Page 25 of Big Top Bear Raid
Wraith exchanged a look with Zion.It seemed Stan wasn’t the only one aware of the problems those two could cause.He pulled out his phone and shot a text off to Enforcer Kajika.The head enforcer’s mate, Jared—or Prier, but few had managed to start using his new name, yet—was their pack’s tech guru.He and his buddy, Raul, were already looking into the ringmaster and Lawrance.
Seeing Zion moving forward, Wraith finished his text as he hurried after him.He spotted the backs of a red-haired woman with one of the strong men beside her disappearing around the corner of the tent.They took the opportunity to run to the next trailer and slink along the side.
When Wraith paused at Zion’s shoulder, his bear mate peeked around the corner.“We found the cage trailers,” he murmured.“Come on.”
Wraith wanted to caution Zion to be careful, but he kept his mouth shut.Instead, he did his own quick check around, and good thing he did.Spotting the shadow of someone coming around the far corner, Wraith grabbed Zion’s upper arm and pulled him back.
Zion snapped his attention to Wraith and opened his mouth.
Instantly, Wraith brought a finger to his lips in the universalhushsign.
His mate snapped his mouth shut and cocked his head a little.His eyes turned vacant.He must have been listening as the sound of footsteps on gravel filled the air.
“I know I saw Stan with a stranger,” the guy was saying.Then he paused, but Wraith didn’t hear a reply.Then the man started talking again.“A big black guy.I thought he was showing him the animals.”Wraith guessed he was on the phone as the man paused again.“Yes, Mister Walker.I’ll keep looking.”The sound of a motorcycle engine filled the air, followed by the guy’s shouted, “I hear a motorcycle.I’ll call you right back.”
The sound of rapid footsteps headed toward them, and Zion and Wraith ducked behind a large rack of clown clothes.They watched a young, brown-haired man run past their hiding place.He dashed around a different trailer and out of sight.
“Kyle, maybe?”Wraith guessed.
Zion shrugged.“Probably.If he’s on alert, we won’t have much time.”Rising, he hurried away, softly urging, “Come on.”
Wraith obeyed.He rushed after Zion.They moved to the trailers and paused at the corner to peer around the edge, just in case Kyle hadn’t been alone.
Seeing the alley between trailers empty, Wraith followed Zion as he moved forward.His steps slowed, as if he suddenly wasn’t certain he was ready to see inside.Then Zion stopped before the bars of the bear cage, and a soft cry escaped his lips.
Wraith scented the mixture of hope intermingled with grief rolling off of Zion, and he reached out and took his mate’s hand.Twining their fingers, he squeezed his bear’s palm, doing his best to offer comfort and support.The look on Zion’s face, his features pulled into a twisted mask that he couldn’t quite decipher, sent a shaft of need to soothe and care for Zion through Wraith’s body.
Lifting his free hand, Zion reached toward the bars of the cage.“Acadia,” he whispered, the shock in his voice on clear display.“Oh, gods, Acadia.”
When Zion’s knees began to buckle, Wraith quickly released his hand in favor of wrapping his arms around his mate, supporting his big bear’s weight.
“We thought you were dead, Acadia.I swear it.”Then Zion’s voice hardened as he vowed, “And we’ll get you out of here...somehow.”
The bear’s deep black eyes stared at them, appearing a little vacant, and Wraith feared the state of mind of his mate’s cousin.
Then Acadia’s bear blinked once, twice, before truly focusing on them.He tipped his head to the side just a little, and his big nose sniffed deeply.
Acadia let out a soft rumble, as if greeting Zion.
Zion let out a quiet, choked laugh, a tremulous smile curving his lips.
Relief flooded Wraith.
Good.Acadia’s still in there.
Now we just have to figure out how to get him free...of the cage, of the circus, and of the curse.
Chapter Ten
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AWASH OF RELIEF FLOODEDZion when he spotted the recognition light up Acadia’s eyes.He’d been so worried that his cousin’s mind would no longer be intact.Zion couldn’t imagine the isolation he and his bear were fighting through.
How could he have any hope at all?
But he’s still in there.
Zion sent up a silent prayer to all the gods for that saving grace.Stepping closer to the cage’s bars, he swept his gaze over Acadia’s bear form.To his surprise, Zion thought Acadia looked pretty damn good for being a captive bear.
