Patrick's Heart by Stacey Espino

found me soon afterward hiding in some briars. I had shifted into my fur when the chaos broke out, and rather than kill me, they decided to keep the wolf pup as a pet. Not any kind of pet you’ve heard of. They battered and beat me, barely fed me, anything to make them feel superior. Little did they know there was a nine-year-old boy locked up behind the wolfen façade.”
    Her mouth was slightly agape before she spoke. “Oh God, that’s horrible.”
    “I was held captive for over a year, traveling with their hunting party like a sideshow freak—the hunters and their wolf. I just kept replaying the words my father had drilled into me—never shift in front of a human. It’s the reason I didn’t try to escape for so long. Getting away took months of planning, learning their routines and habits. I swear, by the end, I knew them better than they did themselves. One night they were all pissed drunk so I dared to shift into my skin. It had been so long, so I was unsteady on my feet. I set off a flare, creating confusion.” He spoke so evenly, as if speaking of the weather. His strength astounded her. “Once I was free, there was no chance I’d allow myself to be caught again. I knew I would kill first. Ever since I escaped I’ve had a deep-seated hatred of all humans. It took many, many years for me to even tolerate another male near me, which is hard in a world dominated by humans. It was Garret and my new pack that helped me overcome my weaknesses.”
    “What weaknesses? Anyone else would have felt the same way.”
    “But your mate should be fearless.”
    She smiled. “There’s no such thing in man or wolf, Patrick. But you’re brave, courageous, and loyal. Those things mean more than anything. They mean more to me.” Her smile faded. “After what you’ve been through, I’m ashamed to be a human. I’m surprised you want anything to do with me.”
    He kissed her again, her lips so soft and full. “Garret may have helped me tolerate humans, but you’re the reason I’m capable of loving one.”
    “Love?”
    “I’ve known ever since you met my red wolf by the river. Well, he knew. I was too hardheaded to see a good thing when it was right in front of me.”
    “Will you be able to share me?”
    Had he appeared that selfish? Although he enjoyed their private time now, his pack mates were like his vital organs, and he could only survive so long without them. “They love you, too. And we’re all closer than blood.”

Chapter Eight
     
    Cassidy didn’t think she could love Patrick any more than she did in the present. She had wondered if he was genuinely uninterested in her or if he had walls built up to protect himself. Considering it was the latter, a great wave of relief washed through her. He was opening up to her, bridging the distance between them.
    But his story was heart-wrenching. Her gut tightened and throat clogged with emotion upon hearing his story. She could imagine a little boy of nine being alone and scared, tortured by grown men. Cassidy had been on her own for much of her life as an orphan, but that wasn’t even comparable to Patrick’s experience. She had a newfound respect for her red wolf. He was damaged and perfect. Hers.
    She’d spend the rest of her life proving that choosing a human woman was the right decision, despite his horrendous experiences in the past. How could anyone even treat a wild animal so cruelly? She just wanted to forget the world, exist in a small bubble of time and space away from all the madness. Cassidy supposed Climax was far enough removed from civilization to live that dream. Unfortunately chaos kept showing up on her doorstep. Now she had to contend with Peter, forever wondering if he was lurking about if he didn’t show up again. He’d played the role of her brother, something she didn’t even want to contemplate now. It meant her real brother likely never reached out to her at all, shattering her fantasy of finding a blood relative.
    “So maybe this