travlbug

Tani's decision to avoid Dante means that he has elected to give up. Why? Because he's "tired." Even Cale realizes that this situation is unacceptable; and for all that Cale benefits from Tani's pain, he provides a helpful insight: "Maybe you rushed it before and missed a crucial clue. Approach him, Tani." Further, he states that Tani's thin skin, in causing him to abandon his Beloved's soul too soon, has prevented him from seeing why his Beloved always dies when he reaches age 36. The implication is that this knowledge is crucial to Tani's goal. (E.g., if the Beloved always recognizes his mistake [in initially rejecting Tani], then Tani's disappearance prevents him from rectifying it, possibly leading to him to commit suicide in every cycle.) Thus, Tani may have prompted his own past failures. One thing's certain: Dante's powers in this incarnation allow him to sense Tani like never before, and he may have other abilities which affect their dynamic.

I wrote my post before reading the other comments, so please forgive me for the repetition (great minds think alike!): By shifting the story away from Caleb, Ben, Zev, etc., our author creates de facto cliffies regarding Ben's response to Zev, as well as Zev's lead on the missing children, all under the guise of keeping her "promise to not let you hang too long on the Reilly cliff" (sheer evil genius! ). Kellan can't help feel that he's missing something. Uh oh. Reilly's healing ultimately proves almost effortless, just needing his mate to catalyze it. (What, no angst? @kbois, what's wrong? ) Yay, Kellan and Hunter finally meet, with a slight problem consummating their mate bond. (You gotta love it! ) Mates with inverse coloration in Sebastian's pack, and Silas' painting of the wolves with inverse coloration in Caleb's pack--what does it all mean? Also, Silas' picture contains a third mated pair, making me wonder if Ben and Zev might turn out to be the "missing" pair in this evolving tableau. Rosalie's cryptic comment ("It's real") may reference either a prophesy or lore which has taken on aspects of myth. Taking the situation a step further, I presume it has something to do with the Alpha-Kappa bond. We'll just have to wait and see.

Hi, Preston, my intent in this post was to show that Mrs. Young's ability to act in this instance, without fear of dismissal or suit, works out better in the Australian system, as she is able to act on Austin's behalf. I agree that the US is a sue-happy society (the ability to sue for redress is good in concept but has been terribly abused), and there can be penalties for frivolous suits (e.g., the suing party may not only lose the suit but also be assigned court costs). That said, anyone here can be sued for anything, and more needs to be done to make sure that a suit is appropriate.

Austin clearly has the support of his friends, who help to ready his new home and raise his spirits. (George is emerging as a special friend, arranging to spend a couple of days--and nights--by Austin's side.) For the first time, Austin plays piano for an audience of his peers. Now that he has crossed a line, I wonder if he'll agree to play for other audiences. Mrs. Young is definitely Australian: Had she given Austin's personal info to George while in the U.S., she could have been fired or sued (and Austin would have missed out on the support he desperately needed).

Odd that the paternal aunt and uncle dislike Austin, who seems a responsible boy. I feel that we're missing a part of the story, though their dislike may simply be irrational. While it's unclear if Oscar receives an inheritance from Gran, his receipt of an inheritance, or lack of one, is irrelevant to the story. That Gran has provided for Austin is all we really need to know. Interesting to see how Austin is treated as a 17 year old: He is not considered a legal adult, but he is not forced into care either (at least, not yet). I love how pianos frequently sneak into Preston's stories! (Playing is a great way to relax, and I think of my own piano as a half-ton tranquilizing pill! )

"Zev thought he may have some kind of lead and told me we would discuss it when they got back." Somehow, fated mates/true love has gotten us off track. That said, Ben's choice (to accept or reject Zev) is important enough to take precedence--at least for the short term--allowing our author to create a cliffhanger regarding the lead. As for Ben's decision, we'll just have to wait and see how long he can hold out against "oranges, cloves and a hint of eucalyptus."

Why would a Hunter present to the werewolves and try to murder the Alpha? If he is attached to the pup kidnappers, was his actual goal to procure additional pups? In that event, his attack on Caleb was unplanned and unlucky--at least on his part. (I trust that a search of the Hunter's vehicle will include a check of the registration and nav system address book, if any.) Unfortunately, we still don't have the ability to insert GPS microchips in children (and many would balk at such technology anyway), but the pack is missing a bet by not hiding tracker kits in at-risk kids' clothing. (It couldn't hurt.) I can't wait to see the meeting between Zev and Ben. (Time for fireworks!) Further, I'm intensely curious to know how Caleb et al intend to proceed with the search for the missing pups: A clue has to be within their grasp; otherwise, the meeting will be futile.

If Ben were a shifter, then the other shifters would have noticed. That said, Ben's ability to sense shifters makes me wonder about his heritage and as to whether he may have other, possibly suppressed, abilities. (Further, when @kbois asks us to "bear" with her, I can't help but think that a bear shifter is somehow hidden in the woodwork.) Another mate bond? Ben smells "oranges, cloves, and eucalyptus," where Caleb smells a closed-up apartment. (Zeb, you're in for quite a surprise when you get back home!) I see that @84Mags has also had the same idea! Silas' eyes clear as he takes Ben's measure. I wonder what he "sees," and I agree with @Danilo Syrtis that he must have a unique ability to read people. "Milk, eggs, bread, peanut butter, cheese, frozen pizza, spicy sweet chili Doritos and beer": I love Ben's idea of the basic food groups!

"Kellan inhaled deeply and commented “It smells really good over here, kinda like the salty breeze coming off the ocean and smoke from a campfire." Sebastian raised an eyebrow at him. “Um, well, It hasn’t been used too much since my Beta left. His room is there." Hmmm. Another mate bond in the works? (I see that @Geemeedee has also considered this possibility, and I agree wholeheartedly.) "So Altus basically confirmed that Reilly’s injuries would be permanent unless his wolf reappeared." At least there's hope--or is there? "...Reilly's body had transformed into a twisted, mangled ball of fur. His wolf finally came back. Broken, definitely broken." How can Reilly's wolf fix anything when it is horribly broken itself? (I find it fascinating that the wolf is more broken than the human! Also, is it possible that the wolf is so damaged that the human can't emerge from the wolf?) Can Donovan, Rosalie, and the Beta together produce the miracle that Reilly's condition requires? The Wizard of Oz and a sexual metaphor? Only @kbois could attempt it and make it work! 🤣

Sebastian's wolf doesn't care that Reilly's male and is still howling "mate!" Further, Sebastian has shown a physical response to Reilly and imagined him naked. I expect him to act with sympathy and outrage to Reilly's story, which is certain to have triggered his protective instincts. (There's no way in heck that he'll reject Reilly.) Reilly's father and brothers need to face justice: Not content simply to kill Reilly, they torture him mercilessly before dumping him in a ditch to die. I can't even imagine a punishment that would fit the crime. However, one thing I'm sure of: The Meadow Creek Pack will be under new management, if it is still allowed to exist, by the time this story is finished. As an aside, I love Rosalie! (Every family should be so lucky as to have a Rosalie, even if not 713 years old! 😂)

Can't wait to find out why a "kappa"-alpha bond is special. All we know now is that Reilly has some general non-wolfy shifter ability and can mold his human features. I wonder how far this talent can go! I also wonder if Reilly's father and brothers meant to kill him or merely provide an object lesson, thinking he would heal the next time he shifted into his wolf. (If a kappa is that valuable, one would think that the alpha would safeguard the asset, though we've learned that, left to his own devices, Reilly's father would have bankrupted the pack [so maybe not].) By the way, how does Sebastian know to find Reilly in Baltimore? (Their meeting couldn't be by chance alone!) 🤔

No wonder Reilly is not associated with a male or female pronoun until Sebastian makes his mistake. (Have to say I was curious.) Harrah to see that Chapter 1 has already been published! (It doesn't take the Great Carnac to know what I'll be doing next. )

A love story with a twist! Now that I'm hooked, I'm yearning to know how Gabriel and Lucifer met in the first place--how their relationship progressed to its present point. (That Gabriel is branded by Lucifer may suggest a touch of BDSM, though alternatively, it may simply indicate that Lucifer likes to mark what's his. [Better that than being given a set of training horns. ] I love how Lucifer's beau is named after the archangel felt to be "the strength of God," and I have to wonder if this will link back to the story. (I doubt it's a coincidence.)

A trip to Ravello is always welcome! (The perfect story to read while I sip coffee and watch the squirrel, bunny, and quail who own the backyard!) Yes, Daniele, when you fall off a horse, you should climb back on, but tempting fate (by balancing on a cliff guard) is another matter entirely! (However, I don't think that his reckless behavior is a cry for help, as he doesn't require an audience, and his parents are probably unaware of the chances he takes. Rather, it may foreshadow his willingness to take chances when he needs to act the "hero." [He may consider himself a hero in training!]) Pietro and Anna harbor a secret regarding a (threatening?) teen and the people he may represent. Then, Daniele's parents confirm that Ravello has apparently been invaded by a protection racket. Are the perps actually members of organized crime? Tiny Ravello would not seem large enough for the Mafia to care, but that doesn't preclude small-time local thugs from emulating it. Even with Toto and Michele's company, Daniele is a lonely boy. He listens to his classmates' conversation as a sort of surrogate to being with them. (Broken windows? Again, the specter of a protection racket rears its ugly head.) Giacomo sports "a series of bruises." Now, a young, active teen boy may collect bruises for any number of reasons, but his quick disappearance after Daniele observes them suggests embarrassment (or fear of exposure), which further suggests threat or abuse. (DanieIi, first impressions are often correct, so if the bruises look like a man's hand, then you're probably right.) I wonder if there's a link between Giacomo and the teen who disturbed Pietro and Anna. "A hero would help anyone in need." Daniele is a sweet boy, but in trying to help Giacomo, he may find himself embroiled in more trouble than he can handle...

It's almost as if GW wants to get the boys' attention with the first story and is giving them suggestions with the second. For the characters in GW's story actually to be named Ben and Jake, and for the first story to follow their antics so closely, one might suspect Ben or Jake as being the author. And of course, Ben (the originator of the word boneometer) just happens to have the oil handy which allows them to try the actions mentioned in the second story. (We already know that Ben's a little schemer in seeing how he finagles a new bed, new underwear, and permission from his Dad for a new overnight date; so again, it's no stretch to think that he's putting ideas into Jake's head through the GW story. [Well, Ben, are you GW? Remember, you cannot tell a lie! ]) As an aside, I love the accepting (and enabling) father who has his own remembrances from being a boy. Would that we all have at least one parent like him (though, admittedly, two would be better).

Hunter's story is horrifying on multiple levels. First, with his Mom having mood swings, possible depression, and a dissociative disorder of some kind, he has not simply lost his mother but also stands a good chance of developing similar mental issues, possibly as early as his 20s. Second, his guardianship is an absolute mess: His grandparents are his legal guardians, but he is technically a runaway, no matter that his brother said he'd take care of him. If his grandparents live in a different school district than where he is attending, and this fact becomes known, then the situation will deteriorate quickly. (Even if the brother were old enough to apply for legal guardianship, the state of the house alone would quash the application.) Third, the brothers are knowingly living off the proceeds of a crime, making them accessories after the fact. They will lose the money and suffer legal consequences if the source of their income becomes known. Fourth, the older brother is actually providing Hunter with no care at all, despite his promise, such that Hunter is raising himself: His persona (as a budding juvenile delinquent) is defensive but will impede him socially as time goes on. Under the circumstances, Hunter's decision to come out publicly becomes clever misdirection. The only good thing in Hunter's life is Puppy, and he realizes it: In fact, Puppy has become so important to Hunter that he is willing to provide him with the entire truth about his background--total honesty. He is also concerned enough to want to treat him better. (He knows that he hasn't treated Puppy properly, especially during sex [regardless of how Puppy feels about it], and his willingness to change is another gauge of his feelings towards his boyfriend.) Before this chapter, I felt that Hunter was simply using Puppy, but now I know better.

Steven's frustration with Dave's craziness is being directed to the wrong person. Even after 4 months, David is incapable of letting go, let alone gracefully; and telling Puppy to do something about it is useless. Clearly, David needs professional help, and he isn't getting it. (Did his Mom and homelife ever improve?) Hunter is still a nasty character: He continues to bait David, and he is prone to violence, punching someone who was verbally abusive rather than talking to him. (Heck, he even puts his gum under the desk in full view of the teacher to show how macho he is.) So far, his only saving grace is his feelings for Puppy, but at the same time, he doesn't care/ remains oblivious if his bathroom liaison gets Puppy in trouble with the coach. (What does Puppy see in him? [Puppy, did you ever go to the STD clinic?]) Three nightmares in a week. Yes, Puppy, you've seen your fair share of shrinks, but with the nightmares restarting, you should probably consider one more.

After living in a box for so many years, Puppy can't be blamed for wanting to live a bit dangerously--to experience excitement--but he runs the risk of being burned. Hopefully, he will be ready to cut ties with Hunter if life becomes too "exciting." Hunter may be a budding juvenile delinquent, but at least he doesn't "cut and run" after stealing Puppy's virginity. He pushes all Puppy's buttons; and while he may not ultimately be the right guy for Puppy, he's the right guy for the moment (no matter how much we might disapprove!). Why does Steven want to try heavy duty drugs in the first place? Does he have a problem we don't know about? Is he simply unhappy with his life and seeking some additional excitement? I hope this issue is further addressed in Puppy II. Hopefully, Dave's home life will improve, but this requires his Mom to improve--a situation beyond his control. Hopefully, he'll receive counseling, but the effectiveness of counseling may also depend on improvement at home. One way to help Dave may be to remove him from home--have him live permanently with his Aunt--especially if his Mom can't change. He's a good boy in sad circumstances, and I trust that Puppy II will lead him to a better life. We want Cindy back! (Hurrah for Puppy II!) And how will the move affect everyone? James, many thanks for gifting us with a wonderful tale. Can't wait for the sequel!

I didn't understand why so many people were suddenly assuming that because I ended it with Dave, it was for the reason of getting it on with Hunter." Sadly, Puppy, it's because many people prefer to believe the worst about their fellow Man. Bad Puppy. We know that your hackles have been raised by Dave and others, but the way you rip into Hunter (when he asks you to lunch) is inexcusable. When he walks away without a word, he is actually showing restraint, but his willingness to overlook your profound rudeness suggests that he sees something in you or wants something from you; and it's too early to know which. Damaged goods? Hunter's "stats" are provided with an honesty that resonates with Puppy. That said, Hunter's invitation to visit his home, made in Dave's presence, is a direct provocation and may be a warning sign. Unfortunately, Puppy is building an exalted picture of Hunter in his mind which may, or may not, be consistent with reality. So, is Hunter just a hunter? He has caught his prey--er--Puppy off guard and instituted unprotected sex, even though admitting that he himself has had unprotected sex. He is disrespecting Puppy, even if Puppy doesn't see it this way, and we'll now see if his "love 'em and leave 'em" reputation is earned. (And Puppy will need to visit the STD clinic on a regular schedule--and pray.) Crystal meth, Steven? You're an idiot. Good thing your Mom found it before you used it, and you deserve whatever punishment your parents impose. Mrs. Watson, even with the best of intentions, is acting through ignorance, treating Cindy and Puppy like toddlers instead of teens. (She actually thought that they'd forget about each other?!) I'm glad to see that Mr. Watson will no longer countenance her approach and has taken steps to remedy the situation.

"The truth was, any feelings I had for Dave were fizzling out fast because of his relentless jealousy and erratic behaviour." The saddest part of this situation is that Dave can't change despite knowing the problem: As @Mawgrim notes, he needs professional help to address his demons. Kudos to Puppy for recognizing a toxic situation and moving to extricate himself from it. Kudos as well for his attempts to minimize the hurt to Dave's feelings.

Of course the Hood is expensive: It robs from the rich! (I had to slip a bad joke in somewhere. ) Cindy would make a good secret agent, creating a drop off point on the fly for Puppy's particulars. The stealth involved suggests that she has some knowledge that needs to be shared. Dave is jealous of Cindy to the point where Steven has to attest to Puppy's gayness--not an attractive trait, but at least it shows the depth of his feelings. "You're disgusting, Steven Chase!" "Hey, I know, and I guess I make it look easy, eh?" Best line in the chapter! So, Steven has had a gay blow job: His sexuality may be more fluid than he admits (which would also explain why he watches as Puppy and Dave lick each other clean ). Hands-off cumming? Puppy, the brain is the most important sex organ in the body, and yours has been on overload: The intensity of your emotions has just been proven! (That said, Puppy's need for touch to show affection is a lovely juxtaposition.) No Horlicks or Milo in the U.S., but I've learned about them by reading GayAuthors (clearly an educational website. I've learned everything I know about Australia from Quokka! 😂😂😂).

I laud Steven for exposing Puppy to new experiences, though trying marijuana was not on my list. While I'm conflicted in how I feel about marijuana (even though I live in a state where it's legal), I have to acknowledge that Steven made sure to keep Puppy safe and to help him with the aftermath. He also assures Puppy that he'll never have to smoke it again if he doesn't want to and makes clear that he personally smokes it responsibly (aside from the fact that it's stolen goods!) Some people should never be parents, and Dave's mom is one of them. The puzzling thing about her leaving this time around is that she takes the younger brother. (Would she do that if she were just indulging in a romantic outing? What has Dave previously done with baby brother when he's gone to Max's for help?) At first, I was concerned that her taking the youngster was a sign that she intended to abandon Dave, so I'm glad that the worst did not come to pass. Can't wait to hear how the aunt became involved! Three teens, two beds, one budding relationship, and 21 days of close living. What could possibly go wrong?

"Why send me a text saying he likes me if there was no follow-up?" Puppy, Dave sent you a text: It was your turn to follow up! (Of course, Greenstone prevented you from becoming socialized normally, so this is one manifestation of their enforced ignorance. [Puppy's agonizing over the situation instead of taking action also betrays his inexperience.]) One small step for Jensen, one large step for Puppykind! Puppy makes a date!!! Wow, this is a chapter for milestones: In addition to the date, Puppy calls Susan "Mum," and he's gained acceptance to a "real" school. He even gets a lecture on safe sex and has a first kiss (so cute!). So why would Watson secretly adopt Cindy? (If everything were above board, it wouldn't need to be secret.) Some kind of cover-up is clearly in play, and I hope that Puppy can figure it out--but how?

Charlotte says one thing about Cindy, while Watson says another. Suddenly, the Greenstone personnel has been shuffled, and people are being screened at the door by intercom. Further, Cindy is being prevented from contacting Puppy. Does anyone else smell a rat? But how can Puppy pursue his suspicions? Puppy is finally out to Max, and Max is also out--by £50. Steven and Puppy are truly becoming brothers, and one of my favorite things about this story is watching it happen. Also, Puppy, isn't there a certain text you need to follow up on?

What if Max's cliffhanger revelation is that the visit with Cindy has been canceled or that some other trouble has befallen Cindy? Whatever he reveals, it can't be good, and I'm hoping that Cindy is not involved.