Page 16 of Big Top Bear Raid
Valentine laughed, too.“Yup.Hope their pizzas are good.”
At the thought of a pizza topped with just about everything, Zion’s stomach rumbled again.“I should’ve eaten more at that second lunch,” he muttered, feeling a little embarrassed by his body’s reaction to the scents filling the air.
Wraith had released his hand to show his ticket to the guy punching them at the door.With that done, he touched Zion’s side and gave it a light squeeze.He offered him a reassuring smile and a wink.
“We’ll get more food in you soon, baby,” Wraith told him softly.His dark eyes met Zion’s as he whispered, “When you can’t or don’t eat big portions for an extended period of time, your stomach shrinks.”Wraith rubbed along his side to tease his hip.“It’s completely normal.We’ll just have meals more often, that’s all.”
Zion swallowed hard, shock flooding him.In less than twenty-four hours together, his mate had caught onto something rather...important...as well as intimate.The fact that Wraith noticed so swiftly also made Zion feel...sort ofseen...and cared for.
Instead of being embarrassed about his problem, Zion relaxed and smiled at Wraith.“Thanks,” he whispered simply.Unable to help himself, regardless of the location, Zion dipped his head and bussed a light kiss to his mate’s temple.
His shifter hearing caught a couple of mumbled slurs, but no one attempted to confront him.He knew they wouldn’t.He was a big guy surrounded by other big guys.
Cowards who can do nothing but hiss their vile opinions.
After exchanging looks with the others, as well as seeing a couple of them roll their eyes, Zion dismissed the bigoted pricks.He followed the movement of the crowd around him and made his way to the entrance.Zion peered around, searching for places to peel off and explore.There wasn’t much.There were even barriers and fences to keep people heading directly toward the tents and away from the trucks and the assortment of smaller tents set up in the distance.
“Wow,” Zhaul muttered, his voice super low as he rubbed his fingertips along the top of a metal fence.“They really don’t want people wandering.”
Ishmael snickered as he tipped his head toward Madagascar’s ear.“Too bad I’m not a smaller wolf, huh?”His friendly eyes were filled with mischief.“I could’ve been your dog that got loose, and you chased me in that direction.”
Zion couldn’t suppress his grin as those around him grinned broadly.When he spotted Wraith’s arched brow, he leaned close and muttered, “Ish is huge.”His mate glanced toward the big wolf shifter, then snorted, thinking he understood, so Zion added, “But he acts like a giant puppy.So damn cute to watch.”
Wraith opened his mouth in a silentaaahhh.
Then they’d reached a place where the man-made path opened up into a sort of common area.Off to the left were a variety of food trucks, and Zion’s stomach grumbled again.A glance to the right showed him a number of booths that were selling circus-related wares—t-shirts, sweatshirts, and stuffed and plastic animals, as well as clothing to make up your own clown outfits.There even appeared to be face paints and noise makers.
Zion eyed those with trepidation.
Oh, gods.My ears are going to end up bleeding by the end of the night.
“Let’s check out the food trucks,” Wraith urged, grabbing his hand and tugging him to the left.“Mads and Ish are coming with us.The others are circulating the vendors.”
Nodding, Zion was happy with the plan and asked, “What can we get you?”
Congo grinned broadly at him.“Oh, you know...the usual.Chili dogs, nachos with extra cheese and jalapenos.”
“Soft pretzels with extra salt and a side of cheese for dipping,” Zhaul piped up.
“Corn dogs,” Eurik called.
“Either a Navajo taco or fried bread with extra strawberries.”Valentine licked his lips as he walked backward and hollered, “Both!”
“Uh, just a hot dog for me,” Stone admitted.
Valentine pulled Stone close.“Just a hot dog, love?”He sounded confused.“You sure?”
Stone laughed, grinning.“I don’t have a huge appetite like you, big guy.”He patted Val’s stomach affectionately before refocusing on Zion.“And find me a couple of mayo packets to go on it.Ketchup only if they don’t have any.”
Zion opened his mouth, then closed it again.He had no idea how he’d missed the fact that that was how Stone liked his dogs.Scoffing, he just nodded.
“You got it, man,” Wraith called with athumbs up.“Gotcha covered.”Then he used the arm around Zion’s waist to urge him toward the food booths, following behind Mads and Ish.As they walked, Wraith leaned close and told him, “I’ve had a hotdog smothered in just mayo.It’s delish.”
Grinning at his mate, Zion offered, “Guess I’ll have to try it then.”
“Bet you’d like it,” Wraith stated, almost sounding as if he were challenging him.Winking, he added, “But right now, I’m all about a double bacon cheeseburger with extra pickles.”Wraith hesitated a second before adding, “And if they don’t have bacon, I’m gonna take some of the jalapenos from Congo’s nachos as well as some cheese and smother that on there instead.”
Barking a laugh, Zion shook his head.“Don’t steal from Alpha Congo’s nachos.”He winked, claiming, “We’ll get you a cup of cheese and jalapenos of your own.”
