Free Freedom in the Smokies by Becca Jameson

her long locks back into a ponytail as they dashed from the room.
    “What the hell is going on?” Micah demanded as they entered the great room.
    Juliana scurried toward them from the kitchen. “It’s so weird. We heard the horses and looked out and saw they were all over the place. Everyone else has already run outside.” She ushered them to the back door as she spoke and all three of them headed out into the cool night air.
    Sure enough, every horse was wandering around outside the barn. Fuck .
    Jaxon shouted something in Micah’s direction and pointed behind him. Micah and Kaitlyn joined the mad dash to collect their livelihood.
    It took almost an hour to round up all the animals and get them back in their stalls. Every stall stood open. It was not possible. And it was not a coincidence. Someone had done this. It reeked of a vampire—though oddly enough, that referred to the situation, not the scent. There was no smell of McKinney anywhere in the vicinity. As soon as he was within half a mile they could all smell him from inside the house. They had chased him off the property in the past. Never had the bastard gotten so close.
    When everything was back where it belonged, they all returned to the house. The women headed for the kitchen to get drinks. Micah and his brothers paced. “What the hell was that all about?”
    Sergius ran his hands through his hair. “I have no idea, but it’s disturbing, to say the least. We’re going to have to set up a watch and keep an eye on the barn until we figure this out. I about shit a brick.”
    Thoroughbreds were worth thousands. This was no small matter.
    Brianna spoke from the kitchen. “I called the sheriff. He’ll be here first thing in the morning.”
    Sheriff James Hardin was a friend and ally to the Durhams. He was one of very few people who knew they were wolves. He’d figured out their secret on his own, piecing two and two together years ago when the brothers repeatedly managed to locate missing hikers. Eventually Hardin’s suspicions about them, combined with the not-so-subtle nudging from one very sneaky vampire, led him to become part of their inner circle.
    When Hardin needed help, the Durhams were there for him and vice versa. Today, it looked like the tables were turned. Micah could only hope Hardin would be able to do something in this situation.
    Jaxon stopped pacing long enough to get Micah’s attention. “Mic, go back to bed. We’ll handle things tonight. And…” he turned toward Micah’s mate, “…Kaitlyn, welcome to the family. Sorry we’re far from normal.” He gave a wry grin and shooed them out of the room.

Chapter Seven
    Kaitlyn sat on the edge of the bed and tugged off her shoes. “I need a shower.”
    Micah stalked toward her. “I can arrange that. I might even be able to help out.”
    She tipped her head and narrowed her gaze. “I’m thinking I won’t end up ‘clean’ with your kind of help.”
    “I’m thinking I like you better dirty.” The way he said “dirty” didn’t cause the mind to automatically equate the word “clean” as its antonym.
    Micah took her hand and led her to the bathroom. He reached into the shower and flipped the lever to hot. When he pulled his shirt over his head, a flush covered her cheeks. Just because they’d had sex a few hours ago in near darkness didn’t mean she was mentally prepared to share a shower.
    He popped the button on his jeans while kicking off his shoes. “Are you gonna take your clothes off or shower in them?” He winked at her where she remained frozen.
    God, the man was sexy. His pants fell to the ground, leaving his cock standing at attention. The length appeared to reach for her. His musk filled the room, or maybe it was the scent of their earlier lovemaking. In either case, she inhaled deeply and enjoyed the smell.
    Micah stepped in her direction and grasped his dick with one hand. As he stroked from the base to the tip, he spoke. “I think she likes us.”
    His