Our discussion erupted into a full on argument when Julian arrived.
Head Healer Eric looked stunned to see the Alpha. Julian explained that he’d been called by the patient’s family-something had gone wrong, and they wanted his intervention.
“Although there was a complication during the surgery, we completed it successfully,” I responded. “Noah, please show the Alpha the post-op recording.”
Noah did, and the footage clearly displayed the scalp suturing process. The footage proved there was no broken needle left in the patient’s skull, and that my surgical technique was flawless, as I’d already known.
ENG 50%
“The first procedure was performed by me,” Noah said, stepping forward to defend me. “The needle broke inside. It surprised me, as a normal needle shouldn’t have behaved that way. But Healer Amanda removed the broken needle, grabbed a new one, and used a delicate needle to stitch it up perfectly. If it weren’t for Healer Amanda’s skill, we don’t know what kind of accident could’ve happened today.”
Julian nodded, then turned to the Head Healer. “You’ll need solid evidence.”
Head Healer Eric replied that the packaging of the defective equipment in Healer Amanda’s office was the evidence.
I shrugged, knowing that wasn’t proof of his accusations at all. “I already said-I didn’t know the tools were defective until afterward.” I glanced over at Julian and Beta. “This kind of thing can be resolved by just checking the surveillance footage.”
Julian ordered his Beta to pull the surveillance footage. When he returned, the report was clear: Noah had indeed visited Head Healer Eric’s office that morning, but he’d only dropped off files and left empty-handed. When he returned to my office, he still hadn’t carried anything. The tools had actually been delivered to my office by a nurse-on the Head Healer Eric’s assistant’s instruction.
Head Healer Eric wiped sweat from his forehead. “Maybe I made a mistake.”
Julian’s tone turned sharp. “You were responsible for storing defective tools properly. According to hospital policy, that failure alone warrants a one-month salary deduction. But because your negligence nearly caused a medical disaster, you’re being docked three months’ pay.”
He turned to me. “As for Healer Amanda-if not for your exceptional skills, this could’ve gone very differently.”
Then he looked around the room. “Healer Amanda is a specialist I personally recruited at great cost. If anyone dares to slander her again without cause, I’ll enforce much harsher penalties.”
I looked at head Healer Eric and smiled my nicest smile. “Maybe the management of this hospital is worse than I imagined. Practicing here, and I have to worry about all this useless shit. I thought this was supposed to be the best hospital in all the packs.”
With that, I turned and left.
A while later, Julian knocked on the door to my office and entered, his attitude respectful.
“Healer Amanda, I’m sorry for the accident. I’ll take steps to straighten out the corruption at this hospital.”
I didn’t say anything, merely looking at him from above her mask.
Julian continued, “Can I discuss something with you?”
I led Julian to my office, my heart racing. I was sure he still didn’t know that “Healer Amanda” was really his ex-wife. If he did, he wouldn’t have approached me so calmly. Images of Julian’s behavior at the open house flashed through my mind.
Him grasping my wrist outside the school at the open house.
Him showing up at my door unannounced while I was cooking my daughter dinner.
No, if he knew that I was Amber, he’d be acting much differently.
I sat behind my desk, motioning for Julian to do the same in one of the chairs sitting next to the exam table. He sat down, stretching his long legs out in front of him, then leaned towards me.
“I have a proposition for you,” he said, his voice low and serious.
I was still extremely upset with him, but that familiar warmth ran down to my groin again. The last time he’d said those words to me, it had resulted in our situationship. Eventually, it resulted in our marriage.
But we’d seen how that turned out.
“Go on, Alpha,” I said. “With all due respect, I have a lot to do today. Getting held up in Head Healer Eric’s petty drama already put me behind.”
“Please, just hear me out,” Julian said. “You’ve definitely proven your worth as a healer at this hospital. I respect your decision not to take the Chief Healer position, although I do wish you’d reconsider. However, I’d like you to work with the government of
Thorn Pack and me on a special project.”
“No,” I said immediately. I didn’t want to agree to anything that would result in me working with Julian long-term. The amount of contact I had with him now was already too much.
I stood up, heading towards the door.
Julian stood up. “Wait, Healer Amanda -“
“No, Alpha. As I said, respectfully, I already have a lot of work to do.” I twisted the handle, letting Julian out of the office.
He exited, then turned back to me. “I can send the papers to your office. I really think you’re the right fit.”
I rolled my eyes. Of course he thought so. Julian had a way of attaching himself to me, even when he didn’t know it was me.
“Don’t bother.” I closed the door behind me.
The next morning, I was sitting behind my desk between patients when the phone rang. “Hello?” I answered.
“Healer Amanda? I’m calling back about my proposal.” Julian’s voice came through the phone. I sighed, wishing that Noah was here already to take my calls. 50%
“I already told you, Alpha,” I said. The one thing I’d always despised was calling Julian by his title instead of his name. The title was so stiff, and his name was so lovely.
Even though he’d turned out to be just as hard-headed and immovable as the title, it still felt awkward coming out of my mouth.
“I’m not interested in a long-term project. I’d rather focus on my lengthy list of patients.” I rolled my eyes, grateful he couldn’t see me through the phone. “Of which your Luna is one, if I’m not mistaken.”
“Agent Luna,” Julian responded, the words coming out immediately, like a reflex more than a conscious choice. “This project would have a much larger impact than any of your current cases, Healer Amanda.”
“I’m not in this for fame or fortune, Alpha. I appreciate the thought, but, once again, I’m going to pass.” I placed the phone back on the receiver before Julian could get in another word.
I thought that was the end of it, but I should have known better. A couple days later, Noah approached me in my office, a packet of documents in his hands.
“Healer Amanda, I found this envelope unopened in your trash. I saw the Thorn Pack crest on it and thought it might be important, so I fished it out.” Noah paused. “Have you read this, Healer Amanda?”
“No, Noah, I don’t have time for the Alpha’s petty distractions right now. You know that more than anyone.” I shuffled patient folders around on my desk to make my point.
“Healer Amanda, this proposal is about a project that seems perfect for you.” Noah hovered in the corner, turning the envelope nervously in his hands. “You’ve talked to me a little about why you got into medicine, and I don’t think it was to take patients like you treat here, nobles and dignitaries. This work is great, but this proposal is an invitation to do even more.”
I paused. I trusted Noah. He’d impressed me with his work ethic and his problem solving.
Something about his presentation of the proposal intrigued me.
“Noah, I really don’t think I can take it.” I’d stopped shuffling around the files on my desk. Noah placed the first page of the project proposal down in front of me instead.
“Read that,” he said. “I’ll be working on your schedule for next month.”
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