Taming the Wolf

by Beverly L. Anderson

Tracy doesn't know his real name. He only knows the man reminds him of some kind of wild animal-a wolf. So, when this intimidating stranger strides over one day and warns Tracy to stay away from where he and his "wolf pack" roam-or suffer deadly consequences-Tracy isn't all that surprised. Yet, Tracy has never been one to back down, even against someone towering over him. Being the smallest in any group has taught him how to hold his ground, and he's not about to let the Wolf scare him off.



The next time their paths cross, the Wolf approaches Tracy, ready for confrontation. But instead of shrinking away, Tracy stands firm, staring up at the larger man and making it clear he won't be intimidated. To Tracy's surprise, the Wolf's reaction is he stares, either stunned or impressed, before turning on his heel and leaving. Confused but unwilling to waste more time, Tracy returns to his task of gathering supplies for his ailing grandmother.



Days later, as Tracy arrives in the city, he hears labored breathing and the unmistakable sound of someone in pain. Rushing to investigate, he finds the Wolf-wounded and vulnerable. Against his better judgment, Tracy brings him home to nurse him back to health. The Wolf is silent for days, but when he finally speaks, he unravels a tale of betrayal, crime, and corruption he had tried to stop. Fearing for both of their safety, he pleads with Tracy to let him stay.



Moved by the story, Tracy agrees. But soon, he notices something the once-fearsome Wolf seems compelled to follow his every request, no matter how small. Tracy can't help but wonder-what exactly is behind the Wolf's loyalty?



Meanwhile, the Wolf's enemies lurk in the shadows, vowing to destroy him by targeting what he holds most the people he has come to care for.

121 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2025

About the author

Beverly L. Anderson began writing at eleven; their talent foreshadowed a remarkable future. Their first story, written in spiral notebooks, was about a kidnapping. Even then, countless story ideas featuring fantastic places, monstrous creatures, and forbidden love filled their mind. Unsurprisingly, they now favor the darker recesses of the psyche over its brighter aspects. They immersed themselves in the study of psychology and related fields. They spend most of their days dreaming about stories and deciding how to make the unruly characters do as they tell them. Characters sometimes act independently, defying the author's intent.

Bev’s other hobbies include gaming of all types, including a great love of tabletop. They are an advocate of transgender/LGBTQAI+ issues as well as autism/mental health. They still enjoy writing fanfiction when they can. Their interest in the BDSM community began as a simple curiosity but has led her to the road to finding a place for themself there as a Dominant. They have gone on the journey of self-discovery in the last few years, finally pinning down their identity after thirty years of searching. Coming out as non-binary (bigender), asexual (aegosexual), and panromantic was one of the hardest things they’ve ever done, but it gave them the confidence to become themselves even more. Bev, who is autistic, has ADHD, bipolar disorder, and follows an eclectic pagan path, frequently clashes with what society deems as "normal."

Beverly started their writing journey seriously in 2013 when they found their way to fanfiction. They spent several years writing over three million words in various fandoms. For the last few years, they have been pursuing the adaptation of those stories into original works and publishing them for a wider audience. Finding their publishing home with Phoenix Voices Publishing helped make that dream a reality, one that they help others find.

Reviews

[Deb Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gritty yet tender story of loyalty, danger, and unexpected connection. Tracy’s defiance against the intimidating “Wolf” sets the stage for a tense, slow-burning relationship that evolves into something far more complex than either man expects. While the opening feels a little uneven, the plot deepens beautifully, weaving crime, betrayal, and emotion into a compelling narrative.

The V-poly dynamic may not be for everyone, but it adds an intriguing layer to the story’s themes of trust and belonging. Overall, a dark, emotional tale that finds light in the bond between two (and more) unlikely souls.

I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review

[Thera · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I would've known this was a V-poly book. I wasn't a huge fan of the very beginning but it got a lot better the further into the story we went. I thought the overall plot was well done but the relationship dynamics need work.