“The staff knows us, so they serve customers first,” David explained. All three turned their heads at the
sound of glass shattering on the floor. David winced.
“Noel will kill him if he drops anymore glass,” Daniel said, shaking his head.
“That’s the third time this week,” David said, sitting up, straining to see over the crowd to see what had
dropped.
“Who the waiter?” Ashby asked, turning his head toward the bar as well.
“Yeah, he’s a great waiter, everyone loves him, he’s just clumsy,” Daniel said, shrugging.
“I think it’s funny that as clumsy as he is, he works around a lot of glassware.” David grinned evilly.
“You’re bad,” Ashby said, smiling.
“Well yeah, but we’re fun,” Daniel said, wagging his eyebrows. Ashby rolled his eyes and all three
started laughing. After a few minutes the waiter came back out of breath, carrying a tray with three water
bottles.
“I’m so sorry it took so long. I had these ready, and someone knocked over a stack of beer mugs. Of
course the bartender thought it was me. Thank goodness they’re still cold,” the waiter said, smiling, and
handed over the three bottles of water. Ashby reached into his pocket as if to pull out cash when the waiter
backed away, eyes wide.
“You…you don’t have to pay, you’re our prince. Of course you don’t have to pay,” the waiter
stammered. Ashby blushed furiously. David and Daniel just grinned. The waiter hurried away to another
table that was flagging him down.
“See. VIP treatment,” Daniel said, chugging his water. Both Ashby and David unscrewed their water
bottles and also began to drink. They had worked up quite a thirst on the dance floor. David and Daniel put
down empty bottles and turned to Ashby.
“So, when you think we could try pizza?” Daniel asked, rubbing his hands together. Ashby set his half-
drank bottle of water on the table.
“We could order some tomorrow. My favorite is pineapple, chicken, and feta. I love pizza,” Ashby said.
All three watched the crowd, commenting on outfits and dance moves, as the music continued to blare from
the dance floor.
“I don’t know about skinny jeans on guys, it just looks odd,” Ashby said, pointing out one of the male
cheetahs. He was in the middle of laughing with the twins when Ashby looked up feeling funny. He rubbed
his stomach with a shaking hand.
“Hey guys, I don’t feel so good,” Ashby said, his words slightly slurred as his tongue felt too large for
his mouth.
“Yeah you don’t look so good,” David said, standing, looking around for Baptista. Daniel stood, trying
to help Ashby to stand.
“Hold on, we’ll get Baptista. He can help you to the VIP room,” Daniel said, wrapping an arm around
Ashby’s waist.
“Need…Gabriel,” Ashby said, his breathing becoming labored. Ashby staggered and swayed between
David and Daniel. On uneven feet he made his way to the stairs that led to the VIP room. He was about to
take the first step when he collapsed onto the stairs between the twins. In the background he heard Gabriel
yelling for him. Before anyone had a second to panic, Baptista was there scooping up Ashby and running
up the stairs. The twins ran behind Baptista trying to keep up.
Gabriel met them at the top of the stairs and immediately took Ashby from Baptista’s arms.
“Mon ange, what is wrong?” Gabriel asked frantically, his hands moving over the body of his mate.
Ashby looked up, but his eyes were glazed over and he blinked repeatedly.
“I’m dizzy,” Ashby whispered barely audible, before his eyes fluttered shut. Gabriel leaned forward
nearly pressing his nose to his lover’s lips.
“Daniel, David, come here!” Gabriel demanded. Both men ran forward and dropped to their knees
beside Ashby. Gabriel leaned forward and smelled their lips as well.
“Almonds,” Gabriel said, right before Ashby started convulsing.
“No!” He yelled and turned to Roman who stood behind them stunned.
“Call that lone wolf pack and see if they have someone trained to care for sick shifters. We can’t wait
for the doctor from Arkadia to get here. Tell them he is a fennec fox and that he has been poisoned with
cyanide,” Gabriel said, easily lifting his small mate in his arms. He turned to Baptista.
“Find out what happened and bring me whoever is responsible.” Not waiting for an answer he rushed
up the stairs to his apartments. He kicked open the door and gently lay Ashby down on the bed. He
removed Ashby’s shoes and clothes, replacing them with a loose pair of boxers. He grabbed a small garbage