Mating Season

Bump in the Night

by Kari Gregg

He didn't believe in the monster of the lake . . . but that didn’t make it any less real.

When Danny needs a getaway, his best friend goads him into a week-long hiking trip. Who cares if local superstitions and old wives tales warn the wary to avoid the lake once summer nights turn chilly? The trails are still pretty, the wildlife just as plentiful, and the fall colors beautiful for the lens of Danny’s digital camera. Nothing sinister could happen, not here.

Danny was wrong. Assaulted by lusty tentacles that push his body—and his sanity—to the brink, Danny is then held captive by his best friend, betrayed for the sake of science. Unable to escape and terrified of the changes in his body, Danny’s alternatives are few. He will be returned, over and over, to the monster.

But maybe his future isn’t as bleak as it originally seemed.

( This is a standalone release of a story that originally appeared in the Bump in the Night anthology.)

Word 12,100; page 52

Genres: M M Romance, Paranormal, Horror, Erotica, Fantasy, Aliens, Dark

45 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 4, 2014

About the author

Kari Gregg lives in the mountains of Wild and Wonderful West Virginia with her Wonderful husband and three very Wild children. When Kari’s not writing, she enjoys reading, coffee, zombie flicks, coffee, naked mud-wrestling (not really), and . . . coffee!

If you would like to catch up with Kari, caffeinate yourself and head to http://www.KariGregg.com

Reviews

[Elizabetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars (This short story appeared originally in the Riptide 2013 anthology Bump in the Night which is also worth a read for all you monster porn lovers)


Oh*my*freaking*lord

This is over-the-top wickedness with a cherry on the top, and the bit of devious plotting keeps it from being purely torture porn. The author throws everything but the kitchen sink into this feast of tentacle sex depravity…

A lusty monster with very active suction-cupped appendages…

“… the suckers on the underside of the tentacles nuzzled and guzzled down my cock like dozens of tiny mouths slurping… siphoning… tenderly squeezing…”

Deception, bondage, non-con/dub-con/rape, mpreg, stuffing, fisting… torture…you name it.
Did I like it?
Yes… yes, I did.

It starts off innocently enough. Danny is on a back-to-nature camping trip in a bucolic setting… cue birds, bees, butterflies...

Then begins a descent into nightmare-hell as he is tricked and forced into an evil experiment and… let’s just say he finds a special connection with a large, slimy, tentacled lake monster. It’s not pretty. I can’t say more. Read it.

This comes so close to my (so-far) favorite tent-sex read, Charlotte Mistry’s Gay Tentacles From Space! (discerning tent-sex readers will already know this one). But Kari Gregg (I Omega, Spoils of War) offers up her very own special brand of delicious torture in the tent sex genre.

It’s just all kinds of… no… and, yesssss… Read it, but heed the tags.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despondent because of his failed marriage and lost job, Danny decides to go on a fall hiking trip at the lake at his best friend Keith’s insistence. Who believes in crazy tales about lake monsters anyway? Danny learns two things – that all tales contain a nugget of truth and best friends are not always trustworthy. This is all kinds of creepy and kinky, and a superb example of erotic horror.

[Lilia Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this a while back as part of an anthology, and I have to say, as tentacle fics go, it's at the absolute top of my list--it actually made my Best of 2013 list. I also consider it one of Gregg's best works, mostly because the plot is nice and tight, the world-building is efficient and adequate to the task, and the story doesn't have the frustrating loose ends or non-endings of some of her other stories. I should probably add that, also like most of her stuff, it is absolutely demented and crazy-hot.

No question, this is not for everyone, but for fans of the "crazy tentacle shit" genre, this is as good as it gets.

[Onyx · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not okay . And by not ok, I mean freakin' awesome. It’s depraved, somewhat sad, creepy as hell, and hotter than a Sterek pornathon.

…but really.

Every page of this story took a wrong turn. Every. Single. Page. I mean, how fucked up could a story get in a mere 53 pages?? When it ended I wanted to yell, “what kind of twisted person gets off on this stuff?”

Oh wait.

That would be me, already starting it again.

Warning to those sensitive to rape, tentacle and otherwise, mindfucks, the creepiness factor, exam tables with restraints, forced orgasms, and an unholy array of kinky hot ass fucking. And by that I mean object insertion/stuffing/enema kink/desperation/humiliation/fisting/butt plugs/stretching/gaping/YOU NAME IT. Except, strangely, dicks. But who knows what happened when the MC was knocked out? 0_o.

For everyone else, enjoy the best tentacle sex ever written.

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

PWP tentacle sex. That's what I was expecting...that's what I got. But that's not all.
I also got a moment of Outrage....you'll know when you see it. Such a Dick!
This delivers exactly what it promises, and does it well. I think this is top 3 tentacle stories I've read.
Which haven't been a lot...but the idea of tentacles, tends to be hotter than the execution. That is not the case here.

[Sunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in the Bump in the Night anthology...

Original review:

o.O
Seriously disturbing, but ridiculously hot. Ridiculously. Hot.

[Trio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oooh, I definitely need more Kari Gregg in my life. It's been ages since I've read one of their dark and delicious stories, and Mating Season certainly fits the bill!

Great twists and turns in the plotline, and plenty of dub-con tentacles. Really nicely done.

[Iris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just called my friend and told her we can have grilled calamari tonight.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Um.....that was interesting.

[⚣Michaelle⚣ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Oof, this one was rough...but Yay!Tentacles, so it had to be read. Very much the horror side of erotica.

[Shelba · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a surprise (even more so since I didn’t read the blurb or CWs). The first few pages were kind of dull and I wondered if I should bother, but boy am I glad I did.

The author’s warning for this book is for “violence, mpreg, and all manner of WTFery”. I think there probably should be more, and more specific.

CW for: noncon, tentacles, egg insertion, mpreg, extreme rectal stretching, involuntary medical experiments, imprisonment, fisting, butt plug, talk of miscarriage and death, murder of a supporting character, semi-violent birthing scene, addiction to venom. I’m sure I’m missing some. It’s erotica, not a romance, and monster non-con, so the HEA is highly subjective.

[Rachel Emily]

I don't know how to rate this! Or categorize it! Or even what to think about it haha, since this was definitely not romance and yet I had to finish reading it.

[coflo · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Five stars for the author's courage. An erotic horror story, with full tentacle sex, laying eggs, and incubation XD A nice horror happy ending(?) Kari Gregg often takes a misanthropic standpoint, so the monster is always kind and better than human beings wwwww The moral of the story: Beware of your mad scientist friend XD

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tentacle porn! Yay!

[Patsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm..umm...yeah...really can't describe this. It is an experience though. Tentacles. Nuff' said.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

NOT A ROMANCE! THIS IS MORE OF DARK (TENTACLE-PORN) EROTICA. (NON-CON TO DUB-CON BREEDING, OVERSTIMULATION, & SEXUAL TORTURE)

I don’t know why this is tagged MM “Romance”, but it isn’t. There is no romance. Unless you count the tentacle monster as a love interest, then I suppose it can work, haha.

This is definitely the most impeccably-written tentacle porn I’ve ever read so far (though I haven’t read much as it isn’t a trope I actively seek out, I’m an MM erotica enthusiast constantly on the lookout for artfully written MM porn in general). But this was exceptionally well done for a porn with plot, and the plot was exquisite as well. The quality of the narrative did not devolve at any point in the story (as most other erotica turned cheap porn stories are wont to do), which I really appreciate. The pacing was perfect; the descriptions on point. The brilliant execution made it so the readers experience every little titillating sensation from the character’s POV without the writer’s presence interfering and making the scenes feel railroaded and contrived (as is often the case in most other hardcore erotica). It’s so hard to find tastefully written erotica, much less one with a delightfully depraved gothic-themed plot. This was definitely a rare treat! I would have liked a better ending for Danny, but this isn’t a romance and dark erotica isn’t known for HEAs; in fact, by dark erotica’s standards, this is as happy as endings go. (I’m so sorry, Danny! I feel for you truly, but you make for such a sexy and sporting monster mate—you’re better off with your caring betentacled lover anyway than with the likes of human scum such as Keith and Trisha.)

It’s my first Kari Gregg story, and I’m raring for more.

[Guardian.angel54 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was nothing like I expected - and not necessarily in a good way. First of all, it's 100% non-con! Danny, the MC, does not consent or willingly participate in what happens to him. He is forced to the point of torture and beyond, and I just couldn't find that erotic at all. Even in a horror way. The betrayal by his best friend was just downright evil and twisted and I cringed several times during this. The creature was never really "shown" beyond tentacles and mentions of being a cephalopod and I'd have liked a bit more background on it. For a straight up horror story, it was decently written up to the last quarter and then it just went totally Creepshow! There is no HEA. There's not even a HFN. Danny is nothing but a living incubator for this creature and you get the impression that he'll just be used up until he's an empty husk. There's no romantic element at all! I've read a lot of erotic horror and monster books but this one just lacked any real depth or purpose. I'm giving it 3* stars simply for the competent writing and technical aspects but everything else just fell flat for me.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a pure masochistic read. It's really not my thing- tentacles, egg laying, extreme stretching, non-consent, drugging......yup, things I have blatantly said I do not enjoy before. But sometimes, you want to read those things you hate a bit, because you also like them a bit. This was that time; reading a read that I usually don't like, but right now I just want. It came through in spades. The monster was creepy and literally didn't care whether or not its victim wanted to become their mate or not- it was happening, and drugging would get the mate to want it. By the end Danny certainly did want it, but he was drugged up with completely altered brain and body chemistry, so he couldn't exactly make choices anymore. Aaaand Danny was going to be a birthing vessel for a lake monster for the rest of his life (however long his body could handle that). Creepy, but a bit kinky. Well there goes my interested/repulsed/why am I reading this read for the year.

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay but I only kinda really liked it

Look before I plead my case let's get one thing clear here, this is erotic horror. Straight up. If that's not your thing, then move on. If it is or you're curious, here's why I was kind of really into it.

It is exactly what the blurb says but executed so well. I mean it's dark, it's twisted, I felt really bad for Danny but at same time I was also into whatever was in the lake. What I read more? Gladly. But do I think that this was the perfect length? Most definitely. I just loved it and that's okay, I'm not a bad person. 5 solid stars.

[Kassu · Rating 4 out of 5]

4- stars.

Ehm. I kind of knew what I was getting into but I was rather suprised about what brought the most horror into this story and it wasn't non-con tentacle sex. A disturbing short story but it's good, and I'm a sucker for true monsters are men spin. I will look into the author's other works.

[Lioba · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5 Stars.
I had hoped for more from the monster or more psychological things from the best friend. The monster isn't much of a character as I had anticipated and the love is really more of a drugged addiction (forced too) and ... i don't know, I guess I am missing some more pages for the story to either be a good scarry story or more character from the monster to be a better "romance"?

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those stories that I am embarrassed to admit that I read. That being said, I still kinda liked it. It was definitely really messed up, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't like really messed up stories.

[Mrs C · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Not sure where to start with this book. It’s weird, erotic and disturbingly arousing. It’s a very short intense story. If you like reading about strange things that go bump in the night, then I think you’ll enjoy this book.

[Alzhis Nigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

HOT AF. Tentacles galore! Para akong nagbabasa ng manga kasi puro yung description niya at sakto lang. Tung tipong hindi nanakaumay basahin lalo na sa kagaya kong mahirap i-caught ang attention at ang focus. At medyo nabitin na naman ako.

[Quwinntessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done for what it is

Good tentacle horror. Won’t get you hot and bothered but it’s well written and an interesting read. I think a few more pages could have gone a long way to helping bridge the gap to the climactic ending, but still well done.

[smol fishling ⋆｡⋆☂˚｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mating Season - Kari Gregg ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐+
OMG!!! I LOVED this book so much! o(≧ں≦)o
(⺣◡⺣)♡*

[Chloe K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wtf did i just rear. I’m embarrassed that I enjoyed it so much.I actually was sad that it was so short and wanted more. I never thought I’d say that about a book on tentacle porn. Time to refer myself to a therapist.

[Blue · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 suckered stars.

I read a story with tentacles in. And finished it. Never thought that would happen.

[MyzanM · Rating 1 out of 5]

So not my cup.....
Terrible “plot”. The sexy Scenes were not sexy. Not at all.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this, just the right amount of dark.

Annnndddddd the sex... 🔥🔥🌋🌋😅😅