travlbug

"It was early afternoon and the tantalizing smell of meat, spices, and yeasty biscuits hit them full on as they went into the kitchen." @kbois is hungry! "'Yesssss!' he exclaimed. 'I love picking locks!'" Hunter is a man of many talents! (Do I want to know how/why he became proficient?) I love that the plans for the mine--a highly needed "treasure map"--would be available off site and available for the pickings. (Sheer genius!) However, I can't figure out the delay in getting Elijah to the mine: Strategically speaking, wouldn't it have been easier to take him there directly rather than to take him to Nichols' house first? (One step instead of two? More of a chance for something to go wrong?) If Nichols wanted to question him, then I could understand, but why would Nichols personally want to question a "twelve" year old? "All of the rooms had king size beds, another reason why he had chosen the house." Spies need to be comfortable. "Well, Elijah assured me that he could stay in his shift while he was sleeping…. But I don’t know if that also applies to being involuntarily rendered unconscious." If Elijah had changed back to his default form, he would have remained at the Nichols' house for extended interrogation or been taken directly to the graveyard. (There'd be no need to take him to the mine.) Wow! Just because Caleb shares a vehicle with Alberts and Belland does not prove that he's in league with them. (If he were, he would have turned Sebastian et al over to them on a platter.) That said, what the h*** does he think he's doing??!!!

Suddenly, I feel old....

I appreciate that you said scents and not scent. If the "butt stink" pill wears off, two things happen: First, the only trackable scent would be Elijah's own personal smell. Second, the jig would be up--the bad guys would know that Elijah is not what he seems--so he needs to be rescued in a relatively short period of time. (No pressure! 😅)

Come to think of it, the pups we know about were abducted during the day: Does Elijah even have a tracker built in to his pajamas (if he wears pajamas)? In other words, in view of his being snatched from his bed, could he have been taken without the tracker? (Perhaps he's wearing the tracker as a bracelet or necklace, as that would make the issue of his clothing moot.)

Hmmm. Can the signal from a tracker penetrate untold amounts of rock and massive metal doors? At least, the tracker may lead our heroes to the mine before it becomes useless. Even inside the mine, it's unlikely to be helpful, unless at very short range, and unless Elijah is allowed to wear his clothes--not a given, considering the pedophilic nature of the operation. That said, Elijah's ability to mimic a guard, or any of his captors, may be his ticket out of captivity before anything else can happen to him. Of course, if he's kept chained up and locked in a cell, he won't be going anywhere despite his ability. (Now, what was his part of the plan for after his capture, or is he expected to "play it by ear?")

Elijah has stated previously that he can hold a specific form for days without any problem at all. Thus, he can maintain a form while sleeping--i.e., while unconscious--so I doubt that being drugged will cost him his disguise. (In fact, he's aware that he's being drugged and does not exude any mental distress about it other than to note how fast the enemy is moving.) Why would Xander be instructed to befriend Elijah (I presume that his parents' whispering is for that purpose) if the intent is to kidnap Elijah immediately? I also wonder if Xander's sympathy suggests an ally when Elijah might need one.

A mine usually has only one way in and one way out; and I expect it to be well guarded. From a tactical point of view, it would be difficult to liberate any prisoners unless our heroes neutralize all guards present...or trick them! (Since @kbois isn't talking, I'm consulting Carnac the Magnificent.... )

Elijah is young enough to be called a lad but old enough to travel on his own and take adult risks. His age may have been discussed in a prior chapter (I don't recall), but his description suggests a late teen. (At five foot eight, has he even finished growing?) If Elijah can turn into cartoon characters--things that don't exist--he has the potential to turn into anything, animals included (we already know that he can turn into a cat and dog). That said, he mentions that "it took a while to learn the extent of what I could and couldn’t shift into." Thus, he confirms having some limitations, though @kbois is keeping us in the dark about them (at least for the present). Also, while he can assume the outward guise of a creature, he clearly doesn't assume its characteristics; otherwise, he could just "become" one of the newly shifting pups and wouldn't need a "butt stink" pill. Regardless, Elijah is a courageous youth and a perfect spy in the making. He'd make an interesting protagonist if there's ever a sequel. (Hint, hint....)

Tiny quibble: For a castle to have vents, they would have had to be added as a later addition; and I haven't a clue as to how you'd retro-fit stone with vents. However, since everything @kbois tells us is true, I accept the vents completely for the purposes of the story. Thank goodness for old vents: If only more villains would confess in front of a grate! That said, the confirmation of Alberts and Belland's involvement is monumental; but somehow, I feel it came too easy. Rather, I think we have seen only the tip of the iceberg. Despite the confession, the paperwork and electron trail still need to be sifted: Who knows what other secrets are buried in all that information? (We can't expect the villains to tell us everything! 😂🤣😂) The other confession is not as important, but it had to be said. He finally admits it: Roberto is floofy!

The power of knowledge is tantamount in this chapter: If Sebastian had not been prepared (thanks to Rosalie and Silas), Belland would have had the upper hand in their exchange. Apparently, Belland expects Sebastian to be ignorant of the "Ordines Antiquorum," but the Council does defer to Sebastian when, by their own rules, he stakes his claim as senior alpha. Why would Chusi bring up missing pups in a Council meeting if she were guilty of their disappearance? She may have her own agenda, but she does not appear a party to this particular crime. Since werewolves can smell certain emotional responses, Robert has been exonerated by the "Sniff Test." His emotion on hearing about the missing pups is genuine. Now, how best to use Robert to root out the bad actors? While the information Sebastian has requested may be untrustworthy (the culprits will certainly try to cover their tracks), it may prove impossible for the perps to redact everything incriminating, especially with so much information coming from multiple sources. Discrepancies in the records may be key. Hmmm. Alberts and Belland are fairly noisy in their hostility/belligerence. Perhaps the quiet members of the Council should bear a higher level of scrutiny. At the moment, I am highly suspicious of Faulkner: Ben says that he is "hard to read" and reminds us that he's a "bird of prey," with no natural sympathy for wolf pups. Further, he is the only Council member to make himself look sympathetic (misdirection?) regarding his difficulty with finding a mate--a move well calculated to avert suspicion. At this point, the falcon bears watching with an eagle eye!

The idea of the "wife" joining into a specific family (or the husband, in a few matriarchies) and assuming the family name--to show the new allegiance--is highly traditional historically, and werewolves live in a highly traditional patriarchy: I would expect nothing less from a good shifter tale. That said, the modern world is a different story, and my legally wedded husband and I decided to keep our own names as well. (Neither clan wants to go to war over it, and tribal dominance now comes into play only for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners! )

Robert has to know that Sebastian is an alpha, so his slight must be purposeful--clearly at the behest of the Council. The "inferior" seating arrangement at table and, similarly, the unacceptable sleeping arrangements are further indications that this Council is hostile--does not accept the preeminence/dominance of the alpha-kappa pair (even before realizing that the group is the reconstituted Sentinels). Despite history and, possibly, shifter law, it will not cede its authority without a struggle, though whether acting from self-importance or evil influence (probably both) is presently unclear. One thing's for sure: The fireworks are about to begin!

The painting shows the brothers together: Their family is now complete. My thanks to @quokka for showing that high-functioning autism is not a bar to a happy, healthy life--at least as long as there are people who care.

Since Nichols is in the pay of the Council, he is a pawn--not the mastermind--of this "pups for cash" enterprise. (At some point, he must have approached someone on the Council with his ideas, which were then implemented with frightening efficiency.) Further, if Nichols is being paid at least $50,000 monthly for his services, I can't imagine what the involved Council members must be making--or what they plan to do with the fantastic sums. (It's almost as if they're raising money to execute a particular plan. [Having money in the amounts we're discussing is no fun if you have to disguise having it, so I doubt simple greed as being the motivator.]) If Ben can think of using a shapeshifter to infiltrate the Nichols pack, I wonder if shapeshifters (one or many) have infiltrated the Council to hijack it for their own agenda--or is that a different story?

Dante is suddenly experiencing past-life memories as dreams: I wonder if his own magic is the trigger or if his dreams/memories are being manipulated by the same "immortal clan" member who made him a warlock. Either way, it seems as if he's being prepared to view Tani sympathetically when they finally meet. That said, why does Dante lash out with destructive force--"a thick column of heat"-- before he even sees who his "powerful" visitor turns out to be? (I can't see what he expects to gain by taking a hostile, overly aggressive stance.)

Having lost their parents and then their gran, Oscar and Austin are clearly excited to have gained a new brother. He even looks like a younger Austin! (No one in my extended family looks like anyone else, but I can imagine how seeing yourself, or your mannerisms, in another person would reinforce a connection.) Their family, and their hearts, have grown a bit larger; and I can now predict the subject matter for Edgar's next painting!

Since the Nichols have been living the good life for several years, I presume that some of the kidnapped pups have been tortured for that same period of time. (And what do pedophile sadists/rapists intend to do with their victims after they're "too old" for them? The clock may already be ticking for the not-so-youngsters.) Other than a few families, the entire Nichols pack appears culpable. I'm sure that the pack will be disbanded, but it may take a war after all, with the pack's members having been replaced by evil minions (and not the cute, yellow kind). Even if all the pack's wealth (or Nichols' wealth) were to be redistributed to the abused pups, it won't be enough. How much of their physical "treatment" will be reversible, and how do you heal a tortured mind? Hmmm. Instead of doing reconnaissance at the Nichols' pack house, Sebastian (at Jack's suggestion) recommends electronic surveillance--i.e., hacking. Will modern wonders never cease!

"I also ran into a normal guy who I’m pretty sure could see people’s auras and figure out what they meant." Nah, that could never happen. (Hahahaha! ) Ben, blond wolves have more fun! (I'm sure I read that somewhere. ) Yes, the New Sentinels (great name for a comic!) are assembled and ready to go. The most reasonable place to start would be with a thorough search of Peter Nichols' residence/pack house, but that would mean invading another pack's territory and risking war. Since the Council may be compromised, it would be counterproductive to ask it for assistance. I'm fearful that Reilly, who knows the layout of his father's home, will be asked to break in to perform reconnaissance. If so, he better have backup....

Despite the protests being held throughout the school system, we do not hear an apology from the administrators, nor do we hear that the board agrees to crack down on bullying. Rather, the administration suspends the bullies only after being forced to watch surveillance footage, and the police appear to be acting independently of the administration, not with it, in addressing the bullies' behavior. Perhaps the school will announce its intent to address the bullying issue in the near future (but I'm not counting on it). Considering how fiercely Austin protects Oscar's interests, and considering his emotional upheaval on being reminded of Edgar's existence, I have little doubt that Austin will want Edgar to live with him--or at least close by. As a minor himself, Austin is barred from becoming Edgar's legal guardian, so I have to wonder how he'll manage their reunion.

I love the concept of werewolves using modern technology to obtain a lead! Finally, an irrefutable clue, with Derek (who has "rocks" for brains) identified as the driver of the suspicious vehicle. With all leads to the pups vanishing in Boise, and with Derek based in Idaho, it's not rocket science to infer that Reilly's father, family, and pack are involved in the kidnappings. Further, we know that the family is vicious and capable of great evil (its treatment of Reilly is unforgivable), so we know that a little thing like abducting and torturing pups is within their purview. The question remains as to whether Peter Nichols is the mastermind or a pawn of corrupt Council members. (The Council has better things to do ["more pressing issues"] than to verify the apparent reemergence of the Sentinals? Really?) Caleb's intuition that the Council has not been forthcoming about the kidnapped pups is highly concerning.

The Orbison brothers and their stooges have caused Oscar to suffer yet more severe injury. (Swelling of a testicle may suggest sufficient trauma to endanger the testicle.) Austin realizes that the best way to ensure accountability is to invoke the law. Further, he understands that, despite his embarrassment, Oscar must be evaluated by a physician. Kudos to Austin for being mature enough to know what to do and for making sure it's done. Mr. Miyagi's garden? Why not! (The Karate Kid is about a bullied kid who triumphs over the bully, so the tie-in here is certainly apropos.)

Sad to hear that Zev's lead on the missing cubs just fizzled away. While I love the scenes of snowmobiling (not a big activity in Southern California) and love-making, I can't help but contrast them with the horror that the kids are experiencing. Further, when (or if) the kids are rescued, how can their trauma ever be healed? I agree with @Danilo Syrtis that Zev's ability to pattern-solve will become crucial at some point. (Introducing us to this talent by using freckles is just the cutest bit of foreshadowing I've ever read! ) "American" cheese? Blech! (And I was enjoying the omelet until the introduction of James Kraft's most heinous invention!)

The fates have reconstituted the Sentinals, and their reemergence at this time suggests that some calamitous Big Bad or event will make itself known in the near future. (At least, the Powers-that-be are providing a means of fighting back.) I agree that the kidnappings are related to the coming evil but are only the tip of the iceberg. I presume that the surveillance cameras are positioned to record license plate numbers. That said, these kidnappers are not stupid: The plates may be stolen; and even if the U-haul is legitimately rented, the kidnappers are unlikely to have provided their true bonafides. However, Zev has noted a clue to the disappearances--one of the cliffies left over from the last chapter on Caleb's pack. The sooner these packs join forces, the better.

Uncle Frank and Aunt Kittie deserve a custodial sentence: Pushing Oscar from a moving car inflicts grievous bodily harm but could also be construed as attempted murder. Technically, Austin can't be Oscar's legal guardian until he reaches his majority; but with George's parents, he's clearly in good hands. That said, while Oscar has healed from the physical trauma, I wonder how long it will take for him to heal mentally from the abuse. I love Austin's use of water to address the garden crew (very clever!). However, I'm surprised that Mr. Masters delays in contacting Austin regarding his discussion with the tenant, though this may suggest that he needs to take additional action before making his report. And the unknown teens? I hope that Austin is about to meet some new friends (maybe good friends) instead of facing more attitude.

Dante visits his children as they lay in their beds, clearly experiencing a tender, loving moment with them. Yet, almost immediately thereafter, Viola accuses him of being cold and unloving. While he may have been a poor father and husband, and while acknowledging himself incapable of loving Viola as she deserves to be loved, Dante is obviously misunderstood by his ex in terms of his feelings for the kids. (It is unclear at this time whether her view will cause future trouble.) The need for Tani to address his burn makes a meeting with Dante inevitable. Sad to see that Dante is willing to use progressive pain to force such a meeting, as it does indicate that he has a ruthless streak. Cale notes that the conservancy and Artri House stand on the same island--that "someone has worked hard to make it very convenient for you [Tani] to meet your beloved and keep him." As per Cale, a hidden House or other entity is interfering, and it will be interesting to find out who is doing so and, more importantly, why. (Not that Tani is in any position to refuse a favor....)