Yousef I think is very fascinating in how he’s becoming arguably because his narrative of being a seer aligns perfectly with his namesake- who was a scrier of dreams. Arguably, his love for Luna and balancing that with religious tradition is in my eyes somewhat comparable to the tale of Zuleikha- the infamous Wife of Potiphar. In muslim tradition- particularly amongst Sufis- her obsession over Yusuf is cast as true love- in truth love of the divine as that is what Yusuf reflects in his beauty- which quickly spirals into near mania but eventually saves her- and the two as having known each other well, which coupled with her generally shoddy marriage to Potiphar (the man is understood to have been a eununch in some readings and was generally…not really putting it out much- some jewish accounts argue he had the hots for Yusuf just as much as his wife.- leads her down a dark path of betraying her marriage, the man she does love by getting him thrown in prison to assert her own autonomy and assauge her hurt- seeing rejection as alignment with her neglectful husband and thus an endorsement of her own martial neglect, and other matters of plotting, but after long years of suffering alone, eventually makes the move to confess what she did to see the man she loved released from prison because she did use the power she had to harm him, regardless of her feelings or circumstances. Much like how Luna causes feelings of rapture in the weres, muslim accounts often highlight that Zuleikha held a feast where she invited those noblewomen who spoke against her love for Yusuf seeking to raise their own station in comparison to hers to show that her actions were hardly unreasonable- giving them fruit and knives so as to cut said fruit and eat. Quick as a whirl, she sends Yusuf in for a brief moment (likely to pass some fruit in- her husband wouldn’t have left him along with her for long after her earlier seduction attempt)- and the women are so raptured by his beauty they cut their hands with their knives, feeling no pain in the process, hailing him as divine in his beauty and not simply human- though he was. These accounts are also present in the Sefer HaYasher- a collection of jewish exegesis. The question becomes what will Yousef’s love for his new state of being lead him to- will it allow him to retain his connection to his family- or will it drive them away like Zuleikha drove away Yusuf? And like her…if that happens will he get the chance to fix that if he does do this? And if not…what then? Something tells me Tom is about to face a rather nasty set of consequences. Larry’s feelings may be right on the mark. Tom may have seen him leaving as protecting his family- and while that may be true- other people can certainly think of things differently. Tom’s daughter may want nothing to do with him or to even want to see him, potentially seeing his absence as the ultimate betrayal to her and her loved ones. I hope Tom isn’t too crushed by this- or that he winds up in Ruiz’s orbit afterwards- but that is up to how things go. As for familiars, I find in intriguing how you have placed them as being enchanted/befuddled in line with the horror aspect. With the jinn, two types are known- willingly and unwillingly. Both are present in the reign of Suleiman (Solomon). Islamic tradition has Solomon using shayatin (demons- malicious jinns) to build structures such as possibly even the first temple, dive and likely find pearls or riches from the sea, and do mining projects. Similar traditions are found in the Testament of Solomon and the Gittin tractate of the Talmud- the former mentioning an assortment of demons who labored under Solomon due to possessing his signet ring granted to him by - the shape of the ring is said to contain a hexagram in many readings particularly in the East- while western tradition took the shape to be that of a pentagram (I am more familiar with the hexagram shape)- the flag of Morocco’s star is said to represent it- but has carried other meanings such as the five pillars of Islam amongst other things. The Gittin in particular makes mention of the infamous Asmodeous (Ashmedai)- commonly seen as a demon of lust (this view seems to come from the Book of Tobit)- who was said to have gotten Solomon’s ring for himself, impersonated him for 40 days and saw Solomon needing to reclaim his throne. Asmodeus was said to have been imprisoned and thrown into a stone box or a urn of some sort into the ocean, sealed up. From that end of his did he gain the arabic name of Sakhr- the rock. He was often identified with certain scriptural passages by muslim views of a body being put on Solomon’s throne as a trial, and reported on in exegesis. Later medieval tradition also saw muslims working with jinns- some distinguishing between using the divine to control jinns, or being led around by them to evil ends. The Shams al Marif is a common example of a grimoire from the time period. Some famous jurists- like Al Tabasi of Nishapur who I've talked about before. Tabasi was also known for the creation of a treatise on dealing with jinns himself- al-Shāmil fī al-baḥr al-kāmil- The Comprehensive Compendium to the Entire Sea, distinguishing between licit and prohibited magical acts. Treatises on oneiromancy are also well known in muslim circles- and dream reading remains a distinctly practiced thing- with Yousef being a seer- I can see him making connections between himself and what he remembers of the story of Joseph. As for willing servants from the jinn, these found positions of high honor- in his armies and in his councils. While Paul likely will wind up a familiar- something tells me his fate isn’t going to be a simple as becoming a compliant little asset. There’s more there. After all, this part of the novella is about mates- but mates in were context typically means well...the equivalent of a spouse. Really, the concept of familiars and the like I think will be something Bill may wind up dipping his toe into possibly, though we first have to see what is going down with Paul.

I think much like how the jinn can sometimes have wildly different understandings of things- we see something similar with the weres. All species generally desire a means to reproduce- and weres are likely no exception. Mondjugen serve that function of reproduction- as well as ensuring clans don’t destabilize and fall apart. In that sense, taking the isolation approach is not only efficient, but avoids too many complications- Pete’s method is exactly what got Agent Al on their case- ironically if they had used this method as they are now Al probably would still be human. But it also means any mondjugens caught will…probably have very few chance of getting out without becoming weres. I also find it intriguing how it’s seen as saving mondjugen to make them were- but this is likely moreso about saving the clans from dying out- weres can’t really biologically reproduct and are thus left dependent on the mondjugen system- as we see with that app. It’s likely they can access date of birth records and calculate lunar cycles to determine targets. Which is very chilling as it implies weres are in positions of great power in human society- though weather they are good or not at their job can vary- Bush is typically seen as being not that great in the long run in terms of geopolitics, despite Pete’s adulation of him. Honestly a were trying to navigate human politics or organizations while keeping themselves moving is an intriguing thought experiment- we know there are weres in the church- amish weres…there’s a lot of intriguing elements at play in the woodwork. Ironically, as chilling as the isolation system is- it’s probably the least eerie way to ensure species survival and reduced collatoral damage. But for every mondjugen that is made, families are likely separated in the process, and there is absolutely a very dark aspect to their actions that doesn’t square up entirely with typical human actions- that is for sure. Weres may see this all as a sign they don’t really need to care about human morality at all- but well…as much as the weres are wolf- they are still men. The fact that they don’t want to fully become wolf all the time- seeing it as a horror and punishment- is proof of that. For all that they may see humanity as a curse and weakness…they know if there are no humans- they are no mondjugen- and no weres. For all that they desire to stay away from humans and see them as potentially lesser- they know full well that they are dependent on them. It’s likely historically places where humans were wiped out by war or plague likely saw werewolves needing to migrate or died out as they lost potential mondjugens to replace their numbers. They can proclaim their superiority over humans all day and night- and perhaps they are right in a way- but at the end of the day they likely know full well that they are dependent on humans- like it or not- in some form. Distancing themselves entirely from humans even as Ruiz wants will always remain a fantasy unless they escape into the woods- and they will never do that, save for a few of them. But then again…interacting only amongst themselves is as close as one can get to that. But even considering the less damaging aspects of isolating targets- there still is horror there. They may have no choice but do this in order to boost their numbers and well…survive the deadly games of werewolf politics and the like- but for those turned- great are the costs, and great is the fear. I may have said it before, but I honestly suspect Mahmood is praying two units of prayer any chance he can get and supplication- it’s a tradition done by those who feel they may die- and was done by some martyred figures in muslim history. Essentially, a dead man’s prayer. That and praying for his son, and fearing these clearly inhuman jinn who seek to enchant him with sihr (arabic for black magic- the word seems to derive from Ugraitic- from saharu- meaning malovelent magic- though the word sihr usually is associated with all magic- though historically that has varied, for wicked ends- reminding him of those who were kidnapped, tortured and killed in Lebanon during it’s civil war. For the weres this may be a usual process leading to a happy baptism- but for Mahmood this is likely his worst nigthmare made flesh- now he knows Ray’s warnings have come true- and Ray is too out of his mind to even talk to- and worry and fear for his son likely pervade him now. The fact this is all happening unbeknownst to Yousef is really what makes this horrifying. The coming full moon is not going to be pretty for him in the least. His worst fear is about to come to fruition. It’s a bit like watching an accident in slow motion.

Oh, this was lovely.

I'm sorry you aren't happy with it, because I found it delightful. It was sweet, it dealt well with issues of consent, and it was hot too!

Sorry, but the mention of Alpha Lorraine made me flash on a pack of super bitchy Werewolf drag queens! “Oh grrrrrrul!” 🤣

What a great series, I loved it!

Can’t wait for the next one. I’m also curious what Maddie is going to teach him

What is a familiar exactly ?

Oh dear...I thought Pete was bad enough with his little prison fiasco with Rey but good lord this little dungeon scheme Ruiz is pulling is the orthodox method for handling mondjugen. Big yikes. Pete really must have had a really cruel former alpha to deal with that led to him being so lax. Ironically, Ruiz's sentiments on limiting human contact and trying to isolate the weres to only be were is liable to likely blow up in his face at the rate this is going. Not to mention his little stunts with Paul probably will cause some complications. The sex may be good....but there may be a price to pay there. Also, is Paul a mondjugen or somebody capable of being a familiar? Or both? Okaley on the other hand probably is going to become significant. How exactly is another question though. Is he perhaps the mysterious texter? Or just a random person? Yousef's thought style in this chapter seems increasingly distant from human thought, and I think to a degree is kind of not thinking straight. They barely seemed to have talked and while Yousef has elected to cut contact to protect his family...well that is probably going to blow up in his face because Mahmood got implicated into this (also who is Yousef crushing on? Bill?), because his dad is literally being held prisoner underneath his own gym. His father is also literally being held hostage by people who probably have harmed his son in his mind, and he likely is reminded of all the horror stories of people in Lebanon disappearing and being tortured or killed. He is not having a fun time- and he knows what's at stake here- so it's no wonder the wolves can't get to him. I really do hope Yousef manages to snap out of it because at this rate he might just sit there smiling while his dad is essentially broken through. Ironically, it's implied in some muslim understandings that faithful jinn do not usually possess people simply because doing so recklessly is seen as something discouraged unless it has to be done. Also I find it so strange that somehow he didn't anticipate things going sour? If you decide to randomly cut contact (even if for good reasons) and then fumble a meeting afterwards, then what is one supposed to expect? Yousef seems to be getting caught up in the material success of his gym and the pleasures were life has brought him..unaware that those have come with a price...a price that is steadily coming forth to meet him thanks to the fact that despite his own efforts to keep his family safe....his father is about to get dragged into things Yousef never wanted him involved in. Ruiz's comment of belief's being bleached by Luna's light is also chilling. There's a very potent sense of superiority there and cultural erasure to a uneasy degree- it's hard to say if this is Ruiz's views or were orthodoxy views- the wolf king seems to have not had issue with Yousef's beliefs- seeing them as a curiosity. There's something about that which just rubs the wrong way. Larry is right to consider that Ruiz may not get what he wants (and I do hope he doesn't get what he wants.). Mullins as usual seems to be plotting for more power probably- as usual. Hope that blows up in his face. Ray on the other hand....they really have made him go loopy a little- he's quite compliant. The chess game exercise show a bit of that amoral streak the weres seem to tend to hold to in regards to other races- their needs come first above others- even if that means taking. He seems to be getting handled by three weres right now- Tom, Nando and Larry. Tom seems to be the kindest of the lot- though that's somewhat relative considering everything. The fact that they pretty much admit they went and messed around with Mullin's and Zach's heads and let the fiasco with the agent happen. On the other hand, avoiding that means the pack is safe. On the other hand....it means any mondjugen that get caught are that less likely to be able to escape. I really do hope Ray doesn't wind up basically a parody of himself- being led around by his own impulses akin to how he was as an alcoholic- as we've seen with some of the more erratic weres. Tom may want to see his daughter again...but I think he's a little underestimating how a parent just leaving can seriously damage a child's life, to say the least of any spouse he had. He may have a nasty surprise waiting for him and not a happily ever after. It's a little tragic that weres seem to see things even in mating as hierarchal to a degree- and the possibility if Larry becomes an alpha the mating bond will just...go kaput eventually. The fact that love is seen as a human emotion...that is eerie. It's interesting Tom turned Larry though- I wonder how they met. Still though, Larry is right to worry about this. Of course, the pack still has it's troubles...and well...the secret in the basement is about to come out eventually. Yousef better figure out about that soon enough...but some very cynical part of me thinks Yousef is going to get too caught up in having fun and then the bill of that will come due when it's too late. I do wonder if Bill has managed to make any progress in researching things about Frank. Honestly, if Yousef thinks his dad is going to be okay with him realizing his son has gotten himself involved in a group of jinns which spirit people away from their families, wind up in bloody messes a lot, and have to resort to human sacrifice and sacrifice of their own to survive....not to say the least of Frank- I have a really nice bridge to sell (I in fact have no bridge.). I really hope their relashionship works out but Yousef right now does not seem to have the faculties to understand why his father may be terrified right now- if he does find him underneath his gym. Nando seems to be getting increasingly reckless and irritable, and I feel that is going to blow up at some point. Also who's Bill's mystery run-in accquaintance? It's interesting that the weres placed in items of religious significance to allow Ray and Mahmood to pray- but I'm guessing their intent is to use this as a transition period to further bring them to comply (I do hope that blows up in Ruiz's face and that it causes him headaches). Mahmood is probably praying he either gets out of this or dies as himself...as for Ray...he might be a little too addled by those licks to be thinking straight right now- I really do hope he gets his wits back and takes a Matt Murdock sort of sentiment to things (though I may have mentioned this before). And it seems mahmood has been affected by the shirt fiasco earlier- even moreso than before. However, I do think with enough luck- he may be able to keep his wits about- but with the full moon coming in two days....that might leave a very close window to escape- if it's even possible. I do hope it is. Because at the rate this is going, the only thing that might knock some sense into Yousef is the fact that his own pack broke his father and then basically contributed to him committing the male only version of oedipus. Also, Larry bringing up the national park....was that sacrifice also used as a punishment as well as a means of last resort? I will say though the scenes of yousef and Tom together were quite nice. And I do think that overall Yousef is trying to figure things out- he's just emotionally hurt and trying to distract himself from that. He does want to protect his family and that's admirable. Unfortunately he didn't plan for everything.

HELL yeah, this was a *hot* chapter! Intrigued to see a more traditional mondjugen captivity: Pete really did play fast and loose with the order of things, huh? I would be curious, one day, to read a prequel novella about Pete, to understand why he was such a lax Alpha and gathered the pack to himself. Something tells me he had to deal with a particularly cruel Alpha, and overcorrected too far in the opposite direction to avoid making his former Alpha's mistakes himself. Hell, I would love to read a novella about Tom and Larry's relationship, too! Yusef becoming enamored with Oakley... hmm, I wonder about that. There's more to Oakley than meet the eye, I think. And I suspect I know what it is... Paul becoming Alpha Ruiz's familiar is certainly much different from how Frank became a familiar. Excited to see more of their relationship play out. It seems like Yusef is unaware that his father is mondjugen and is currently being held prisoner and getting brainwashed ahead of the impending full moon. I doubt he's going to take well to that... but the revelation that Tom bit Larry and gave him his triple baptism makes me wonder if there will be a twist of some sort. Bill and Nando seem on a collision course for a confrontation. Where it formerly seemed like they got along decently, their relationship feels like it's been deteriorating since that initial fuck in the showers at the old gym.