Along the walls were serving stations, complete with food and beverages, and servers in tuxedos.
Whoever built the arena didn’t care about aesthetics. It was function over form. Despite the spectators dressing in their best, no one seemed to mind the lack of glitz and glamour.
Nash led him to a refreshment table that had alcohol. “What would you like, boy?”
Abi leaned into Nash even more, pretending to play the part. If doing so calmed his nerves, well, that was a bonus. He wouldn’t think about it too hard.
Nash’s eyes were those of his dragon, but the tint on his glasses hid them well enough that no one noticed. It was his fangs that were the hardest thing to hide. He kept talking to a minimum.
Abi, on the other hand, had issues. His glasses made him even dizzier. The tint, while just as slight as Nash’s, seemed to fuck with his vision, going to monochrome. His body couldn’t pick just one species around Nash. Thank the gods Nash understood what was happening. Leaning on Nash gave him the stability he needed.
The server eyed them with curiosity. He didn’t seem to reach any conclusions about Abi’s issue either, or, if he did, he didn’t judge him.
“A ginger ale for my boy, please?” Nash didn’t look at the servers when he spoke. Instead, his focus was on making sure Abi was okay. He rubbed Abi’s back while drawing him into his chest.
“It’s the glasses and the overhead lights,” Abi whispered into Nash’s chest. His volume was barely audible, but he knew Nash could hear him. “Not just the mating pull.”
It was the first time Abi had acknowledged their connection aloud.
Nash’s heartbeat picked up as he cradled the back of Abi’s head. One arm tightened ever so slightly around his waist.
The server handed Nash an unopened bottle of soda. “Can I get you anything else, sir?”
The server eyed Nash with a little sparkle of lust in his gaze.
Claws came out, and he didn’t bother hiding them from the server. Of course, Abi’s body also made a choice without consulting his brain. It chose a wolverine. When he growled again, it sounded more like a snarl. “Mine.”
The server’s eyes widened, and he sucked in a breath. He also shifted his eyes to some kind of canine. Probably a wolf, since they were the most common. But it wasn’t a show of aggression. Instead, he let them know he was a shifter too. Abi’s secret was safe with him.
The show of solidarity fell flat with Abi.
“Is there somewhere we can find a bit of privacy?” Nash stiffened, radiating displeasure.
The server nodded and then waved a woman over. They wore the same black tuxedo uniform, minus the jacket. The woman’s hair was in a ponytail. She stood with her hands behind her back and smiled in that fake way people did when they were bored and really didn’t want to be there.
Nash held Abi’s hand in a way that hid his claws. Abi was beyond caring about exposing himself as anything other than human. He was too angry.
The server led them past people milling about, then opened a door markedEmployees Only. He gestured inside. “The lounge, sir. For staff, but you’re welcome to use it for as long as you need.”
“Thank you.” Nash led Abi inside. The door closed behind them with a heavy thwonk.
Abi shook his head at the utilitarian construction of the building. Concrete walls and metal doors. Whoever owned the building probably made millions biannually.
The room had a kitchenette complete with a full-sized refrigerator and a microwave. A table sat off to one side with a couch on the other. They had the room to themselves.
Abi pulled himself out of Nash’s hold with no small amount of reluctance. He rather liked the comfort, but he wasn’t there for that. It was all just for show. He had to remember that. “I lost it back there.”
Nash nodded once, but otherwise didn’t speak. It would be easier if Nash gave Abi a reason to lash out, but Nash stayed calm and as steady as ever.
“I’ve never done that before you came along.” It was an accusation designed to gaslight Nash.
Only Nash didn’t take the bait. All he did was raise his eyebrows and smirk. “That’s not surprising.”
Even though Abi growled again, his claws receded. He forced himself to take just enough of the wolverine’s form to stabilize his eyes. It was something he should have figured out a lot sooner, but Abi had always been a late bloomer. “This is all your fault.”
“Okay.” For some stupid reason, Nash smiled.
And for an even more stupid reason, it took some of Abi’s annoyance out of his gaze. “Shut up and help me. Please.”
