The Sheikh’s Christmas Family: Christmas With The Yared Sheikhs Book Two Page 12
A neatly laid stone path wound through the rolling greenery. In the distance, the sandstone turrets of the palace poked up. This was one of the major perks of her job: the unending opulence. And maybe she’d picked exotic animals in veterinary school for a reason. Though she loved all animals and would treat anything from a rat to a rhino, there were certain benefits to the rarer species. Namely, their owners loved to spend money and often didn’t hesitate to throw enormous tips her way.
“What seems to be the issue with her? You didn’t go into much detail on the phone, other than the fact that she’s pregnant.” Alex tried not to gawk as the path sloped toward what was essentially a miniature zoo. Enormous, wrought iron cages were built into the hillside, each one featuring a different animal. They rushed past a rhinoceros, who blinked at her with dull eyes, and… She squinted. Yep, just three legs there. The next cage held a cheetah, who prowled the far side lazily.
Alex swiped at her brow. Sweat had collected after only five minutes under the intense sun. No wonder the animals were lethargic. This felt just a few degrees shy of hell.
“Sala is this way,” Timak said, motioning further down the path. “The prince is with her.”
The Prince Zatar. The name made lazy circles inside her. She’d heard about this prince before, but where? Royalty news tended to blur together in her world, hopping between countries as often as she did. So many different sheikhs and princes and heirs to this and emperors of that. It was like living in a movie sometimes. And this prince seemed to be one of the richest ones yet. Hell, just the leather seat in that helicopter was one of the most luscious lounging experiences she’d had in her life.
They rounded a bend, passed a dried-up fountain with an enormous lion head in the center, and came to an arched gate. At the end of a wider path sat another enclosure. Above the entry, gothic style lettering spelled something in a foreign script.
“What’s that say?” Alex pointed to the title as they approached the enclosure.
Timak opened his mouth to respond just as they crested the gated entrance. Sala lay panting in the shade at the back of the enclosure. Beside her was Zatar, the prince of this palace, lying on his side, spooning the lioness from behind. Whatever Timak said to her disappeared in the wind. Her throat bobbed with emotion as she beheld the tender sight.
Timak unlocked the gate and ushered her inside. Alex stepped carefully, feeling a somber air inside this enclosure. Zatar stirred as they approached, his eyes shrinking to slits.
Alex’s mouth fell open as she took him in. Gorgeous was an understatement. The man was made from magazine models, it seemed; piercing hazel eyes under dark brows and luscious black hair. He scrambled to grab his keffiyah and place it on top of his head, then rolled smoothly to his feet.
“Who are you?” His husky voice cut through the air, shaking her from the reverie. She blinked a few times, glancing back at Timak.
“I’m Alexis.” She offered a hand, smiling tightly as he approached. “The veterinarian.”
Zatar stopped a few feet away, his manly presence sinking into her. Broad shouldered and with a certain quality that made her feel like she was meeting a longtime favorite celebrity. Butterflies erupted against her will. He frowned down at her hand.
“There’s been a mistake. We called for a male doctor.”
She blinked, lowering her hand. “Um, no. There’s no mistake. I’m Alex. Alex Seaton.”
His eyes narrowed as he took her in, his jaw working back and forth. She’d worked with enough rich guys to know they preferred things to go their way. And if he’d been under the illusion that she was a man this whole time… She didn’t want to test his adaptability. Royals were notoriously rigid.
“This is nonsense.” He huffed, turning his back on her. “Timak, where’s the real vet?”
Alex’s eyes widened as though he’d slapped her. “Excuse me?”
“Sir, this is the real vet,” Timak said timidly from outside the enclosure. Maybe he’d stayed out there for this reason. Knowing his employer would throw a royal-grade hissy fit about the mistaken gender identity.
“Mr. Balizar,” Alex began.
“Prince Zatar,” Zatar snapped. “Your highness, to be accurate.”
She cleared her throat. “Your highness.” Yep. He was a pretty baby, just like all the rest of the golden-spoon rich guys. Wasting all those good looks on immaturity. She drew a deep breath, drawing on her well-stocked reserve of patience. “I am a highly qualified veterinarian, and your people called me.”
He scoffed, flinging his hand in the air.
Her nostrils flared. Her patience was officially worn out. “Okay then. I’ll just excuse myself, since you clearly don’t want my help.”
She headed back toward the enclosure gates, where a stricken Timak stood clutching the bars. She had just reached the gate when a hand grabbed her shoulder, spinning her around.
Zatar stood behind her, chest heaving, his hazel eyes full of torment. “Wait.”
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