Cane23

Lyn would be a Sleeping Beauty lost in a hundred-year dream, and Alexander the prince who braves the thorns to reach him!

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who thought that was such a sweet kiss!

@Laura S. Fox delivers a delightful shifter romance wrapped in a hilarious comedy of errors. Ryder, a wolf shifter and pack alpha, guided by his pack’s clairvoyant prophecy, heads to the city convinced that Theodore Pembroke, a powerful city tycoon, is his fated mate. But nothing goes as expected. Instead, Ryder literally runs into Danny - an ordinary “average Joe” - and sparks fly with an attraction that defies the usual rules between shifters and humans. The story brims with love, loyalty, and action, introducing us to a cast of unforgettable characters: loyal friends, a talkative clairvoyant, and yes - even the surprising power of a single toaster.

Well, let's see how good clairvoyant I am! 1) What was Cassandra? A witch? An evil spirit? And why did she hate wolfshifters? Witch! Because she is a witch! 2) Why, how and when did she curse Ryder's pack? And why didn't she kill them immediately like she did to Theo's pack? Because she's witch, with dark magic, long time ago. We don't know it was immediately! 3) Why did she kill Theo's pack? Because she's witch! 4) Why did she send Ryder to Theo? She could have simply waited for the effects of the curse. She sent them to kill each other! Why to wait when she could enjoy two alphas fighting?! 5) What would have happened to Ryder's pack if he shouldn't have broken the curse? The same what happened to Theo's pack! 6) What happened to Theo, Jack and Vince after their arrival to Pinemoor and before Ryder found them with Cassandra? They confronted the witch, she frozen them! 7) What is a healer? A human with a special gift? A fae? Other? A special species, a human like with healing abilities! 8)Who was the old wolfshifter that revealed to Vince's parents their son's gift? And how did he know about him? Very old and wise shifter! Had a good clairvoyant! 9) what was the mysterious weapon that could kill an alpha, and how did Theo get it? Kryptonite...oh, shit, not the same story!!! 10) What was the foul smelling incense and why did Theo use it, even if it was dangerous also to him, to the point that he had to leave it in the shop? Incense sticks! Because he believes at that moment Ryder is sent to kill him and, living in the city, he probably got used to different smells! 11) Will Danny become a wolfshifter too, after the bonding? No (pay attention ) 12) If not, is a healer's life as long as a wolfshifter's one? He'll live as long as his mate! 🙂

Yes, the bracelet really does work like an anchor for Lyn - even if it’s mostly unconscious. He isn’t fully aware yet how important this symbol is, not just as proof of Alexander’s love (which he still struggles to grasp), but as a quiet sign of constancy, devotion, and loyalty that has endured over the years. What makes it so powerful is that while Lyn keeps fighting Alexander in his head, the bracelet betrays that Alexander has already, in a way, 'won' simply by being steadfast.

Thanks. What happened is just the beginning. Lyn and Alexander’s dynamic is going to take some time to figure out. Lyn needs to understand Alexander, deal with his own feelings, and learn how to relate to him. The story moves slow in terms of emotions, but with the wedding only eight days away, everything is actually speeding up. Tension is building, and things are about to get intense fast.

Brad tends to gloss over the past, remember only what’s convenient, and float through life obliviously. But the fact that he remembers Lyn not swimming means that moment cut through his usual haze. It must have been emotionally vivid - maybe because he associated Lyn’s vulnerability with danger, responsibility, or his own role as protector. Even if he doesn’t consciously process it, the memory lingers. The scene works almost like a psychological flashpoint... Brad unconsciously reaffirms the old dynamic (him as carefree protector, Lyn as the vulnerable one), while Lyn is painfully aware of how much that intimacy still shakes him. When Alexander mocks Luke about being “first in something,” Lyn’s instinctive reaction isn’t to join in the banter but to defend Luke by pointing out his gaming success. We see that empathy is rooted in his own wounds - Lyn has spent his whole life oscillating between real humiliation and perceived slights. Because of that, he has a heightened sensitivity to situations where someone is made the butt of a joke. He can’t stand to witness it, even in playful form, because it strikes too close to his own scars. There are projection and identification - whether Luke actually feels humiliated is irrelevant. What matters is that Lyn projects his own past humiliations onto Luke and responds as though it’s happening to himself. It shows how unresolved Lyn’s own sense of inadequacy really is. This also quietly underscores the difference between him and Alexander. Alexander thrives on mocking, provoking, and humiliating - sometimes as a power play, sometimes as entertainment. Lyn, in contrast, finds the act almost unbearable because it resonates with his deepest insecurities. This deepens their push-pull dynamic... Alexander weaponizes humiliation, Lyn resists it. Finally, Lyn isn’t just being kind - he’s defending the boy he once was, the one who felt overlooked and mocked. But then, this contradicts his communication with Alexander. On one hand, Lyn reflexively defends Luke, refusing to let him be mocked because humiliation is intolerable to him. He sees the good, or at least tries to highlight it, in almost everyone. But with Alexander, he does the opposite - he attacks, he labels him a “demon,” he resists giving him the benefit of the doubt. Lyn can afford to be gentle with Luke (or Brad), because they don’t feel threatening to him. Alexander, however, unsettles him at a much deeper level—Alexander exposes Lyn’s flaws, mirrors his fears, and provokes his suppressed desires. It’s safer for Lyn to cast Alexander as “the demon” than to admit he might also be his equal, or worse, someone he’s drawn to. Ironically, Alexander doesn’t resent this treatment. In fact, he values Lyn’s bluntness. Where others might flatter or avoid confrontation, Lyn calls him out directly. By admitting, in so many words, that Alexander enjoys humiliating people, Lyn names the thing others might only whisper about. That’s why Alexander seems almost amused or appreciative. Lyn dares to speak the truth of him, even if framed negatively. Oh Luke... He really does come across as a shallow mirror of Brad - charming, playful, but with little depth. His surprise at Lyn’s defense... the fact that Luke is taken aback when Lyn highlights his gaming skills shows how rarely anyone takes him seriously. Even if it’s “not so impressive,” Lyn treats it as something worthy, which is unusual for Luke. That moment of being “seen” matters more than he’d admit. His quick retreat to jokes... but instead of sitting with that recognition, Luke immediately undermines it by slipping back into crude humor (the “dick size” banter). It’s a protective move - turning vulnerability into a joke before anyone can mock him for it. By proposing a contest in the one domain where he knows he’s “big,” Luke reveals how little else he can rely on to establish his worth. It’s not an achievement, but an accident of birth, and that hollowness makes him more Brad’s twin than Lyn’s peer. Again, we see Lyn's insecurities over his own body. The story never states Lyn is “small.” What actually happens is that he’s constantly comparing himself to others, and the men around him (Brad, Luke, Alexander) are written as unusually well-endowed or physically confident. Lyn feels out of proportion by contrast, which triggers his insecurities. Lyn has been humiliated so many times (sometimes real, sometimes only in his own perception) that he anticipates it everywhere. Even when no one is mocking him, he projects the possibility of being “less than” onto himself. He happens to be surrounded by outliers. If you’re always next to guys who are above average, it distorts how you see yourself. Lyn doesn’t measure against reality, but against an exceptional group. The irony is others never actually say he’s inadequate. On the contrary, Alexander sees him as bold, Brad leans on his intelligence, even Luke is surprised and flattered when Lyn notices his worth. The problem is Lyn’s self-image, not how others perceive him. Why so? – Because Lyn carries the scars of rejection and invisibility from his past. Even when he’s objectively “enough,” he can’t accept it - he translates every comparison into a reminder of not belonging. And Lyn...being Lyn again. Sitting there convinced he’s the only one having dirty thoughts is peak obliviousness. The poor guy not only underestimates the heat in the air, but he’s also basically running on a broken gaydar. Brad’s offer to ‘hold him,’ Alexander’s stare, Luke’s juvenile size-jokes… the signals couldn’t be louder. Yet Lyn still frames himself as the lone tortured soul while everyone else is just as distracted by naked skin. Classic misalignment - he thinks he’s hiding desire, when in fact he’s the only one who hasn’t noticed everyone else’s. The final sequence transforms the chapter from playful homoerotic teasing into an overt power-play of possession and submission. Alexander exposes Lyn’s vulnerability, exploits his shame, and establishes sexual dominance... but in doing so, he also reveals jealousy and a need for exclusivity that borders on intimacy. Lyn, meanwhile, discovers that Alexander’s cruelty doesn’t diminish his desire; it sharpens it, binding him tighter. The cum-on-face ending denies closure while paradoxically deepening their connection - leaving Lyn with a sense that what he just experienced wasn’t “just sex,” but the beginning of something far more dangerous and consuming.

Too bad there’s no brain mass measuring contest - now that would be interesting. But no, we’re stuck with the old “whose is bigger” nonsense. What are they, sixteen? Luke’s basically Brad’s clone at this point. Brats, the both of them. 🤪

@long1jo @CasualWanderer82, I believe it all comes down to one important rule they both agreed on - always tell the truth. And Blake finally followed through: "I can't do it," he said finally. "I...can't be who you're askin'. Of course, that doesn't mean he won't become one. Sometimes, we don't realize how much we value something until we lose it. Jackson has learned that lesson - now it's Blake's turn.

What begins as a snowy storm adventure quickly unravels into a gripping mystery of attempted murder - and ultimately blossoms into an extraordinary intergalactic love story. Another masterpiece from @Mikiesboy, absolutely worth your time!

Gays not into reading sex scenes? That’s practically heresy - what are we supposed to do, skip to the plot? 🤣😂

This is a magnificent work - emotionally complex, rich with multi-layered characters, and truly monumental in scope. It contains a staggering 337,427 words, spread across substantial chapters - because let’s face it, nothing about @JJQuinn's writing is ever "little"! If we go by the Gay Authors average of around 4,500 words per chapter, this story would span the equivalent of roughly 75 chapters. Incredible, isn’t it?

A fantasy (kissing Brad) turned nightmare (used for a cheap joke). A forced kiss, public humiliation, and emotional betrayal disguised as “college fun.” It’s the flashback where Lyn’s secret longing collides violently with the world’s casual cruelty and Brad’s obliviousness. Brad is not malicious - but he is dangerously clueless. His performative “progressive” claim is a drunken dare without the alcohol - a “sure, I can kiss a dude, I’m cool like that,” with no concept of how loaded that is for Lyn. He initiates the kiss, makes it transactional (“we’ll see boobs”), turns something sacred for Lyn into a frat-boy stunt. Even worse, he calls Lyn “babe” in a sugary joke voice - mocking tenderness, which for Lyn is real, not funny. The kiss itself - “wet and unpleasant” - is the death of fantasy... the boy he loves does kiss him, but as a dare, without tenderness, under mocking eyes. The last scene is about Lyn’s inward collapse and how trauma leaks into relationships not directly responsible for it. It shows how shame closes doors, how care can be misread as threat, and how a single bad night can quietly warp multiple bonds at once. Both Brad and Lyn are clueless - Lyn about Alexander, Brad about Lyn. Both relationships are misaligned, but in opposite directions. Lyn doesn’t understand what’s moving underneath Alexander’s cold, aristocratic shell any more than Brad understands what’s behind Lyn’s steady, witty composure. None of them is seeing the full picture at the same time. Each is acting on partial information, filtered through fear, pride, or habit. It turns the love triangle into a hall of mirrors. Lyn is to Brad what Alexander is to Lyn - both loving without being understood, both watching someone chase someone else while they are standing right there, invisible in the wrong way.

Nooo, not now - just when the tension has reached its peak! It is different but it is a great story, I love psychological thrillers! 🙂

Am I the only one who thought that was an ugly kiss? 🤮

I agree! I was really intrigued by the word @akascrubber used - offer! I don’t think anything like that will actually happen between them… but still, will Brad offer? 😉

“Actually, he’s the town supervisor where we’ll be living from now on,” Danny said, “so we’re not pressed for money.” He had no idea how to explain what Ryder was without giving something important away. “I am the alpha of my pack,” Ryder said, throwing all caution to the wind. I just love your sense of humor, @Laura S. Fox! Not mayor or sheriff... but “town supervisor”-absolutely brilliant. Cutie Danny simply can't lie, and since he can't tell the truth either, he comes up with this! Rayder definitely doesn’t sound too thrilled with the title! 😂

I've been thinking about this... and I'm not so sure. A drunk Brad might offer him the whole world - let alone just sex.

For a start, he might try not to overthink everything - it's torturous, after all.

With the seemingly casual words, “Roman can cook,” Max’s subconscious has already made a decision before his conscious mind catches up. He isn’t just noting a skill - he’s acknowledging the man he trusts, admires, and wants to be with. In that moment, he’s bypassed social expectations, distractions (like Carter’s obvious affection), and even his own guarded reasoning. That single line crystallizes a turning point... Max’s subconscious has already chosen Roman as the man he wants, and every subsequent internal hesitation is just his protective mind catching up to the truth! I’m really impressed by the honesty of their conversation. With Tara guiding the discussion, Max and Roman leave nothing unsaid - every “elephant in the room” is brought to light. Max’s lingering feelings for Sam are fully acknowledged, yet at the same time, the undeniable attraction between Max and Roman shines through. I especially love the ending, where Roman says he doesn’t agree with Max’s conditions. Up until that point, it’s mostly been Max declaring his own rules - but this moment shows that Roman isn’t trying to dictate the relationship. He’s ready to create new rules together, something that works for both of them. It’s a subtle but powerful sign of trust, growth, and mutual commitment.

You’ve completely muddled my head with this whole pizza story… but this is absolutely priceless: 🤣😂🤣😂😂

Oh no, this was just reaction to @FanLit's comment... 🙂 I needed some time to read the chapter... you know... ❤️

I really enjoyed your comment. I would just add one thing - Ben, too. Ben is part of the family, and as the old wounds heal and new love is embraced, Max will come to accept Ben as a new brother as well.

Oh Lyn, his blindness is chosen. It’s a psychological fortress built from old love (Brad), old rivalry (Alexander), and a deep fear of losing the control he built over years of emotional repression. The tragedy (and the beauty) is that Alexander is offering him the one thing Lyn actually wants - but to take it, Lyn has to dismantle a part of himself. He chooses to interpret everything Alexander does through a safe lens. By reframing tenderness as arrogance or manipulation, Lyn can keep his own heart walled off. If Alexander is just “the arrogant surgeon,” then any warmth, any accidental chemistry, is meaningless - no risk, no pain. The cigarette - a pivot from sex to intimacy (just one little remark - in my native language, phrase for blow job is smoking )! That small gesture - Lyn ripping the cigarette away and destroying it - is incredibly telling. It’s the first unplanned, protective act Lyn has done for Alexander. Not a calculated remark. Not a flirt. Not a chess move. It’s pure care - angry, impulsive, protective. And Alexander reacts by pressing against his back, mocking it, but also acknowledging it. The mocking “Wow, Lynton, I’m impressed” is actually a tell - he felt it. It’s almost a reverse kiss - no lips, but it communicates concern and desire simultaneously. And it makes Alexander advance emotionally. Sex means nothing to you” - this is Alexander, the character who usually observes from behind walls of arrogance and disdain, actually interpreting Lyn. He nails a fundamental truth... Lyn uses sex as function, release, distraction, confirmation... but not as a place of surrender or transformation. The realization hurts Lyn, because it’s accurate. He’s been playing in emotional shadows for years - career, body, flings, strategy - and Alexander sees through it like glass. So, Alexander isn’t trying to get laid. He’s trying to reach Lyn on the level of truth. And that’s what makes him dangerous, irresistible, and narratively magnetic. “Until you make your choice, I’ll be here.” “Then I will know. And I’ll finally stop torturing myself.” - it’s probably the most touching part of the chapter because it’s the moment the walls drop. Everything before was tension, subtext, maneuvering. Here, in just a few words, we finally see what was underneath all of it: care, longing, and a desire for peace. This is the first time in the story where the tone between them is neither sarcastic nor defensive. It’s soft. Vulnerable. Scary. The kind of silence-after-words that feels like the air has changed. Brad...what does Brad want? Mixed signals confuse readers as much as Lyn himself. He wants to stay the center of Lyn’s world, even as he marries someone else. He wants assurance that no matter what else changes, Lyn will still orbit around him. That’s the tragedy in it... Brad wants to keep both - the safe marriage and the emotional intimacy - without admitting how unfair that is to Lyn or to Bella. Eight years passed. Life moved on, but emotional files stayed open. Brad got engaged, built a “normal” life, but that doesn’t mean he ever closed the Lyn file. It’s very common for people to carry a kind of nostalgic attachment - the person who “got them,” the person tied to their formative years - even when they don’t act on it. And so we circle back to the same question we’ve been asking all along - what truly drove Brad to arrange this reunion? Alexander’s intentions are clear: with a new strategy, he’s finally reaching for what he’s always wanted - Lyn. Lyn himself longs for closure, for a quiet, harmless gathering of old friends. But little did he know…nothing about this reunion was ever meant to stay simple.

Brad is "shaking the raft"!