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

“I’m not supposed to be like everyone else. I’m supposed to protect him, to keep him safe. Right now, he doesn’t doubt my ability to do that.”

“But if he knew about the things that trouble you, he’d think you were too much of a pussy to take care of him, because after all, he’s not capable of caring for himself.”

“I didn’t say that!” Xander snapped. “Stop putting words in my mouth.”

Spiro sighed and carded his fingers together over his knee. “Maybe you didn’t say those exact words, but that’s what I heard. When I repeat it back to you, do you hear how ridiculous it sounds?”

“Aren’t you shrinks supposed to just sit there, nod, and ask how that makes me feel?”

“I must have been absent the day they taught that. I’m just winging it.”

“I don’t think Braxton can’t take care of himself.” It wasn’t just Braxton. He didn’t want anyone to see him at his lowest. “It’s my job, though. Not just as his mate, but also as the alpha of this pack. They all look to me for answers. Alphas aren’t supposed to have flaws or show weakness.”

Spiro sneezed dramatically and rubbed at his nose. “Sorry. I must be allergic to bullshit.”

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re a dick?”

“Frequently. We’re not here to talk about—”

“You,” Xander interrupted. “Yeah, I got the memo.” His mood was plummeting quickly, and he didn’t really feel like talking about himself, either. Experience told him that Spiro wouldn’t let him off the hook that easily, though. “People depend on me, and it scares me.”

“You’re afraid of disappointing them.” Uncrossing his legs, Spiro leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. “Whether we’re willing to admit it or not, we all worry about letting down the people we care about.” A pregnant pause followed his statement, and he tapped at his lips with his index finger. “How’s the arm?”

“Still useless,” Xander growled, purposely ignoring the part about disappointing his friends and family. Some days, he thought it might have been better if he’d just lost the damn thing completely. The numb limb was constantly getting in his way, and he could sense the pitying stares he received when he walked through the grounds.

“You still haven’t tried any of the suggestions I gave you?”

“No.” Part of it was just stubbornness. Mostly, he was afraid of getting his hopes up only to fall back into his depression when none of those things worked. It was only two days until the full moon, though, and he needed to make a decision soon.

He hated those damn Inhibitors. They did their job and prevented him from shifting, but the magic that forced him to turn on the full moon fought hard against it, and he usually ended up feeling like he had the mother of all hangovers.

Spiro bobbed his head as though he’d expected the answer. He didn’t look pleased about it, but he refrained from commenting. “How did training go today?”

“Okay, I guess.” He didn’t bother to ask how Spiro knew about his sparring session with Logan and Talon. The guy just seemed to know everything. “I got knocked on my ass a lot.” His paralyzed arm slowed him down and threw off his balance, but by the end of the training, he was improving.

“And how does that make you feel?” Spiro asked with a smirk.

“Asshole,” Xander mumbled. “It didn’t bother me much because…”

“Because?”

He had a feeling that the doctor knew exactly what was on the tip of his tongue but wanted him to say the words. “I didn’t mind getting knocked around because I wasn’t taking any of it seriously. It was just three friends horsing around.”

“Stand up.”

Xander frowned but did as he was asked. He was still trying to puzzle out where this was going when Spiro leapt up and swung for his face. Ducking sideways to dodge the blow, he ended up getting his feet tangled in the rug and toppled over to the floor. Without the use of his left arm to catch himself, he crashed painfully against the hardwood.

There wasn’t any time to moan about the ache, though. He barely had time to roll to his stomach before Spiro was on him again. The man might be smaller than him, but he was strong, and he used Xander’s immobile arm to his advantage, pinning him easily to the ground.

Long, slender fingers tangled in his hair and jerked his head back on his shoulder as Spiro pressed his open mouth to the side of Xander’s neck. “That’s how fast you can be dead,” he said firmly. “Is this still a game, Xander?”

The back door slammed closed, and footsteps grew louder as they approached. “Hey,” Braxton called, “I wanted to let you know—” There was a long, uncomfortable silence, and Xander could only imagine what the scene must look like to his mate. “Uh, sorry to interrupt. I just, uh, okay.”

“Fuck,” Xander moaned when his lover’s footsteps retreated back toward the kitchen. “Braxton!” The back door closed quietly without any response from Braxton, and Xander wanted to bang his head against the floor. “Get off me.”

“You didn’t answer me,” Spiro demanded while he rose gracefully and took a few steps back. “Do you understand how important your training is?”

“Yes,” Xander growled. “I get it, but I have bigger fucking problems right now.”

“Braxton will understand.”

“Fuck you.” Pushing to his feet, he started toward the back entrance, determined to catch up to his mate and set things right. “C’mon.”

“Me? Why?”

“You started this shit, and you’re going to help me fix it.”

* * * *

Descending the steps off the back deck, Braxton kept walking forward in a straight line. He wasn’t sure where he was going, didn’t have a destination in mind, but he knew he needed to get as far away as possible.

Maybe he was having a bad dream. Maybe he’d wake up all warm and cozy in