Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $9.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    You're Worth It: shifters and partners, #24
    You're Worth It: shifters and partners, #24
    You're Worth It: shifters and partners, #24
    Ebook170 pages2 hours

    You're Worth It: shifters and partners, #24

    By Hollis Shiloh

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    Will is gay, a sweet but forgetful wolf shifter who doesn't seem to have any standards for who he "dates."  That bothers his partner far more than it should.

    Elliot (who is definitely, definitely not gay) was deeply traumatized by growing up in a strict belief system.  In his mind, there's nothing to be gained from examining too closely who he might be.  Nothing but pain, heartbreak, maybe even damnation.  

    An overly-friendly fox shifter, a fat orange housecat, and a lot of soul-searching may end up changing his mind.  

    Because sometimes secrets won't stay buried.  And at some point, he has to tell the truth, to himself—and to Will.  


    43,500 words

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSpare Words Press
    Release dateJul 5, 2019
    ISBN9781393278528
    You're Worth It: shifters and partners, #24

    Read more from Hollis Shiloh

    Related to You're Worth It

    Titles in the series (21)

    View More
    View More

    Related ebooks

    LGBTQIA+ Romance For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Dustin Lance Black.

      Jun 4, 2019

      Dustin Lance Black.
      8 min read

    • Article

      Books

      Dec 19, 2022

      Books
      10 min read

    • Article

      Hanging Tough

      Nov 21, 2021

      Hanging Tough
      8 min read

    • Article

      You Talkin’ To Me?

      Sep 16, 2022

      You Talkin’ To Me?
      3 min read

    • Article

      Tanya Reynolds

      Sep 9, 2021

      Tanya Reynolds
      3 min read

    • Article

      You Talkin’ To Me?

      Apr 29, 2022

      You Talkin’ To Me?
      3 min read

    • Article

      You Talkin’ To Me?

      May 1, 2020

      IN THE CROSSHAIRS THIS MONTH PAUL WALTER HAUSER Are you talking to me? Are you talking to me? Are you talking to me? If you’re not talking to me, then who the fuck are you talking to? That would be my response. No, it’s a treat to talk to you, becaus

      3 min read

    • Article

      Cruel Means, Bitter Ends

      Nov 10, 2021

      “In order for this speech to mean anything to me, I’ll need to dispense with the usual demagoguery and, instead, make an attempt at honesty. With this in mind, there is one thing I have to make clear. I’m not in this race to serve your interests, but

      12 min read

    • Article

      The After

      Jun 10, 2023

      He is sitting opposite me, staring blankly like a dead fish. Stone eyes. Cobalt and lifeless. Pale gray skin, dripping scales. I imagine him hauled out of the water and dumped on the riverbank, gasping for breath. Just as he deserves. I only agreed t

      13 min read

    • Article

      You Talkin’ To Me?

      Dec 7, 2023

      You Talkin’ To Me?
      3 min read

    • Article

      Not Just For CHRISTMAS

      Nov 24, 2021

      Not Just For CHRISTMAS
      9 min read

    • Article

      Me & Davey Waters

      Jan 15, 2023

      Me & Davey Waters
      4 min read

    • Article

      Game of CRONES

      Feb 7, 2021

      I recently got into a bit of a tricky conversation with a feminist friend. A woman. And I point that out because a man can be a feminist too, I’ve been told, though I wasn’t entirely convinced at first. Once, in a rare moment of conciliation, my frie

      2 min read

    • Article

      Frozen In Time

      Dec 21, 2020

      Frozen In Time
      3 min read

    • Article

      On The Brink

      Dec 23, 2021

      On The Brink
      11 min read

    • Article

      SHORT STORY by MARGARET ATWOOD

      Mar 22, 2023

      SHORT STORY by MARGARET ATWOOD
      7 min read

    • Article

      SHORT STORY by MARGARET ATWOOD

      Mar 22, 2023

      SHORT STORY by MARGARET ATWOOD
      7 min read

    • Article

      Dawn Neesom Mind Of My Own

      Oct 24, 2023

      My generation are a bunch of tossers. Seriously. Because flipping a coin in the air to decide something depending on the heads or tails result was something we just did. In today’s increasingly cashless society, tossing a coin is dying out, aside fro

      4 min read

    • Article

      Dead Reckoning

      Sep 9, 2020

      Dead Reckoning
      6 min read

    • Article

      On The Brink

      Jan 2, 2022

      On The Brink
      11 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for You're Worth It

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      You're Worth It - Hollis Shiloh

      Table of Contents

      You're Worth It (shifters and partners, #24)

      Patreon | Join my newsletter | About the story:

      You're Worth It

      Chapter one

      Chapter two

      Chapter three

      Chapter four

      Chapter five

      Chapter six

      Chapter seven

      Chapter eight

      Chapter nine

      Chapter ten

      Chapter eleven

      Chapter twelve

      Chapter thirteen

      Epilogue

      Also By Hollis Shiloh

      Story copyright July 2019 by Hollis Shiloh.  All rights reserved.  Do not reproduce without written permission from the author.  All characters and events are fictitious, and any similarity to real people or events is coincidental.  Image content is being used for illustrative purposes only and any people depicted in the content are models.  Cover design by Natasha Snow. 

      Patreon | Join my newsletter

      About the story:

      WILL IS GAY, A SWEET but forgetful wolf shifter who doesn't seem to have any standards for who he dates.  That bothers his partner far more than it should.

      Elliot (who is definitely, definitely not gay) was deeply traumatized by growing up in a strict belief system.  In his mind, there's nothing to be gained from examining too closely who he might be.  Nothing but pain, heartbreak, maybe even damnation. 

      An overly-friendly fox shifter, a fat orange housecat, and a lot of soul-searching may end up changing his mind. 

      Because sometimes secrets won't stay buried.  And at some point, he has to tell the truth, to himself—and to Will. 

      43,500 words

      You're Worth It

      by Hollis Shiloh

      Chapter one

      B alfour and Hunt!  Get your asses in here!

      Even though I knew—well, almost knew—we hadn't done anything worth yelling about, Will Hunt and I exchanged a worried look.  The captain's shit list...what could we have done now? 

      Will looked faintly guilty, but then he always does when anyone's mad at him, like he'd grown used to accepting that he's just automatically wrong and anything he doesn't get is something to be ashamed about or yelled at over.  Sometimes he reminds me of a puppy that's being scolded and doesn't know why, but figures he was probably bad, anyway.

      I know, I shouldn't compare my partner, who is a grown man and a wolf shifter, to a puppy.  But with those faces he can make?  Sometimes, I can't help it.  That's why I never get it when someone says he can be a real scary dude.  Will?  He's a puppy.

      It's also why I hate to see the kind of guys he dates.  They never last long.  But it's always too long for me.  And it's even worse when he just hooks up with random strangers.  It makes me die a little inside, even though I know it's none of my business.

      We got up from our desks and went in to see the captain, not hurrying—or trying not to hurry.  Will's shoulder bumped into mine lightly as we walked, an accident, you'd think, but I knew his body language, and he was seeking comfort the only way he knew how, by sticking close to me, his partner.

      It was my job to protect him, explain the world to him when it didn't make sense, be his go-between, shield, and best pal.  I squared my shoulders and took a deep breath.  I put a hand on his back, my silent promise I'd be there, he didn't have to face anything alone.

      We went through the door.

      The captain was pacing.  His scowl was worried or angry, but not about us.  Good.  But somehow Will couldn't tell; his face kept that blank look that hid his anxiousness.

      Will hated it when the captain was angry or disappointed in him.  The captain, an older man in a position of authority, upset with him, could distress him like little else.  Not that he was too thrilled if I got mad at him, or anyone else did, either.  But it seemed like it bothered him most if the captain was upset with him.

      I didn't know if the captain was a kind of father figure or substitute pack leader, or some other man he'd have looked up to if he'd still had a pack.  But Will definitely looked up to him more than a little.  And the man didn't want it; he wanted employees who could do the job and not make a hash of things. 

      You'd think we'd be good at that, with Will's job skills and mine combined.  We should be the best of the best—most focused, efficient, and capable team he had.  You'd be wrong.  We tried, but we weren't the greatest cops who ever lived.  Will's forgetfulness didn't help, and apparently I was too clean-cut and straight-laced to be a great fit for the department.  If not for Will and his nose, a lot of them would have thought I was useless.  My parents thought I was a swearing, filth-wallowing heathen, and my coworkers thought I was a goody-two-shoes.  I'm not sure what I thought I was.

      My partner glanced at me anxiously, that furrowed look to his brows as he all but begged me to handle this part of it.  And I would.  I always would.

      Captain, what seems to be the problem?  I sat down without being invited to.  Will raised his brows quickly, then hurried to sit down as well. 

      He would almost certainly mirror everything I did till we were out of here: crossing his legs if I did, folding his hands, leaning forward, leaning back.  I couldn't tell if he did it on purpose or not.  It made me simultaneously want to laugh at him and want to wrap him in cotton wool to protect him.  Nobody should hurt Will.  And I included the captain in that.  The captain, Will's dates, the world.

      The captain turned to glare at us—his distracted glare, not the angry one.  He looked momentarily surprised that we'd seated ourselves, but didn't comment on it.

      Got a tricky job for you two, he barked.  Think you can handle it?

      Beside me, Will twitched, but let me answer.

      Depends what it is, I said.  Is it something we'd be particularly suited for, sir?

      The captain reached up to scratch uncomfortably at his receding hairline.  You might be.  In a manner of speaking.  He looked really uncomfortable at the question.  It's bodyguarding duty.  Need someone to escort a witness.  There've been some issues with the people assigned to protect him.  Security leaks.  We've got to get him through this area safely and hand him off in time to testify for—an important trial. 

      He cleared his throat awkwardly.  The fewer details the better.  Let's just say it would be a black eye for the department to lose him in our precinct, even if the Feds should be able to handle it on their own.  Obviously, they can't.  So, can I count on you two?

      Will twitched and cast me a nervous look.

      Why are we suited for this job, captain?  I spoke even more calmly since Will and the captain were obviously anything but calm.  Is this star witness perhaps a shifter of some sort?

      Yes.  Is that going to be a problem?

      I glanced at Will.  He leaned forward eagerly and opened his mouth.  I love all shifters!  That is, except for skunks and, well, foxes.  But I'm sure—

      He's a fox.  The captain's face was turning slowly red and mottled.

      I—I love foxes, too, said Will, his face going through several changes.  I mean, I'm sure I can get along with him.  For a bit.  He looked down at his hands on his lap, twiddling his fingers together, keeping his eyes down.  I'm a great bodyguard.  Ask El, he mumbled, his words fading away.

      The best anyone could ask.  Captain.  Is this the best use of resources?  The two of us as bodyguards?

      Sure.  Of course it is.  Hunt will smell trouble coming, and you two are tough enough to take on anyone who comes after this guy.  Besides, you've only got to drive him through our county and across the state line, deliver him safe and sound into the hands of the appropriate authorities, and it's done.  You guys can do that.

      Maybe so, but he sounded like he was trying to convince himself, not us.  I stood up.  If it's because we're disposable—

      It's not often I succeed in shocking both my partner and our boss into silence.  Evidently today was a day for surprises.  They both stared at me like I'd gone insane.

      El, said Will awkwardly, making an embarrassed little face.  You can't say that.

      Neither one of you is expendable, said the captain, looking like I'd grown a second head.  I didn't seem to have even offended him, just shocked him—that it would even occur to me. 

      Maybe they were right, and that was a dumb place for my brain to go.  Let's just say I'm not the most trusting of people.

      The captain gave us details and sent us on our way.  Will hurried after me.  El, you know we're not expendable.  Right?

      I glanced at him, uncertain if he was asking for reassurance or trying to give it.  His brows were in a funny little furrow, and he looked concerned.

      I studied him a moment, then shrugged.  It could be my own issue, I guess.  Anything's possible.

      He caught my arm and leaned on me a little, as close to a hug as he dared, I guess.  Will was a warm, touch-oriented, physically affectionate wolf shifter.  He was also a gay man working in a less than gay-friendly environment.  He kept himself in check, self-conscious about making anyone uncomfortable.  Including me.

      If he did make me self-conscious sometimes, it wasn't his fault.  I knew he didn't mean anything by it. 

      We'll never be expendable, said Will.  You're a highly trained police officer and graduate of the Shifters and Partners program.  And I'm a wolf.  He gave me a hopeful little smile, eyebrows rising.

      Is that your only qualification?  I smiled a little sadly.  Sometimes Will had a low opinion of himself.

      That, and you.  He snaked his arm through mine.  Come on.  I need a snack before we hit the road.  Then let's pick up this fox and be heroes!  He grinned at the thought.

      His light snack was more likely to be a huge meal to anyone else, but I followed without complaint.  A hungry wolf is not at his best, on the job or off.  Are you sure you're fine with a fox?  You just said—

      He grimaced, bobbing his head a few times.  Yeah.  Yeah.  I know, but it'll be fine!  I'll be cool, I promise!  He made a cross my heart gesture and gave me that hopeful grin of his, the slightly disreputable grin that showed his chipped tooth and crooked smile, the brightness in his eyes making him way more appealing than he had any right to be.

      Okay.  I gave him a pat on the back.  I knew he wouldn't let down the captain on purpose, so I'd have to trust him about this.  We'd have to make it work.

      Still, it was worrisome that he'd said he got along with every kind of shifter except for foxes, just before the captain said our guy was a fox.

      AFTER WILL'S SNACK, we loaded up with a to-go bag full of food, water, and first aid kit.  I like to be prepared for trips with Will.  Then we headed out, taking an unmarked car.  We wore vests and we carried, but to outward appearances, it was just two guys traveling together.

      It was about an hour's drive to the meet-up, and no time to be lost, so I didn't even consider arguing when Will wanted to drive. 

      Will loved to drive.  I was surprised he never hung his head out the window and howled at cars as he passed them on the freeway.  Not that he was any more likely to do that than anyone else.  He just got really intense about driving.

      Today he was even more intent as he drove.  You think there'll be any problem? he asked me, trying not to sound nervous.  The captain seemed freaked out about something.

      He didn't even tell us what the guy's testifying about, I mused.  Maybe it's so dangerous we're better off not knowing.

      I like to be prepared, said Will. 

      I scoffed.  He was lucky I didn't bust a lung laughing.

      What?  I do!  He was hilarious, with his offended look. 

      You need me to remember water, band-aids, and food, I pointed out.  You'd regularly run out of gas if I didn't remind you to fill 'er up.

      Well, that's what you're there for.  I'm prepared by taking you along.

      Your logic.  I shook my head.  Of course, he didn't take me along on his nights out, now did I?

      You're my partner and I count on you to remember the stuff I'm too dumb to get right, said Will, trying to sound dignified.

      Don't call yourself dumb.  You just don't bother trying.  I sighed.  I hated it when he was down on himself, as much as I hated being taken for granted.

      He cast me a

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1