Page 6 of Big Top Bear Raid (Wolves of Stone Ridge #64)

AS THE LIGHTS ADORNING the circus’s big top tent came into view, Zion reached up and slipped his fingertips underneath his leather jacket and beneath the neckline of his polo shirt.

He teased his forefingers over the edges of his claiming scar.

A light wash of tingles spread down his chest, causing his nipples to bead, and a smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

The way it’d felt when Wraith sank his canines into his flesh had been the most intense moment of his life.

The flash of pain had been gone before he’d even truly registered it.

He’d been coming for the third time that evening without even a touch.

Then Zion’s instincts had taken over, and he’d sunk his own teeth into the crux where Wraith’s neck met his shoulder.

The flavor of his mate’s blood flowing over his tongue had been the most exquisite thing he’d ever tasted.

He’d sucked on the wound, wanting more, and when Zion had felt Wraith’s seed’s warmth within him anew, he’d groaned and come all over again.

Hell, Zion had damn near blacked out from the sensations flooding his body.

“Don’t worry.

It won’t disappear,”

Eurik rumbled teasingly through their helmet mikes.

Jerking his hand off his neck and returning it to his motorcycle’s handlebar, Zion sent a glare his buddy’s way. His friend’s cheeky grin held no remorse. Instead, he realized that there was a hint of sadness in his fellow bear shifter’s eyes.

Shit. He’s the only one not mated now. He’s probably feeling insecure.

Zion quickly adjusted his expression into a grin.

“Your time will come, my friend,”

he assured. Then, with a wink, he added.

“Then you’ll understand.”

“From your lips to Fate’s ears.”

Zion barely heard Eurik’s whispered words through the helmet mike.

When he did, he added his own silent prayer, hoping some god was listening and cared to respond favorably.

Casting a glance Wraith’s way, Zion got the distinct impression that his mate was doing the same.

“Your time will come, Eurik,”

Congo rumbled down the line, repeating Zion’s sentiment.

“I have faith.”

“Yeah,”

Madagascar agreed.

“Fate wouldn’t have allowed us to live through all that shit if she didn’t have a reward waiting for each of us at the end.”

Eurik scoffed even as he nodded. A small smile played around his full lips.

“Thanks for the pick-me-up, guys.”

Then he waggled his eyebrows, the move barely able to be seen beneath the edge of his helmet.

“Now, let’s go check out this circus.”

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 of me neither, not me, and nope. 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 older Honda with 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.

“It is their 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.”

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 of seen...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 silent aaahhh.

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 a thumbs 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.”

Wraith returned his grin.

“Yeah, probably for the best.”

“I’ll grab a couple of trays while you guys get in line,”

Ishmael offered. He glanced around, a blush beginning to creep up his neck. That didn’t stop the huge, friendly wolf shifter from dipping his head and pecking a kiss to Madagascar’s lips.

“Be right back,”

Ishmael muttered before scurrying away.

“He’s damn cute,”

Wraith murmured, smiling as he watched him.

“Yeah, my man is,”

Mads rumbled, grinning widely as he followed his mate’s retreat with his gaze.

“Yeah, he is,”

Zion agreed, because it was true.

The guy had been experimented on, although he didn’t remember most of it.

Instead, a lot of his memories had been chemically scrubbed.

That didn’t stop his innate sweet nature from shining through. Wrapping his arm around Wraith, Zion urged him toward the food vendors.

“Let’s get in line.

Our orders could take a bit.”

They figured out where to order different things, and all three of them ended up in different lines.

It wasn’t long before Ishmael returned.

He stood with Madagascar, holding several trays at his side.

One by one, they received their food, and Ishmael joined them.

He helped them load a tray.

Then they headed to whoever was next to get their food.

Before too long, they had an impressive mountain of food on their three trays, including everything on their friends’ wish lists and more.

The group headed to the front entrance and found Congo, Zhaul, Valentine, and Stone already waiting.

He glanced around for Eurik but didn’t see him.

Zion pinned his alpha with a questioning look.

“He’ll probably be a few minutes,”

Congo explained, taking one of the trays.

“He found a...friend.”

Zion clenched his jaw for a second before forcing himself to relax again. “Right.”

He understood the necessity of befriending one of the people who worked at the circus. That didn’t mean he had to like it.

“Well, he knows where our seats are.”

“Yup,”

Congo agreed.

“He’ll find us.”

As a group, they headed inside.

The seating was clearly marked, and they found their section.

After settling in a group on the bench, stadium-style seating, they passed out the food. They’d just started munching when Zion spotted Eurik jogging up the wooden steps toward them.

Zion waved toward the space on the wooden bench on the other side of Wraith.

As soon as his friend settled beside his mate, he picked up the tray from under his seat.

He held it out to Eurik.

“Half a dozen corndogs just for you,”

Zion told him, pleased with the way his buddy’s dark eyes lit up.

“Oh, I also forgot to tell you, Manon is all in helping us put together an awesome crawfish boil.”

“Ah, damn. Thanks, man.”

Eurik took the tray, set it on his lap, and picked up the first corn dog. He lifted it and, before taking a big bite, stated.

“For these and for talking to Manon about a crawfish boil. Can’t wait.”

“My pleasure, Eurik,”

Zion told him, picking up a nacho chip and sliding it through the steaming cheese. He made certain there was a jalapeno slice on it. Before popping it into his mouth, he laughed and added.

“Really. It’ll be my pleasure. Can’t wait to find out what Manon’s recipes are.”

Waggling his brows, Zion added.

“He says they’re spicy.”

“Sweet,”

Eurik replied, drawing out the word. Then he took another bite of his corndog and hummed with pleasure.

“Oh, speaking of spicy.”

Zion reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of spicy brown mustard packets.

“Thought you’d like these with your corndogs.”

Eurik moaned appreciatively as he reached out his cupped hand.

As Zion carefully spilled the plethora of packets into Eurik’s palm, a scent teased his nostrils. Confused, he inhaled again. The smell was...familiar...something he hadn’t smelled in over a year and a half.

Except, there’s no damn way...

Unable to believe his senses, Zion gripped Eurik’s forearm, pulling his buddy halfway across a surprised Wraith’s lap. He lifted his friend’s wrist to his nose and inhaled deeply. His mind reeled as he cataloged the scent.

Not pure, but it’s definitely mixed in there.

How?

“What the hell, Zion?”

Eurik asked, confusion and shock filling his tone in equal measure.

Inhaling a sharp breath to keep himself under control, Zion met Eurik’s gaze and demanded.

“Who have you been in contact with?”