84Mags

….and that line in your comments made me sit up straighter. What if the High Council members who are the culprits are using other shifters or supernatural beings for intel information? What if there are secretly rats scampering about, or an actual fly on the wall listening in?! Our wolves listened for the tell tale signs of electronic listening devices in their rooms. But what if it’s another being that is doing the listening and gathering of intel?

The chess game truly has started with Sebastian going for a bold, strong move by stating his ranking and expectations. Obviously that rattled Albert and Belland, but I still have my eye warily on Chusi. It would be too easy to assume the anger and pompous nature of Albert and Belland make them the culprits, however they are up to something. And I just can’t make myself like a smiling snake at this point in the chess match.

Whoa! The interactions with the High Council and their staff really are just like a complex game of chess. From the very first interaction with Robert, the intentional seatings at lunch and the room placements, the High Council is not so subtly letting Sebastian know his rank and status mean little to them. Thankfully the non verbal intimidation tactics aren’t working. I mentioned in an earlier chapter’s comment that I’m not a cat person. I am even less of a reptile person, especially a female anaconda that can get up to 30 feet long and over 500 pounds. Ugh.

I really like Calum! He has such a fun, straightforward personality. Jürgen, though…ouch! Not sure there is a match for that one. CJ impresses wherever he goes. There is an understated, likable importance about him that clearly Kent picked up on. I’m curious who Kent knew from Georgetown, as that part of the conversation was cut off. Kent seems like he could become a wonderful mentor. I look forward to CJ and Oz getting to know Dorothy and Kent better.

Great catch on which council has a member or most likely members paying off the Idaho pack. But it IS the local, US council and not the High Council. I agree with you that there still is a concern over possible High Council members colluding with the perpetrators. I am worried another shifter or supernatural group is not happy with how large and powerful the wolves have become and perhaps, like the Fae all those centuries ago, are attempting to break the wolves from within.

Well that’s all very concerning! I was worried enough about the wolf shifter council but to now understand this could be a world wide, shifter species wide, crisis is worrisome. The High Council polices their own and is made up of retired Alphas or equivalents. That means the members are more experienced and have more connections. The infiltration must have started years ago. The wolves also have the most voting power and say in decisions. What if another species (I am not a cat person… so here’s looking at you, cheetah) is working for a way to take over? What if another shifter species doesn’t want the wolves to be dominant? Another thought is, conversely, what if there are certain wolves who want total wolf shifter world domination of the shifter, supernatural and human populations? Are other supernaturals working with the culprits as part of the High Council infiltration? This could all go in several directions. While glad they are all traveling and staying together, I am anxious about the trip to Germany. It is disturbing to think of all that could go wrong.

There are overriding feelings of loss and pain woven throughout this chapter. Tani and his mother have a relationship filled with anguish; learning some of the details of past lives through Dante’s dreams was a bit heartbreaking. However, something (magic?) or someone (an Ekho? Tani’s mother?) must have triggered the dreams. Perhaps the dreams will help Dante understand Tani better and allow for them have a more favorable outcome in this lifetime. While Uncle Amu remains opposed to a union between Tani and Dante, it felt important when he noted Dante being a warlock born with fire might be a lucky turn of events for Tani. Even as Tani was being painfully scorched and crying tears of blood, he called Dante his beloved. With every action and interaction they have a bond.

Loved the family reunions! Sebastian’s theory on why Peter Nichols is behind the heinous crimes is absolutely heartbreaking. I refuse to call him Reilly’s dad in any future comments. He is despicable.

Silas and Rosalie will hopefully reconnect as soon as possible. The shifter community is small, yet no one on the Council mentioned to either ones pack that two ancient shifters are alive and well. It stands to reason no one may have known Rosalie and Silas are related through marriage, or that individual packs wouldn’t know the members of other packs. But surely the Council tracks all shifters and knows where everyone is. It makes me wonder if they’ve been purposely kept apart. Now that the painting has resurfaced and Sentinels have arrived, perhaps together Rosalie and Silas will remember more details that prove helpful. It also occurred to me that Ben’s gift is actually that the Veil is lifted for him. Not only has Ben lived his human life causing no harm, but this gift will be used for a higher purpose and the greater good.

I tend to skip over detailed sex scenes in the stories I read unless they are somehow necessary for the plot point. I have nothing against hot sex scenes, it just feels more creative to the story line to be able to show a loving, functioning, intense, passionate, working, deeply romantic, fun, respectful, … you get the idea… relationship in other ways. I smiled at the comment about CJ and Owen being friends first. That is the core of any solid marriage and makes for a great partnership as well as parenting team. As for Northman, I am wary of how far his dislike might go. It is disgruntled people like Northman that spies look for. He is in a prime position to be approached.

The most concerning part of all is when Sebastian realized that the Council must know more than they are letting on. My guess is that must mean the Council itself is uncertain how widespread among shifter packs and Alphas the organization behind the abductions actually is. I am hopeful the Council is working behind the scene to free the pups and harshly deal with those involved. The only other alternative is that the Council itself has been infiltrated and are a part of this. I don’t even want to consider what that could mean. And I am with Reilly, I can’t figure out the how or the why, but I am certain his father is involved.

I am not sure it is relevant to the rest of the story or overall plot, but the way I read it to be turned into a werewolf the non-were has to be exposed to the were’s blood, saliva and cum basically at the same time. So then a feral werewolf couldn’t just go around biting people. Any which way, it was a very special mating day for Ben and Zev. I’m looking forward to Ben’s change and peeking at his wolf.

I like how Dani and Alex are introduced. That whole interaction could have come off as slightly cringy or desperate, but instead feels very true to the moment and genuine. They are both decent people handling life on their terms. Cody is forthright and obviously knows himself well enough to not make a decision that impacts the rest of his life without thought. Three more characters that become real people based on their newly forged friendships with CJ and Owen.

I read this chapter twice because it was just so good and there was a lot of information. The idea of Sentinels makes sense and was a great plot point. I, too, wonder what gift or sense Zev might have that makes him a part of a psi pair. While I hate the idea of another stolen pup, I look forward to that tragedy uniting all six wolves. Yes, I know Ben isn’t actually a wolf yet… but the painting! I really hadn’t thought about another supernatural group being responsible for anything going on until the past Fae dynamic was told, but now I have to wonder. What if there is a descendent of Maven who still wants to rid the world of humans and holds a grudge against those who killed their ancestor? I also have this terrible, niggling feeling that Reilly’s father is somehow involved.

Although never married, it seems important that Viola and Dante are formalizing their separation and care for their children. A final step, so to speak. I’m curious if in past lives they separated but remained emotionally entwined somehow right up until Dante’s death, thereby causing each to seek each other out in another life. Now, Dante is distant and emotionally detached from Violet although he clearly cares for his children. He has let completely let her go. In most of the earlier centuries the age of 36 would be a full life. Currently, that’s an early death. I wonder if there is significance in that number. Someone benevolent has laid the ground work for Dante and Tani to cross paths, the burn making that possibility more inevitable. I can’t figure out Cale. It would seem being helpful would go against his purpose, yet so far in this reincarnation he is not only helpful but encouraging.

And now Ryuzo has only one short year to rectify his oversight and misunderstandings of the past 900, all the while working through unimaginable emotional pain of repeated loss. Hopefully tonight’s insights strengthen him.

What an interesting and intriguing start! Dante’s life is about to get even more complicated, so it seems.

Agree and nodding my head over all previous comments, especially for a horrible end to Reilly’s dad. Silas and Rosalie hold the answer(s) to the painting of our 6 wolves. I am curious who painted the picture and why it was made. It’s an old painting and although shifters can live a very long time, someone at some point long ago had a vision that is now coming true.

What a lovely surprise! I miss traveling and with this pandemic who knows when we will all be safe enough to move freely about the planet again. This chapter brought back some great memories of a vacation in Mexico many years ago where we, too, stopped along the roadside to grab a few bottles from a guy selling from a banged up cooler! Made me smile to think about it. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Northman is like a fly that keeps buzzing around you but you can’t quite swat away! Unfortunately he is someone CJ is stuck with and has to figure out professional work arounds for every interaction. Domogarov is really worrisome. He is sneaky. It doesn’t seem to matter everyone is in the know that he is a spy. CJ is right to heighten his caution. Perhaps Domogarov’s not so hidden sexual preferences will be his undoing. I’m interested to hear what John has to say when Austin calls him. Perhaps with time he remembers more.

I cannot be happier right now! Zev+Ben= #Zen 💞 Fated mates. I might just have squealed a little bit. Now that I’ve calmed down I am going to go back and reread the chapter for the tiny hidden clues that I know must be there.

I really liked how this chapter came together! Great job intertwining background information and a bit of history all spun together through friends chatting. Invictus is a perfect reminder of how CJ connects and brings people together as well as one of the motivations for how he tries to live his life.

There’s got to be a connection between Caleb’s and Sebastian’s packs. My guess is the portrait that Ben found is the key to their linked past, but I need more puzzle pieces to put it all together. I am hopeful a future conversation with Silas will be enlightening. It seems Ben is not only able to sense supernatural beings and shifters but also senses evil. At least that what’s the shadow he talked about with the Hunters felt like. Perhaps if he can sense the scars on souls of persons who have killed innocents, he can also help find the group responsible for kidnapping and sexually trafficking young pups. I am glad he has shown his true self to Caleb and has found acceptance and trust. That hunter was in town for a reason and there will be more to follow.

And you know, sometimes it’s enough to not have all the answers! I thought Ben’s backstory was really well written and detailed. It intrigued me that his folks are so emotionally removed and Ben so independent. Their response to child Ben telling them about sensing other beings was therapy, so it stands to reason he’d clam up about it. I just figured maybe there was an aunt who is a mage or great grandparent who had shifter blood…. Something more. It’s a cool idea, though, that you can just be born with special abilities. Love that!

I’m from the Midwest. Jello is still considered a salad here. I cracked up soooo loud when I read your comment! My grandma always made orange jello with bananas, shredded carrots and pecans.🤢 It wouldn’t be a family party without strawberry (jello) pretzel salad or pistachio fluff(jello) salad. I think we are the only area of the universe that considers jello in the fruit and vegetable section of the food group. 🤣