Wolf's Call (Wolves Next Door #2) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,10

family incidence of a similar problem. I can help, but I'll need to be accredited."

"Is that even possible?" I asked.

She smiled. "It is, but I have one more condition." She paused to make sure I was listening. "When I tell you something is medically impossible, you believe me. When I say something has to happen, you listen and help me make it happen. If you want this pack to all become my patients, then you have to accept that I will challenge your decisions. I will tell you that you're wrong, and if you come at me?"

Ashley just started laughing. "My brother?" She asked, gesturing at me. "Dr. Bridget, he's not that kind of alpha."

"Then what kind of alpha are you?" she asked.

"I try very hard to be the civilized kind," I assured her. "Just don't confuse that with weak."

"Which is why you didn't attack that woman," she realized, nodding her head slowly. "You're not ashamed of being a wolf. You're just not brutal about it."

"An alpha's place is to lead, not abuse," I told her. "I don't need to run this pack like a dictator. It does no good for anyone. My rule is law, but laws can change - and they should if the community is going to advance. I happen to think that if we want to survive in a modern world, then advancing is our only hope."

So she thrust her hand out at me. "Then I'm in. If I don't need to be ashamed of what I am, and I don't have to worry about contradicting you, then I would be honored to join your pack, Alpha." She paused as I accepted her handshake. "It'll take me a bit to pack and move. Is that going to be a problem?"

"We'll make it work," I assured her.

So Ashley walked over and grabbed the door, pulling it open. "How about we sign some paperwork and make this all legal? Ian, I'll need your signature as well."

I followed the ladies inside to find Elena watching me. She offered a weak smile, the kind that was asking if everything was ok without saying a word. I nodded back, but Ashley was headed to her desk.

"We're going to need a lease contract," Ashley said. "And Elena, I'd like you to meet Gabby's new doctor."

"And yours, too, I hope," Dr. Bridget said. "I actually treat more humans than wolves right now."

The look on Elena's face was a mixture of relief and joy. "Oh, that's wonderful," she said. "I'm so glad you're going to be moving in! I have a million questions about all of this, and in truth, I'm just barely starting to understand the basics."

"Ask away," Dr. Bridget offered.

Which was when Ashley caught my arm, grabbing my elbow a little too hard and pulling. "Ian, I have something in my office for you to look at real fast. Need to make sure Bridget's contract is how you want it."

And she didn't give me a chance to complain. I was pretty sure we'd already discussed all of the options of what the company could afford - and thus the pack - but I knew better than to make a scene. First, because Ashley wouldn't appreciate it, and second, her grip was just too demanding. Yet the moment we were in her office behind the closed door, she held her finger to her lips and leaned in to listen.

"Do you have any advice about exposure?" Elena asked, her voice almost a whisper.

The doctor chuckled in that kind way medical professionals had. The type of laugh that said the question wasn't crazy. "More than you can imagine, and most of it's in my head. The biggest risk is from wolf-form bites. The depth of the punctures can introduce the virus directly into the bloodstream where it can reproduce faster than the immune system can fight it."

"Sex?" Elena asked, her voice proving her embarrassment.

"That's the second most common cause of transmission," Dr. Bridget admitted. "Some forms of sexual contact are safe. As humans, our saliva just doesn't have enough virus particles to be infectious. Many bloodborne diseases are the same, such as HIV. But for lycanthropy, a cut won't be much of a concern either, unless you have a major one and the blood is dropped directly into your wound. This has to do with the immune system."

"Ok," Elena said. "But what about…" Her voice dropped even more. "...sex?"

"Semen and vaginal secretions have a higher viral load. Mucus, such as a sick child, is also