Jaded [The Moonlight Breed 9] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove)
The Moonlight Breed 9
Jaded
Zuriel knows what people think about him. Hell, he’d made it his mission to give them the impression he cared about nothing more than sex. It wasn’t the best reputation to have, but it was a lot better than getting his heart broken.
Then Dr. Spiro Araceli swept into his life and changed everything. Spiro looked right past his outward façade, saw through all of his insecurities, and offered him a chance that no one else had ever given him—a chance to be normal.
Spiro never wanted to lead his people, but when a curse takes him back to his family’s home, he’ll have no choice. With tragedy around every corner, his instincts tell him to grab his mate and run, but he has a responsibility to protect his people. When death comes knocking at his own doorstep, however, how will he choose between love and duty?
Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), Paranormal, Shape-shifter
Length: 39,297 words
JADED
The Moonlight Breed 9
Gabrielle Evans
EVERLASTING CLASSIC
MANLOVE
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
ABOUT THE E-BOOK YOU HAVE PURCHASED: Your non-refundable purchase of this e-book allows you to only ONE LEGAL copy for your own personal reading on your own personal computer or device. You do not have resell or distribution rights without the prior written permission of both the publisher and the copyright owner of this book. This book cannot be copied in any format, sold, or otherwise transferred from your computer to another through upload to a file sharing peer to peer program, for free or for a fee, or as a prize in any contest. Such action is illegal and in violation of the U.S. Copyright Law. Distribution of this e-book, in whole or in part, online, offline, in print or in any way or any other method currently known or yet to be invented, is forbidden. If you do not want this book anymore, you must delete it from your computer.
WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
If you find a Siren-BookStrand e-book being sold or shared illegally, please let us know at
legal@sirenbookstrand.com
A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Everlasting Classic ManLove
JADED
Copyright © 2013 by Gabrielle Evans
E-book ISBN: 978-1-62242-538-9
First E-book Publication: March 2013
Cover design by Sloan Winters
All art and logo copyright © 2013 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.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Letter to Readers
Dear Readers,
If you have purchased this copy of Jaded by Gabrielle Evans from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.
Regarding E-book Piracy
This book is copyrighted intellectual property. No other individual or group has resale rights, auction rights, membership rights, sharing rights, or any kind of rights to sell or to give away a copy of this book.
The author and the publisher work very hard to bring our paying readers high-quality reading entertainment.
This is Gabrielle Evans’s livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please respect Ms. Evans’s right to earn a living from her work.
Amanda Hilton, Publisher
www.SirenPublishing.com
www.BookStrand.com
JADED
The Moonlight Breed 9
GABRIELLE EVANS
Copyright © 2013
Chapter One
“Look, Rissian, I don’t have time for this. You’re an elf. Heal him.” Spiro glanced at his watch and sighed. “I have to go.”
“Do you think we haven’t tried to heal him? Nothing is working. Spiro, Father is going to die.”
“Then the world will be a better place.” A small voice argued that he was being too harsh, but there was no love between him and his father. The man was a sadistic, psychotic bastard who ruled his people and his children with fear and manipulation.
“I’m not arguing that.” His brother had lived through his share of painful injustice at their father’s hands, and part of Spiro felt guilty for abandoning his siblings to the man’s cruelty. “You know what happens if he dies, though.”
Yes, he knew, but he didn’t think it would come to that. Whatever plagued his father would pass, and life would go on exactly as it had been. “Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.” He glanced at his watch again as he hurried along the dirt path that would lead to the pack cabins near the pond. “Look, I really have to go. I have an appointment.”
“Fine.” Rissian sighed over the line. “I’ll keep you posted.”
“Right. Take care, Rissian.” Spiro disconnected the call, stuck his phone in his pocket, and exhaled slowly, releasing his irritation on the breath.
As he continued toward his destination, the most alluring scent he’d ever encountered hit him, sending shivers down his spine. His gums itched and ached, his fangs elongated, and he suddenly couldn’t remember why he was walking along that stretch of muddy road.
Walking toward him, practically bouncing along the path, was the most gorgeous creature he’d ever seen. His sandy-blond hair flowed behind him like a hero on a romance novel cover, and the smile on his lips surely lit the clearing, brighter than even the sun. He wasn’t alone, either, but Spiro barely noticed the other man with him except for the vividly pink hair.
“Oh, hello.” The little blond tucked a strand of hair behind his ear and smiled shyly. “You must be Dr. Araceli. I’ve seen you with Cicero. You’re his psychologist, right?”
Clearing his throat, Spiro tried to force his canines to retract with no success. “Yes, but please, call me Spiro.”
“I’m Zuriel.”
Chosen.
Oh, yes, Spiro finally understood. After so many years of searching, he’d finally found his chosen, his sienota. Gods, he couldn’t have handpicked a more suitable mate. “It’s very nice to meet you.”
“Mmm, you are delicious.” Sauntering forward, the shyness