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“Taking outside funding is dangerous and there’s a reason we don’t allow it,” someone argued.

“Right, but that’s because people want a part of the hospital or controlhere,” I hurried to respond. “This is to fund their salary for the training and living expenses. And not corporate sponsorships. Towns or counties can hold fundraisers or even set aside some amount of their taxes to save up for this. It couldn’t be every area at once either.”

“No, and most wouldn’t want to be first, so we’d have to do it strategically where places have suffered because they didn’t have someone,” Ellie muttered. “It has promise and possibilities. I’d even think a loan would be better and something that could show a better commitment.”

“Now that’s a thought,” Dr. James muttered, sitting back in his seat and moving his hands behind his head. “So borrow the money from the town or city and say they have to pay it back within ten or twenty years after starting their practice?”

“How could you guarantee people would actually go to them if it’s an area that doesn’t believe in our icky science?” someone countered. “You could have locals sticking it to them that they won’t go unless they lower prices. That would lead to a disaster and screw over a promising doctor. They’d be promising if they finished a fellowship here.”

“Good, yes,” Ellie agreed, already jotting down notes. “The loan for a quarter of the amount—which won’t be that muchgiven it’s not like fellows make that much—and to be repaid over twenty years.Butthey don’t have to keep a practice open there if the locals are abusing them. Something worded better legally.”

“A commitment to donate to the program so much every year after their loan is paid back,” I added, shrugging when several of them glanced at me. “If it works and gives them a real career they should pay it forward. We are by giving our time. Yes, another resident is always helpful, but I put in more work than I get a lot of times. That’s fine but—”

“They need to promise to do the same after they received such help,” Ellie muttered. “I like it. Yes.”

Everyone agreed and praised me for being the clear diamond of ASH with four winning proposals… Even if one was the same as what Ellie already had drawn up.

I was happy with the added bonus that I would get to work with her on the project and had the excuse for another reason to be close to her. I think she seemed to realize that as we were all walking out because she kept shooting me looks. There was also a range of emotions I caught from her like she couldn’t keep up with what she was feeling.

Riding the high of that meeting, I was in a good mood all day and my staff noticed it—the mood spreading even. The win helped me find the energy to attend the Atlanta pack’s new moon gathering.

Which of course I regretted.

While the full moon brought up some issues for shifters depending on what species, their age, sex, and power level, the new moon was called the “lazy days.” We didn’t have much of a drive opposite how we were keyed up, and I could even be aggressive and hormone-driven during the full moon.

The new moon wasn’t abigdeal, but we all felt it to some degree. Those of us with more power felt it more just likeanything else. I’d heard some women compare it to the low-energy phase of their menstrual cycle.

Which really sucked that they had two different forces of nature dragging them down… Because during the three or four days of the new moon, naps and more naps were the only thing that really sounded good to me.

There was a weird vibe when I arrived. An excitement that I wouldn’t have thought given what Ellie had told me about her conversation with the Alpha and the fire she’d put out. I would have thought hesitation and a lot of leery pack at my being there.

It put me on edge, especially when the Alpha was one of the most excited people. His welcome was too big, clapping me on the back like we were old friends and talking up my resume like he had any reason to brag about me. I bit my tongue to keep from reminding him that I wasn’t transferring packs officially.

I would now and forever be a part of my family’s pack. This was a long-term guest situation which was more than allowed.

Hell, most preferred it over having a member of an Alpha family join their pack. I couldn’t take over if I wasn’t an official member.

I was so shocked that I didn’t catch on fast enough. There was also a huge distraction in the form of his daughter who was radiating worry, disappointment, and several other negative emotions while trying to fake enthusiasm.

What was seriously going on?

“He could do way better, but it’s not a bad match,” someone said too loudly when the Alpha was distracted and people started to get ready to run.

And the Alpha’s daughter turned away like she’d been slapped.

Yeah, the pieces fell into place and I scrubbed my hand over my face. “Let’s have a chat, shall we?”

Anger filled her eyes. “I might be a broodmare to be handed off if your family wants, but I won’t ever be abused, and my father won’t allow that no matter your last name.”

“I haveneverhit a woman unless she’s hit me first,” I told her firmly but quietly. “I get to be angry when I walk into shit blind.” I thumbed over my shoulder towards the person who had just made the comment.

Confusion encircled her and she nodded, waving me to follow her.

Horror filled every inch of me as she filled me in on what she knew. I cut in when she started to nervously repeat herself, my rage making her wolf squirm given my power level. “I’m involved with someone. Someone my parents know about and that I plan to mate.”

Shock made her react like a fish, opening and closing her mouth several times before blowing out a harsh breath when she couldn’t seem to form words.

“Yeah, so again, I get to be pissed when I came to just run and settle my wolf after pushing this off too long because I didn’t want shit like this.”