84Mags

‘He was stalking the man like some deranged pervert from the day they met.’ The whole mounting tension in Jimmy and how he recognizes and reins in his wolf (or at least tries to) is well done.

I want to start by saying this is a brilliant literary chapter, well balanced and with perfect tempo. That’s a hard feat to pull off and I want to acknowledge your ability to move seamlessly between poignant past memories and the present while giving us glimpses at new insights. I already despise Mitchell for what I am guessing he did to Jimmy’s pack (his soul, his confidence, his Maman, his trust in humans, his happiness and contentment, his LIFE). It’s fascinating to me that Jimmy can keep control of himself / his wolf when it involves Sawyer, but loses himself to his wolf more and more each time he must kill and dispose of a rogue.

👆Yes! And he is seriously creepy.

Wow! Up until this chapter I thought Fergus was just using Jimmy with no intentions of making him part of the pack. I also wondered if Fergus was the ‘rogue’ and killing in self hate to hide his attraction to men. Now I wonder if one of his group of Illuminati (who do not seem to be all that enlightened...) might actually be the rouge.

This chapter made me smile. Not only because you are back to the story but more so because of David’s travels. I was lucky enough to be a newly married military spouse stationed in Europe many years ago. You detailed the travel and feelings perfectly. I was young, inexperienced, and wary to try new things. Travel in Europe is easy and friendly. Lucerne is one of my all time favorite memories and places. Traveling Europe allows one to gain confIdence, sort thoughts, and explore oneself in a very different experiential way than the US. I came out so much better for the experience and I believe David will, as well. A perfect setting to process his relationship in a non stressful way.

😊 And, I agree with you. Didn’t mean to start a storm with my words. My comments were based on personal preference. Good authors like this one create very real characters. Penn’s actions show he isn’t the type of person I want in my life, so it’s hard for me to suspend belief and continue the story knowing he is Nash’s HEA. Yes, he is loyal, loving, committed, a great friend, family oriented... but he is also someone who “snatched, pulled, swung and pushed” during the roadside confrontation. He is all those immature behaviors and the poor communicator everyone has commented on. I can’t find a time he has said he was sorry for any of his actions. One very bright spot is that Cam isn’t evil or doing something to keep Penn. I agree with an earlier comment of yours; wish she hadn’t been the one explain the situation to Nash.

Thank you for saying this because I realized I was at the same point tonight, but feeling a little guilty about being ready to walk away.

Yes! I found myself really frustrated and angry with Penn in this chapter, and it’s not the first time. Of course Nash assumed the baby was Penn’s. Didn’t most of us? Isn’t she named after him? So, his closing text just kinda pissed me off more. How dare he accuse Nash of ‘refusing to talk things through’. And Nash seems ready to suck right back into it. Who would have thought Cam would come out looking the most mature of the three?

Really love the lines you quoted. We all need a Nathan type friend to remind us to get our own shit together and stay out of other folk’s. And you are right about Penn. Nash didn’t break him, but he is broken. It’s like he has a regressed personality and emotionally behaves like he is in high school. Who holds a phone (and a vehicle) for a week only to be all dramatic on the side of a highway?

Yeah, but I’m sure looking forward to the chapters where we find out 😉 And on a more serious note, I am hoping Sawyer can help Jimmy to take care of his Wolf and especially with Fergus.

Nicely composed first encounter and exactly what I have been hoping for...MATES!~! They will be sooooooo good for each other.

I know, right?!

I gotta admit I am actually more stunned that Penn has only had sex 3 times in his adult life before Nash. Shocked actually. In high school he’d lost the love of his life and then non-romantically married his bestie, but never ever looked for any form of a physical relationship elsewhere. Even Nash expected to hear about bathroom blow jobs or quickie liaisons. So, yeah, I’m kinda shocked. I believe him. But I’m shocked. Did I mentioned I am shocked? Since Penn said he had been in a bad head space when he had slept with Cam I am guessing those three times were very recent and coincided with Nash going overseas and contemplating the job in Portland. They didn’t hang out as much. Penn even asked if it was ‘goodbye-good bye’. Penn was thinking Nash might not return or, if he did, move for a job. I am more interested to learn when Penn found out about the pregnancy and why he hasn’t told Nash. Why hold the news? It seems deceitful and untrustworthy. The baby ties Penn and Cam together in some form forever. I wonder if Penn realizes that?

You know what? The last couple of days I’m starting to wonder more about Cam in all of this. Lee will definitely continue to fight, but will Cam end up doing worse? She seems ok with what she has in her marriage. She hasn’t pushed for divorce. Cam can come and go. She’s got permission to have other relationships / brief affairs and not have to make any commitments, something she isn’t emotionally prepared to do. She has the love, support (financial and emotional) and friendship of Penn. His family has become her family. They are all she has with her parents deceased. It’s a lot to give up. Mentions of her drinking and her flirting with Nash worry me a bit.

Once Mrsgnomie explained the blah blah blah part, I was all good. Only part I disagree with you on is continuing to forward emails to Mr Chambers. While it was helpful and made perfect sense to involve him at the start, I can’t help but feel that continuing to forward emails to Lee’s boss might ultimately be counterproductive. Those emails should continue to go to his lawyer. And that what I meant about Nash being ready to face this head on now; he has a good attorney and the emotional stability to move on. You are right, Penn’s feelings will help. A lot. I love the part you wrote about Penn’s feelings highlighting the inequity of emotions in Nash’s marriage to Lee. So true!!! I do think that Nash has already begun to confront Lee’s behaviors; he did a great job in the last chapter.

I completely agree with everything👆 The chapter had a bittersweet feel to it. Past choices made and what could have been. Although lots of us guessed at the relationship between Cam and Penn, it prevented both from moving on or fully emotionally growing up. Cam the little girl lost she must have been after losing her parents and Penn the boy with unrequited love. The chapter also highlighted, in a rather sweet way, how inexperienced both Cam and Penn are. I loved those scenes, from the shots, to the first kiss, to the unwrapping. The blah, blah, blah of Lee has me worried. Telling on him to his boss isn’t dealing with it. Nash will have to do more than forward the emails to his barracuda attorney. It’s got to be hard knowing much of who he thought his husband was is a lie, but the curtain is drawn back. Face the man head on. Nash has the support of others and is in a much clearer head space. He can do it.

This was an excellent first chapter, even in draft form. Other than cleaning up the spelling errors, it flowed well. (Scent not sent, as an example). The errors did not detract from your fine work. Hope you post often and finish this work.

I wondered about that, too. 🤔

“His expression—I never knew you could smile from your soul.” Favorite line ever. And it’s true. If you are lucky enough to have someone smile at you like that, you will never ever forget it. Penn is a keep forever. I’m glad, actually, that this wasn’t the big reveal chapter. It was a nice chapter for the guys to re-adjust to being together. I’m a military spouse, and I can tell you from dating through marriage there is always a readjustment after a long time / distance apart. It’s best to let the heavy stuff ‘rest’ until reacquainted. And Penn was certainly acquainting himself to Nash’s sweet spots! 😏 Slightly worried about the posting of pics; Penn in bed especially. Since Lee has proved himself to be vindictive, that could spell trouble. Interesting Nash didn’t seem concerned Cam would see the pics and be upset.

My heart aches for Jimmy and his caged wolf. Telling Eddie he was sorry just slayed me. Very well done chapter.

⬆️ Once again, everything she said ⬆️ 💯❗ I’m still basking in a warm, fuzzy glow from reading a perfect chapter and can’t possibly be expected to articulate my thoughts right now. Next chapter please.

It really struck me in this chapter just how well Nash handles what life throws at him. Shayla bided her time, angry and watchful, and is now taking Paul “to the cleaners.” Nash gently let her know that wouldn’t help him get over Lee’s betrayal. Nash waited weeks to tell his father about the divorce. Not seeing his son in the initial emotional wreck stages allowed his dad to grieve the loss of Lee, help his son, and not overly relive the guilt of his own affair. Nash’s self talk about his budding feelings for Penn and setting emotional barriers seems rational and well thought out. This chapter is a lot about Nash taking care of himself, whether he is interacting with an attorney, friends, his dad, Lee, or Penn. Frankly I’m all for a buzz cut or whatever makes him feel best! And, I am dying to know what is in the box!

A story likes this walks a very fine line between creepy, needy, stalker and genuine, budding attraction. You did a perfect job of coloring within the lines!

Wow, same for me! I finally decided talking out loud to my iPad wasn’t satisfying anymore 😂

I wondered that about Cam and Penn, too. It seems like now they are trying to wrap up the marriage but stay friendly. The spousal support...Hell yes! And the car and half the house and half the bank accounts and half the hidden whatever the F is hidden.