Page 38 of Ellie 1

That was fair but not really helpful at the moment.

“Addendums will be added toeveryone’scontracts or you’re out. Unpaid leave of absence while you officially resign and best of luck to you. No exceptions.” I gave them a minute with that again. “Once HR goes over everything in detail and with your departments and staff, everyone will sign.”

“What are the highlights, Ms. Reed?” Joyce called out, knowing me well enough to catch when I was struggling.

“Every sexual encounter will be reported to HR,” I answered, internally flinching when the news had about the reaction I expected.

“This isn’t a fucking discussion,” Alan bellowed as he stormed from his seat to stand next to me. “Get your shit together people or get the fuck out! I’d rather train a bunch of newbies than keep on with this crap. You’ve all gotten a bit too big for your britches and forgot how you came to us.”

I knew I should stop him, but I really just appreciated the backup.

He pointed to a few in particular. “You started here begging for a chance with your hat in your hand, tripping over yourself to help ASH and learn everything. Now, years later after we put all this time and effort into you, you act too good for all of us.Calling her ‘Auntie Ellie’ and pushing this toxic environment with your staff.

“It all ends, or so help me I will start talking to your leaders how much you’re embarrassing your species. Ms. Reed is the only reason some of you are still here because she has too much patience and faith you can come back. Most of the department heads don’t and want you problems gone. I’d rather retrain another set. Hell, they listen better and don’t give me heartburn.”

I wasn’t the only one who snickered at that. Alan always bitched that assholes gave him heartburn, but… Vampires didn’t get heartburn. It was just funny and his attitude.

He gave me a nod and took his seat again.

“The past is the past,” I told everyone. “You don’t have to try and figure out everyone you’ve ever been with or—anynewsexual encounters from the time you sign the addendum. It’s all going to be on the record butconfidential. No exceptions. None.” I glanced around and locked eyes with Tommy before moving on. “No more locker room talk.

“No more rumors or hints. This is a job. Not the gym. Not poker night. It stops, and there won’t be slaps on the wrist. We’ve outlined the repercussions, and I suggest you not test us. Some of you will, and I won’t be sad to see you go because if you don’t report a sexual encounter, it’s immediate termination.”

Even Joyce was shocked at that one.

“The President of North America officially reprimanded the hospital for not following labor laws and caught wind of how toxic our facility is during the crisis we helped with,” I told them. “No, I’m not kidding how severe the situation is and the punishments. And you have under two weeks to get on board before it starts. I suggest you pay attention better than you normally do.”

10

Ha-joon

Nothing was sexier than watching Ellie Reed command a room and lay down the law. I was honestly so damn turned on that I had a hard time focusing on what she was saying.

“No relationship will be disclosed unlessbothparties agree to make their relationship public,” she continued. “The party who discloses will be immediately terminated.” She shot the HR people standing off to the side a warning look. “And we will use potions to find who leaked the information, so I suggest the lax attitude of confidential information around here change.”

She was perfection.

I raised my hand and stood, meeting her pretty eyes when she focused on me. “What about if we have intentions to engage in a sexual relationship? Should we report it to HR that we’re pursuing someone who also works at ASH so there’s no misunderstanding?”

Yes, I was making it clear that I was talking about her and staking my claim to everyone there.

She could beat me later. I might not be a typical douche Alpha… But I was still an Alpha, and I didn’t play fair always either.

“Wow, way to not be subtle,” someone chuckled.

Ellie gave me a look of death. “No, only sexual encounters should be reported, Dr. Clark.However, I suggest you know your audience and if someone is open to such advances because we will also be changing the sexual harassment reporting policy.”

Yeah, time to back down what I’d done or I was going to end up tossed back to London. “I apologize if my question seemed pointed. I didn’t mean me specifically, but it was the policy of my last hospital. Any intentions had to be reported as well.”

It worked and she seemed a little less hostile… Even if every shifter in the room knew I was full of shit.

Ellie would have normally too, but I wondered if I was too far away and the lights on the stage of the lecture hall messed with what she normally saw or sensed?

She gave a firm nod and focused back on what was in front of her. “Good question then. No, we’re not to that point, but I suggest people start listening to the word ‘no’ and taking hints better. I’ve heard more than once that some of you are cocks with all the hens you could ever want access to. That’s not actually what my hospital is, so enough.

“Control yourselves and learn to be professional or you’ll be out of a job. That’s the bottom line and how things will be now. Don’t touch people you aren’t sexually active with. Don’t make people uncomfortable. Ask for consent. Only engage when clear communication is had and both parties know what is happening or expected. This isn’t a frat. Grow up.”

She outlined a bit more, and all of it was so reasonable it was disappointing that it wasn’t already in place. She seemed more than relieved when it was all over.

---