Alexmugs

YES! The pups are getting healed!! Also, what an incredible opening paragraph. Caleb smiled. His reflection smiled back. He truly has come a long way from being the man who refused to look in the mirror. I'm glad Sebastian is being cautious. I think Huntington is up to something. It's when the kids are too quiet that you know they're doing something they're not supposed to be doing. Great chapter. Again!

It took me a little while to process this chapter. Of the thousands of books I've read I don't think I've ever had any couple's first time move me like this one. The moment he and Ashton joined their bodies together was no illusion. It was as real as it got. Spiritual—yes. It was a timeless action cemented by the act itself. What a beautiful description! The rest of the chapter was amazing too. I love the way you described things: In the dusky sky, flocks of birds hurried to their nightly resting places. The daytime creatures hunkered down, seeking safety from night predators. As the light dimmed, bats flew erratically overhead in search of flying insects. Soon, the muted hoots of owls called out to each other. I felt like I was right there with them! The little bits of comic relief you sprinkle in makes the chapter perfect. Loved how Tyler missed his landing jumping off the deck. And Reilly jumping into Sebastian’s arms had me laughing out loud. Brilliant! Keep it coming!

Now that I've read the chapter two more times (probably still missed stuff), I need to add that @kbois attention to detail is stellar: Is this what prisoners felt the morning they were released from jail? This sentence was so powerful in conveying how Ashton felt. It truly moved me. Everything at the beginning, how Ashton described being at odds with his wolf, gave me such a better understanding of him and Austin. Up until this chapter, I felt kind of blasé about the twins. Now they seem much more real. Their reunion with their parents could win an Academy Award with the right actors. Lol. Even the lighthearted antics and interactions between the characters at dinner was fun and showed us how much more humanized the twins are. Let's hope they aren't too tired to complete their mating!

OMG! The gods of perfect timing smiled on me this morning. As soon as I logged on I got a pop up notification of this chapter posting. Woo-hoo! After a quick read through because I'm impatient AF, this is still making me cry: Her hands shook as they softly cupped his face. “Oh, Ashton! You’re beautiful.” Ashton had waited eight long years to say the four words he’d yearned to speak again. He wasn’t waiting for a second longer. “I love you, Mom.” Can you imagine being a parent and hearing those words after your child was missing for so long and then mute? 😭😭 Now I have to go back and read again. There's so much!

@kbois has brought us an incredibly well-crafted, well-thought-out, and certainly well-researched story centering around a subject few dare to touch-- religion. She shows us it's okay to swim against the tide and what most of society believes in. No matter what you believe in, you need to give this story a chance. It might surprise you.

I, too, jumped off Noah's Ark when I realized there were other civilizations thriving during the same time period that God supposedly flooded the entire earth. I don't have many good memories from my Catholic school days. Classes were too regimented and we were forced to take religion every single semester. I graduated back when there were 400-500 kids in each graduating class. That same school is lucky to have that many in their total enrollment. For all that indoctrination shoved at us, I think out of 477 in our class, only one went on to become a priest. Off my soapbox now. This was another classic @kbois masterpiece. You have a special ability to tackle sensitive subjects and do it spectacularly.

I may have peed myself a little. Not gonna lie.

I'm not I'm not crying. You're crying.

Fantastic chapter. As usual all the little details you created made me feel like I was right there watching them! Even the change in perspective to Sebastian was seamless. I've read stories before where authors have switched characters so much its hard to keep track of. That's not the case here. Great job! I loved this btw: Beside him, Hunter edged a step closer. Sebastian’s muscles tensed tightly, and his eyes flickered as his wolf edged his way forward, sensing the approach of an intruding Alpha. Reilly's hand moved to his shoulder. Behind them, Kellen, Ben, and Zev stood at attention. The way that they stand together, united just shows how connected the Sentinels are. Also.... LOVE the new avatar! ❤

This was one incredible chapter! This story just keeps getting better a d better. Caleb and Asa's mating was everything we could have hope for and then some! If you stop to think about it, it makes sense that Asa’s wolf is white and Caleb's now matches seeing how he took on light shifter abilities. There are so many little things that cement their relationship, but this stands out: While the thought of permanently connecting himself to another person scared him, knowing it was Caleb made him happy, hence the smile. Asa has no qualms about taking Caleb as his mate, no matter if there are still lingering issues. He's all in and is exactly what Caleb needs. Bravo!

I think your choices for Caleb and Asa are perfect. I pictured Asa as having white blond hair. I might be wrong, but the picture of Caleb seems lighter. It was dark before. Symbolic of the darkness of his mind being healed?

Maybe the weather wasn't conducive to allowing them to bring Asa outside. Just because there was one nice day of sunshine, doesn't mean the rest of the days were the same.

I'm with @kbois on this one. Caleb's wolf won't let him push the mating off. He's been neglected for far too long. Plus, I'm thinking that their mating bond will somehow strengthen Asa’s healing ability. Maybe like some sort of supernatural booster shot? I really can't wait to see how our genius author spins this one.

First of all, what an incredible chapter! I'm going to have to read it a few more times. There's so much going on. I'm awestruck at the change in Caleb. He's so attentive and caring toward Asa. Allowing his wolf to have first dibs at seeing him was something I don't think he was capable of before being healed. He still carries guilt but he's processing it completely different. I still feel responsible. If I weren’t so fucked up, he would be awake by now.” “You don’t know that. I don’t think he knew it, either. As soon as the connection broke, he looked stunned for a split second. Then he started spewing satanic slime. I was a little preoccupied to notice anything else.” Caleb shook his head. “But still…” Giles cut him off, his deep voice bordering on Alpha command. “Stop blaming yourself. Asa is an adult who made a consenting choice. He knew the risk. He chose you, Caleb. He chose YOU!” Immediately, tears sprang to his eyes. His attention shifted to the man lying still on the bed, inexplicably drawn to him. Gently, he raised Asa’s hand and kissed the back of it. This man had put his life and sanity on the line for him. How could he ever repay him? My heart nearly broke for Caleb here. Even Asa has changed. Allowing himself to be taken by Caleb is a huge step for someone like him who has been independent for so long. I'm not sure if either of them even realized it, but their relationship has progressed too: My love, healing a mind is vastly different than healing a physical ailment. I don't think Asa or Caleb even realized he let that little term of endearment slip. Awesome chapter!

This chapter had me on the edge of my seat for a bit. The way you described how Asa went about healing Caleb (we know it's going to work dammit!) was incredible. You certainly know how to paint a picture for us readers: He felt something akin to wispy tendrils of energy break off and enter Caleb, stretching and searching for damage like a heat-seeking missile. The arduous journey began. Images of damaged cells, misshapen from the poison, beckoned as if they were a blinding strobe from a lighthouse. As a ship following the beacon, he honed in on the damage. His energy became a fishing trawler casting its nets. He gathered the poison, drawing it in, storing it the same way a boat held its catch. Well done! I hope you feel better soon! ❤

@kbois has done it again! A fantastic story about how one little decision can bring about life-altering changes. Two likeable guys, a mom who doesn't take any crap and a cat with a cute name. What more can you want?

First of all, what an spectacular way to pay homage to a friend. It always hurts when the lights dim when someone so bright is gone. Second, what a great story! You definitely struck the right notes with this one. I enjoyed every word! This made me laugh: ! That’s the best pet name story I’ve heard!” “Eh. Maybe. I did learn that Maine coon kittens who fall asleep in empty martini glasses end up with sticky fur. I also learned kittens have sharp claws and don’t like being bathed at two o’clock in the morning.” One of my friends in fifth grade came into school all scratched to hell. She tried giving her cat a bath. Never did that again. Lol! Thanks for sharing this with us. Your friend would be proud.

I forgot to mention earlier, did everyone see who was featured on this week's Featured Story on Monday?

I'm going out on a limb here and am going on record as saying I don't think whoever poisoned Caleb is an issue anymore. Hear me out. Alberts and Belland are dead. Huntington is out of the country focused on rallying whatever troops he can muster. Whoever it is/was wouldn't have any more motivation. Huntingtons beef was with Caleb for being Vann's father when he thought he was. (Shadow Effect chpt 39) With Alberts and Belland dead the money motivator is gone too if that's what it was. My guess is that it was a pack member, maybe someone who worked in the diner but slid under the radar. The poison had to be mixed with his food and it didn't have to be done all at once. If his body wasn't able to rid itself, then it might have been given gradually. Like a slow build up of arsenic (thanks Flowers in the Attic)

Whoa! I don't think I've read a chapter with so much information in it. I had to read it twice before commenting. My biggest take away from this is how vulnerable Caleb is: “Can you try now?” Asa shook his head. “No. It’s too dangerous.” Caleb slumped again. Great, it's just his luck. Life was dangling a cure for his dark thoughts in front of him and then yanking it away. “I get it. I wouldn’t risk myself for a complete stranger, either.” His depression is a shield that is preventing him from seeing anything positive or optimistic. Everything about this chapter just goes to show Caleb's insecurity in neon colors. I really hope Asa is the answer we all are searching for. Brilliant chapter.

Such an amazing piece by an amazing author. Gritty, real, and punches you in the gut, but is a story well worth the read.

Oh my! Where to even start? This us what I get for having to be on the road since 6am. Now that I'm settled... where do I end up? Page 7. What a fall from grace! @kbois wrote this: Even though he did not have senses in the traditional form as light, he could still process and understand what occurred around him. Specific nuances could only be ascertained once he was back in his solid embodiment and could process information his light form stored, but other than that, Asa could discern what was going on. I think Asa's perception goes deeper than anyone realizes and maybe it's connected to his light shifting abilities. Whatever the case may be Caleb has met his perfect match and I can't wait for their relationship to deepen. I also reeaaalllllyyyyyy want to see what they look like and I've already recommended Spirit Wolves. 4 more somebodys need to step up!!!!!!!

OMFG!!!!

So what do Caleb and Asa look like I checked and you haven't posted any pictures on the cover page. What gives?

And we all know @kbois is going to make it a sharp, hairpin turn and make us go careening around it at 100mph with only 2 of 4 wheels on the ground.