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

began shifting back to their human forms, Xander sighed in relief. Braxton had been nervous before his departure. Maybe that had fed some of his own anxiety, but he didn’t think that was the case. The feeling of something lurking just out of sight lessened when he was standing on two legs instead of four, but his tiger still paced restlessly inside him, unable to settle even after a night of freedom.

The front door burst open as he bounded up the steps, and Braxton shot through the entryway like he’d been launched from a cannon, leaping into Xander’s arms and hugging him tightly. It wasn’t unusual for his mate to greet him the morning after a run, but the level of enthusiasm was a bit concerning.

“Hey, hey, what’s going on?” He held Braxton to his chest and kissed his temple. “What happened?”

“Nothing. Nothing happened. It was a boring, uneventful night. I’m just glad you’re home.”

He might have bought it if not for the shaky breath that caused Braxton’s words to tremble. “Where’s Raven?”

“He had to leave about half an hour ago to make it home before the sun came up. Don’t worry, Demitrius and Oscar came back an hour or so after you left.”

“What happened?” he asked again with more authority in his tone.

“Nothing,” Braxton repeated.

Xander was going to get the information out of his lover, but he refused to have the argument on the front porch while he flashed his naked ass to everyone. “I need a shower, and you’re coming with me.”

“Oh, I like this plan.”

“It’s not going to be that kind of shower.” Not at first anyway. Maybe once Braxton decided to come clean they could branch out into other more favorable activities.

“Xander.” Braxton huffed and rolled his eyes. “Seriously, nothing happened. I just felt off all night, and I got a little carried away when I saw that you were back. Let it go, love.”

“Does anyone else feel like something isn’t right?” He believed that Braxton hadn’t encountered anything unusual in the night. If they were both having the same feelings of looming danger, that was something he needed to address.

“I feel it,” Logan answered with a frown. “I don’t know what it is, but I’ve felt it since last night.”

“Same here,” Spiro confirmed. “It’s like this heaviness to the air.”

“I feel as if someone is watching me,” Mihail added with a visible shudder. “It’s creepy, but I thought I was just being paranoid.”

It was enough validation for Xander, but without a tangible enemy, he didn’t know what the hell to do about it. Until they had more details, the best he could do was order everyone inside and have them stick together.

That was exactly what he was about to do when a loud wail rippled across the tops of the trees like a tornado siren. “What the hell is that?” Jacobi asked as he slapped both hands over his ears. “That’s horrible.”

“It’s the perimeter alarm. There’s an incursion at the front gate.” It had to be a big damn invasion to get through the heavily guarded, wrought iron gates.

“What does that mean?” Jacobi yelled to be heard over the siren. “Can you speak English?”

“The bad guys are here to kick our ass, and they’ve found a way inside. Is that plain enough for you?”

Xander didn’t have the time or patience for the conversation. Whoever had penetrated their defenses was smart. Most attacks came at night, giving them the advantage. A full-scale assault in the light of day cut their numbers nearly in half, since the vampire Enforcers were restricted to the darkness until sunset.

“Zavion and Zuriel, get inside and stay there. Braxton, I need you to get Demitrius.” Xander turned to the visiting wolf Enforcers as soon as Braxton hurried inside with the twins. “I’m sorry, but we’re going to need your help.”

“We’re here to help,” Creed answered without hesitation. “Lead the way, and we’ll follow.”

Xander nodded his gratitude before addressing the others. “Jacobi, Mihail, and Nikola, you guys have a choice. You can stay here where it’s safe, or you can fight.”

“I’m fighting.” Mihail stepped forward with confidence. “I might be small, but my cat isn’t. This is the first family I’ve ever had, and I’ll do what I can to help protect them.”

“Me, too,” Nikola agreed. “I’m in.”

“I’m not a fighter, but I can shift into something really big and intimidating.” Jacobi joined his friends and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m going.”

Xander commended their bravery but prayed he wasn’t leading them to their deaths. “Anyone else want to stay? No one will hold it against you.”

“This is our home,” Spiro announced as he waved a hand to encompass their pack. “We all want to protect it.”

“I’m not staying here.” Braxton emerged from the front door with determination blazing in his eyes.

“Yes, you are.”

Braxton had no claws, fangs, or other natural weapons to defend himself against what awaited them. Xander would tie him up in the closet if he had to, but there was no way in blue hell he’d allow his mate to join them.

They needed every able body they could get, but he didn’t believe for one second that Braxton would stay put. The man had proven time and again that when it came to the people he loved, he was reckless in his pursuit of their wellbeing.

“Demitrius, keep them inside. No one leaves this cabin until I give the okay.”

“Got it, boss man.”

The big shifter hauled Braxton off his feet and forcibly removed him from the front porch. Braxton didn’t go quietly, though. He kicked and yelled, trying his best to inflict bodily harm to any part of Demitrius he could reach.

Xander didn’t regret his decision, though. If it kept Braxton alive and uninjured, the little firecracker could be pissed at him for the next decade. “Okay,” he called to the beasts standing at alert and awaiting his direction. “Run hard and fast. Attack first and ask questions later.” Casualties were an unavoidable part of war, but Xander didn’t