick up Rose. You texted me and said that she needed to come home. I've been in a classified meeting all morning," Abe said. He looked as terrifying as I remembered him. I couldn't remember the last time I saw something dressed in a silk suit, cashmere scarf and fedora, but he made it look well put together.

"She's in my office. She's been able to sleep through most of it. But she's thrown up twice," I said gesturing to the door behind me. Abe smiled and clapped me on the shoulder.

"Thank you, I know I can always count on you to look out for my girl," Abe said as he opened the door to my office. I glanced over my shoulder and watched him crouch beside my couch, running his hand over the side of Rose's, speaking quietly to her to ruse her gently.

Mr. Conta's face was almost purple as he watched the scene before him. Abe managed to wake Rose and left her there for a moment, letting her get up in her own time. Abe came out and nodded at Mr. Conta and the board members.

"You are her father?" Mr. Pylar asked, gesturing to Rose.

"Yes. Why?"

"You were aware that your daughter has been in the Dean's office most of the day?"

Abe didn't even blink. "Yes. My daughter has a medical condition that causes issues with her blood pressure, and circulation and it can cause migraines. Dean Belikov is more than aware of Rose's medical conditions and accommodates her."

"Still, it's very inappropriate-" Mr. Conta started.

"They're mates. That's all that needs to be said. Dean Belikov has cameras in his office, and Patrica has been sitting here the whole time. Other faculty members have been quietly in and out of his office all day. I think that you, Mr. Conta, need to be more concerned about your own daughter. Especially when she has tried to pursue multiple faculty members," Abe reported quietly, tilting his head slightly.

I watched Patrica press her lips together to hide her smirk and I tried everything in my power not to scoff a laugh. I was confused about how he knew that other faculty members had been through my office, but I remembered what Ms. Petrov said. There was a shuffling of feet behind me, and I turned as Rose shuffled out of the room, looking almost as terrible as she felt.

"How bad is it now?" I asked quietly. Rose looked at me with weary eyes and her lips turned down. She leaned against my shoulder for a second, closing her eyes before straightening up. Abe extended his arm out to Rose, letting her lean against him.

"If she doesn't get better by tonight, let me know?" I asked, no point in hiding my concern. Abe nodded and tightened his arm around Rose.

"If it's not better by dinner time I'll be taking her to the hospital," he said while holding her upright as they walked out of the office. I crossed my arms over my chest and looked at the men in front of me.

"Anything else that you would like to discuss?" I asked. Mr. Pylar seemed appeased, glancing back at Abe as he walked out of the door.

"You have a history with Mazur?"

"He's been friends with my babushka since I was a child," I said plainly. Mr. Pylar nodded and glanced at Mr. Conta.

"I believe I have heard everything I needed to hear. Abe mentioned she's your mate?"

I unbuttoned my cuff and rolled it up, showing the finger marks on my wrist.

"We found out accidentally," I said.

He nodded and gestured for the other board members to leave the office, leaving Mr. Conta in their wake. I looked at him with a hard look.

"If your daughter tries to pursue another teacher at this academy, she will be suspended. My tolerance is running low with her antics. Her bullying of other students will also not be tolerated," I said before turning back into my office.

Rose was in a foul mood in the weeks following. Camilla Conta had opened her mouth, spreading nasty rumours about Rose and my hands were partly tied. On one hand, what she was saying was slander, and if Rose or Abe wanted to push the issue it could result in suspension, but on the other hand, it was high school drama. Rose tried not to let it show on the surface level that it bothered her, but I could see it.

But that's how I found myself in this situation, the board members, the police, Rose, Camilia, and both of their parents.

"I think that everyone is overreacting," Karen Conta said but I shook my head.

"Your daughter has been slandering another student, inside and outside of the Academy, for weeks. It has gotten to the point where other parents are contacting the school and the board. I warned Mr. Conta that Ms. Conta needed to get her act together. Instead of actively pursuing other teachers, she is now attacking another student. Not only about our mateship but about her medical conditions."

"Now, just because another student is being inappropriate with a teacher-"

"I do not see how my daughter has been inappropriate in any way. Any time Rose has seen Dean Belikov outside of the Academy, she has been supervised by either myself or her uncle," Abe cut off, "And to be quite frank, I am at the point of pressing charges. It's not just my daughter who has reported the slander and bullying that has been happening. Other teachers have brought it to my attention."

Both of the Contas blanched at the threat of legal action.

"I'd also like to point out that your daughter's boss is a very close friend of mine and brought what was being said to my attention. Calling my daughter a 'slutty, attention-seeking spoonie' is not going to be allowed," Abe said as he pulled his phone out to read the exact wording that was used.

I tried not to look at Rose throughout the meeting, but I could see from my peripheral that she sat with her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her eyes staring at the pen holder on my desk. Camila looked like she didn't have a care in the world, thinking that she was going to get out of this meeting with nothing but a slap on the wrist.

The Conta family didn't seem to understand that it wasn't just Abe who was going to pursue charges, but myself and the Academy. She was slandering me and the Academy as a whole. It didn't matter if Mrs. Conta was part of the parental board, Abe contributed to the school each year more than what the Contas made.

"I believe you are failing to acknowledge that the Academy's lawyers have now gotten involved," Mr. Pylar said firmly, tending his finger as he leaned back in the chair.

"I don't believe that is true," Mr. Conta said but I glanced towards the other man to my side.

"As the spokesperson for the Academy, we have retained our lawyers in pursuit of this. The Academy has been lenient with much of Ms. Conta's behaviour, but this is where it ends. There are laws that protect mates from punishment due to age, and we will stand by our staff and students. Dean Belikov will also be pressing charges due to the slander that has affected him."

Mr. Conta paled and cleared his throat, his eyes flicking around the room at all the people involved.

"And an alternative to charges?"

I tapped my fingers against the blotter on my desk.

"First; a genuine apology from Ms. Conta to Ms. Hathaway-Mazur for the bullying. Secondly, Ms. Conta will have a two-week in-school suspension, and will help with the Easter food drive for the homeless shelter," I started. I could see Camilia start to protest but I held my hand up.

"You will do this, or you will lose your privilege to go to prom," I said sternly, "My tolerance and patience is next to non-existent. You will either agree to the terms, or you will have charges pressed against you."

Camilia pressed her lips together before sitting back in her chair with a thump.

"Fine," she bit out with a glare.

"If you step a toe out of line again before the year is out, you will be expelled. Have I made myself clear?" Mr. Pylar stated, tilting his head.

"Do you have the authority to do that?" Rose asked with a slight shake of her head. There wasn't an excited or leading tone, but one of annoyance.

"I do, I have the authority and enough evidence to do so," he said.

Rose shook her head and looked out the window. Camilia sighed and had a pissed-off look on her face.

"I understand," Camila said. Shortly after that, everyone was dismissed. Rose lingered behind for a moment and rested her hands on the desk, leaning over the desk at me.

"I asked you to leave this alone," she said.

"If I can't protect you from this as your boyfriend, I will protect you as my student. I can't compromise on that," I said plainly and laced my fingers together. Rose narrowed her eyes at me and I couldn't help but tease her.

"And to be fair, that shirt really isn't appropriate for school, my dear. It's a little more sheer than I'd like other boys to see," I said with a wink. Rose rolled her eyes at me and stood up straight and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Really? That's what you want to say?"

I stood up and came around the desk, sitting on the edge of it so I was at eye level with her.

"Let me protect you," I whispered, "You can tell me until you're blue in the face that this situation isn't bothering you, but I think that you forget that your best friend is willing to sell you out."

Rose huffed and shook her head at me.

"You suck," she whispered half-heartedly.

I smiled at her and cupped her cheeks. "But I will always protect your best interest, even if you don't want me to. That's what a man does for the woman he cares for."

Rose smiled tightly at me and nodded. "I know. I'm still a little irritated with you," she said.

I smiled at her and pecked her lips gently. It was the first time I had done it, and we had been seeing each other for a handful of weeks now. We were taking things slow despite knowing we were mates.

Rose blushed a little and licked her lips.

"I have to get back to class," she said. I nodded and squeezed her hand.

"I'll see you at lunch," I said as I walked her to the door. She smiled at me as she walked through the main office, patting her father on the shoulder as she passed. Abe smiled at her and then looked at me, nodding at me.

"I'll be seeing you for dinner on Friday," Abe stated. To anyone else, it would have sounded like a question, but I knew that it was a demand.

"Of course," I said politely. I noticed Rose standing just in the doorway, her eyes flicking between us.

There's a part 3 :)