Danners

Damn it, you made me cry.

Finally they’re on more equal footing. It took a cat fight and their first lovers’ quarrel, not to mention fatigue, but at last they had the conversation they needed to have all along. Their instincts won’t always align and will indeed clash sometimes, and they need to remember this. Of course, there are more important topics for them to broach regarding the sources of their natures, just … maybe not yet. At least Emmett heard it from the dragon’s mouth: Finley wants to protect him and is there for him whenever he needs it. It may temper the uncomfortable truth that Finley will also fight for him — figuratively and literally. I think, once he has time to reflect on the various feelings he sensed from his boyfriend (they’re schoolyard official in my book — plus who doesn’t love a running joke?), Emmett will understand how deeply Finley cares for him. There won’t be any question that he yearns to be more than friends. I take back what I said about Steven. I don’t think he had any idea of Emmett’s importance to Finley, which explains his embarrassment after being told to take his hands off the man’s hoard. Now, I don’t speak dragon, so I’m not absolutely positive, but I get the sense the hissing involved a succinct explanation and the threat of bodily harm. If a half-dragon could piss his pants, I think Steven may have left with wet jeans. Speaking of wetting one’s pants: did Finley orgasm from contact with Emmett’s magic? Because that’s something to remember for the honeymoon. I kind of wish the empath had glanced down and gotten an eyeful of Finley’s other hoard. (Also, I just realized the perfection of Finley’s peach obsession and Emmett admiring his friend’s peach.) I’m guessing the ruined tattoo was one of the ones responsible for increasing Finley’s magic resistance or dampening his physical sensitivity. Otherwise, Emmett’s status as the cornerstone of Finley’s hoard allows him to bypass the dragon’s innate resistance. Nice to know, if it’s true, but it paints an even larger target on his back. So many thoughts on this chapter! I’m probably forgetting half of what I want to bring up. (Lucky you. Hehe.) You did such a superb job conveying Emmett’s feelings and his state of mind tonight. From his unease to his confusion and anger, his hurt feelings and injured pride, but also the quiet, underlying magnetism drawing him to Finley. The mental snapshot of the two of them hugging, Emmett drawing warmth and comfort from his protector without even realizing how badly Finley also needed that embrace — it was romantic, innocent and pure. I’m still smiling.

Aw, Nico’s a sweet boy. Something tells me that won’t serve him well as a slave but, as a person, kindness in this environment means a lot. It’s too bad Dante didn’t appreciate it. Will we be seeing any of these guys in the future? I seem to remember Florian’s name being mentioned but I’d much rather Dante be reunited with a certain stuttering angel.

See, this is the true power of recessives and why they should be revered rather than reviled. They can bond on an emotional level, not one manufactured by a biological imperative. Is it naive to hope their plans aren’t best laid and thus subject to inevitable problems? Still waiting on Cody’s snuff film. Kidding! (Or am I?)

Maybe I’m in the minority here but I’d say what society deems their weaknesses are actually their strengths. As we witnessed with Wesley and Ethan, they can fall in love without being slaves to their hormones. They can, with a little drugstore help, choose who they want to bond with. Damn it, they aren’t deficient! Fingers crossed Wesley finds his way back to Ethan. Noble as his sacrifice is, it’s also incredibly selfish. Also, and more importantly, someone help Cody knot with a chainsaw.

The romantic in me hopes the dragon is preparing Nico to protect and provide for Connor. Safeguarding his home from mage hunters ensures his safety when spending time there while the (extra) money affords our boy more flexibility and the freedom to wine and dine him like he wants. Having a mage in your pocket is probably also pretty convenient. Get him to solve all the petty little issues beneath a dragon’s attention. Hey, why not both?

Hey, Kurt. Psst. C’mere, I’ve got something for you …

Are we sure Cody is a Beta? ‘Cause the entitlement is giving Alpha but the neediness screams Omega. Either way, what a douche. Something tells me Ethan will retain the friend group in this breakup. Is it wrong that I’m looking forward to Cody quickly learning that? Who knows, maybe he met Aaron. If not, he should. Seems like they’d get along. Samson truly lucked out — more so with Harrison’s mothers than with the Alpha himself. They seem leagues beyond his own parents. Ethan’s too, apparently. That must be a relief for our favorite Omega, both for himself and his best friend. I’m gonna be said when this series ends.

Slave-on-slave prejudice is alive and real. That scene in the kitchen with the men cutting vegetables around the kitchen table was as entertaining as it was enlightening. I know there are a lot of hurt feelings over Ethan’s replacement and Flynn isn’t helping things with his … uh, ignorance ..? Seth has his work cut out for him. I’m a little disappointed in Dante’s reception of Flynn in the morning. After his own rocky start and feelings of not belonging here, I guess I expected more empathy from him. Or any empathy. On the other hand, we’re learning more about Dante’s past through these interactions. Any history he has with other pleasure slaves surely colors what he thinks about Flynn and, of course, it looks like Flynn’s training and personal beliefs diametrically oppose Dante’s. Yay, another enemy! Alice’s parting words, I hope, aren’t prophetic because, seriously, Dante is at his most vulnerable without her in the house. If Tom or Britney or anyone else has something planned, now is the time to strike. For instance, getting Dante’s cum anywhere near Flynn’s hole would be disastrous for our boy. Speaking of which, I still don’t know what Tom’s game is. I suspect he wants to be the man to tame Dante and this is his version of a long con. Was his possessive moment in front of Flynn alpha male posturing or him genuinely sussing out Flynn’s receptiveness? Lastly, my theory on Tom’s slavery: he caused Frank’s accident. He was the other driver. He cost Carolyn and Blaise a son and a half, therefore his life belongs to them. Just ignore the gay man quietly plotting behind the curtain …

Oh Ethan … you’re breaking my heart. This job is really doing a number on you and the rollercoaster it’s putting your self-esteem on doesn’t seem worth it. And, once again, f*ck off, Cody. Selfish prick.

I swear he told him after Shaun found out and Kyle was comforting a distraught Jesse.

“Who else does Shaun care about, besides you, that is?” Kyle asked and Jesse shrugged. “Oh, c’mon. This isn’t a trick question. I thought Shaun and your little son, what’s-his-name, were on really good terms.” “Brian,” Jesse corrected. “My kid’s name is Brian.” Kyle’s I’m on the secret, he just doesn’t care enough to keep track of the little boy. I expect he’s a nuisance because he pulls Jesse’s attention — and we can’t have that! To me, the real reason Kyle suggested Jesse bring his son along is so Shaun gets pissed because he’ll think Jesse is only doing it to manipulate him or pissed because he brought a little boy to a bar/club.

Finally, someone addressing Cody’s behavior. You’d think it was his money he’s spending instead of Ethan’s. I’m glad his friends were discussing it, even if he isn’t, and I can only hope they confronted Cody on Ethan’s behalf. It occurred to me that his PA might not be Wesley Lamont. I’m not sure how outdated his Insta is but, with his FB locked, do we have proof this isn’t someone using his identity? It’s a stretch, I know. I’m also starting to question if Wesley is really a Beta. He could be on heavy duty blockers, especially if he awakened in jail or as a minor. Why he’d sabotage Ethan, though, I still can’t say. Unless his past is somehow connected to another Omega porn star who died or ended up in an abusive bond, or if he himself was a recessive Omega porn star and his repeated offenses were due to trying to steal or destroy his video hard copies, what his motive would be is elusive. So much for this being a porn story — it’s turning into quite the mystery! Love it! Oh yeah. Hank’s cancellation speaks highly of him if it’s true. Him catching feelings for his costar isn’t great but still, it means there’s at least one guy possibly envisioning a future with Ethan. I love how you’re subtly showing the Alphas’ own developing closeness with Ethan. Nick’s kiss, while dominant, was a kiss instead of a peck. Okay, that’s enough out of me.

Well, as if we didn’t already know that Kyle’s a predator, we certainly do now. The conversation with Ethan Jesse overhead is one thing but being told you got belligerently drunk off of less than two beers and had to be manhandled into bed is entirely another. On top of that, this isn’t the first time this has happened — and I’m beginning to wonder if Sam isn’t involved, seeing as how readily he’d agree to not “bother” his brother if Kyle asked. Jesse needs to stand his ground. If the saying goes “fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me,” then our boy can’t afford another helping. His videos are probably already online — with Kyle and, knowing the blonde, from the hidden shower camera — and they’ll be in Shaun’s hands at the worst possible moment. Oh, and if to confirm how little Kyle cares about Jesse, he doesn’t even know his son’s name. The most important person in his supposed friend’s life and he can’t be bothered. How many red flags is Jesse willing to overlook?! Part of me hopes Jesse’s absentee mother does move the family to Arizona because at least then Jesse can finish school while Shaun gets his music career together. But, of course, dumb dumb would probably let Kyle talk him into moving in together instead. (No, I’m not giving you ideas so don’t you dare!) Gah. Another difficult chapter but it was a good one. I wouldn’t be this invested otherwise. I know we’re still on a downward slope but I can’t stop myself from dreaming about some good news for Jesse. Shaun too, I suppose, where Jesse is involved. EDIT: Did anyone else catch how quickly Kyle’s injuries stopped hindering him at all? One minute he can barely sit on the couch and the next he’s flouncing around at Ethan’s beck and call. Ice alone doesn’t do that. Either his brother gave him something stronger than the pot he smoked earlier or he was performing for Jesse’s sympathy or both. Not to mention: if his ribs were so debilitating, where did he find the strength to fight with and bodily move a supposedly drunk and disorderly Jesse? It doesn’t add up and someone needs to hand Jesse a calculator since he apparently can’t do simple math on his own.

Maybe a little. In his defense, Emmett is an empath and, I gather, must keep a tight lid on his emotions at all times. To go from an uncomfortable environment to an unwanted advance — complete with a bruising grip on his arm — and then be thrust into a physical confrontation that goes completely against his very nature, where he can sense the Shifter’s rage, Finley’s complicated feelings, and what must be an onslaught of bystanders’ emotions … I’d probably snap too. It was kind of nice to see Emmett come so close to losing control. He’s needed this since Dex attacked him. It isn’t in his nature to lash out but sometimes it’s the only way, y’know? Emmett’s outburst is understandable, I guess, is what I’m really saying but it doesn’t concern me nearly as much as what comes next. Calling Finley disgusting is hard to take back.