Page 19 of Big Top Bear Raid
“I will,” Wraith promised.He would do whatever it took to keep his mate safe.To that end, as Congo turned back around, Wraith nudged the large plate of chili cheese nachos Zion had bought for himself.“Eat and relax, my mate.You’re not alone in figuring this out.”
Wraith wanted to ask so many more questions, but he knew it wasn’t the right time...or place.
Zion swallowed hard even as he nodded a little.Returning his attention to his chips, he began to eat.The movements seemed almost mechanical, and his expression had turned vacant, telling Wraith that his mate’s mind was a million miles away.
Figuring Zion needed a little time to center his thoughts, Wraith returned his focus to his cheddar bacon burger.He took a big bite of the greasy goodness.One thing could be said for the carny’s food trucks.They made fantastic food.
As Wraith chewed another tasty bite, the lights in the tent lowered.Low music started up, and he found his attention being drawn to the central ring.A second later, a spotlight shone from above, illuminating the tunnel entrance.
Fanfare music rose as the ringmaster strolled out.He carried a raised baton in one hand.His other was empty and open as he turned this way and that, grinning at the crowd.
“Welcome, welcome, everyone,” the man called, his voice resonating through the speakers around them.“I am Ringmaster Goldsteen.”Grinning widely, he carried on, “Tonight, you will witness feats of strength, daring, and courage that will thrill your senses and boggle your mind.”
Wraith found himself smirking, and a niggle of anticipation worked through him.He looked forward to seeing whatever the guy was promising.The acts should be fantastic.
“Do you feel that?”Eurik whispered from his right, leaning forward to speak to those on the bench seat in front of and below them.
“Yup,” Valentine replied, taking an uneasy look at Stone, who seemed entranced by the ringmaster, too.Valentine even wrapped his arm around his mate and murmured into his ear, “You okay, Stone?”
Wraith ignored them in favor of hearing Ringmaster Goldsteen introduce the first act—a trio of unicyclers.While he couldn’t remember ever having been interested in unicycles before, when the group came out, he found their antics impressive.After all, Wraith couldn’t imagine juggling scimitars while riding a single-wheel bicycle.
“Wraith?”
Hearing Zion softly call his name, Wraith wanted to ignore him.He would much rather keep focusing on the show.Except, his wolf rumbled in his mind, clearly displeased with Wraith’s thoughts of not pleasing his mate by giving him attention.
Wraith blinked twice, trying to focus.He was surprised at the effort it took to tear his attention away from the performers.Frowning in confusion, Wraith peered at Zion.
Zion cradled Wraith’s jaw, and the feel of his mate’s calloused palm on the carefully groomed scruff of his cheek felt amazing.It also helped him focus and clear his mind.Peering into Zion’s deep brown eyes, Wraith caught the bit of worry within their depths.
“Zion?”Wraith rested the hand not holding his forgotten burger on his mate’s thigh.“What’s wrong?”
“There’s a spell in the air,” Zion told him, his quiet tones barely able to be heard over the sounds of the music.“Some kind of entrancement glamour.”
“Really?A spell?”Wraith glanced around and noticed the enthralled expressions on so many of the faces around them.“Damn.”
Shit.Did I look like that until Zion snapped me out of it?
How embarrassing.
“Yeah.”
Refocusing on Zion, Wraith asked, “How’d you know?”Then he wondered, “Where’s it coming from?”
“This is why Alpha Declan sent us.We can feel it like tingles on our skin, but it doesn’t affect us,” Zion explained, and Wraith recalled that being mentioned at some point.Using his thumb to rub along Wraith’s jaw, he added, “And I’m not sure.I don’t smell anything off, so maybe it’s hidden in the music?”Zion furrowed his brows as he slowly looked around the huge tent.“I don’t think we know enough about magick to pinpoint its source.We’ll have to report it and see if the alpha has some sort of contact in the magickal community other than Alpha Kontra’s people.”
“Yeah, I doubt they want to turn around and come right back,” Wraith mused.The biker gang led by a grizzly bear shifter had only left two weeks prior.Feeling confident in his alpha, Wraith claimed, “I’m sure Alpha Declan will be able to find someone to provide help.”
Eurik leaned over and patted first Wraith’s leg, then Zion’s.“I’m going to meet Stan.”At Zion’s questioning look, he added, “The guy from the shop.I’ll find out if...oh, shit.”
Wraith followed Eurik’s attention and saw immediately what had caught the other shifter’s attention.His eyes widened.The unicycle show had ended, and the next show had begun.
“Oh, fuck no,” Congo snarled from in front of them.“Those bitches and bastards.”
The other brown bear shifters let out similar words of anger and disbelief.Zhaul, a kind giant panda shifter, displayed upset on his features.Madagascar’s mate—a huge yet sweet-natured wolf shifter—nibbled his bottom lip and looked on in dismay.
A large brown bear stood in the center ring.It had a thick collar around its neck.It wore a cape or a cloak-like garment on its back.Wraith would bet that the colorful fabric was hiding scarring beneath it, based on what he’d seen on Zion’s back.
At the man’s command, the bear lifted onto his back legs.He was ordered to speak, so he roared loudly, showing off plenty of teeth.Then the man had the bear climb onto a circular wooden stool and allow an acrobat to do tricks on its back.
