This story was on a waiting list in the back of my mind for nearly 2 years. Never once tried to write it because the person I was focused on was Jodi, even would have loved to write her semi-dissertations for how Werewolves fit into other faiths. I love world building.

She comes straight from asking myself what I'd do if I found out I had a mate. I, like her, have a family, and if I was pushed to it, nothing would get between me and my husband. Yes, even to death (though I wouldn't have rushed headlong into dying), and I'd be far more pragmatic in a 2nd life.

I was fixated on the idea of a guy stuck between a much older "wolf" and a much younger human, too, spanning a 30/32 year gap between the women. But I knew that having Jodi be prominent would swallow all but the toughest young woman whole, so even if she stayed, she was going to have to pull back to have a decent chance between Eva and Trace

In all honesty, the whole thing needed a swift kick to the rear to get cohesive enough to write about, so the prompts of a big secret curse/blessing bringing calamity and the new pack member being a seagull to the pack's dragon shifted my focus. (Albatross is the really big seagulls and an "Albatross around your neck" is a massive problem you can't escape.)

It's better to not know what she wrote, in depth. It's better that for once a heroine goes to their death instead of giving in. (Twice, mind you!)

It's really rather fun that the 3rd in the love triangle is dead/a ghost within you, as well as the Alpha not being the one you've made an agreement with. And most of this had to be told from the Alpha's view, to not keep smacking everyone with JODI IS HERE every chapter. That also gave me a chance to show a different view on "mates cheating" than I usually see. We can write the same themes without writing the same books.

And really, did this story need to be any longer? It a writer's exorcism. I no longer have the burden of this thing rattling around my head. That's a relief.

----al dente----

Now I did write Mini Moo for 2022's ONC, but it looks like a glitch kept it from even getting through round 1. If you happen to like this story, I personally think my poor cow story is the better work of fiction.

Much Love,
J. L. O.