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I just wanted her to be my Ellie.

She let me kiss her good morning, but that was it. She seemed hesitant and cut me a few looks as she walked me out.

And that made me nervous.

Very nervous.

Which was how I forgot my parents were coming for their physicals.

And that I’d done something the night before that I needed to tell them about.

Shit. Shit… And double shit.

Luckily, I came across Dr. Carpenter on the way to go meet up with them. “I need a favor and it will help Ellie, so you’re not telling me no.”

“You’re getting a bit too bold there, kid, and it’s annoying me,” he grumbled but sighed. “The guy you mauled last night. I was just informed the Alpha of London is here for his physical. I assume you didn’t tell your parents.”

“No, I made up with Ellie and—” I sighed when he growled. “Not like that. I don’t even know if we’re good. She’s going through something and obviously is having trouble sleeping but—”

He grabbed my arm rougher than I would have expected and forced me to face him. “Her insomnia is back?”

I blinked at him. “I don’t know. She didn’t tell me. She fell asleep hugging me after we talked.” Hope filled me. “Is that the weird looks she was giving me this morning?”

He studied me a moment. “I might stop being annoyed with you if you can help her sleep and—did she have any nightmares? She normally has nightmares after a case like yesterday and when she has to save a vampire.”

I slowly shook my head. “She didn’t stir once. I was holding her. I would have woken—I woke when she got up before her alarm. That was it.”

“Fuck, fine, okay, you can have her if you aren’t an idiot. She hid from Fitz when she was upset. If she can turn to you—fine, let’s go help you so you can help her. We need her,” he grumbled and dragged me along.

What was in Ellie’s past that was seriously so bad?

I knew I wouldn’t get the answer, but of course it would worry me.

Dr. Carpenter was perfect and laid it on thick that of course such a respected Alpha would have a son who was a protector. That the guards were impressed how strong I was and how fast I’d handled the situation to keep everyone safe.

But Mum saw through the bluster and was focused on me. “Is that all that is wrong, Ha-joon?”

I dropped the act for a second and met her worried gaze. “I didn’t think I was such a pup and knew all the ugliness in our world. I thought this ugliness was in our past—that we’d evolved past treating women this way. Not just the patient and her daughter, but hearing that man speak to Ms. Reed like—pulling a gun on her—it was hard to hold back.”

Dr. Carpenter didn’t hide his shock before reaching over and rubbing my shoulder. “You did good, kid. Really. I know Elliewould have handled it all on her own, but she shouldn’t always have to. We should be a family who protects each other. We’ll protect you next when they try to use it against you. The guards already submitted everything to the police and—”

“I know it’s not standard, but I would like to be looped in,” Father said quietly. “He hasn’t even met with the Atlanta Alpha yet, only my mate. Things have been too busy for Ha-joon, and I don’t want this to negatively affect his life here when it is the life he has always wanted.”

“I won’t allow that, Alpha,” Dr. Carpenter promised. “Your son is an amazing doctor and asset to this hospital. And I’m not one to give praise easily. None of our department heads, but theyallhave praised him. He jumps in and doesn’t have the ego any of us with his talent would. Myself included. We protect ours, but I will ask Dr. James to speak with the Alpha.”

“Thank you, truly,” Father accepted before giving me a sad look. “I’m sorry that your name hinders you again.”

“Da, it’s not like that,” I said quietly. “Thank you for not holding me back to fit the form of what most would want from an Alpha family member. That’s why I know I’m so loved. Really.”

Relief flashed in his eyes, but then he was back to being Alpha and smoothly handled Dr. Carpenter as well. He took a quick tour of my practice before we got started on their physicals. Mum was having hers with Dr. Tai—for obvious reasons—but Da was with me.

He made jokes about not sticking my finger in his ass like the humans had to do for prostate exams. My staff shared glances like they didn’t know if they could laugh or not but lightened up a bit when I chuckled. My father tried hard to set people at ease so they didn’t get anxious being around Alphas.

Sometimes he just missed the mark.

Others wanted that fear or worry people had being around them but not my parents. They were Alphas who understoodthat pack was family, and while sometimes that meant tough love… It was all supposed to be founded in love.

I slipped some extra questions in the normal physical ones because I had suspected a few things with my father after the visit. Luck was on my side because his phone was going nonstop and I told him it was fine to answer texts while answering my questions.