travlbug

Hi, kbois, so glad to see this new story! Neat idea to turn the tables on the usual werewolf trope, but I also love the idea of a werewolf serving as the vector to create two perfect mates! One question: why did the original werewolf smell "malicious" while our heroes were spared such a fate? If the original werewolf were evil, then why isn't the evil passed along to his victims? (Not that I'm complaining....)

With Alfie's body vaporized, I wondered how Robert could take him home, though offering up the diary does the same thing--at least metaphorically. (And after all, Alfie needed an excuse to send Robert to Pickering!) When a ghost sets you up on a blind date, you better follow through, but the magic of Christmas may have contributed as well! I love how the story ends on a note of new beginnings. Thank you, Brian, for a lovely Christmas tale, and happy holidays to everyone!

Alfie is acting like a reverse ghost of Christmas past (showing Robert both Paddy and Alfie's past--their actual deaths). In telling Alfie that he is a ghost, Robert has sparked Alfie's awareness (and memories): the best part is that Alfie now sees Paddy and family--he has found his afterlife! That being the case, Alfie's last request is not for his own benefit but for Robert's! "Bring me home for Christmas, Robert. Bring me home and close the circle." I think that, in fulfilling Alfie's wish, Robert is destined to meet someone special. After all, as Alfie says, "...this wasn't just about me...."

If Alfie's diary resides inside the bathroom wall, Robert's only hope of getting to it is to enlist the aid--and permission--of Madame Latouche. If she does know more about Alfie than she's let on so far, she might even become an eager participant in the diary's retrieval. As for finding out more about Patrick's service, Robert can always check the online records of "British Army soldiers of the First World War" (it's a good place to start). I'm also wondering if Robert intends to visit the local cemetery....

Sure I can. Just because one soul moves on to other lives doesn't mean that another soul moves on at the same rate. I can image one soul stagnating--needing a push to get on with its afterlife. That said, since no one actually knows what happens after death, my musings are just as valid as any other. 😊

I think that part of the point of this story is Robert's strange, immediate acceptance of Alfie's ghost and, further, his ability to sleep afterwards (as if the ghost is a comfort to him). It's probably way too early to speculate (as if that would stop me 😂), but I wouldn't be surprised if Robert is not just related to Patrick but turns out to be his reincarnation! Even if I'm way off base, I love the story and will gladly follow where lomax takes us.

"...We [Alfie and Paddy] get to top and tail in a real bed." While that phrase is not necessarily naughty, it could be. It seems that Robert has made an invisible friend!

I love how we are drawn farther into Robert's eerie world; and I can't help but feel that the French woman knows more than she's telling about the ghost!

Evocative and atmospheric--you've got me hooked. Can't wait to meet Alfie!

I love the unicorn song! (Luckily, my job did not depend on my singing!)

Dementia--with its slow destruction of personality--is certainly a tragic end, but the story itself reflects on a life well spent. Not every parent earns the love and respect of their children, but Peggy certainly does: while Peggy (like my own mom) may have forgotten her children, the children will always remember the loving woman from before the ravages of illness. (And they never abandon her--not even Jim!)

"Time to mark this journey 'complete.'" NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! What I mean to say is thank you. IT CAN'T BE!!!!! AUGGHHHH!!!!!!! The spirit wolf stories are amongst my favorites on Gay Authors. BANG...HEAD...AGAINST...WALL.... The characters are what really make the stories great. That said, kbois' ideas--from Lex's tattoo to hybrid shifters--are creative and unique. GOING...INTO...WITHDRAWAL.... And the best thing about finishing a kbois story is knowing that her next story will be just as good! MORE!!! NEED...MORE!!! And if it takes some time, I'm willing to wait. TILL TOMORROW. TOMORROW WOULD BE GOOD....

Ah, a beach house! The perfect place for the next installment.... A lovely, peaceful, and joyous send-off for Elijah, Tyler, the twins, and the rest of the Williamson clan (not to mention Elijah's parents and Kage). It's a great love letter--not to say good by, but instead au revoir.

I love that this chapter shows Asa, Caleb, and the boys involved in the ups and downs of family life. (The pool party and barbecue are a perfect way of showing them to be a typical family.) This is what they were fighting for, and it's finally theirs.

Such a lovely ending. (We're even getting three finales to the finale! ) And look at all the possible spinoffs! Seriously, though, the entire "Spirit Wolves" series was well thought out and beautifully executed. Kudos to kbois and her entire team.

Why isn't there a "groan" button?

These creatures are a cross between alligator, human, and vampire (the very quote you use shows that some humanity is buried within them); they are incurable; and they are being used as slaves--clearly being controlled by "massive shock collars." Why wouldn't I feel sorry for them?

I love that, ultimately, Huntington is doomed by his own words (by his threat to the veil). I feel most sorry for the alligator men--the people forced to become Huntington's monsters against their will. The "massive shock collars" they are forced to wear show that their participation in Huntington's war is involuntary. In truth, they are slaves. (I was hoping that Morrigan had turned them back into men; but if that were not possible, and they were otherwise incurable, then the death she provides them is probably a mercy.) At this time, we know several characters who make it through, but we don't know who may have perished. I'm dreading finding out in the next chapter. Ok, Caleb, we're almost to the epilogue. It's time to lalk to Vann. (Seriously.)

If Huntington et al had any trouble with customs officials, they ate them. I felt certain that Elijah was going to shape-shift into Vann to lure out Huntington, but maybe not. (There's still time....) "Enya would play an istrumental role...." I love the musical allusion/pun! I'm a bit concerned that our heroes are considering strobing--a completely untested strategy--as part part of their battle plan; but as long as they have a backup scenario, there should be no problem.

I said that I'd "settle" for cliffies, not that I want them; but as long as @kbois is the author (♥️), I'll take what I can get! (I can hear @Danilo Syrtis saying, "Don't give Queen Cliffie an excuse!" )

If I were Huntington, I'd strike Gile's compound before Sebastian's, as he'd have a greater likelihood of success (especially with Gile's best fighters siphoned off to Montana. [Just sayin'.]) There's a special line at US Customs for vampire alligator monsters, and they fly first class with all major airlines! Seriously, how does Huntington expect to sneak hundreds of monsters (not to mention war munitions/material) into US territory--and do it quickly? How hot does fire have to be before it injures a monster, and does the fire actually have to be directed to the breastplate? (Engulfing a monster in flames just seems so much more satisfying. ) We want answers (but I'll settle for cliffies!). Can't wait for the next chapter.

What adult in his right mind would want to be turned into a vampire alligator monster! I wonder if Huntington has used coercion in creating his soldiers or if they are truly volunteers. (I vote "crazy fanatics!" ) Asa, Huntington told you that his camp is heavily boobytrapped, so another foray into the area is problematic. (This is what bombs are for. )

So the question as to why Asa is being kept in darkness has been answered (we knew the answer anyway), but how Asa was plucked from thin air on a sunlit day is still a mystery. Minor issue: Enya says that an elemental prisoner must be supplied with just enough of his element to keep him alive, but Asa is being held in total darkness. Does this mean that Huntington intends to kill him? Why keep him alive anyway, or would Caleb be aware of his death? I'm not sure that Asa's capture is meant to switch the battle to Siberia, as the timing involved in Asa's capture (and whether the trap would ever be sprung) would be totally beyond Huntington's control. That said, I'm sure he has contingency plans for the trap having proven successful. The support that Caleb receives from the various pack members is truly uplifting! If Caleb hadn't realized it before, he should now be aware that he is loved.

The parents who put their convenience before having their hybrid pups treated are true monsters, condemning their children to months of additional torture because they're "not in any [obvious] distress." Wow! Interesting that Huntington has a trap pre-prepared for a light shifter. I wonder if the evil fay had a hand in creating it, as I doubt that Huntington himself would have the knowledge. Also, as Asa finds himself alone, did Caeb avoid the trap because, at core, he's a wolf shifter? I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Huntington is unaware of Caleb's presence and that Caleb can free his mate. And as for the reconnaissance? If the evil fay are indeed creating weapons for Huntington, then the playing field is not level; and Sebastian--along with Cassiel--will need to be informed as soon as possible!

Actually, as Sebastian leads the Council, his position as the head alpha of the entire shifter world would still position him to have a say over Caleb. (At least, that's my take.)