Tentacle Resolution

"Front reception, Sage speaking. Happy New Year. How may I help you this evening?" Sage Stirling, research scientist who specializes in cephalopods, gets roped into covering the graveyard shift at the Regis Hotel over the holiday period. It's only for five nights, and as it was a favor to his best friend, Sage agrees. It's not like he has any plans anyway. The only stipulation is that he does not want to meet the hotel's owners - Nic and Luc, two very prominent kraken shifters. "I was feeling something in my tentacles, but it could've been cramp or an itch for all I know." Nic, kraken shifter, is deeply in love with his mate, Luc. While he knows they have a third mate somewhere, he always imagined their other mate would be a shifter, too. His life would be easier if he and Luc hadn't made a vow not to claim each other until they found their third, but when the Oracle gives them a clue who their third might be, Nic is shocked to find out the third is human, and doesn't react well. "...I would rather spend the rest of my life in the murky depths of the deep alone, than live with someone who doesn't trust me." Luc, fellow kraken shifter, doesn't understand when Nic reacts badly about the new of their third - a reaction that is even worse when they see their third on their hotel security screens for the first time. Nic has held his heart for fifty years, but Luc had always been honest about how important a third would be for them as a couple. Nic's reaction feels like a betrayal and Luc's not sure their relationship will survive. "If, when the sun rises on the New Year, you haven't stated your claim, then your opportunity will be lost." Three men, three different ideas. When they finally meet will they find common ground, or will an injured giant squid put a tentacle in the Oracle's prophecy? Maybe it's time for Sage to make a New Year's resolution, even if he doesn't believe in them. Tentacle Resolution is an MMM Fated Mates story. It was originally published as part of the multi-author collab series, Tinsel and Tentacles 3.0.