Wolf Bite

Outcast Pack #8

by T.J. Nichols

After four years of living in Darwin, George Franklin is back in Melbourne, and everything has changed. There is now a pack of gay wolf shifters with their own territory, something that would have been unimaginable when he left. His own family pack is expecting him to move home and run with them…and he definitely doesn’t want to do that. The last thing he wants, though, is to fall for his best friend’s older brother—again.

Pack and family come first. Evan Steele knows that, and because of it, he lived a lie for years. He did things he regrets on the pack leader’s orders. Now, he’s put as much distance as he can between his past and his present. To humans, he is successful and confident.

But he hates shifting. He hates running on four feet.

When his past turns up at his door in the form of an anonymous hook-up, Evan’s lies come unstuck, and he’ll have to choose between putting himself first or obeying the pack who will hate him if they knew the truth.

This is the final book in the mm wolf shifter Outcast Pack series.

Genres: Paranormal, Shapeshifters, M M Romance, Romance, Audiobook

158 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2024

About the author

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.

Free gay shifter novella when you join TJ's newsletter: http://tjnichols-author.com/lp/

You can find TJ on
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TJNichols
Ream: https://reamstories.com/tjnichols
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TJNichols.au...
follow me on Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/tjnichols or Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tj-ni...

Reviews

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

3.75 stars

Wolf Bite is the eighth and final book in T.J. Nichols’ Outcast Pack series. The series is a spin-off of the author’s larger Familiar Mates world (including the Familiar Mates and Brothers of Fire series). While some of the books tie together strongly in the world building and work better together, this one actually stands pretty independently, despite being the last in the series. We see other characters from prior books, but you don’t need to know their stories to understand what is going on here.

Overall, I have really enjoyed this series and the larger Familiar Mates world. Nichols did such a great job building these three series and tying the world building together, but making them also feel distinct. I think the earlier books tied together a little more closely as a series, but I did enjoy meeting this pack and seeing them grow and thrive.

Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.

[Cynthia M Brow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wolf Bite is the 8th and final book in the Outcast Pack series. Each book could be read as a standalone because they are about a different couple each time but I think they are best read in order. This is Evan and George’s story. I love how these two guys who are completely opposite personalities work through their relationship. These two are just so adorable together. I hate seeing a great series end but I look forward to what TJ Nichols will bring us next. I would definitely recommend this book and series.

[Julie Underhill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wolf Bite by TJ Nichols is the 8th book in their Outcast Pack series. I would recommend reading the others first as they contain information about pack politics, the Outcast Pack, and characters that are in this one. This is the story of two wolf shifters who did not fit in their family packs; one who didn’t want to be a wolf, and the other who had wanderlust, and how they found each other and formed a relationship that helped heal them. George Franklin left his pack for 4 years and worked on a rig in Darwin because he wanted to travel, see new things, and have adventures. All of these were frowned on in his home pack. He returned to Melbourne and was seeking some company so he had a hook up with Evan Steele. Evan was training to be an anesthesiologist and hated the constrictions of his pack, especially since he hated being in his wolf form. He often thought of himself as a part time wolf. When George saw Evan he realized he was one of his best friend’s older brothers who had caused his friend to end their friendship, a loss he felt deeply. He didn’t realize that Evan’s leader had made him do it, and Evan always regretted that. Once he realized his pack expected everyone to live the life they expected with no exceptions he distanced himself from them because his resistance to changing to his wolf and his wanting to be with men would never be accepted. Because of their attraction to each other, their one night stand turned into something more and they started seeing each other. Evan sometimes ran with the Outcast Pack, a group of shifters who were openly gay, and since both men needed to run or their wolves would take over, he invited George to run with them. On the way there Evan’s wolf almost came out so they had a hot love scene in the bushes and then went to run with the pack. As Evan told more to George about his life growing up as well as his aversion to being a wolf, George saw him as another wolf who had issues and wanted to give him a chance. But when Evan blames him for almost shifting he leaves upset and hurt but tells him to call him when he is ready. It is then that Evan realizes the 3 things he needs to do which are change his pack status, meet with the Coven psych, and tell his family the truth about himself. When he calls on his courage and does all three things, some good things happen as well as some bad and scary things and George helps them through all of them and Evan took more steps to healing and finding more adventure with George by his side. I enjoyed this book. Evan really had some major issues to overcome and George wasn’t going to give up on him because he was the first person he could see himself with more than just a hook up. George also had some things he needed to change like not wanting to be in a relationship, but Evan was worth it to him. There is a lot of pack politics occurring throughout the story that had major consequences for both men in what they did and how they handled things that were happening. There are also many hot love scenes throughout the story. I recommend this book if you enjoy shifter stories about men who have to overcome obstacles both within themselves and with things happening around them in order to find love.

[Elaine White · Rating 4 out of 5]

** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine

~

Wolf Bite, by T.J. Nichols
Outcast Pack, Book 8
★★★★☆

3rd person, dual character POV
TRIGGERS: mentions of homophobia, being disowned by parents, minor injury and prejudice

-

Wolf Bite is the final book in the Outcast Pack series! While I'm sad to see it end, I also feel like this was pretty much the way it should go. It let us see everyone in the same space again and showed us that while their romances might have ended with a HEA, their stories are continuing in the background as they work towards a happier, brighter future. It was a perfect hurt/comfort to round off the series.

George and Evan are pretty much an unlikely couple. They knew each other five years ago, when George was nothing but a horny teenager lusting over his best friend's older brother. Back then, Evan was deep in the closet and unlikely to ever leave.
Now, they've accidentally hooked up through an app and have to face the hurt, betrayal and anger that are left over from years ago. On top of that, Evan is struggling with his own personal issues while George is only recently back in the country and has itchy paws that long to travel. Can they find their way to a HEA when one longs to keep moving and the other is afraid of stepping out of his comfort zone?

They're an interesting pair, for sure. Total opposite with an undeniable chemistry. George is carefree and easygoing with a smothering family who love him a little too much. In contrast, Evan is serious, studious and responsible with a family who didn't love him enough and some personal hang-ups that make life as a wolf shifter intolerable.

Watching the two of them work through their problems was so dang adorable. George was supportive and attentive, careful and gentle with Evan. While Evan was SO loving and needy and unsure and scared of himself that it hurt my heart.

I really loved the exploration of how some shifters didn't feel comfortable in their own skin, like they didn't belong there. The dysphoria angle was so well handled, with sensitivity and respect, and it really made me feel for Evan, who was otherwise living his best life to anyone on the outside. Yet on the inside, he was falling apart and completely lost until George came along. The touch of praise kink was a nice touch, too.

All in all, a perfect ending to the series that promoted acceptance, challenging the norm and rising up to love yourself and fight for what's right. I'll miss this series and these characters, but I look forward to seeing what else Nichols will do, now this series is done.

~

Favourite Quote:

“Evan was hurting from a thousand different wounds he couldn't identify.”

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

**********Contains Spoilers**********

I enjoyed this book. 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 a good conclusion to the Outcast Pack Series, that is set in the same world as Familiar Mates Series which I haven’t read yet. I enjoyed Evan and George’s story. Their love story was definitely fast paced which makes sense since it’s such a short read and it’s usually part of the course for a fated mates paranormal read.

Man, Evan’s shifting issue would be absolutely horrible. I’m glad that George gave him clarity to finally get some much needed help by talking to psych at the Coven. I thought the chemistry between them was off the charts. Evan’s old pack/family are a bunch of a*seholes and I’m glad that he finally left for good and joined the Outcast Pack. Even after being forced to tell his old leader that he’s now part of the Outcast Pack, he still had one of the pack take a notch out of Evan’s ear showing that he’s a banished wolf, as a power move what an utter w*nker.

I’m glad George was there for Evan and came up with an idea that if George holds the notch together while Evan shifts that it’ll seal together, even though it requires shifting that Evan really hates. I also really liked that George was happy to work through Evan’s things to try while shifted list to work out what he enjoys while shifted. I’m looking forward to reading TJ Nichols Familiar Mates Series next. 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******

[Susan Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always approach the last book in a series with mixed emotions. Often I’ve come to enjoy the characters and the issues they’ve dealt with. But a series can go on for too long, so I understand the author’s need to move on. With the Outcast Pack series, TJ Nichols made me love werewolves again, after I had sworn off them, so it is hard to say goodbye. But sometimes Nichols brings back characters in secondary roles in new series, so the end may not be final. In Wolf Bite, we have a sunshine wolf, George, and a grumpy wolf, Evan. They have a meet-cute, of a sort, that reconnects them after years apart. What I especially liked was the author’s creation of a werewolf mental health issue, the dislike of their animal form. This is Evan’s problem and he has dealt with it by shifting infrequently and focusing on his career in the human world. George does not understand this at first and much of the book is seeing how each character will deal with this dilemma. As the last book in a series, the author gives us a brief update on the characters from the previous books. No surprise, a few of the werewolves are moving on to interesting challenges of their own. And I liked where the book’s title came from. I received a free copy of the book from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

“Wolf Bite” by TJ Nichols is Book 8 in the ‘Outcast Pack’ series, and centers around George, who left town and his pack in search of adventure, and Evan, who has been unable to accept his shifter nature. A chance hookup reunites the two who have a painful past history, and they must decide if they can be true to who they are as well as share a future together.

This spicy adult gay paranormal romance obviously builds on the events detailed previously in the series, but it is somewhat possible to follow the story without having read the other books. I suspect I would appreciate the connection more if I was already familiar with those in the outcast pack, but coming into the series cold, I can only say that I was a bit frustrated with Evan, who fought so hard against his nature, and I was puzzled by George’s conflict with his family who sound accepting and welcoming. Although these guys seem determined to keep their interactions carnal, the connection forces them to consider something more, so it was nice to see their relationship mature, and I thought it was great that the concept of dysphoria was touched on, which is a novel concept for me with regard to shifters.


A copy of this title was provided for review

[Anne Barwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m sad that this is the last of this series as I’ve enjoyed all the Outcast Wolf stories. I loved how the author explores as different thing with each story. In this one Evan is a wolf who hates being a wolf. I loved his and George’s relationship and all the wolf/pack politics.

I liked that George and Evan have history, and the part Evan’s pack played in that. I also liked the differences in their family/pack, and how George helps Evan work through his issues. He’s so much better off without his pack, and with the Outcast pack.

I enjoyed seeing the other members of the Outcast pack again, and their interactions. I also liked how this series takes place in the Coven world and the part the Coven plays in this story.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed all the books that I've read in this series. And in this last book the reader meets the previous characters and finds the progress each pair has made. In this book we meet George and Evan who had a previous though fruitless history. Moving to the present time, they meet again via a Grinder type shifter web site. They have a rendezvous, but Evan has issues with being a werewolf and the pain with shifting that it causes him. His mental issues are at the crux and that George is mystified with. There is alot of soul searching from both Evan and George before their HEA is achieved. I am volunteering to leave a review for an ARC of this book.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad to see the series end

This book managed to surprise me. Just when you think you've seen (or read) it all, suddenly I'm reading about a shifter who isn't happy in his wolf skin. I was impressed with how TJ dealt with this so sensitively, and I loved Evan as a character. He was one of my favourites from the series.
Once he saw the real Evan and realised just how much the man was struggling, George couldn't resist the pull he'd always felt towards him and became exactly who Evan needed. They were such a sweet couple.
Seeing members of the Outcast Pack getting on with their lives, happy with their loves, was a fitting way to end the series.

[rosdoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been a really good series. Although I recalled his awful brother, I didn’t remember much about Evan from previous books, but it was nice to get to know him and see how his past actions and fears shaped him. I like the way the author explained this and had me adoring and rooting for Evan’s character. He and George had a smoking hot connection and George had some interesting recollections of spicy times with a snake, too. It was entertaining reading.

I love the Outcast Pack and enjoyed spending a bit of time revisiting some of my favorite characters. Evan and George made their way onto that list.

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good ending. The series in context, should be read in order. George, left pack because he wanted to explore the world and experience life. Evan, didn't like being wolf, he didn't agree with his pack. Both men, walked their own paths and were a bit pack averse. Both men are dragging heavy baggage in their lives. They have previous history, but now with age, experiences and clarity George and Evan have a second chance to forge a solid relationship. The author does an excellent job bringing the pack together, answering questions and providing good answers to lingering dilemmas. Nicely done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lillian Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was worried when I started this because there was a lot of sex in the first few paragraphs but this soon settled down. In fact this is one of my favourite books in this series. Evan's dysphoria as a wolf made up a large portion of the storyline and I found that aspect really interesting. The romance developed organically from the initial hook up and old hurts from their background. And I liked that George didn't try to solve all of Evan's problems for him.
As the final book in the series, it collected all of the couples and gave insight into several of the couples.
An enjoyable story and a fine end to the series.

[Nina Diab · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have loved the Outcast Pack series from the very beginning and I'm kind of sad that this is the last installment. Good world building and wonderful characters. I loved both George and Evan. Loved the way their relationship developed and the bond that formed and grew between them. Both men are at odds with their pack- wanting more or something different than what was expected or allowed. Evan especially had a lot of demons to face.

'Why was he like this? Why did he have to be a wolf? Why didn’t he enjoy being a wolf?'

Their chemistry was sizzling. But these two definitely had a journey ahead of them, obstacles in their path, and much healing to be done. 4 stars.

[Juniper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the eighth book in the series and showcases Evan and George’s story. While their romance can stand alone, there’s a wealth of context on the world and the people who inhabit it to be found in following the series from beginning to end, and I do recommend that. I liked the depth of the main characters in this story and the work that’s necessary for their relationship to take shape— they feel real and compelling and complex in all the best ways.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written story of pack dynamics, family expectations and the freedom to be yourself.
Though it's set in a wolf shifter community, the comparisons to the 'human' world cannot be dismissed.

George left his family/pack in order to see the world and live his authentic self.
When he returns, the expectations are placed on him to simply step into the previous role(s) he had.
He fights against those constraints and in doing so discovers a pack he has more in common with, as well as love.

I received an ARC from Goodreads.
A series definitely to be enjoyed.

[stardragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evan a wolf shifter does not like to shift, he doesn’t feel like the wolf is himself. He has been living with this issue since he was seventeen. His pack is very rigid so he doesn’t run with them. George his younger brothers friend from a more liberal pack has returned to town after being away for years. George is very easygoing and is helping Evan. Along the way there is family drama, trust issues, but also friendship and love. This storyline is interesting because of the many issues it raises that people face daily.

[Suzanne Irving · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a good ending to this Australian werewolf series by TJ Nichols. The politics of the Australian werewolf packs are in full force here and complicating the story of George and Evan in all the ways that they usually do for gay werewolves. The two men have chosen very different ways of dealing with the situation and yet they are still able to connect. I like the complication of Even hating shifting and the way that Nichols uses that to further the narrative.


I got a copy of this book from GRR and this is my honest review

[Deb Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wolf Bite is the final book in the Outcast Pack series and I have thoroughly enjoyed every book. This was a great ending with a well written storyline and great characters. Evan and George are complete opposites but absolutely perfect for each other. Great relationship development as they work through all of their issues to get the relationship they both deserve. Sad to see the end of this series but I know TJ will be back with more brilliant books.
I received a free arc copy from GRR and this is my honest review.

[Rebecca Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

George and Evan have a rough past with history between their family packs but that doesn’t stop them from feeling the way they do about one another when they reconnect. They both have stuff to work through but quickly realize they’d rather work through it together than apart. I absolutely love this series, Kyle and Conner have created a home and family for those who feel like they don’t belong and their mates, no judgement just happiness and a pack to call their own. I can’t wait to see what’s next for the outcast pack. ❤️😀

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of the best friend's brother trope and was delighted to find that in George and Evan's story. I also found it interesting to have a character like Evan who really hates his shifter nature. I don't remember ever reading this particular take on shifting in a story before and it was fascinating to watch the effect his relationship with George had on this feeling. I loved the way George drew some hard lines that forced Evan to face up to things he needed to. A great conclusion to a great series.

[T.A · Rating 4 out of 5]

George & Evan

George goes back to his home town after being away for some years, traveling and working in the top end. He doesn’t want you to run with his pack/family, he wants more freedom. Evan hates shifting into his wolf. George and Evan knew each other when they were younger because George was best friends with Evan’s brother but no longer friends. They hook up on an app and they continue to because they have things in common. Evan learns he needs help with his shifting and George supports him.
I enjoyed reading this book and getting to know the characters.

[Justin Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the finale of the Outcast Pack series, and it does not disappoint in the slightest. It's much more consistent of a story than the Familiar Mates series, which is why I think this spinoff is better than the main story by a stretch of a mile! This one starts out so different but the final scene made me cry real tears of joy and happiness because it was such a great send off for all of the characters and everything. I casted Dylan O'Brien as George and Tyler Hoechlin as Evan because I NEEDED to bring my years of Sterek shipping to life lol.

[Melissa Polk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love love loved this. To see a shifter book take on dysphoria was everything I never knew I needed and wanted. I adore the way George was a steady, calm, positive presence for Evan. His attitude of "I will always be here to help in any way I can, but you have to want this and work for it, too" was just so very true to life and on point. Throughout this whole series large and important issues have been touched on and tackled in the most amazing ways. This book was no exception.

[Denise GremoryKohta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!!! While I hate to see the end of this series, the author did it perfectly. What was not outright said but was in no doubt what had happened, Evan went through years of abuse. George really impressed me. He could have held onto his anger but instead, he took the time to understand.I’m going to miss all of them. Thank goodness we haven’t left the world completely. I’m also loving the Brothers of Fire series.

[K-Me · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am going to assume that most are probably reading this one as the last book of the series, so I do not want to give any overarching plot away. I enjoyed that Evan and George did not have a straightforward relationship. They were very different men with a sad past situation that involved both of them. I was very invested in Evan and his pain with shifting and his dislike of being a wolf. Great story to end the series.

[Susan Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love the brothers bestfriend trope ♡ This one, like lost of the outcast pack stories, has a sadness of rejection. Evan rejects his wolf side. George rejects his family pack. Evan and George come together and have to work through stuff to see if they can stay together in the Outcast pack.

I really liked how the author wrote about Evan dealing with his wolf issues. It was a good read. I liked this series a lot.

[Leonie Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As much as Evan has tried to protect himself from his own pack, hooking up with George brings everything to the open. Evan's personal growth and inner strength, with the help of George, is so well written. The Outcast pack has made sure it's members and potential members are under their protection within the laws they are all governed by. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the eighth and final book of the series and is Evan and George’s story which is another good addition to the series and kept my attention from the start to the finish, we also catch up with some of the previous couples from the series, I really enjoyed the books I read from this series and look forward to reading more from the author in the future.

[Cheryl_cajun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC, I voluntarily give it an honest review. Was this going places or just running in old circles. One night of a spontaneous hook up lead him a home coming that was about to open a new insight to George's old memories. Evan was done with the old ways of pack leaders thinking.