Mitchell Wright expected to die when he was captured by hunters. When they chained him and left him in the bush, he hoped to die fast. Instead, his fated mate showed up and saved him. Now he has to deal with his injuries for the rest of his life and he’s a familiar to a witch he doesn’t even know.
Coven Agent Penrith Flint thought he was saving the wolf shifter's life, not finding himself a familiar. Because of how it happened—the wolf didn’t consent to becoming his familiar—he’s desk bound with his job on the line, while praying to the Fates to let the bond fade.
After four months it hasn’t.
When Mitchell turns up just before Christmas to see him, Penrith needs to decide if he’s willing to let the wolf into his life and risk his heart one more time. While neither of them wanted a fated mate, it is the gift they both need.
One wounded wolf shifter and a slightly bitter blood witch come together to discover that while love may not heal wounds, it makes them easier to bear and that finding Mitchell a pack is the family they both need.
For readers who like fated mates, found family, and wounded heroes.
TJ Nichols (they/them) is the author of the Studies in Demonology and Familiar Mates series. They write mostly gay fantasy and paranormal romance, but sometimes gay action/horror as Toby J. Nichols.
After traveling all over the world and Australia, TJ now lives in Perth, Western Australia.
Wolf Gift is the seventh book in T.J. Nichols’ Outcast Pack series, and while this is a short novella, I found the story packs a nice punch. The book continues a thread from the prior book, Wolf Hunt, where we learn about the kidnapped shifters and Taylor and Justin undertake a mission to help rescue them. So Mitchell is one of those kidnapped wolves and he and Penrith meet during the rescue effort. While this story features a new couple, it is a short book, which means there is not a lot of time for background and world building, and I think it is best read by those with some familiarity with the series or the larger world (though you don’t necessarily need to have read Wolf Hunt specifically).
This is the penultimate installment of this series and, while it is a shorter story than most, I found it really entertaining and offering a unique storyline and conflict.
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE ** Reviewed for Divine Magazine
~
Wolf Gift, by T.J. Nichols Outcast Pack, Book 7 ★★★★☆
3rd person, dual character POV TRIGGERS: mentions of debilitating injury, off-page captivity, kidnapping and torture; mentions of cutting for magical purposes
-
Wolf Gift is a spicy but sweet short addition to the Outcast Pack series.
The story crosses over with the previous book in the series - with Justin being captured during a mission, as planned - only this shows another of the captives. Mitchell is in wolf form with a chain through his leg when the Coven agent Penrith finds him. Penrith is a blood witch - something recently introduced in the latest Brothers of Fire series - which means he can detect, read and manipulate blood in himself and others.
Mitchell is a once-drag performer who was captured along with Justin and another shifter - the bigoted ass who once attacked Con. Now suffering the consequences of his injury and near death experience, his entire future is uncertain. 13 years older, Penrith is an experienced agent in the field. Alone after his family died in an accident, he's used to putting his life on the line for the Coven and using his magic to save lives. But when he discovers a familiar mate bond with Mitchell his world is thrown into disarray. The Coven are worried about the mate bond being sparked without consent. Penrith is scared he'll need to surrender his magic. Mitchell is bitter and angry about his life being derailed by his injury. A bond between a Welsh-born witch who wears nail polish and a bisexual former drag performer seems like the least of their problems!
I really appreciated the sensitivity of how well Mitchell's disability was portrayed. As someone who has been in the situation of suddenly losing the majority of their mobility, his emotional journey resonated with me. The panic attacks, the fear of being treated as other, even feeling like a burden. He was so well written as a main character. Similarly for Penrith, I loved how stoic and blunt he was, accepting his fate, keeping an open mind and being willing to do the right thing.
I loved the instant chemistry. It didn't feel rushed or forced, even that was a short read. It took me little more than an hour to read it, but I really enjoyed the pacing and plot. The ending did feel a little quick and sudden. I would have loved to see more of the forced proximity chemistry building up.
Overall, a solid read and a great addition to the Outcast Pack series.
I rated this book 3.5 stars, so I rounded it up to 4 stars. I enjoyed this book but I do wish that it was a longer read. This is the first series that I’ve read by TJ Nichols and I’m definitely going to be reading more from them in the future. I also thought that it was another good addition to the Outcast Pack Series, that is set in the same world as Familiar Mates Series which I haven’t read yet. I enjoyed Mitchell and Penrith’s story. It was definitely insta-love which makes sense since it’s such a short read and it’s usually part of the course for a fated mates paranormal read.
It was heartbreaking everything Mitchell went through while being abducted by the Hunters. Penrith, as a blood witch used his magic/blood to save Mitchell’s life formed their mate and familiar bond against both of their wills. I hated how Penrith was basically benched while MitchelI healed enough so the Coven could investigate and get his side of the story, as it’s against the law to force a shifter to become a familiar even though that wasn’t what Penrith did. I do believe that they’re good together. I’m looking forward to reading the next book. I’d recommend this book, series, universe and author to others.
******I received a complimentary copy of this book through GRR. I would still happily review this book even if I purchased it myself. My thoughts and feelings about this book are completely unbiased******
I love the Outcast Pack/Familiar Mates world, and that this story crossed over between the two series. I also liked the different spin on the mate bond and the unique situation Mitchel and Penrith find themselves in.
The shorter read was a wonderful way to spend an hour or so, with the characters and their world fully realised. I got pulled into the story quickly and didn’t want to put it down, fully invested in these two getting their HEA.
An added bonus was the Australian setting. I love that there are more stories in this genre being set down under. I liked how the Coven rules, although in place to provide shifters from unscrupulous witches, aren’t always fit for purpose, and that, in this case, the shifters sided with Penrith who stands to lose his magic.
I liked how Mitchel and Penrith slowly come together and get to know each other, to make sure their bond is something they both want, and how the consequences of Mitchell’s experience have very real consequences for him. I also liked Penrith’s magic, which was a bit different.
This emotionally charged HEA paranormal/fantasy begins with a shocking attack!
Mitchell Wright, a wolf shifter has been captured by hunters, chained to a tree and is almost dead. Suffering from the attack and the wounds he's suffered, he also has amnesia. He's resigned to die but instead his fated mate comes to save him, even though he now will spend his life with a limp that will never heal. To complicate things further, he's also his mates familiar.
The man who discovered him is Coven Agent Penrith Flint, a blood witch. The only way to save Mitchell is for him drink some of Penrith's blood.
Unfortunately Mitchell hadn't agreed to be Penrith's familiar. Politics and the rule of 'consent' come into play and the two are drawn together...for the rest of their lives. Will love follow or will they merely exist.
A life saved is a love found. 👩❤️👩 ...but at what cost? Blood witch Penrith hears moaning calls which leads him to the pitiful sight of a wolf chained to a tree. Michael exposes his throat so that Penrith can inflict the coup de grâce to end his suffering. Instead, Penrith gives his life saving blood, thus, making Michael his familiar. Michael has no memory of how he wound up in these circumstances, but Penrith realizes that his witch blood will be taken away from him, making him a mere mortal, if the Council cannot lend help in solving Michael's amnesia. This is a read of betrayal, guilt, twisted and greedy motives, and an unusual ending that resulting in a HEA for both men. This is my voluntary review.
I've read all the previous books in the series and was looking forward to reading Wolf Gift. I knew it was short, obviously, when I started it but it was too quick and I would have loved a longer story to allow us more time with Mitchell and Penrith together. I loved the idea of a witch bonding with a wolf inadvertently, while doing his job and saving the wolf's life, as it put a different spin on fated mates and the attraction and irresistible pull that exists between them. I enjoyed the characters of both men and loved seeing a little bit of the Outcast Pack but I would have enjoyed it even more if it was a lot longer, with time for the details to be fleshed out and their love to grow.
I love the Outcast Pack series, and enjoyed this fun, quick story. I loved both Mitchell and Penrith. I thought they made a great match despite the circumstances that unintentionally bound them. I was so sad by the cruelty and pain that nearly killed Mitchell inflicted by hunters who tortured and left him to die for sport. With little time left to live, Penrith offered his blood to the wolf to try and save him, but the acceptance of it locked them together as familiar and fated mate. Penrith knew it immediately. But did Mitchell? I love a hurt/comfort romance, and Mitchell definitely needed time to heal from what he'd been through, and accept that he would always have a limp from his injury. An enjoyable story. 4 stars.
Wolf Gift is part of the Outcast Pack series and tells us how wolf shifter Mitchell Wright and Coven Agent / blood witch Penrith Flint meet and become fated mates by chance. That chance / gift has the potential to be a bit of a poisoned chalice for both of the men but more so for goth witch Penrith. Mitchell is the victim of a kidnapping and torture by a group of hunters that takes place in the same time frame as ‘Wolf Hunt’. Penrith saves him and accidentally forms a familiar bond with him.
The story follows them as they negotiate the bond and its consequences. It is a short read but has a lot of heart and does not shy away from the darker elements. Great stuff indeed!
During the take down of the hunters Blood Witch Penrith Flint finds wolf shifter Mitchell Wright the chance to stay alive by taking a drop of his blood. Mitchell in his wolf form takes the offer but four months later barely remembers anything else of that night. Penrith can remember little else as the drop of blood confirmed that they are mates. Mitchell has come to the Coven to say thank you to Penrith for saving him. Penrith is hoping that Mitchell will acknowledge him as his mate, allowing him to keep his magic. Will Mitchell want more from the mating that just the magical bond, or will he want the bond broken?
*3.5 stars* It was nice to find out more about Penrith. In previous encounters, he seemed rather stoic. I appreciated learning his background and understanding his connection to Mitchell.
Their story was so short until I didn’t really get a chance to really know and develop warm fuzzies for them. One of the things I love about this series is getting to spend time with other members of the Outcast Pack. It was good to spend a little time with them, but due to brevity it was sparse. Even so, it was great to see how Penrith and Mitchell blended with the rest of the Outcast Pack. I hope to learn more about them as the series continues.
Exciting. Mitch, was captured by hunters, chained and left to die. Coven Agent Penrith finds Mitch chained and implements magic on him thinking he is just saving a wolf's life. He accidentally, imprinted and Mitch became his familiar. Penrith is in trouble because of the perception of a forced mating. These two men finally talk after a few months and they have a lot to say and a lot of feelings bubbling up from the past few months. Penrith and Mitch are really nice guys who will do well from talking. An exciting story, because there are many. options, choices and solutions, but the only one is the right one. Good story, nicely done. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wolf Gift by TJ Nichols is a short, fated-mates take on the classic beauty and the beast theme. I especially liked how being attacked changed Mitchell’s life completely. Not only is his dating life over thanks to the attack and the accidental mating bond between him and Penrith, his witch rescuer, but the attack affects his pack life too. And then there’s the little detail of Mitchell needing a job as well. Penrith thought he had his life sorted out, even if he wasn’t happy with it. Mitchell is the one who undergoes the most emotional development, but Penrith adapts to the mating bond too. The answer to Mitchell’s problems with his pack is to join the Outcast Pack, even if the pack is recognized now. Both Mitchell and Penrith did not know how much they needed to belong somewhere until they visited the Outcast Pack and found their chosen family. I received a free copy of this book from the author and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Even as short as this one was, it was perfect. I absolutely adore Penrith and the calm, measured way he approached problems. Everything about him was the perfect match and counterbalance to Mitchell. I do wish we could have had more, though. I'd read whole books about this couple, honestly. But short and sweet was still lovely. It was nice to read a fated couple that didn't have personal issues with the bond, but rather external issues. Makes me want to go back and read the whole series again in one go!
Penrith Flint is a blood witch and a Coven agent. On assignment he finds a wolf shifter near death and tries to help. Mitchell Wright has been captured by the hunters and chained through his leg to a tree. Near death he accepts Penrith’s help. Unknown to either they are fated mates. Mitchell barely survived and can’t remember anything about his abduction or rescue. The book is part of the Outcast series which is fun and interesting to read. This is a sweet story of patience, compassion and ultimately love.
Mitchell and Penrith’s story is part of the Outcast Pack story and, like others in the series, the chosen family vibes are strong and central here. An accidental familiar bond promises connection but also complications for both, and dealing with the complexities of that plus everything else in their lives makes for powerful and interesting reading— there’s plenty of heart and care here, as well as compelling characters and ideas.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Mitchell thought he had it good, and then one moment in time changes everything for him. He is certain is going to die, but instead he is saved by Penrith. They are familiar bonded due to Penrith saving him. This is a fantasy story, but I appreciated the realism of how everything did not just magically fall into place. Mitchell has limitations now but the love between himself and Penrith progresses in its way. Quick little series interlude!
This was a fast paced short story in the series, the outcast pack is a family, they take in the unwanted and give them what they need. Mitchell knows his family won’t fully accept his mating and makes the choice to join the outcast pack with his mate. My heart hurt for this pair as they had make big decisions quickly or take the chance of never getting to know one another but they follow their hearts and get their happy ending. ❤️😀
love stories like this where someone is rescued by someone they then fall in love with. While I did like this book, I didn’t like it as much as the others in this series. It ended rather abruptly and was short. I would have liked more build up to the rescue and definitely more about what happens to this couple after. Good to read as part of the series but I am very glad that I got it as an Advanced Reader Copy
I got a copy of this book from GRR and this is my honest review
Thank you for the ARC, I voluntarily give it an honest review. A Christmas in July addition to Another upmost emotional read with Penrith and Mitchell. Life used shine in him was all dulled down, now Mitchell was self conscious. Life for both man and wolf, running, freedom was taken by hunters. Penrith never meant to link a life, just to save one.
It was cool seeing another part of the last book’s rescue mission. While I wasn’t surprised by how things went with Penrith I still didn’t like that he had to go through it. It’s the consistency of things like the Coven rules that make this so realistic for a paranormal book. My heart hurt for Mitchell. I loved the ending. That’s what makes this series so awesome.
He was caught and tied to a tree as he hopes to die quickly but they save him. It seems fate has other plans for them both. Neither were looking for their fated mate but it may just be what is needed for them both. The bond seems to calling louder and louder. Will they take that step? Will he help them both? See if they will finally bond
Oh I really liked this one. I thought it was really short but it's a novella so that's what I get! I felt so bad for Mitchell caught in a trap and waiting to die. Penrith got more than he bargained for when he attempted to save Mitchell. I just really liked these two. I would have loved to read more on them.
I loved Mitchell and Penrith. Mitchell is near death when Penrith comes upon him. Quick read but very good. It didn't feel rushed. Some spice, but very sweet. These two fit right in with the Outcast Pack. I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the seventh book in this series! I really enjoyed reading Mitchell and Penrith's story! I thought it was very interesting from the beginning until the very end! I just wish it was longer! I read an advanced copy of this book and this is my unbiased review!
Love this series I have been reading this series from the start and it has been getting better and better as we move along I have read this book for this author for my honest opinion and you will like this witch and wolf
This story is short but it was a really good read. As part of the Outcast Pack series it was just as good an addition as the rest of the books so far. The pack is growing, it's so cool! I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Yes to this. My literal ONLY complaint was it was far shorter than the rest of the books and I wanted more of Mitchell & Penrith because they are literally cuties that deserve more time on the page! I casted Chris Carmack as Mitchell and Rahul Kohli as Penrith.