The Moonlight Breed 8: Leap in the Dark by Gabrielle Evans (chrysanthemum read aloud .txt) 📕

The Moonlight Breed 8

Leap in the Dark

It’s been two years since Braxton Carmichael fell in love with his partner and mate, Xander. Life with a pack of cursed shifters hasn’t been easy, but moving to Wyoming was supposed to be a step in the right direction, a new beginning. That was before tragedy struck.

Xander Brighton never asked to be an alpha, but it’s a responsibility he takes seriously. Taking a bullet to the shoulder while on assignment was just part of the job, but the resulting paralysis wasn’t supposed to happen. Feeling helpless and useless aren’t emotions he’s used to experiencing. He’s moody, uncooperative, and alienating everyone he cares about, including his mate.

When Braxton draws the unwanted attention of a nearby clan of goblins, none of their issues seem quite so important anymore. Xander would lay down his life for Braxton, and before the smoke clears, he just might have to prove it.

Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), Paranormal, Shape-shifter Length: 35,594 words

LEAP IN THE DARK

The Moonlight Breed 8

Gabrielle Evans

EVERLASTING CLASSIC MANLOVE

Siren Publishing, Inc.

www.SirenPublishing.com

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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

IMPRINT: Everlasting Classic ManLove

LEAP IN THE DARK

Copyright © 2012 by Gabrielle Evans

E-book ISBN: 978-1-62241-783-4

First E-book Publication: November 2012

Cover design by Sloan Winters

All art and logo copyright © 2012 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

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LEAP IN THE DARK

The Moonlight Breed 8

GABRIELLE EVANS

Copyright © 2012Chapter One

Leaning against the doorjamb of their bedroom, Braxton folded his arms over his chest and stared in at his sleeping mate. The sunlight streamed in through the windows, highlighting the smooth, caramel skin that stretched taut over his sculpted chest. His ebony hair fanned across the white pillow beneath his head, creating a stunning picture that likened to some great and powerful warrior.

Even in sleep, however, worry lines marred his brow, and his kissable lips turned down in a grimace. It was a guise Braxton was becoming much too accustomed to seeing on his lover’s visage. Their bond ensured that he felt everything Xander felt, endured every warring emotion right along with his partner. He experienced the frustration, the anger, the hopelessness, and the despair as though they were his own, and it was fucking exhausting.

Never in the two years they’d been together had he ever begrudged the connection between them. Lately, however, he’d been purposely pulling away and trying to block out his mate. The guilt weighed heavily on his heart, because he knew Xander was suffering, but he just couldn’t take anymore. It would be different if the guy was doing something to try to change the situation, but he wasn’t. He moped in his room all day and snarled at anyone who came close, including Braxton.

Well, that was all about to change.

Crossing the room with determined strides, he threw the curtains wide and nudged the side of the mattress with his knee. “Wake up, love.”

“Go away,” Xander grumbled.

“It’s almost noon. You need to get up and shower. Dr. Araceli will be here in half an hour.”

“I’m not seeing a doctor.”

“Yes. You are. You haven’t left this room in days, and I’m not going to sit here and let you destroy yourself.”

“Braxton, I was shot!” Xander finally opened his eyes and pushed up in bed with his good arm. “I’m paralyzed. No one can fix that.”

“Yes, your right arm is paralyzed. That doesn’t mean that your life is over, though. This has to stop, Xander. I can’t take it anymore.”

“So this is all about you.”

Braxton shrugged and stripped the blankets off his lover. “Take it however you want to, but I’m serious. I know this is hard, but you’re not going to get any better by sleeping all day and feeling sorry for yourself.”

“I’m not feeling sorry for myself.”

“You could have fooled me.”

He probably sounded like an insensitive asshole, but he didn’t know how else