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“Yes, this one will be the most controversial or difficult to implement but has serious potential long term to change the face of medicine in our world,” I said firmly.

“You have our full attention, Clark,” Dr. Carpenter said firmly, ready with a pen and notepad even since Dr. James had hinted this was something he’d be interested in.

I let out a slow breath and changed out the presentations.

“One of the greatest risks a hospital takes on is personnel. The amount of time and effort and money put into doctors is incalculable but also the greatest. And it’s also the area doctors get the laziest in because they’re tired of their hard work moving on to another hospital.

“They see that as wasted effort. Yes, it still benefits our society—I even understand it. I’ve trained or worked with people who immediately were scooped up by another hospital and I’m frustrated that I spent so much time to not reap any benefit.

Yes, that sounds selfish, but—we’re only people and we want to feel our efforts valued as well. ”

I was glad when the group seemed to accept that and even accepted my stance instead of lecturing that I was being petty.

“I want to have a sponsored fellowship from a location,” I told them pulling up the next slide. “I’m not saying this to benefit London—and London certainly doesn’t need it—but it’s what I know.”

“He’s actually thinking rural or underserved areas but is too polite to say so,” Dr. James cut in, giving me a look to cut the shit.

“There are some major metropolitan areas that have some of the worst healthcare and we can all name the same five,” I defended.

“Fair, very fair,” he accepted. “Yes, I just—you’re—your parents raised you well on how to not stick your foot in your mouth in a group. Sometimes you just need to be blunt in your diagnosis so the problem can be handled.”

“I agree, but you must know your audience for that, and like Ms. Reed proved, if that attitude will be accepted,” I countered.

“I don’t know the people here remotely well enough for that.

And I won’t ever risk someone walking out of a meeting with me and having the opinion that I’m some elitist who looks down on rural areas. ”

“Moving on to the idea and why we’re here,” Ellie interjected when it seemed a few people wanted to quip about what I’d said. “I know this is getting longer than we planned and there are more meetings than we planned. We can discuss how to handle that and not take it out on Dr. Clark.”

“Yeah, that—I want to be pleased so many signed up with ideas and took initiative, but mostly I’m disappointed that they thought our standards are so low as to what we would consider a ‘good’ idea,” Dr. Carpenter grumbled.

I wasn’t touching that with a ten-meter pole, so I focused back on my presentation, speeding things up after Ellie’s hint.

“The idea is simple. Let an area fund a resident’s training here at ASH.

I would put in time to have a resident with promise under me but not have it affect my budget knowing they wouldn’t stay.

“But I could give a lot to a younger doctor who could bring a lot that’s useful to an area that’s full of shifters not getting the care they need.

They would also be the biggest advocate to get more people here when it’s needed.

A local or small practice to weed through small issues and tie it back to the other idea of an outreach program to educate. ”

“That’s why you said I’d like it,” Dr. Carpenter muttered, sharing a glance with Dr. James before focusing on me. “I’m a huge advocate about more training of pups even if we set them free.”

“As are a lot of us, but I also don’t disagree with Dr. Clark’s comments—how a lot of attendings feel about their time being abused to train people when they don’t get more from it,” Ellie interjected.

“Or hell, some have then tried to take over their practices later because doctors can be some of the biggest egotistical assholes.”

She apologized when several people glanced at her in shock… But she wasn’t wrong.

“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 control here ,” 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 much given it’s not like fellows make that much—and to be repaid over twenty years.

But they 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 a big deal, but we all felt it to some degree. Those of us with more power felt it more just like anything 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 have never hit 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.