Page 18 of Big Top Bear Raid
Tipping his chin down and to the side, putting him closer, Wraith took a discreet whiff of Eurik’s wrist.Except, all he could smell was bear and human.Considering Eurik was a bear shifter and he’d probably been around a bunch of humans, that didn’t really tell him much.
“Tell me,” Zion demanded.This time, there was a growl in his voice, betraying his rising frustration.“Tell me who?”
Gripping Zion’s wrist, Wraith squeezed lightly.“Let Eurik go,” he encouraged softly, gaining his mate’s attention.Keeping his voice low, he murmured, “You’re making a scene, my mate.”
Zion’s nostrils flared, and when he cut his attention to Wraith, his eyes were narrowed and hard.After a few seconds, his expression softened.He leaned close to Wraith and took in a long breath, obviously taking in his scent to calm himself, before letting it out through pursed lips.Finally, Zion peeled his fingers from Eurik’s arm and released him.
Eurik slowly straightened, although he remained leaning close.“A guy working the clothing booth,” he told him quietly, glancing at the others before refocusing on Zion.“Said he also helped out with the animals.”Grimacing, Eurik lowered his voice further and admitted, “He’s attracted to me, so I figured I could use that.Ya know?”The bear shifter scented of unease even as he told them, “If he wants to impress me and all, he might take me back there.”
“It’s a good plan,” Congo rumbled.At some point, he’d pivoted on the bench seat in front of them.Congo crouched near Zion’s legs, resting a hand on Wraith’s mate’s knee, either to soothe or encourage.“Talk to me, Zion.What has you so upset?”
“W-Will—” Zion paused and cleared his throat before trying again.“Will you smell Eurik’s wrist and tell me if you scent anything...familiar?”Grimacing, he quickly added, “That’s not him, of course.”
Congo nodded and held out his hand to Eurik.The other bear shifter placed the multitude of spicy brown mustard packets onto his tray with his corn dogs, then held out his hand to the alpha.Congo gripped the back of his hand and lifted his wrist to his nose.
After taking a long slow sniff, Congo lowered Eurik’s hand, but he didn’t release him.He narrowed his eyes and seemed to be thinking.Congo hesitated a few seconds before bringing Eurik’s wrist to his nose once more.
Once Congo had taken in the smell again, he released Eurik.He rested his forearms on his knees and scowled at the floor.Finally, Congo lifted his head and peered at Zion, questions filling his dark eyes.
“How is that possible?”Congo whispered.
Zion shook his head, looking just as shell-shocked.“I-I don’t know.”
“We need to get back there to check,” Congo declared softly.“We need to be sure.”
Even Eurik didn’t seem to understand, for he asked what Wraith was wondering.“Uh, guys?What are you talking about?”
“Whatarethey talking about?”Madagascar seconded, glancing between them.
Congo let out a heavy breath as he glanced around at the group.Finally, his attention landed on Madagascar.“Zion thinks he scented someone he knows.Someone who...we thought was dead.”Flicking out his tongue, betraying his trepidation, Congo licked his lips before he finally muttered, “Zion thought he scented Acadia...and I’m inclined to agree.”
“Acadia!”Valentine hissed the name.“Did you just say Acadia?”
“Who’s Acadia?”Stone asked, frowning.
“Zion’s cousin,” Madagascar replied softly.His gaze focused on his brother.“You sure, Congo?”
“Yeah, the scent is faint, but it’s there.”
Wraith felt a wealth of confusion flooding him.He really had no idea what was going on.Why would the scent of Zion’s cousin on someone upset him so much?They hadn’t talked about family, yet, and Wraith knew he was missing something big.
“Wait a second.”Eurik leaned half over Wraith again as he glanced between the bears.“Are you serious?”His voice lowered to a hiss.“But we were told Acadia was dead.”
Ah, that’s why.
“Well, holy fuck,” Madagascar muttered, shaking his head once.“Would Theresa really have lied to Amelia?”
Wraith wanted to ask who else they were talking about, but he figured he could wait to ask Zion later.The guys were pretty worked up.Of course, discovering someone alive whom they thought was dead was a damn good reason.
“I can’t imagine her having the balls for that,” Valentine muttered, glancing around uneasily.
Doing the same, Wraith realized they had the attention of nearly half the humans around them.Some had their noses in their phones.Others were holding a program and talking to their companions about it.The rest...stared at them with curiosity.
Congo must have realized the same thing, for he squeezed Zion’s knee and whispered, “We’ll figure this out, Zion.”He pinned Wraith’s mate with a firm yet reassuring expression.“You just sit tight and keep your wits about you.”Still holding Zion’s gaze, Congo warned, “No running off halfcocked.”
A muscle ticked in Zion’s jaw, but he jerked a quick nod.
Turning his attention to Wraith, Congo ordered, “Do what you can to keep him calm.”
