Page 15 of Big Top Bear Raid
Zion knew his friend was trying to lighten the mood—and change the subject—and everyone let him.
As Congo stopped next to the parking attendant and paid for everyone, Valentine asked, “When was the last time any of you went to a circus?”The fellow bear shifter was glancing around.“I don’t think I’ve ever been.”
“It’s been more than a decade for me,” Stone admitted.“Last time was with my mom before she passed.”They started moving again, heading to where the attendant had pointed for their motorcycle group to park.His lips curved up, and a fond expression took over his features.“It was one of the last things we did together before she became too weak to travel for long stretches.”
“I’m glad you have happy memories of your time with your mom,” Valentine stated warmly.“I know I’ve never been.”
Everyone else followed with choruses ofme neither,not me, andnope.When Stone looked surprised, Valentine explained, “Shifters aren’t real big on seeing shows where animals do tricks.”Grimacing, he admitted, “Makes our animal side a little...uncomfortable.”
“Ah,” was all Stone said.
After everyone had parked, dismounted, and removed their helmets and leathers, Zion slid his arm around Wraith’s waist.He’d been so extremely pleased when Enforcer Kade and his human mate, Tom, had arrived on a pair of motorcycles earlier that afternoon.Kade had left the olderHondawith them, letting them know that while she didn’t look perfect, she ran great.
Wraith had been ecstatic at the pack’s gift so he could ride with Zion and his sleuth.His mate had admitted after Kade had left that he hadn’t been looking forward to riding bitch to Zion, but he would’ve done it.Zion had understood, as that wouldn’t have been his favorite, either.
Fortunately, someone in the pack had anticipated the problem and taken care of it.
If I ever find out who, I’ll have to thank them.
“Well, we’re not really here to have a good time,” Congo pointed out as he started leading the way through the parking lot to the ticket booth.“We’re here to see if anything shady is going on.”
“How are we going to tell?”Zhaul asked, looking uneasy.
Madagascar answered Congo’s giant panda shifter mate, saying, “While we’re no longer under the curse’s sway and are practically immune to magick, we can still feel the tingle of it on our scars when it’s near.”
“Damn.You can?”Wraith sounded upset as he eyed Zion.“Does it hurt?”
While pleased by his mate’s concern, Zion was quick to set his mind at ease.“No, it no longer hurts us.”He reached over and took Wraith’s hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.“It just makes us aware that someone nearby is casting or under the influence of it.”
“Okay.”Wraith nodded once.“Good.”
“And I guess we just walk around and see how close we can get to the backstage areas,” Congo told them.“We’ll settle in, and once the show is well underway, I want Mads and Ishmael to stay in the stands.They can keep an eye on the ringmaster.”He pointed at Eurik.“You get the dubious honor of trying to sweet-talk some circus performer into a private tour.”
Eurik grimaced but nodded.“Got it.”After all, he was the only unbonded one of their group.
Congo lowered his voice as he neared the line to buy tickets.“The rest of us will do what we can to slip amidst the tents out back.See what we can see or overhear.”
“Got it.”Zion wasn’t the only one who stated the confirmation.
While standing in line, Zion scented the tantalizing aroma of carnival food.He’d eaten a second lunch with Wraith a little over an hour and a half ago, but that didn’t stop his mouth from watering.His stomach growled, too, drawing Wraith’s attention.
Wraith grinned at him.“How about after we take a stroll around the public areas, we hit the concession stands?”Nudging Zion’s shoulder with his own, Wraith told him, “I don’t know what it is about food at carnivals and fairs, but it always seems to taste fantastic.”
Zion’s stomach rumbled again, and he nodded.“Sounds like a great plan.”
“I’m right there with ya,” Eurik claimed, patting his flat belly.“My lunch has completely worn off.”
With a laugh, Valentine quipped, “With an order the size ours is gonna be, we’re gonna hold up the line for at least five minutes.”
Congo stepped up to pay, a smirk playing around the corners of his lips.
Stone laughed low in his throat.“I’m sure they’ll be able to handle it.”Shaking his head, he slung his arm up over Valentine’s shoulders.“Itistheir job to prep for big orders and crowds, after all.”
Zion laughed, but he didn’t counter the human.Even after having been mated to his pal for a couple of months, the man still hadn’t gotten used to shifter appetites.Zion knew he would eventually, though.Sometimes, things took longer to sink in, that was all.
“All right, guys.”Congo turned and began walking toward the gate.“Here’s your tickets.”He started passing them out.“Don’t lose them.”With a smirk, Congo told them, “There are coupons on the back for local supporting merchants.”
As soon as Zion took his ticket, he flipped it over.The third item listed caught his eye.“Unlimited toppings on a regular-sized pizza.”Scoffing, he exchanged looks with his pals.“Oh, that’s gonna get them into trouble.”
