Grief was supposed to finish him.
Instead, it forged a protector.
Thirty-seven years ago, Ben Garrett should have died on the edge of a Texas limestone quarry—betrayed by his own sister, poisoned by dark magic, and shattered by the loss of the woman he loved.He survived.
Rescued by Sheelagh Fallon, a sharp-tongued witch bound to her land by blood and stone, Ben awakens to a darker truth: neither of them is truly free. A keystone buried beneath the quarry anchors Sheelagh’s life to the land—and breaking it will cost more than magic.
To save her, Ben must face the panther he’s refused to become, stand against assassins sent to finish him, and decide whether a man hollowed by grief still deserves to live.
What he chooses will shape everything that comes after.
BEFORE THE PACK. BEFORE THE BADGE. BEFORE THE KING.
Panther’s Grief is the origin story of Ben Garrett—the steady, loyal protector readers later meet in the Texas Ranch Wolf Pack: Wolf’s Man.
This is not a romance.
This is the story of how a broken man learns to stand again.
Perfect for readers who love:
- Deep, character-driven paranormal stories
Shifters, witches, and dangerous magic
Healing after devastating loss
Found purpose and quiet strength
Side characters who finally get their story
This is a standalone novella.
You can start here with no prior series knowledge.
Longtime fans will recognize how this moment—the quarry, the stone, the promise—echoes through Ben’s later life, leadership, and loyalty.
Content Awareness
This story includes themes of grief, loss, and recovery following violence. While emotionally intense, it ultimately centers on healing, choice, and hope.
Panther’s Grief
A Ben Garrett Origin Story
Set in the Texas Ranch Wolf Pack World
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Used availability for Lynn Nodima's Panther's Grief