Danners

They're planning a life together and to hell with anyone who doesn't understand. I couldn't be happier, Gary!

The chapter was excellent but that cliffhanger -- never mind the mob, that cliffhanger was the true criminal act! I can only hope Chip is okay since he isn't Beau but, given Gaston's previous reaction to the denial of his interests, the boy may be in more trouble because the kidnapping will most certainly set Gary off. On the plus side, Chip is an endearing little chit and the living embodiment of distraction, talking a mile a minute as he does, and that buys a limited amount of safety. Fingers crossed others are involved in holding him and the little guy is able to charm at least one of them. Also, kudos to Sammy for his unconditional support. I truly hope that we saw sparks fly between he and Min, even if they only lead to respect between the two young men. Min needs to be reminded that he is honorable (and loveable), and Sammy just might be the balm to soothe his aching heart.

A desperate Eike effectively taken down by a deer and a rabbit and then beaten into submission by his replacement. The wolf's ego must be more black and blue than his face -- and I'm here for it. Looking forward to the aftermath. I hope Eike is hungry 'cause he's about to eat crow and get his just dessert.

Woof. I couldn't have anticipated a more explosive realization of the magnetism pulling Neil and West together -- and that confession! The setting was perfect -- the girls-on-guy action providing a buffer for the boys' mutual enjoyment. I'm glad (and not at all surprised) that the former took the lead, though I wish they'd shared a kiss. I understand why they didn't but a romantic can dream. Suffice it to say, West isn't the only one looking forward to their show at the Ugly Mug. It's funny though: in terms of his mission to talk to Neil, West totally whiffed it. This had to be a first for that. Hahaha!

At the very least, Puppy and Steven need to talk about whatever this is. The signs that his brother held more than fraternal feelings for him were there but Hunter pulled all the attention. Steven's clearly been depressed -- whether because of his attraction to his brother and the shame of using secretly snapped nudes of Puppy in his spank bank, the realization that he may not be straight, the absence of Puppy in the house, or any combination of the above. Avoiding responsibility, trouble holding down a job, neglecting his relationship with Cindy . . . In a perfect world, Jack could help Steven find a job as a favor to Puppy and the brothers could live together, with Steven picking up Hunter's half. Give them time to explore and/or define their feelings for one another outside of their parents' purview but, more importantly, provide Steven a safe space to come to terms with himself. Could be either incredibly messy or like puzzle pieces clicking into place. Buuuuut before that's on the table, Steven has some explaining to do and Puppy . . . well, Puppy should be ready to withhold judgement and just remember this is someone he loves. Cindy remains the best of us. Her heart is as big as Steven's dick but not nearly as rigid.

Y'know, Cyn should work with Walter as a youth advisor. If the young of the pack is anything like our current human teenagers, they'll zero in on the deer's status as a prey animal who effectively exceeded his lot in life. He advises the pack's leadership and stands as a shining example of what a prey species can aspire to if given the right opportunities. Between Walter, Cyn, and occasionally Kieran, they'd certainly allow the younger generation a picture of what the future could and should be.

Maybe, just maybe, Neil will come clean about being a victim or at least admit he's under their thumb. If he did that and offered a little information on the operation, I could see West (and his friends) coming up with a plan to stop and/or expose them. And I have to agree with @weinerdog: I think pulling Justin into the impromptu sales pitch was a calculated move to gain leverage over him and his friends. Ironically, Javier also handed said friends an admittedly dangerous way to infiltrate and gather evidence.

Get you a life, Mitch! Get you the man who's loved you for decades! build yourself a cabin with a feather bed and insulated walls so you two don't wake the neighbors making up for lost time!

Why did the Lord rub salt in his wound by bringing him here in the first place? It would have been better to become buzzard food out on the trail than feel the way he did now. My opinion? The Lord (or whatever deity or force you put faith in) sought to grant Mitch a touch of happiness before the end, maybe even the comfort that comes with dying in the arms of your true love. Or, in this situation, I might say the Lord would've give Mitch a challenge he couldn't handle and a chance at redemption so he doesn't die with his heart clenched in regret. Damn it, Gary. If I didn't enjoy penetration, I'd complain about your fist wrapped around my heart.

But they . . . and you . . . they . . . we . . .

What a fun chapter! I could feel the energy of the birthday party from here, not to mention the power of Neil's performance. Ironically, it appears to be the calm before the storm. Something tells me Justin either partied too hard or dragged Finn into some trouble in the bathroom. A drug deal, maybe? That, or some Humberston jocks. I'm glad West finally admitted to himself that he's interested in Neil. The attraction has always been there but he never defined it, never voiced either a sexual desire or romantic feelings. Maybe now he can make a move -- and not the immature one Isaak suggested. Can't wait to find out what happens next!

I love how effortlessly Kieran stepped into the beta role. It makes me curious about the role of the individual within the pack and the spirit of the pack itself. Kieran accepted a nomination but not the actual title and responsibilities until midway through this chapter, but it seems like the pack's spirit (for lack of a better term) accepted him before then. It's almost like the will of the pack is an entity unto itself and what it desires is then passed down to the pack members. In keeping with that, something tells me it isn't just Arric's wolf who is interested in Kieran. I think the pack as a whole and the collective will acknowledged Kieran's accomplishments and how well he balances the alpha's tendencies. The minute the previous beta considered stepping down, I think his replacement was already decided. You know, this foursome -- Arric as alpha, Kieran as beta, Shea as gamma/enforcer, and Cyn as unofficial delta -- is formidable as fuck. A pack couldn't ask for more well-rounded leadership.

Fingers crossed that West hums into Neil's microphone. Hehehehe.

I'm glad Isaak wasn't defined by his mistake and learned from it instead. I'm also glad he was wise to Hawkeye's fake mentor bullshit. The man sounds like a huge creep and an even bigger asshole if he was the guy who coerced and recorded a drunken Isaak in order to ruin his basketball career. I have a sinking suspicion he was the videographer for Neil's webcam broadcasts and it fills me with dread. The "older woman" Isaak did coke/crack with that this guy apparently brought to a high school party had me wondering and then Isaak mentioned the guy creeping on his female college friends. Wouldn't surprise me if he found the women Neil performed with. (Hangman -- my other perverted option -- seems more interested in young boys. Although, if it was him, that might explain his interest in watching Neil.) Illuminating chapter, Westley -- and, as always, more questions. You are keeping me on the edge of my seat.

You, sir, committed to writing about the world's sloppiest, Kevinernous sinkhole and trying to make an unlikeable character shine. Woe is you. Hehe. Or you could do give Jeremy from Cards the happy and hard-pounding ending he deserves . . .

It's okay, Gary. No one wanted him then and no one wants him now. Mwahahahahahaha.

No, I do believe you brought him up when you described a bucket of afterbirth in a previous chapter. Sure, technically, it's Cave-In's ancestor slushing around in that bucket but still destined for the gutter just the same. At least this version never got the chance to come between Boone and Coy more than stinking up the barn for a night. Which, if you think about it, modern day Cave-In probably did -- stink up a barn, that is.

No Cave-Ins this time around unless Mitch or Will plumbs the other's depths.

Also, looking back, I think the illustrious "H" is either Javier or Jorge, given their nicknames were Hawkeye and Hangman, respectively. Javier's coaching position at Humberston gives him access to the student body and would allow him to "mentor" students on a more one-on-one basis. Every sports team has its troublemakers or underdogs and either would make an excellent "in" as drug mules and/or candidates to blackmail. He'd also have a say in hand picking which high school seniors had enough potential -- or "potential" -- to receive necessary scholarships. Jorge's not as easily defined as a culprit but Bran did mention in an earlier chapter, saying “Neither could Jorge, though. Stayin’ here to live through my brother, I bet" in regards to Hangman's apparent interest in high school basketball. He has a more direct line of communication and influence with Neil, who ties him to the student body. I dunno.

You know his bull head won't avoid Will's ass forever. Tee hee hee.

The whole chapter was a treat as always but there's something about the following exchange that had tears of happiness brimming at the corners of my eyes: Coy exchanged an amused glance with Boone. “Devil’s bells, eh? That’s a new one on me. Glad to hear you say such, Will, cause there ain’t no shame allowed on our land,” he said, sounding more like hisself again. “Just good food and a place to feel safe, and somewhere you can speak your mind,” Boone agreed, smiling at the big man who was carrying a much happier look than when he first arrived. Whether in the time of cowboys or present day, we couldn't ask for more. You have a way of transcending time with your words, Gary, and the boys' message of unconditional acceptance is one for the ages. I hope they can engrain even a fraction of the same assurance with Mitch as they did with Will. And what a way to close out the chapter!

Oh ho ho, Neil is a plant. A rival gang or a government agency, I wonder. Since the recording was entered into evidence, I'm guessing the latter. It explains how standoffish he can be. Too bad there's no resisting a flower as sweet as West.

But dat axe though!

Neil does keep us wondering, doesn't he? What a tease. Javier shrugged, smirking at the retreating boy. “Kid has a date. A girl, probably. You know how tight he is with th’ girls.” At face value he seems to be he's saying Neil is friendly with the girls and gets along with them. The smirk could imply he thinks Neil acts like one of the girls. Regardless, "a girl, probably" has me dropping our Neil into the equal opportunity "a hole is a hole" category. West watched in awe as Jorge’s typically laidback expression twisted up into a brief sneer, indignation coming off him in waves. “It better be a girl. Shit, we just got here.” Same sort of vague acknowledgement of the basketball player slam dunking on both ends of the court, so to speak. Now, Jorge's sneer and indignation shows you where on the sidelines he sits. Finally, their text exchange: West: Ur cousin’s pretty cool West: Javier I mean West: Not tht Jorge isn’t cool West: Wen do we meet the girlfriend? Neil: That wut he told u? West: Not a girl? Neil: Nobody im gonna b fuckin My vote? He's going to take care of his little sister and used it as an excuse to dip out of a party he was becoming increasingly uncomfortable in. If he later sends West a selfie with the little girl, I'll officially declare their friendship is solidifying.