Page 5

Ellie

Dr. Ha-joon Clark was way more accommodating than I would ever have thought in a million years. I actually felt bad for having turned him down previously after meeting him… Assuming he was really the man in front of me and not all an act that got around my magic somehow.

I’d assumed a lot after looking into him.

In my defense, it was the persona and image he allowed people to put out there.

He was on the damn brochures of the hospital he was currently an attending at.

They used him for promo and raising money.

He was the son of one of the most powerful Alphas in Europe.

And I didn’t mean physically. The Clarks had power and money and connections that went back so many generations that it would mean a headache for me. Others longed to make those sorts of introductions, but all it meant to me was headaches and people trying to flex their power on me.

That was something I didn’t allow in my hospital. Not from anyone, so if Dr. Clark thought his impressive lineage would make a difference in his career with ASH, he would quickly find out he was sorely mistaken.

He truly didn’t seem the type though and I did feel a bit bad.

I’d let my own prejudices against people in power and with those types of backgrounds lead me to turn someone down who could have been a good fit for the hospital.

In my defense, he was still a risk, and normally I didn’t take those kinds of risks.

Not with so much always on the line.

“Unfortunately for you, I’m not the only one you have to win over since I don’t pull fast ones on my own people,” I told Dr. Clark after we had our heart-to-heart and laid everything out on the table.

He probably thought he would get the rest of his tour before signing the paperwork to start, but there were more hoops for him to jump through.

Several more hoops at least.

I slowed down when I saw who I wanted. “This is—”

“Dr. Sean James, head of Shifter Health and Wellness,” Dr. Clark finished for me, extending his hand to the man.

“I came to your lecture in Paris last year about the importance of working through the warning signs pre-teens can have, especially in shifters with larger animals. It was a compelling lecture and it’s an honor to meet you again, sir. ”

“Well, he plays nice if the board is going to push him on us,” Dr. James chuckled as he shook Dr. Clark’s hand. His eyes were still on me. “Are you okay? Did they—”

“Have you ever known the board to get to me, much less win?” I asked with a chuckle of my own. “This might be their move, but if it’s the cookie they want for playing nice with me, then it’s at least a good cookie and he’s more than qualified.”

“Yes, I fully agree given he was at the top of my list of possible candidates,” Dr. James replied easily, smiling when Dr. Clark couldn’t hide his shock.

“You are impressive as well, Dr. Clark, and I remember you from the lecture. You asked engaging questions and were an eager pup to learn more even after everyone politely kissed my ass.”

I could almost see the large Alpha wolf blush which was a bit too adorable and something I shouldn’t notice in a professional setting.

“It is my field of focus as well,” Dr. Clark replied, clearing his throat and dropping Dr. James’s hand. “I apologize that the board pushed me on everyone. I simply wanted the chance to be a part of ASH and prove myself.”

“You were at the top of Dr. James’s list and that’s why I introduced you to him first,” I told Dr. Clark. “But all of the department heads have to agree before I put through the official offer. All of the ones you will answer to.”

“If you have no objections, the rest of us won’t,” Dr. James assured me. “Head of surgery didn’t have him simply because he didn’t have any surgical experience, and they always need more hands.”

“That’s not accurate actually,” Dr. Clark hedged. “I did a two-year trauma surgeon fellowship, but my previous hospital didn’t like to list it on my credentials since they looked down on where I did it.”

“How pretentious,” Dr. James drawled, hating that kind of shit as much as I did. “If it’s accredited, it’s accredited. You could help the program by saying you were a graduate of it.”

“I agree, but I find I’m not the boss of everything,” Dr. Clark chuckled awkwardly.

“No, but I’m glad to hear you’re an Alpha who doesn’t flex or push too hard. That bodes well for this to work.” Dr. James nodded to me. “I know your day is overflowing, so I’ll get Dr. Clark squared away and introduced to everyone.”

I raised an eyebrow at him. “And your day is just light and empty?”

“No, but I head one department and have an army of support. You run the whole hospital that’s basically Atlanta and have to deal with all of the idiots. One of us has more to do than the other.”

And that was why Dr. James and I always got along so well. He was genuine in his opinion and feelings.

“I appreciate you tagging in.” I went to turn away but stopped. “Don’t let anyone take this hit if they’re not comfortable. I’ll handle the board if we want another candidate. Whatever is best for the hospital and our people.”

Dr. James leaned in and lowered his voice. “We’ve got your back too, Ellie. I think he’s the right guy, but I’ll make sure. Now go be fabulous and let us do what we should.”

“Thanks, Sean,” I said just as quietly before nodding to Dr. Clark.

I wasn’t sure if I was glad or disappointed when all of the heads were completely sure about Clark by the end of the day. It meant I didn’t have to go to war with the board, but I would have to see the very, very handsome man who got under my skin in a way that I wasn’t fond of.

And my hormones.

I kept my end of the deal and printed out his full offer package including the benefits and salary I was willing to offer. He would probably want more given the posh position he’d had at his last place, but none of that mattered. We paid well for the job.

Not his notoriety.

I went to talk to my best friend, Dr. Joyce Tai, and get the gossip of what people were already saying about Dr. Clark. That and I just needed a friend after the day I had.

I found her in her office dictating notes… Among other things.

I sighed. Heavily. “Dr. Tai, is that a patient you’re scratching like a pet? Again?”

She jumped, clearly not having heard me even though I’d knocked before entering. She blinked at me a moment before looking down at her hand.

The hand that was scratching a cougar’s butt.

And not a wild, natural cougar.

A shapeshifter.

She winced as she looked back at me.

“This is why the poor maintenance staff is always cleaning up dead birds and animals in the parking lot, Dr. Tai,” I said as evenly as possible.

“You give their animals this extra love forgetting they’re people too and when they shift, their animals hunt and leave you presents by your vehicle. And the poor staff has to handle it.”

“Hey, those deer last month were tasty,” she defended.

“Yes, fine, but not everyone can bring deer,” I drawled. “Normally, it’s just dead pigeons or gross for the staff.” It was seriously hard not to laugh—or throttle her—when she went back to absently scratching the cougar’s butt. “Joyce!”

“Sorry, sorry,” she sighed as she stood and moved away. “Hey, it’s good for the patients. Their animals need to feel the—”

“Yes, yes, I know. I fully understand and even how we forget since we’re not shifters,” I said gently.

“But it’s also put you in danger , Joyce.

I’m saying this as your friend, not your boss.

” I gave the cougar a look of warning. “Take that as a massage of comfort and nothing else, because while we value our patients, I will protect—”

The man shifted back and was kind enough to use a folder to hide his groin.

He was maybe mid-twenties and shy. “I apologize for overstepping, and I promise I won’t become a fanboy of Dr. Tai.

I know she has many and—I needed the comfort.

My cougar did—does. I didn’t notice it was butt scratches either.

She was—it was my ears, but I just kinda plopped down and—”

“I understand, and I’m sorry I was so abrasive,” I cut in. “I’m sorry for whatever you’re going through. Have you reached out to one of the support groups?”

He sighed. Heavily. “Yes, but they seem to be more focused on mating me off than listening to what’s going on with me. Mating me off after getting dumped and my cougar misses his play friend and our—how does that help?”

“It doesn’t,” I agreed. “But your cougar could make a mistake and transfer feelings, especially if he’s upset over losing a lover.” I shot Joyce a look that I was no longer amused but going to throttle her before focusing on him again.

“I didn’t know it was a lover, just a cougar playmate,” Joyce defended.

The guy winced. “I didn’t want you to worry I was one of the creeper fanboys people talk about stalking you. I just know you helped a friend of mine, so I… This is the longest my cougar’s come out in over a month.”

“I’m sorry and that’s rough, but especially given you lost a female in your life, speaking to a male doctor for help is best,” I told him gently.

“Ms. Reed is right,” Joyce agreed. “And we actually have a shifting specialist coming on staff, Dr. Ha-joon Clark.”

The man’s eyes flashed shock. “He’s coming here? He’s impossible to get an appointment with unless you’re famous or have a few mil in the bank.”

Yeah, that was his reputation and part of why I had repeatedly overlooked him.

“That won’t be the case anymore,” I promised him. “Nothing is signed yet, but I promise that once he gets settled in his office, he will call you first for an appointment, okay?”

“Yeah, that’s—thanks.” He smiled at Joyce. “Thanks for the help. Really.”

I swallowed a sigh when he practically had hearts dancing around his head. Of course he did.