Laura S. Fox

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

Lyn is going to get the TLC he needs... but it won't happen on page. Yes, Brad gave him his jacket, but we know that's not enough.

Alexander might just feel this way...

Hmm, you can wonder And you'll be pleased when that happens. There's a lot Alexander accepts from Lyn. And yes, he's always been there...

Chapter Thirty-Five – What Do You Call a Big Reveal? “Do you happen to have a sleeping pill ability in your doctor’s bag?” Lyn groaned as he adjusted his position against Alexander’s chest. “Because I seriously don’t want to wake up yet.” “Sleeping pill ability is a mouthful,” Alexander commented, holding Lyn close by wrapping an arm around him. “What else could you call it?” Lyn had an idea or two about what he wanted to call it. Safety came to mind, but he didn’t want to surrend

Clearly, with this story, I just unleashed something... The chapter I just posted makes everything clear! Since it touches what happened in Wolf in the City.

Jack needs to control what comes out of his mouth... but we know he just can't.

Oh, gawd, that's some naughty play right there! I admit that I didn't think that far... I'd die of second-hand embarrassment for Theo, lol! But as much as this annoys him... yeah, he might come to like it

He is... he fights the attraction. For now. But things will happen and he won't be able to resist it.

That rune reading will come in the nearby future... The trio will have to deal both with danger and their attraction.

Chapter Seven – The Dynamics of Attraction “Silence,” Theodore snapped, as a low, hissing sound reached his ears, despite not having them in the actual sense of the word. Whatever this witchcraft was, it had to be of the most conniving kind. Cassandra had to be behind it, or her allies, no matter what nonsense the field mouse was spouting about he and the other human having had killed her. “You are in my power now,” a voice sounding as one from beyond a grave floated to them. “Wh

You're right about one thing out of the two

Or... maybe he doesn't even care This is Alexander we're talking about, after all!

Thank you for the vote of confidence! I like to believe that I don't leave my readers disappointed ever, but if it does happen... it might be only my lack of skill in delivering the message I want to deliver. For this story, I'm confident that the epiphany, as you aptly call it, will trigger that reaction that says - so that's why things were the way they were!

The party is getting bigger!