WOLF CALLED PATRICK

  J.E. CLUNEY

  CONTENTS

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  About the Author and Other Books

  PROLOGUE

  WYATT

  “Everyone is doing well,” Scott noted as we sat in our camp chairs around the fire.

  Benny and Eli were spit-roasting a deer tonight, and we’d all set up a spot around the fire with drinks in hand.

  Liz had gotten some speakers out and had some country music going while we enjoyed the warmth of the fire.

  “They are,” I agreed. Since Benny had taken Rachel as his mate, even the rippling beneath my skin had died down. My wolf was still there, but he was no longer on edge, clawing at the surface for freedom.

  Benny had settled so much since claiming Rachel as his mate, opening up more than I could have ever expected.

  Our battle with the Mate Madness was finally settling, although I knew the remaining men hoped Gina would find them their mates soon. I knew she was working on it, it seemed to be her new pet project.

  The thought made me smile. She had done more than I could have hoped for my Pack and I. She was a truly special human.

  Ours.

  My smile fell as my wolf made himself known. He was less antsy as of late, but he was still tending to old wounds where he could.

  Gina wasn’t ours. She never would be.

  But we’d kissed not that long ago, and since then, the air had shifted between us once more. I craved her just as I’d craved her all that time ago. When I’d first seen her in my old backwards town. When I’d seen her in the street, wearing a broken smile. I’d known something was up and had approached her. I’d soon found the source of her problem. A male witch.

  I smirked at the fire as I recalled that man. How he’d controlled Gina as his girlfriend, using fear to intimidate her. I watched as they got into an argument in the car, if you could call it that. He was scolding her for something small, blowing it up and making her nearly cry. I’d seen red as I’d marched over there, punching through his window and scaring him for life. Scott had backed me up, and we’d ended that relationship right there.

  Gina had then flourished, and I could never picture the woman I knew today ever allowing a man to disrespect and treat her like that again. She had evolved, become someone far grander, and my wolf couldn’t be happier. After that, we’d become close.

  As if summoned by my thoughts, Gina’s scent touched my nose, and I turned my head as the other women burst into cheers at the sight of her heading down from the main lodge with a platter of snacks for us all.

  “And here comes our savior!” Zack called out as he and Sophie danced by the fire.

  Gina laughed as she was swarmed by the ladies, hugging her and stealing some snacks to share around.

  “There’s plenty more back at the lodge, I bought a bit for everyone.” Gina grinned as those piercing blue eyes locked onto mine.

  My wolf whimpered internally, but I pushed it down as I smiled and nodded at her. Scott was quick to offer her his seat beside me, declaring he was going to dance with Liz, who was more than happy for the chance.

  Gina plopped into the chair beside me with a packet of salt and vinegar chips, crunching on them as she watched the fire.

  “Liz said you guys were having a spit roast, didn’t think to invite me?” She teased as she threw some more chips back. To think that quiet little woman all those years ago had transpired into this viking Goddess who wouldn’t take shit from anyone.

  “Who do you think told Liz to invite you?” I shot back. I’d been discussing it with Scott and Liz had asked if Gina could come. I’d already planned on inviting her, but since our kiss, I was torn.

  “Right, nice story,” she joked as she gazed around at my Pack with pride.

  “You’ve done well, they’re happy,” I noted, and her grin widened.

  “Damn straight, I know what I’m doing,” she said with a firm nod as Dahlia strode over to offer her a drink.

  “I see this fine gentleman didn’t bother getting you one,” Dahlia teased as she gave me a wink.

  “I know, right?” Gina laughed as she accepted the can of alcohol. We’d opted for cans tonight, although the bar was free for anyone to go make some drinks with. I’d have to order more alcohol soon enough.

  “I was getting to it.” I defended myself, and Gina just patted my arm as Dahlia returned to Casey.

  “Sure you were.” Gina winked before she sighed and focused back on the group. “And then there were four.”

  I looked around at my cheery Pack, dancing and chatting as the music played and the fire crackled. Four, no, she had that wrong.

  “Three,” I stated, and she arched a brow at me.

  She gave me a hard stare, and I knew what she was thinking. I made four, but I was not a part of this match-making adventure. I’d said that from the get-go, and no matter how much everyone said I needed to throw my hat in the ring, I couldn’t.

  My wolf wouldn’t allow it. Because those piercing blue eyes that saw right to my core, they owned my heart already. There was no one else for me out there. I knew that, and there was nothing that could be done.

  Gina’s gaze softened, as if she saw this belief in me as she turned her gaze back to the fire.

  “I’ve got you another one, she’ll be here tomorrow before lunch,” she said, and the air shifted around the fire. As much as my men pretended to not be listening in, they were wolves. Nothing went by them.

  “Another match?” Casey called out from the far side of the fire as everyone quietened down, all their attention now on Gina.

  “Nothing gets past wolves,” she noted with amusement. “But yes, I’ve got another match coming.”

  “Who for?” Eli asked as Jamie stepped up beside him.

  “Patrick, sorry boys,” Gina said with a smile. “He’s the best candidate with her.”

  “But, since there’s only the three of you left, and we can’t rule out the possibility of a Calling, perhaps we should allow her to meet them in the lodge,” I suggested as I looked to Gina for her thoughts.

  She nodded in agreement as Patrick stood by Scott, who was slapping him on the back at this news.

  “Sounds good to me,” Eli said as he turned back to the spit roast.

  “Well, food’s ready!” Benny called out, and the Pack fell back into a cheery energy.

  I collected a plate of the venison for both Gina and I before I scooted my chair closer to hers. I couldn’t help it, the need to be near her was overwhelming. As much as it pained me, my wolf still held out a shred of hope. But I’d never heard of a mark failing until mine. I’d researched it with Scott, learning that it was possible, just extremely rare. And no one had figured out why.

  “This is oddly good,” Gina remarked as she savored the meat, and I flicked my gaze to her, trailing it over her. She really was a beauty, someone with so much fire and passion, a woman I’d hoped to call mine.

  And yet, things hadn’t worked out that way.

  My wolf wallowed within me, and I focused on my food, pushing my rejection and pain aside. I needed to focus on my men. Now that half were mated, the Madness that had been showing itself had dissipated. Jamie, Eli, and Patrick were all doing well. We’d found balance in our Pack, but finding them mates was still a goal before it returned with their age.

  Everyone was even going back into town now, and I knew that had eased a lot of tension from my men. They’d become housebound in a way, unable to do things they’d taken for granted with their wolves being too unstable.

  Normalcy had been restored.

  I felt Gina’s gaze on me, and I wondered what she was thinking. Was she concerned I’d still succumb to the Madness? Or was she pondering trying to find me a mate? Even the thought saddened me. There wouldn’t be another match out there. Besides, I doubted another mark would work if the first hadn’t. Those who’d had failed marks in the past hadn’t found a new mate.

  But their Madness had not hit as quickly as truly unmated wolves. So perhaps I’d be okay, at least long enough to see my Pack produce the next generation.

  The thought made me smile. Scott had mentioned it to me, and I knew some of my men were thinking about it.

  Half-blooded wolves. Even with one human parent, they’d still be shifters. Would the madness run as strong in them though if they had a human factor? It wasn’t something that had ever really been studied, but I hoped it was possible. This disease of our kind needed to die off, and perhaps a human bloodline would do that.

  One could only hope.

  1

  PATRICK

  A match for me. I tried not to show my excitement too much. Ever since Dahlia had come along, I’d been waiting for my chance. I’d had no luck in my own endeavors to find a suitable mate, but Regina’s service was proving spot on.

  Although I still didn’t want to get my hopes up, especially since Eli and Jamie would meet her as well to see if a Calling was activated.

  And yet, my wolf was ecstatic, rippling beneath the surface eagerly, desperate to meet this woman. What would she be like?

  I didn’t pester Regina for more details, a part of me wanting to be surprised.

  “You excited?” Scott asked as he stepped away from Liz to let her dance with the ladies.

  I cracked a grin and he just laughed jollily as he slapped my back.

  “I’m sure she’ll be perfect for you,” he said as he gazed lovingly at Liz. Seeing how my brothers had found their matches had reassured me that there was still a chance. Benny had changed so much since Rachel had come along, and the vibe of the entire Pack had become even closer and more carefree. The women were bringing out the best of their mates.

  I let my gaze slide over my mated brothers, seeing the adoration and love in their eyes as they looked at their mates. I couldn’t wait to have that, and I hoped tomorrow would be the first step in embracing it.

  I stood in the barbecue area with Eli and Jamie, waiting patiently for Regina and Wyatt to collect us. They were filling in the new woman on the intricacies and whatnot to do with the Pack. Each female signed an NDA so as not to disclose what we were, and it was magically binding. From what Regina had mentioned in passing last night, she was another human, although that was all I’d learned.

  “Wonder what her name is, Regina didn’t even mention that,” Eli mused as he folded his arms and sniffed.

  “No clue, but I bet she’s a looker. I might just sweep in and steal her from you,” Jamie joked as he gave me a wink, but I knew he was only pulling my chain. He was carefree as he sat on one of the seats, unfazed by this whole endeavor. All of Regina’s matches had been spot on, so they both assumed this was just a common courtesy and nothing more. And yet my wolf was on edge, fearing that perhaps she would be stolen out from beneath me.

  But if one of my good friends—my brothers—felt a Calling, I would step aside. They deserved happiness too, and I’d be over the moon for them, even if a little dejected.

  “Relax, we can feel your unease,” Eli said as he gave me a warm, reassuring smile.

  “Yeah, she’ll be perfect for you. All the others have been, don’t stress,” Jamie added.

  “Having all these ladies around really has changed everything. For the better, in my opinion,” Eli said as he glanced up at the lodge.

  “One big happy family,” Jamie agreed.

  “It’s definitely more carefree. No Madness hounding us,” I said as I shifted my weight. It was certainly something to be grateful for.

  “One thing I’m not fond of, is how their cycles start matching up. Last week was scary,” Jamie groaned, and Eli just laughed as I cracked a grin.

  He wasn’t wrong though, we’d all sensed the shift in the females all at once, their moods fluctuating drastically.

  Dahlia had started crying at a communal dinner, and all the women had rushed to her, then Sophie had nearly bitten Benny’s head off for asking what was wrong, while Liz and Rachel tried to explain what was going on. All the mated men had started being ultra nice, showering their mates with gifts and attention to ease their discomfort. The three of us had found it comical to watch.

  All our gazes swept to the lodge as Wyatt exited and headed our way.

  My wolf paced nervously within, and even Jamie rose to greet our Alpha with a nod.

  “Well, Lacey Daniels has had the rundown and Gina is sitting in with her. Are you three ready?” Wyatt asked as he gave us all a stern look. One that warned us not to play up. I had a feeling that was mostly directed at Jamie, who was the joker of the Pack.

  Lacey Daniels. Her name alone had my heart racing. Was this that moment in my life where everything would change?

  “Of course, the big man himself is keen, if not a little nervous,” Eli said as he slapped a hand on my shoulder.

  “Relax, she’s a lovely thing,” Wyatt assured me with a promising smile.

  “Let’s get this done, see which one of us fine young blokes wins her over,” Jamie said with a cheesy grin and wink as he started for the lodge.

  “If it’s a Calling, she’s all yours, otherwise, she’s Pat’s to try first with,” Wyatt reminded him, but Jamie just nodded and waved him off.

  I followed after him, and Jamie paused to allow Wyatt to take the lead as we reached the back door.

  Through the glass doors I could see the brunette sitting across from Regina, her back to us.

  My heart hammered as we went inside, but I straightened myself and lowered my shoulders, not wanting to intimidate the lady.

  “Lacey, these three are Patrick, Jamie, and Eli,” Regina said as she indicated to us with a wave of her hand.

  Lacey turned towards us as she rose from the couch, her deep blue eyes widening.

  My wolf howled within me, surging to the surface as my breath was swept away. This woman was mesmerizing, her beauty making my heart falter.

  Mine.

  The sensation and knowledge of this sheer fact rocked through me, and all I could do was stare at her, frozen in place.

  “It’s lovely to meet you all,” Lacey said as she nodded at the three of us, but her gaze returned to mine as she offered me a warm smile.

  The sight had my muscles twitching, the desire to hoist her over my shoulder and whisk her away was a difficult one to fight. This sweet thing was mine. My wolf was positive.

  He rumbled within me, and Eli and Jamie both gave me knowing looks.

  “Pleasure meeting you, Lacey, but I think we best be on our way,” Eli said as he gave her a nod and turned, while Jamie just chuckled and followed suit.

  “Oh, okay.” Lacey blinked, her brow furrowing in the cutest way as she watched the pair leave before she looked back at me.

  Every time our eyes met, it was like fireworks went off inside me, my wolf begging me to claim her.

  “Nice to meet you, I’m Patrick,” I finally managed to get the words out as I offered her my hand.

  Her face lit up as she took my hand, and the spark that coursed through me had me stiffer than an ironing board. I prayed she didn’t look down at my crotch. At least I’d worn jeans, although that was not going to save me much.

  “How about you sit, Pat, get to know one another,” Wyatt suggested, and it took me a moment to register that I was still holding her hand, although she was still smiling, not bothered in the slightest.

  “Right, yes, sorry, you’re just very beautiful,” I said to try to save myself.

  Her cheeks flush as I release her hand and sit down on the opposing armchair that Regina has vacated.

  “Thanks.” Lacey flicked her gaze to the side, and I took the moment to lean forward in an effort to hide my excitement.

  Only then did I notice Liz and Dahlia standing to the side with Regina. I hadn’t even noticed them when I’d come in, all my attention on Lacey.

  “Well, we’ll leave you two to it, we’ll be down at the bar area if you need us, Pat knows where it is,” Regina said with a wave as she guided the other two women out.

  Wyatt nodded knowingly at me, and I returned the gesture as he headed out with them.

  I could only assume Liz and Dahlia were here to talk to her about their lives here, and everything wolf related. To reassure her in some areas.

  “So, we’re matched,” Lacey blurted out, and some of the tension eased from my shoulders as she giggled nervously. “Sorry, I’m a little bit nervous.”

  “It’s okay, so am I,” I assured her, and her shoulders slackened.

  I wanted to tell her everything would be okay, that I’d found her and I’d grant her every desire. I wanted to wrap her up in my arms and just hold her, promise her that life would be perfect from here on out.

  But she was human, so I had to do this right. Even if my wolf was snapping at the gates, wanting to take what he knew was ours.

  I just needed to work my ass off on winning her over. Then she’d be mine.

  2

  LACEY

  To think I’d uproot my life for a month to see if I was compatible with a stranger was not something I’d have ever thought I’d do. But we make impulsive decisions sometimes, and it turned out that was one of them.

 

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