The Wolf

By Toni Cox

It is not the unbearable pain that wrecks him every time he changes into the wolf that bothers him about being a werewolf, but the fact he cannot control his rage. His father agrees and sends him off to war in the hopes it will teach him control. But, war is not all Patrick finds on the Iberian peninsula. When not on the battlefield, he spends his time on his uncle's estate and soon discovers the senoritas in his uncle's employ. Can Patrick control his murderous rage long enough to sample the tastes of what the idyllic vineyard has to offer?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Toni Cox
• Release date: Oct 8, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393473824

Toni Cox

Born in Germany in 1976, Toni Cox moved to South Africa in 1991. Although she has spent much of her working career in the timber wholesale business, she is also an accomplished horse rider, has a diploma in project management, photography, and nutrition, and has a passion for books and all things fantasy. From a young age, her dream had always been to put her imagination into words - give the stories life. When she was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2013, she decided life is too short not to follow her dream. So, with the support of her husband and three children, she began writing book 1 of the Elemental Trilogy in January 2015. Toni Cox writes Epic Fantasy, Young Adult Fantasy, Sci-Fi Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Dystopian Fantasy, and Dark Fantasy. She is a firm believer in dragons. Twitter: www.twitter.com/ToniCoxAuthor Instagram: www.instagram.com/tonicoxelemental BookBub: www.bookbub.com/authors/toni-cox WordPress: www.tonicoxelemental.wordpress.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tonicoxauthor/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/authortonicox FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/toniselementals Website: www.tonicoxauthor.com GoodReads: www.goodreads.com/tonicoxauthor Pinterest: https://za.pinterest.com/cox1488

Book preview

Chapter 1

The beast within him howled. It wanted out. His father put a restraining hand on his shoulder.

Wait, he commanded.

I can’t, Patrick managed to say between clenched teeth.

His body began to quiver, his arms twitching uncontrollably.

Wait, I tell you!

Too late. Patrick’s body contorted. He heard his bones snap, howled at the agony, and fur sprang forth from his skin. His face changed, his jaw and cheekbones elongating to form a muzzle, and his teeth hurt excruciatingly as they grew.

Mad with rage and pain, he stood panting for a moment, feeling the werewolf shape settle. Then, his vision focussed, looking for an outlet for his anger.

His father had stepped away during the transformation, knowing what was to come. He braced, holding a heavy fighting stick, a few yards away.

Patrick, he warned, control it.

The werewolf growled. His mane stood erect. Red haze coloured his vision now as he centred all his attention on the human in front of him. Blood pumped through his veins, urging him on to kill.

Patrick, his father tried again, it is me. See me, Patrick. Control your rage. You can do this.

The werewolf leapt.

Shit ...

With a practiced swing, Edward Blakesley swatted the werewolf aside with his heavy staff. With a yelp, Patrick crashed into a tree.

Lord Blakesley knew better than to try the staff a second time. It only ever worked the once, giving him just enough time to change. Quick, and with controlled and practiced ease, he transformed and met Patrick on an even footing.

The two werewolves stared at each other. Edward, larger and experienced; Patrick, youthful strength and full of anger.

Saliva dripped from Patrick’s teeth onto the dry leaves of the forest floor. He didn’t care. He saw nothing but the other wolf in front of him and felt nothing but the fury he had inside.

He could contain himself no longer. Without thought, he