Laura S. Fox

They have their plate full, not going to lie! They might do a bit of everything

I know you guys would love that

Chapter Eight – Some Answers and More Questions They were all quiet on their way back since there were other wolves present and what they had to say to each other required a private space. Vince expected Theodore to have more trust in Ryder’s pack now since the alpha had saved them all. On the other hand, he needed to take into account Pembroke’s pride, which must have taken a serious hit after the night’s events. With Cassandra gone, one piece of the puzzle would remain beyond their reach.

At the right moment. I've been publishing stories here for 8 years - I like to think that most of the time (I'm only human), I've delivered on my promises. Thank you for calling me that

Brad needed Lyn even more than that. Selfish? Yes, most likely, but it is a selfishness that many people would recognize themselves in once the whole truth is out - my take, how I tell this story, and I knew it would be interpreted differently by different folks, it's natural. There's not desire for revenge in Lyn - he's only mad at himself for being 'blind'. And I know I shouldn't explain my character to readers, but I feel like my input is needed here. Lyn is all for control, he's obsessed with control. When something happens despite that very tight control... well, that feels really bad for someone who always struggles so hard for everything 'to be perfect'. Anyone who's ever done that Sisyphus-like chore, I like to think, will agree with me. Jealousy - nope. Lyn doesn't love Brad. Disgust? Hmm, too strong for him. Self-immolation - to a degree. But this is about Lyn finally letting go. About his prison cracking wide open. Love the ** marks. Alexander knows Lyn. And he knows himself. And he's a demon.

Alexander never told Lyn about his feelings, not directly. He waited for Lyn to notice, but now he's done waiting. There is something to him being a demon, like Lyn calls him. Lyn's being 'clueless' is the result of years of self-repression. And for someone with so many doubts, signs and kindness aren't enough.

Alexander knows what he's doing, trust him

Yes, Brad is the impulsive one. Lyn is the one who's overthinking.

Lyn doesn't need to ask about women - he saw Alexander being close to women many times in the past. In college, Alexander hooked up with women almost as often as Brad, even if he made it classy. I should have showed this on screen so that no one got confused. Alexander didn't live like a monk and he did marry. He didn't remain chaste for Lyn's sake. Primitive instincts, really? Lyn's self-repression is a system he honed and perfected over more than a decade of his life. There's nothing primitive about that.

You're so right here, and you also read Alexander well. I will let the next present-day chapter speak for all of this.

Through his words, Alexander paints a good picture of Brad and at least infers correctly what he's going to do. I reserve the right to say that Alexander doesn't know quite everything or at least the workings of Brad's mind. Alexander doesn't misses a lot - I just mean that it's normal not to have that sort of insight on Brad's psyche - he already knows and observes a lot. Lyn understanding his blindness is the main point of this chapter and what leads to the next actions. There was no point in suppressing his own instincts - he understands that now. Any anger he feels is oriented toward himself, not someone else. And you're on point on Lyn's instincts being correct. It's his overthinking that does him in. Brad will reveal himself at the right moment. It might not change your general opinion of him, but you were always right to see him as a flawed human being that's not that different from other humans. His particular situation matters, even if it doesn't justify everything. But I know I'll get to enjoy more profound analysis on him from you, Maestro

Nope, that's not revenge. Lyn doesn't have sex with Alexander to get even, he does it because he finally sees that nothing should have stopped him until now. I'm not going to tell you guys to feel for Brad or be patient with him. Please feel free to hate him, but also please let me know, at the end of the story, where your feelings stand

Yes, he was avoiding any true feelings, to say it like it is. All walls are down, and he prefers not to stare into the abyss. So he jumps - that's a good metaphor.

I think you'll hate Brad even more... I won't tell you guys not to and let you decide on where you stand on him and his character at the end of it all Ha-ha, Luke may choke on sand... that was funny and very visual! As for making anything of that seem ok - I don't think I'll do something to make it seem okay, but a life is made of many actions and things

No, just plain no. I'm a bit surprised that after 30+ chapters, readers know Lyn and Alexander so little. There's no jealousy in Lyn. And the only anger he may feel is oriented at himself. He has started to notice for a while now that he no longer has feelings for Brad - romantic feelings. So, as I said earlier, Lyn lets go. Right now, this is what happens. And Alexander made his decision about how things would go from the moment he accepted Brad's invitation. I know I risk repeating myself... but signs of affection aren't enough. Alexander never told Lyn directly how he feels; in college, he dated (as superficial as that might have been) and hooked up with girls - in retrospect maybe I should have made it clearer so there were no doubts about that.

Alexander's words about Lyn managing to build himself a prison are pure truth... And Lyn has been building that prison for a very, very long time. I wouldn't call it self-punishment. This is more about Lyn letting go - the walls of his prison just got blasted off to smithereens...

They did enable the next step for Lyn and Alexander... Confused and hurt are two good words to describe Lyn's feelings. He's a very 'inward-oriented' person.

Ha-ha... was this a veiled way to say that Alexander can also be a bit of dick, at least sometimes? Mega-lol @weinerdog Be careful, Alexander is well liked...

Chapter Thirty-Six – [Memory, Junior Year, November] – Queer Tension The weather was getting colder and colder, Lyn thought as he pulled his coat tighter around himself. His mom’s affairs with the widower were going quite well, which had landed him a new coat, one that fit a lot better and also looked up to snuff. Even when wearing hand-me-downs, the Calloways had to look like they were breathing the rarified air of the rich and bored. A smile crept to his lips. That was something Bra

Lyn's misalignment with his own emotions makes things so difficult, yes. He is a complicated person, and dealing with emotions is particularly difficult for him. Misreading his crush on Brad... oh, Lyn will say a few things about that when he starts being honest. As a grownup, he'll see his feelings in a different light. But it's a process; it's always a process with him. And oh, he's so proud... he wouldn't admit that he made a mistake by waiting for Brad in the cold. And if it's Alexander saying it... he's going back into his shell. This crush is a shield, yes. Lyn doesn't even think of having a chance - at this point in time - so he simply 'uses' his crush to protect himself from developing any real feelings for someone before he's ready - his version of ready. Even if Brad and Alexander don't like each other... they're in Lyn's orbit, like @Cane23 said. They must, let's say, tolerate each other. But maybe they do have their own tenuous connection. Who can tell?

That's correct! We have only Lyn's POV, and Alexander is the kind of loner who wouldn't get along with many people. There'll be some commentary on that on some point. He's also fine with being a loner - he's pretty much the kind of person who accepts the one they love in their inner circle but not anyone else, at least not easily. The layers exists, though. In his own way, Alexander appreciates Brad's proximity - since I risk readers' ire to call it friendship - and not only because of Lyn, but because of his character and unavailability for having people around.

The misalignment might run even deeper... but of course, you guys don't have all the facts, as I keep them in my bag like a miser... Lyn is, of course, responsible for misinterpreting things a lot, and Alexander - his college version - is still too abrupt and rigid to adapt to Lyn's many quirks. Oh, yes, that's such a good analysis of Brad's reaction! Yes, he's such a child here, and I know it's difficult to see it... He does feel guilty about something! And it concerns Lyn, of course. Gosh, I really hope that when the story is done, these thin threads won't end up being a complete mess and will make sense instead. That's what I get for being so ambitious with this story. Brad is Brad and he does what he does. He offers Lyn comfort the only way he knows how. And he's damn pissed at Alexander and worries that he might get the upper hand...

Oh, the real Brad... guys, I think you'll hate him so much. But I do hope that won't be the last impression of him once all is said and done. And this is where I really must stop talking.

Nope, not telling you that. Actually, I try so hard not to give spoilers. And a crush is not the same as love. It is - why am I still talking about this when I should shut up and let readers decide - something Lyn understands more as a grownup.

Let's remember how much of an unreliable narrator Lyn is... and I'm not talking about the events per se, but about his perception