Page 86 of Dangerous Temptation
‘Is its name Ax?’ she joked.
‘Actually,’ the tour guide said with a chuckle, ‘it is.’
Her jaw dropped and she looked at Alex.
‘Money can buy you some things.’ He grinned and helped her back onto her seat. ‘I’ve never heard you call me that.’
‘Because that’s not who you are to me,’ she said quietly.
He ran his finger across her cheek.
The tour guide started up the golf cart again. ‘Dr Hoff wanted me to bring you directly to the medical centre.’
Elena frowned. ‘Oh no, is one of them sick?’
‘No, it’s time for the pups’ check-up.’
She shot Alex an excited look.
‘I thought you might like to watch.’
She laced her fingers through his and squeezed tight. Out of everything they’d done since they’d returned to the city, this was the most special. They followed the zoo employee through a door disguised to look like a wall of rocks, and put on white lab coats and gloves.
When Elena walked into the examination room, it was all she could do not to squeal. Three wolf pups were in a box on the ground. The cardboard was softened with a towel that had already been gnawed threadbare in places. The pups tumbled together and tried to climb over each other to get out.
‘Mr Wolfe,’ a blonde woman called. She was decked out in medical scrubs. ‘Welcome.’
Alex shook her hand warmly. ‘Dr Hoff. This is Elena Bardot.’
‘I’m glad you could join us. Thank you for all your support.’
‘What are you doing today?’ Elena watched as another caretaker lifted a pup out of the box. It squirmed in her arms, but the woman held it close as she carried it over to a scale. It took a while before they could get an accurate measurement. The pup was curious about the shiny stethoscope hanging around her neck and a red ball that had been left nearby on the table.
‘We’re taking weights and measurements. We want to make sure their growth is on track.’ The veterinarian pointed to the two pups on the floor. ‘Do you want to help us out?’
‘I can touch them?’
‘We try to keep human contact to a minimum, but you’re geared up properly.’
Elena looked at Alex. He was right. Money could open doors that some people could never break down.
For once, they were out together in the city and he looked relaxed. He squatted down beside the box and scratched the head of a grey and white pup. It appeared to like the feel of it. Twisting its head, it yipped and pressed harder into the palm of his hand.
Elena tried to coax the shyer pup that was cowering in the corner. It was dark, with a coat the colour of sable. ‘Come here, sweetie.’
She picked up the pup and held it close to her chest. The poor little thing trembled, but she stroked its back until it snuggled close. Alex had more trouble with his energetic charge. The grey pup was full of vigour and devilry. It scrambled out of the box before he could catch it. Bounding across the room, the little predator attacked another red ball.
‘That’s OK,’ the veterinarian said. ‘He’s working on his hunting skills.’
Alex tugged the ball away from the alert little pup and tossed it. The grey wolf chased and pounced so dramatically everyone laughed.
‘They’re so cute.’ Elena could hardly bear it. She scratched under the chin of the pup she was holding and tried not to squeeze it too tightly.
‘They’re six weeks old today and starting to wean.’ Dr Hoff signalled to Elena. ‘Could you bring the female over, please?’
She was careful as she sat the little pup on the scale. The assistant marked down her weight and picked up the tape measure. She measured the wolf’s length and the circumference of her chest. Throughout it all, Elena stroked the dark little fur ball. It seemed to trust her and kept wanting to cuddle close.
Alex walked over with her rambunctious brother. It was licking his chin and trying to bite his ear.
