Mated By Two Tigers (Shifter Menage Romance)

By J.K. Hudson

Forced into hiding their true identity after being blamed for a series of violent murders, tiger-shifters Mason and Gabe are living under the radar, trying to avoid detection. They meet Stacy, a vibrant woman with a heart of gold. She doesn't know what they are, and they're afraid that if they tell her, she'll run away. Or turn them in. Gabe and Mason settle in the town of Stephenville, Oregon—a tiny town of only 500 people, surrounded by a dense forest. Others in town are suspicious of two bachelors suddenly appearing in their midst, but for all the wrong reasons. Never one to be put off by rumors and baseless fear, Stacy befriends the two. But when Turk, a ruthless bounty hunter who has a reputation for taking "dead or alive" literally, comes into Stacy's café looking for the two, she'll be forced to run with them, or risk the wrath of Turk. 

**Standalone short story, no cliffhangers.**

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.K. Hudson
• Release date: Nov 7, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386159834

Book preview

Mated by Two Tigers

Chapter 1

Gabe held the slender blonde in his arms as they twirled around the dance floor, a smile painting his face for the first time since his sweet Violet passed away two years before.  Mason was right.  With Vi gone and her killer locked safely behind bars, it was time to get out there again and live again. Enough time had passed, and Vi wouldn’t want him sitting at home, withering away in his thirties.

He’d forgotten the blonde’s name already, his memory slightly fuzzy with the nights drinking to build up his courage.  But she was a living, breathing woman, and dammit he was having fun.  He wouldn’t take her home; he would probably never see her again. But for this one moment, all was bright in the world.

Mason spun past Gabe, who had a gorgeous brunette on his arm, and winked at his friend.  The look on Gabe’s face said it all and Mason didn’t need the thank you that Gabe mouthed as they flew by.  His best friend’s happiness was more than enough.

The chamber orchestra finished their song and the dancers stopped to clap.  Live music and dancing were a rare thing in this modern world, but both Mason and Gabe loved the classics.  The small group bowed graciously and sat down to play their last song.  With a smirk, Gabe recognized the modern piece with a classical spin, letting everyone know closing time was upon them.  Gabe wrapped his arm tight around the blonde’s waist and pulled her in for a slow-dance.  He whispered his thanks in her ear for a sweet night on the town, and asked if he could call her a private car to drive her home.  She blushed, but relief was evident on her face.  When he’d first asked her if she would like to join him for dinner and dancing, you could tell this wasn’t what she’d expected.  Sitting alone at a table in a restaurant, obviously stood up for a date, she looked like she needed a night on the town as much as Gabe did, and he’d told her so. 

She’d been eager to join him, until they’d sat down for their meal in the most exclusive restaurant in Daytona Beach.  It was clear from her face that she didn’t believe him when he’d reassured her that he expected nothing in return from her.  Now, letting her know in the gentlest way he knew how that he had no intention of bringing her home, he felt the tension drain from her; tension he hadn’t even known was there until it was gone.

You Gabe, whatever your last name is, are a true gentleman, and I’ve had the best night tonight.  She kissed Gabe on the cheek and rested her head on his chest.

He leaned down and whispered in her ear, Don’t ever let a man make you think that you are worth any less.  She nodded into his chest.

She was a beautiful woman, but she’d been stood up more than once.  She was about to give up on men altogether, staring angrily into an apple pie, when Gabe had sat down beside her and talked