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“My goal is to show people,” I told her honestly.

I cleared my throat and leaned in more, lowering my voice.

“It’s why I hated my last hospital so much.

They would boast I could give miracles, but they wouldn’t let me lecture or share how .

They wanted something that could help people be proprietary and… ”

“You couldn’t stomach that.”

“No, no, I couldn’t, so as much as I hate how I got my foot in here and upset Ms. Reed, I needed to get out of there for my own mental health,” I finally confessed.

She studied me several moments. “Ellie’s a forgiving woman.

If you’re really on our team and want to help the hospital, she won’t hold that against you or your career.

” She let out a huff. “Just don’t be another stupid man with too big of an ego that gives her more fucking problems. I can’t take walking in on another lunatic screaming at her like your predecessor did. ”

“I’m not one to scream, and I genuinely don’t have an ego unless someone pokes it or my family,” I admitted, curious to learn more about the guy I was replacing now.

I left it alone though, seeing that whatever had happened truly shook Dr. Tai to witness. I couldn’t even imagine how much it had upset Ms. Reed to experience.

The rest of the day was just as amazing. The efficiency and patient care were unreal. I heard the staff calling people to follow up from appointments the week before. They followed a checklist depending on what their diagnosis had been along with a section for any notes the doctor might need.

Mum was waiting for me when I was done. I smiled, genuinely happy to see her even if she was waiting out front like a mother picking up her child from his first day of school.

She let out a cute yelp when I picked her up and spun us instead of simply hugging her. “Ha-joon, put me down before I spank you.”

I laughed and did as she said, kissing both her cheeks. “Mum, this place—it’s everything I’ve wanted.”

Tears filled her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away. “I am glad, my youngest. You deserve a place where you can thrive.” She patted my cheek. “Come, I have three condos for you to look at. We will see my favorite first so you can have a home and settle.”

“Thanks, Mum,” I whispered, knowing she’d dropped everything to spend her entire day helping me. “Really.”

She waited until we were in the car and the driver was pulling off the curb before replying.

“Your father and I weren’t there for you enough when you were young.

We know this. Parents are not perfect, but we regret we were not better to you.

This is your dream and we support it. Let us be better parents now and help you shine as you should. ”

I reached over and took her hand. “I never blamed either of you.” I smiled when she snorted. “I wanted to kick my older siblings a lot for always being such handfuls and taking all of your attention, but there are only so many hours in the day, Mum. I felt loved.”

“You were neglected and practically raised by nannies. I will never forgive myself,” she whispered, regret thick in her voice.

“The pack and family were under threat. I’m not stupid.

I’ve heard the whispers. It was all serious and real.

I’m not angry, and I know you wish things were different.

” I raised our hands to my lips and kissed hers.

“I love you both a lot, Mum. We’re okay.

” It wasn’t enough and I could smell the regret on her still.

“Helping me now is all I need. I want this more than anything.”

“Good, good. Then I will handle it all,” she promised.

I relaxed when the regret faded and she was relieved. I truly didn’t harbor any ill will towards my parents. I’d been an oops baby when too much had been going on and I had seven older siblings. One who was training to be Alpha one day and all of us powerful.

Then I was born with an Alpha aura stronger than all of them and… The problem was my siblings. They were jealous and scared of me. They started all of the trouble and never wanted me around.

It was why I didn’t have much of a relationship with any of them. I didn’t go to the family functions or holidays, choosing to see my parents on the side and spend actual time just with them instead.

Family was complicated. What else was there really to say?

I loved the first place. It was completely out of my price range even as an attending doctor since I was under a hundred.

Maybe even then.

“Mum, how much is this place?” I whispered as the agent listed all the amenities.

“More than you would want us to spend,” she admitted. “But the security here is the best. This was the place the local Alpha Mate recommended to me.” She gave me an imploring look. “Please, let us, my youngest. If you don’t like it, we will find what you do, but the security…”

I kissed her hair. “Let’s finish the tour, Mum.”

The place was great, and I let out a whistle when I saw the four-and-half- million -dollar price tag. I had no concept of the real estate market in America, much less downtown Atlanta, but for a four thousand square foot condo in such a posh place with armed guards even… I maybe wasn’t surprised.

“It is too much when everything has to be refinished and redone,” Mum complained.

“Everything is of the highest quality, Mrs. Clark,” the agent argued. “And of the finest—”

“Yes, they bought everything that was most expensive, but it all clashes ,” Mum drawled.

“Fancy red marble countertops with dark wood clashes. The condo is lovely but like a clown lived here. So many different deep wood colors and—it’s a mess.

” She patted my arm. “We can have a team sand and refinish in a flash and the rest as time allows.”

And give her an excuse to visit and spend more time involved in my life.

I kissed her hair yet again. “Thanks, Mum. I would love that. I completely agree, but the condo’s great.

Close to the hospital and the gym here is perfect.

The pool for when my wolf needs to relax.

You’ve thought of everything. It’s perfect. ”

The relief that came off of her filled my nose… Which was why I snuck off and called my father to tell him the truth.

“The condo is overkill, but Mum wants the security for me and a project to get me settled redoing it,” I told him after basic greetings. “I’m not being spoiled. I’m letting her—”

“I know, Hugo,” he replied.

Hugo was my English name, and that meant he was around people that either he didn’t want to know he was talking to his son or… I wasn’t sure, but I took the hint.

“You’re not selfish or demanding. Your mum—we’re both worried about this move. Whatever she thinks is best—let her win this time. Please.”

“I will,” I accepted. “The hospital is great and the head administrator won’t hold the board thing against me. Mum smoothed it over and the board—they’re idiots. They wanted to hold my leash and turn ASH into what my previous hospital was.”

“Corrupt and made the board rich,” he mumbled. “And that would break everything great about ASH. Well, you know best and we’re here for you. I’ve hired a warlock full-time who can open portals so don’t worry.”

“Da, that’s too much,” I whispered, shocked that he was adding someone to the payroll just for that.

Just for me.

“You moving away was the final straw,” he comforted. “I should have done this sooner and not been so cheap.” He mumbled something to someone and came back. “I have to go. Be well, Hugo, and be honest with us so we can help.”

“I will, Da.” I knew he’d discussed hiring a warlock for portals before, but that was an expensive hire. High six figures a year at least.

Wow. I really was loved. I would have to remember that the next time my lingering resentment of being forgotten too many times by my family flared up.

And Mum really did handle everything. While I was busy getting acclimated at the hospital, she handled buying the condo and getting things started. I would sleep in one of the guest rooms while everything was refinished and painted.

I agreed with most everything she wanted except changing out the tiling and flooring of the entryway and bathrooms. It was honestly fine.

It only looked bad against the wood as it was, but that was going to change.

And the bathrooms were fine. I preferred plain.

They would be great with bright towels and some candles or decor.

Mum listened and accepted that. Breaks at work were full of me approving this and that, including letting their staff pack up my flat in the UK.

But five days after I arrived in Atlanta, I was staying in the guest room of my condo and thrilled with my new life. I was completely detached from my old hospital and just… Yeah, life was good.

It was pretty late after I finished using the gym and sauna and I chuckled that I was spoiled to have food waiting for me in the fridge as I hit the elevator to go up.

Mum had made sure their chefs were meal prepping for me.

It was great, all of my favorites, and—I was more spoiled than I’d been living in the UK because she was worried about me.

The doors opened and nothing—and I mean nothing —shocked me more than seeing Ms. Reed standing there… Especially since she was only in a robe. It wasn’t a lingerie one, but it definitely wasn’t a bathrobe either.

And it was extremely flattering with all of her lush curves.

Her thick, long hair was down and—bedhead. She had bedhead, and it was clear she’d been having fun.

Even before the scent of sex and a man filled my nose.

We stood there and just stared at each other in shock. I didn’t snap out of it until the door almost closed again. I stuck my hand in to stop it at the last minute and it popped back open.

“I didn’t know you lived here,” I said as I stepped on. “I just bought a condo here.”

She cleared her throat and snapped out of it when I pressed the button for my floor. “I guess that’s understandable with your family. Dr. James has a unit here because it’s so close but mostly prefers his house. Others too.”

“Makes sense.” I wasn’t sure what else to say and it took all of my willpower not to stare at her.

But then I realized she was staring at me.

Or more my sweaty, naked chest.

Had whoever she’d been with not given her enough attention? Because if that was what she needed, I’d be more than happy to give her anything and everything that—

The elevator dinged as it reached my floor, and I snapped out of my lusty thoughts even as I inhaled deeply to get more of her scent. I dipped my head. “Have a good night, Ms. Reed.”

“You too, Dr. Clark,” she whispered.

I stopped in the doorway and looked at her over my shoulder, catching her checking out my back and ass. “Ha-joon is really fine if we’re outside of the office. Apparently, we’re neighbors now too.”

Her pretty golden eyes flicked up to meet mine and she fidgeted with the ties on her robe. She seemed uncomfortable and unsure of what to say and I didn’t want her to feel that with me. “Welcome to the building.”

“Thanks.” I stepped off and let the door close behind me, catching one last glance of the vision that she was.

And then I went and took a shower, completely focused on thoughts I shouldn’t be.

My cock was rock hard and ready after seeing her and smelling sex on her.

I moaned her name as I finished, desperate knowing that she was just a few floors above me.

Was she thinking about my body too? Did she want me to touch her as much as I wanted to?

“This is going to be a problem,” I grumbled as I stared down at my still-hard and ready dick.

Yeah, a big problem for sure.