Chapter 33 CHAPTER 33

Chapter 33 CHAPTER 33
Rafael's POV
"About three nights ago," Principal Morrison said. "Were you at Vivienne's apartment?"

My stomach tightened. So her uncle had come here. Had told his version of the story.

"Yes," I said. No point in lying. "I was there."

The principal nodded slowly, like he'd expected that answer. "And did you assault Martin Chen?"

Beside me, Vivienne flinched.

I kept my voice steady. "That depends on your definition of assault."

"I'm using the legal definition, Mr. Steele. Did you physically attack Martin Chen, causing injuries severe enough to require hospitalization?"

My jaw clenched. "Is that what he told you?"

"I'm asking you." The principal leaned forward, his expression serious. "Mr. Chen came to this office earlier today with some very serious allegations. He claims that you and another individual broke into his home and brutally attacked him without provocation. He's threatening to press charges. Criminal charges."

My wolf stirred, but I kept him contained. "And you believe him?"

"What I believe isn't the issue. What matters is what happened." Principal Morrison's eyes were sharp. "So I'm going to ask you again, and I need the truth. Did you assault Martin Chen?"

I looked at Vivienne. She was staring at her lap, tears still falling silently.

Then I looked back at the principal.

"Yes," I said flatly. "I did."

Vivienne's breath hitched.

"I see." Principal Morrison sat back in his chair. "Mr. Steele, do you understand the severity of what you're admitting to? Assault and battery. Breaking and entering. If Mr. Chen decides to pursue this, you could be expelled. You could lose your hockey scholarship. You could face criminal prosecution."

"I understand."

"And you're still willing to admit it?"

"Yes."

The principal was quiet for a moment, studying me. "Why?"

"Because he was killing her." The words came out hard, cold. "When I got there, he had Vivienne against the wall. His hands were around her throat. She couldn't breathe. Her face was turning blue."

Vivienne let out a small sob.

I kept going. "Another thirty seconds and she would have been dead. So yeah, I broke down the door. I pulled him off her. And I made sure he wouldn't be able to hurt her again."

"By beating him severely enough to break multiple bones?"

"By doing whatever it took to stop him." I met the principal's eyes directly. "And I'd do it again. Right now. If he walked through that door and tried to touch her, I'd put him in the hospital again without a second thought."

Principal Morrison's expression didn't change. "That's a confession to assault, Mr. Steele. You realize that?"

"I don't care."

"You don't care about potentially being expelled? About losing your scholarship? About having a criminal record?"

"No." My voice was flat. "I don't."

Vivienne turned to look at me then, her eyes wide. "Rafael—"

"I'm not letting anyone hurt you," I said, looking at her. "I don't care what the consequences are. Your life is worth more than a hockey scholarship or a clean record or any of it."

Fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.

The principal was quiet for a long moment. Then he did something unexpected.

He smiled.

"Good answer, Mr. Steele."

I blinked. "What?"

"I said, good answer." He sat back in his chair, and his entire demeanor shifted. The stern principal act dropped away, replaced by something softer. "Because Martin Chen is a lying, abusive piece of shit who deserved everything you did to him and more."

My mouth fell open slightly.

"Sir?" I managed.

"Vivienne told me everything," Principal Morrison said. "About the three years of abuse. About him stealing her college fund. About the starvation and the beatings and the threats." His expression hardened. "And about him trying to strangle her to death in his own apartment."

He looked at me, and there was approval in his eyes. Something like respect.

"What you did, Mr. Steele—stopping him from killing her—that wasn't assault. That was saving her life. And I'm not about to punish you for that."

Relief flooded through me. "You're not?"

"No. In fact, if Martin Chen tries to press charges, I'll be the first person to testify on your behalf." He pulled out a folder from his desk. "I've already contacted Child Protective Services. They're opening an investigation into the abuse. And I've made it very clear to Mr. Chen that if he comes near this school—or near Vivienne—again, I'll have him arrested."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "So... we're not in trouble?"

"You're not in trouble with me." The principal's expression turned serious again. "But I need to be realistic with you. If Martin Chen does file a police report and gives them your name, you could still face charges. Self-defense is a legal defense, but it's not a guarantee. And given the extent of his injuries..."

"I understand." I squeezed Vivienne's hand. "But I meant what I said. I'd do it again."

"I believe you." Principal Morrison looked between us. "Now, there's something else we need to discuss."

I tensed slightly. "What?"

"I understand that Vivienne has been staying at your home for the past three days."

"Yes," I said carefully. "She's been in our guest room. My parents know she's there."

"And your sister, Emma, has been with her the entire time?"

"Yes. Vivienne hasn't been alone."

The principal nodded slowly. "I appreciate that you and your family stepped in to help. But you understand that this is... irregular? A seventeen-year-old girl living with her classmate's family without any official approval or documentation?"

"We couldn't let her go back there," I said firmly. "Not after what he did."

"I'm not criticizing your decision, Mr. Steele. In fact, I think you did the right thing." He leaned forward. "But moving forward, we need to do this properly. Through official channels. CPS will need to approve any placement, and there will be home visits, interviews, paperwork."

"Whatever it takes," I said. "My family is willing to do whatever's necessary."

"Are your parents prepared for that? For the scrutiny and the responsibility?"

"Yes." I didn't hesitate. "They'll do whatever it takes to keep Vivienne safe."

Principal Morrison studied me for a moment. "You care about her a great deal, don't you?"

My hand tightened slightly around Vivienne's. "Yes."

"I can see that." He sat back in his chair. "Alright. I'll need to speak with your parents directly. Can you have them call me this afternoon?"

"I'll tell them as soon as we get home."

"Good." He pulled out a business card and slid it across the desk. "That's my direct line. Have them call anytime before five."

I took the card and pocketed it. "Thank you, sir. For everything."

"Don't thank me yet. This is going to be a long process." His expression turned serious. "CPS investigations take time. There will be interviews, documentation, possibly court appearances. And Martin Chen still has legal rights as Vivienne's guardian until a judge says otherwise."

Vivienne made a small sound of distress.

"But," the principal continued, his voice gentler, "I'm going to do everything in my power to help. I'll provide statements, character references, whatever you need. And I'll make sure the school cooperates fully with the investigation."

"I appreciate that," I said quietly.

"However." His tone sharpened. "I need to be very clear about something with both of you."

I met his eyes. "What?"

"What you did three nights ago—while understandable and, in my opinion, justified—cannot happen again." He looked directly at me. "If Martin Chen or anyone else threatens Vivienne, you call the police. You call me. You call CPS. But you do not take matters into your own hands. Do you understand?"

My jaw clenched. "And if the police don't get there in time? If she's in danger and I'm the only one who can help?"

"Then you protect her using the minimum force necessary and you call the authorities immediately." His expression was firm. "I understand your instinct to defend her, Mr. Steele. But you're eighteen. You're legally an adult. And the next time you put someone in the hospital—no matter how justified—you might not walk away without charges. I can't protect you from that."

He was right. I knew he was right. 

But my wolf disagreed. My wolf would tear apart anyone who tried to hurt our mate, consequences be damned.

The ways of the humans was honestly so restrictive but then again, I was in their world, so I needed to follow their rules. 

"I understand," I said, even though I wasn't sure I meant it.

Principal Morrison didn't look convinced, but he nodded anyway. "Good. Because Vivienne needs you to stay out of jail. She needs your support, not your absence."

That hit harder than it should have.

"I'll do my best," I said quietly. "But if someone tries to hurt her again—"

"You call for help first. That's not a suggestion, Mr. Steele. That's a requirement." He looked at both of us. "I'm on your side. I want to help. But I can only do that if you work within the system, not outside of it."

Vivienne's hand squeezed mine. "We will," she said softly. "We promise."

I looked at her, then back at the principal. "Yeah. We will."

"Good." Principal Morrison stood up, signaling that the conversation was over. "Now, I'm writing you both passes for the rest of the day. Go home. Rest. And have your parents call me, Mr. Steele."

He started writing on official school letterhead, his handwriting quick and efficient.

"One more thing," he said without looking up. "Vivienne, you're excused from classes for the rest of the week if you need it. Take the time to process everything. Your teachers will work with you on any missed assignments."

"Thank you," Vivienne whispered.

He finished writing and handed us each a pass. "My door is always open if either of you need anything. And I mean that. Even if it's just to talk."

I stood up, helping Vivienne to her feet. "Thank you, Principal Morrison. Really. For believing her. For helping."

"It's my job to protect my students." His expression softened slightly. "I just wish I'd noticed what was happening sooner. That I could have done something before it got to this point."

"It's not your fault," Vivienne said quietly.

"Maybe not. But I'll do better going forward." He looked at me. "And Mr. Steele? Thank you. For being there when she needed someone. Not everyone would have done what you did."

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

"Now go. Both of you. And remember—anything happens, you call the police first. Understood?"

"Understood," I said.

We left his office, and the moment the door closed behind us, Vivienne sagged against me.