BendtedWreath

They infiltrated a little too successfully. They didn't give Elijah a chance to rest before they up and stole him.

“I hope so. I don’t know if I can tolerate another minute of smelling like a dorm bathroom after Taco Tuesday,” Elijah replied, only half jesting. - I know that smell SO well. So, so well. 🤣 “Will you see if you can halt yourself mid-shift, so it’s a hybrid of the two?” Sebastian requested. - I was wondering about that, too. I'm glad he can fake it.

Thank goodness Elijah's open to the whole plan. I hope nothing happens to them during their infiltrating.

“The US won’t be so bad. Plenty of wide open spaces and stupid humans. Plus most packs are spread out and the communication between them is, mmmm, lacking.”/“The whole fucking country is lacking if you ask me.” - As much as I hate to admit it, they have a point there. I'm glad they were overheard, though. One step closer.

They never directly mention pups or children. They use terms like ‘merchandise’ or ‘cargo.’ - Instant ire right there. Merchandise indeed. I can hardly wait for the gang to take them all down.

Sebastian's such a good and vigilant Alpha keeping an eye on everyone. Settling Kellan, settling Ben, and assessing Reilly. I also love how Sebastian and Reilly wasted no time behind closed doors. 😂

“If we leave now we can make it there in about sixteen hours.” Caleb shook his head. “No. You can’t drive. The shortest route would take you too close to Reilly’s old pack’s territory. It’s too dangerous. Give me a few minutes. It’s time to cash in a few favors. - A lot can happen in 16 hours. Glad they'll have an alternative. Ben’s shift only took a minute or so this time.../Ben's wolf chuffed his understanding. - Sounds like he's adjusting well to this new facet of his life! I'm invested in my fellow Ben's wellbeing. Sebastian was right when he told them they might not be able to let their wolves run for a while. They all knew the next several days were going to be difficult. No one could have predicted how difficult it would be. - Well, that sounds ominous.

We sometimes forget that the more different kinds of love we have in our lives, the more supported and confident we become. This story illustrates the growth of a beautiful friendship as they adventure across the USA with an apologetic partner hot on their trail. Don't let the length of this one keep you from reading it! I absolutely loved it.

This is the first story with more length and I am here for it! I'm so glad it was posted on a lazy Sunday because I was sucked in from the first few paragraphs. That they were friends from the forum was a fun surprise and the characters were written so well they felt real. Excellently written.

I wish I knew the circumstances that led to Blue going to therapy. I get that he wanted to be gay like his dads, but something must have happened that required him to go the sessions. I'm glad he sorted things out for himself with Bea. I also wanted to know if he became a professional photographer by the time they got married.

Yet another story I want to read more of. I'm impressed with Evan's restraint and hope Maison feels the same. It was mentioned that he was only inspired to come out after Evan did first. I hope that means something. I'm also glad Nox hadn't escaped.

“Good morning,” Reilly managed to say, his voice all sated, sex-drunk and raspy. Sebastian chuckled. “Yes, it is a good morning isn’t it? - I'll say! 🤣 “What if this is all my fault?” Reilly whispered, dread clearly evident. It had been a thought that had gotten stuck in his head on repeat, that somehow, he was responsible for his father’s and brothers’ actions. He didn’t know how, but he knew deep down that it was his first shift and subsequent beating that set these wheels spinning into motion. - That's not good. I get this way sometimes, and it isn't until after I stop and think rationally about things from a distance that I realize it was ridiculous to feel that way. Wonder how long it will take Reilly to sort that out for himself. I think that when Nichols and his sons were torturing Reilly, they may have inadvertently found a way to halt the shifting process. I have a feeling that it has something to do with hormones and how they relate in some way to painful stimuli. - Yeah, that makes sense. Still doesn't make it Reilly's fault, but it checks out. Jack Porter had no idea how much it meant to him to hear him call Reilly ‘son’, and to know that he would be seeing his sister shortly. - These aren't tears brimming in my eyes. It's allergens.😢

Imagine someone calling out: "Why, that no good freefootin' pennyweightin' footpad!"

I haven't read nearly enough from everyone to make a good guess yet. But, I don't mind playing detective with all of these great suggestions.

Had to re-read the last few parts since I lost track of where I was. I am 100% on board with non-shifter soulmates mirroring their wolf forms when turned. Similar souls, similar wolves.

I have a funny feeling that the Council knows more than they are letting on. - That doesn't sound good!

Did the water and ocean theme remind anyone else of Umibozu? There's also the Raiju thunder beast. But that could just be me and my obsession with Japanese yokai. I liked the shifting hair colors and glowing eyes. I'm also interested in Lei, despite how brief that interaction was.

I just wanted to add that this part of the story did not disappoint. I'm happy for Ben and Zev.

Got it. The Veil gives humans beer vision for the supernatural.

Wonder how long it will take for Ben to shift for the first time.

“Do you think the Veil is in danger, like before?” asked Reilly. - There are a bunch of shifter kids being kidnapped and trafficked. So, I'd say yes. And, blast! They've taken Milo! Go, group, go!

When that didn’t happen, he realized that he wasn’t in any pain. - YES! I'm so happy for Reilly regaining some of his health back. Both Hunter and Kellan exclaimed, “But he’s a guy!” - Things happen? I'm sure they'll sort things out eventually.

“Is Ben short for Benjamin?” Silas inquired. / Surprised by the question, Ben shook his head. “No, my given name is Ruben.” - Well, not all Bens can be Benedict, I guess. It's alright, you're still my favorite. The only way for a human to become a shifter is to be turned by their fated mate. Since you don’t have a shifter mate I don’t think you have anything to worry about. - I hate to break it to you, but...he doesn't have a shifter mate yet. Caleb looked at Zev and Ben, then turned to Silas. "Well, Hell," he declared. - Well Hell is right! 🤣 I’m not opposed to being on board with the belief that some ribbon of energy is going to push us together for the rest of our lives, but I can’t commit the rest of my life to someone I don’t know. - Nicely stated! Not that I'm not curious what Ben's wolf form would be should he choose to become a shifter.

Hunters have a sort of shadow that follows them. It’s dark and unlike anything else I’ve come across. I have a theory that maybe it appears after a hunter makes his first kill. Kind of like a scar on their soul that manifests as a shadow. - Yeah, that'd make sense. Consequences of their actions. Then they’re sold to deviants who get off on raping partially shifted young kids. - Twisted folk sure find a way to torture others by abusing of their nature in this story's world. It's a downright danger to shift.

Ben tapped his fingers on the steering wheel...- Hey! I'm a Ben, too. 😆 Is it narcissistic to choose a favorite character that shares your name? Once again he got a whiff of the sweet scent that still lingered from whatever air freshener the other guy had used. - I hate to break it to you, buddy, but...air freshener, it's not. Though orange-clove-eucalyptus do seem like a harmonious group of scents.