by
Hedgehog shifter, Irwin Chance was not the type to go out to parties, of any kind. A self-confessed introvert with anxiety disorders, he was happy to stay at home, work on his Youtube channel and counsel people from the safety of his home. But Irwin had friends, three of them to be exact, and one of them had gotten him a ticket to the biggest party of the year. Irwin told himself it would be okay - he could livestream the event for his viewers and give them tips along the way. But then Sammy said he'd arrange Irwin's costume... things went downhill from there.
Kolton with a K, was a tiger shifter who totally understood the only way to get anyone to respect him was to show he was powerful at all times. Going to the biggest party of the year was expected of him, although it would've helped if he could remember the name of his date. But when he catches a hint of the most amazing scent in the entire world, his tiger sprung to life and Kolton knew his mate was near. Or so he thought.
Too bad, Kolton got the wrong guy.
Insults fly, some introspection is required, and when a tiger mom gets in on the act, Kolton's the one wishing he'd stayed home. But the Fates don't like being ignored, and now all Kolton has to do is work out how to make things right with a certain hedgehog shifter... it would help if he'd stop putting his foot in his mouth.
Word count: 35,000
Warning: Gay erotic romance. The material in this book contains explicit sexual content that is intended for mature audiences only. All characters involved are adults capable of consent, are over the age of eighteen, and are willing participants.
Check out all the stories in Nocturne Bay
Prince Charming NOT!!! by Aja Foxx
Catnip by Arden Steele
Party Nuts by Dani Gray
I Should've Stayed Home by Lisa Oliver
- 1 To Be Read list
Cover Artists:
Genres:
Pairings: M-M
Heat Level: 4
Romantic Content: 5
Ending: Click here to reveal
Character Identities: Gay
Protagonist 1 Age: Ageless/Immortal
Protagonist 2 Age: Ageless/Immortal
Tropes: Fated Mates / Soul Mates
Series Type: Same Universe / Various Characters
“Excuse me, guys. The mate is back,” Irwin murmured before looking up at the guy in the doorway. “Can I help you?”COLLAPSE
“You can give me back my mate.” The big guy came into the office and Irwin eyed the door with alarm.
“Er… I already told you, your mate let me in here and then said to tell you he was going upstairs. I don’t even know where the stairs are, but…” Irwin winced as the door swung in the frame, “can you please not close the door. There’s no handle, the locks are electronic, and your mate told me no one can open it once it’s closed without the code – a code he didn’t give me. I do not want to be locked in with you.”
“No.” The man sneered. “I wouldn’t want to be locked in with you either. Just tell me where my mate is…”
Irwin stood up. Not that it helped. The man was a good foot taller than him. “We are both talking about the man in the red suit, yes? Tony, your mate?”
“You know it is. His scent led me here.”
READ MOREThen,” Irwin tried to keep his voice calm, “you need to believe me when I tell you, he simply let me into this office and then headed that way,” he pointed down the hallway.
“This room is saturated with his scent.” The big guy got closer. “Saturated.” He reached out, and Irwin wasn’t fast enough to move out of the way. Swept off his feet, and not in a good way, Irwin could only hold on as the big man inhaled sharply and his fangs showed. “You stink of him of him so much I can’t smell anything else. Tell me where he is.”
Irwin pushed hard against a suit jacket that probably cost more than his car. To his surprise, the man did let him go and Irwin stumbled over his strewn boots. Straightening himself and pulling on his dignity, as much as possible considering he wasn’t wearing anything but his shorts, Irwin said sharply, “I have not been near your mate, nor do I want to. The only person I stink of, as you so crudely put it, is myself.”
“I’m not surprised.” Sneers and fangs were not a good look especially as the man looked him up and down as if he was considering buying him. “No one’s ever likely to give you a second look. Soft belly, fat ass. Gods, man, do you ever get to a gym?”
“That’s hardly your concern, is it.” Irwin had to get out before he said something he’d truly regret. Swiping his boots off the floor, making sure his phone was still trapped inside them he pushed past the annoying suit. “Good luck in finding your mate,” he managed to say in the same calm voice as he hurried out of the office.
The crowd was getting more animated as the night had worn on. Irwin could see no sign of any of his friends, and decided an exit was the better idea. He pushed, shoved, ducked and dived, and finally reached the door. The bouncer was busy chatting to someone else, and he slipped out, his feet complaining about loose stones on the pavement.
“And that, my friends,” he said grimly as he reached for his phone, “is a classic example of how not to talk to your arrogant mate when you meet him for the first time. I’ll be back online on Monday. Have a lovely night and remember, you’re perfect the way you are.”
He clicked off the record button, refusing to fret about what would happen to his audience numbers with the debacle of the night still fresh in his mind. I built an audience from scratch last time, and I can do it again, he thought grimly, as he scurried home. His pride was bruised, his heart hurt, and his feet were sore. The night air was also chilly enough to bring him out in goosebumps all over. I genuinely should’ve stayed home.
