#jaxson dart

[the-football-chick]

Ole Miss Rebels for sure did not show mercy on the Mercer Bears in college football's opening day yesterday.

IG: olemissfb (9/2/23)

[arnab2003]

Jaxson Dart ends his Ole Miss career with 4 TD passes and a 52-20 romp over Duke in the Gator Bowl

https://urlhub.pro/c18669

[ameerblogs]

Gator Bowl: Duke Blue Devils vs. Ole Miss Rebels | Full Game Highlights

Check out these highlights as No. 14 Ole Miss dominates the Duke Blue Devils, 52-21, in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. Rebels QB Jaxson Dart threw for over 400 yards and 4 touchdowns in his last game with the team. FULL WATCH

[burreauxss]

honey no. phone on the counter asap

now let me put you on with jaxson dart

https://www.tumblr.com/v6quewrlds/769244101963087872/why-georgia-state-qb-kinda

Oh hell nah🤣🤣my bad I meant university of Georgia’s qb Carson Beck. He was on my screen and I had to squint a little. I could hear him out on ig but not the Wikipedia pictures🥴

honey, no <3 again, love you down however ☹️

[burreauxss]

joe should've pulled a jaxson dart but in a batman suit and we prolly wouldve won against the ravens

[itscarshub]

2025 NFL Draft: Raiders Trade Up for Shedeur Sanders in Latest Top 10 Mock | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

1. QB Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss The biggest concern about Jaxson Dart's game happened to be how he'd handle top competition when Ole Miss' quarterback-friendly offense didn't provide an expansive runway. Last week's performance against the Georgia Bulldogs was supposed to be his defining movement. Instead, the 21-year-old signal-caller couldn't hold it together against the Florida Gators. "Dart started the game strong and fast," Parson said, "but his performance dwindled. He struggled to complete passes outside the numbers and down the field. His processing and field progressions were concerning as the coverage became tighter. "His decision-making with the game on the line was particularly troublesome. He threw passes into multi-defender windows, showcasing uncontrollable aggressiveness, leading to two interceptions and losing the game for his team. If things are not easily schemed up/open, Dart has not responded well."

2. Edge Nic Scourton, Texas A&M Texas A&M's Nic Scouton should be a consistent presence on a weekly basis because of his outstanding all-around skill set. That's not always the case, though. "While Texas A&M's heart-breaking loss to the Auburn Tigers didn't fall on Scourton's shoulders, he didn't help the cause," Holder said. "He was a ghost, failing to record a single tackle and didn't get much pressure as a pass-rusher. "The Purdue transfer had the potential to establish himself as the top edge defender in this year's draft class but has been rather pedestrian for the majority of the campaign." 3. CB Will Lee III, Texas A&M In Auburn's four-overtime win over the Aggies, the Tigers eclipsed 300 passing yards. Texas A&M cornerback Will Lee III showed a lot of promise early in the season, but he hasn't been the same player as of late. "Lee's draft stock is on a slight down trend due to inconsistent play and coverage lapses that have been exposed in recent games," Giddings said. "While his size (6'3", 190 lbs) and athleticism are promising, He has struggled with his transitions with off-coverage, often losing ground and giving up leverage to receivers, especially when pressed with speed. "A notable example came in the Auburn game, where he gave up a touchdown early due to these issues, leading to him being limited to under 20 snaps in that contest and none in the second half of that game. "His habit of sitting on routes and struggling to regain leverage has made him vulnerable to bigger plays, and his hand-usage in press coverage has been too aggressive, sometimes resulting in penalties. "Although Lee's physical traits and tackling ability are strong, these coverage inconsistencies and mental lapses are raising questions about his readiness for the NFL, leading to concerns about his development at the next level." 4. OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas Josh Simmons' season-ending leg injury opened the door for another prospect to secure the mantle as the 2025 class' OT1. Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr. was the obvious option. He's failed to do so, though. "Banks has maintained a solid level of play over the last couple of weeks but has recurring balance and re-leveraging issues after initially getting overextended that has led to him falling off of a couple of blocks a game against slippery defenders," Thorn said. "These typically occur on angle-drive blocks on the frontside when he has to navigate space before contact and defenders are able to shift prior to contact. This changes the aiming points and Banks doesn't always adjust well to a shifting target causing him to lean and then lose control when defenders sidestep, creating soft edges. This is also something that occurs in pass protection and is one of the primary reasons why many evaluators have mentioned Banks being a best fit at guard at the NFL level. "Banks is executing his job at a fairly high level this year. Upon deeper inspection, these issues remain a concern when projecting to him dealing with NFL defenders." 5. QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama Jalen Milroe's draft stock may be the most volatile of any prospect in recent memory. He looked phenomenal against the Georgia Bulldogs and LSU Tigers. Yet the Crimson Tide QB played poorly against the Tennessee Titans and Oklahoma Sooners. Which version is going to show up at the next level? "Milroe continues to be a roller-coaster ride of quarterback play," Parson said. "Against Oklahoma, he threw three interceptions and zero touchdowns. His explosive running ability was contained, and, without it, he was ineffective in throwing the football from the pocket. "Milroe's 2024 season has been nothing more than a flash of passing ability and inconsistency from the pocket. He has some tremendous traits. But he's a high-risk option." Read More Read the full article

[hypelens]

Duke vs. Ole Miss: A Thrilling Showdown in the Gator Bowl

The 2025 Gator Bowl featured an electrifying clash between the Duke Blue Devils and the Ole Miss Rebels. In a high-stakes game filled with breathtaking plays and intense moments, both teams displayed exceptional skill and determination, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. The matchup also carried significant implications for the players and their respective programs, setting the tone for the year ahead in college football.

A Game to Remember

Held at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida, the Gator Bowl saw two evenly matched teams square off in a game that highlighted the best of college football. Duke, led by quarterback Riley Leonard, entered the game with a solid season record, while Ole Miss, powered by Jaxson Dart, looked to capitalize on their explosive offense and strong defensive lineup.

Duke's Strong Start

The Blue Devils came out of the gates strong, with Riley Leonard orchestrating a precision-driven opening drive that culminated in a 25-yard touchdown pass. Their defense also made an early statement, forcing Ole Miss into a turnover that set up another scoring opportunity. By the end of the first quarter, Duke had established a 14-3 lead, demonstrating their readiness for the big stage.

Ole Miss Strikes Back

The Rebels, however, were far from backing down. Jaxson Dart showcased his athleticism and leadership, connecting with wide receiver Tre Harris for a 50-yard touchdown that reignited Ole Miss's momentum. The second quarter saw the Rebels dominate time of possession, putting pressure on Duke’s defense and narrowing the gap to 21-17 at halftime.

Key Performances: A Showcase of Talent

Riley Leonard (Duke): The Blue Devils' quarterback threw for over 250 yards and two touchdowns, proving his ability to perform under pressure. His poise and decision-making were critical to Duke’s offensive success.

Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss): Dart's dual-threat capabilities were on full display as he passed for 280 yards and added 50 rushing yards. The game was a significant opportunity for him to bolster his draft stock, and he delivered with an impressive performance.

Duke Defense: Linebacker Dorian Mausi recorded two key sacks, helping the Blue Devils maintain their lead during crucial moments.

A Nail-Biting Finish

The game’s final quarter was a rollercoaster of emotions. Ole Miss managed to tie the score at 31-31 with just under four minutes left, thanks to a clutch field goal by Caden Davis. Duke, determined to secure the win, mounted a methodical drive that set up kicker Charlie Ham for a game-winning field goal attempt.

With seconds remaining, Ham delivered under immense pressure, nailing a 45-yard kick to give Duke a 34-31 victory. The Blue Devils' sideline erupted in celebration as fans cheered for their team’s hard-fought triumph.

Draft Implications and Future Outlook

The Gator Bowl served as a critical stage for players like Jaxson Dart and Riley Leonard to showcase their potential ahead of the NFL Draft. Both quarterbacks demonstrated qualities that will attract scouts, including composure, leadership, and playmaking ability.

For Duke, the win cements their status as a rising force in college football, while Ole Miss can take pride in a valiant effort that highlighted their depth and talent.

Conclusion: A Game for the Ages

The 2025 Gator Bowl was a testament to the competitive spirit and excitement that defines college football. Duke’s thrilling victory over Ole Miss will be remembered as one of the most entertaining bowl games of the season, filled with drama, exceptional performances, and unforgettable moments.

[bongaboi]

Ole Miss: 2025 Gator Bowl Champions

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- — Jaxson Dart's final college pass was a 69-yard touchdown that got him chewed out by coach Lane Kiffin on the sideline.

It's one the quarterback will never forget.

Dart threw for 404 yards and four touchdowns in his final start for Ole Miss, leading the 16th-ranked Rebels to a 52-20 romp over Duke in the Gator Bowl on Thursday night.

Dart connected with Jordan Watkins seven times for 180 yards and two scores, including the longest pass play of the night with 1:27 to play. Kiffin ripped him for it afterward.

“I love him except for the last play when he checks to a pass play he’s not supposed to do,” Kiffin said. “He's got to learn a little better class there.”

Dart added 43 yards rushing, leaving EverBank Stadium with grass and dirt stains all over his red and white uniform.

The senior never considered opting out of the bowl game. Instead, he helped the Rebels (10-3) make history. With the victory, Ole Miss notched double-digit wins in consecutive years for the second time in program history and the first since 1959-60.

“This place changed my life," Dart said. "It was the best decision that I made. Just the relationships that I built with everybody here will last a lifetime.”

Ulysses Bentley IV, another senior playing his last college game, ran for 70 yards and two scores for the Rebels. Isaiah Hamilton returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown early in the third quarter. All of them got to celebrate with sideline dunks on a portable basketball hoop adorned with Duke logos.

This ACC-SEC postseason matchup was never close. It wasn’t expected to be, either. Ole Miss was a 17 1/2-point favorite, according to , mostly because the Blue Devils (9-4) were without quarterback Maalik Murphy and running back Star Thomas. Both entered the transfer portal after Duke’s regular-season finale.

Third-year sophomore Henry Belin IV made his second career start and was harassed all night. Belin completed 25 of 44 passes for 236 yards, with two touchdowns and the interception. He was sacked three times.

Belin’s TD passes were two of the team's few highlights. Sahmir Hagans' 99-yard kickoff return — off a cross-field lateral, no less — was another.

One of Ole Miss’ few miscues came when Kiffin called for a trick play on fourth down. Kicker Caden Davis’ pass got picked off in the end zone, and Dart took nearly every snap the rest of the way.

“I think the thing that jumped out today is a special quarterback who played special," Duke coach Manny Diaz said.

The takeaway

Duke: The Blue Devils won't put too much stock into the loss, not with Belin getting a rare start and more offensive help on the way.

Ole Miss: The Rebels had most of their starters play in the bowl, a testament to how they feel about Dart and Kiffin. CB Jadon Canady and RT Micah Pettus, both starters, entered the transfer portal. And LB and leading tackler Chris Paul Jr. opted out to prepare for the draft process.

Key injuries

Duke cornerback Terry Moore, who intercepted the kicker’s pass on the trick play, left the game in the first half and ended up in the locker room. Ole Miss offensive lineman Eli Acker injured his right knee on an extra point in the second period and was helped off the field.

Chewed-up field

The field at EverBank Stadium was far from pristine. The center section of grass was mostly chewed up, looking more like a community sandlot than the bright-green sod that usually seems pulled from a resort golf course. The Jaguars hosted Tennessee in an NFL game four days earlier, leaving little time to get the turf in its best shape. Overnight temperatures in the 40s didn’t help regrowth, either.

Up next

Duke awaits the arrival of former Tulane QB Darian Mensah, who will reportedly get $8 million in NIL funding over two years to play for the Blue Devils.

Ole Miss will turn to highly touted left-handed QB Austin Simmons, a redshirt freshman from Miami. Simmons enrolled two years early and spent the last two seasons watching and learning from Dart.

[peaksport]

Ole Miss vs. Duke: Watch the Gator Bowl for free

Can Jaxson Dart lead Ole Miss to double-digit wins in back-to-back years for the first time since 1960? The Rebels have a chance to do just that when they take on Duke in the Gator Bowl on Thursday night. Fans who want to watch this college football bowl game you can do it for free on fuboTVthat offers a free trial (i $30 off your first month) or on DirecTV Streamwhich also offers a free trial.…

[collectingall]

∀ Jaxson Dart 2023 Bowman U Sapphire Yellow #/75 PSA 10 👉 bit.ly/myslabs 👈 Gem Mint Ole Miss Rebels

[danieljreboot]

I'd "settle" for him ... if we don't get Cam Ward. 😏

[newsssc]

Photo Gallery: Ole Miss football dominates Furman - The Oxford Eagle

Photo Gallery: Ole Miss football dominates Furman Published 10:20 pm Saturday, August 31, 2024 1 of 14 Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) celebrates his touchdown run against Furman at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, August 31, 2024. (©Bruce Newman) Ole Miss wide receiver Antwane Wells Jr. (3) celebrates a touchdown catch with Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright (8) and…

[themeatlife]

the Meat Life College Football Preview 2024

Hey hey!

This is probably the latest and closest to the start of week 1 that I have made this post. Week 0 has already come and gone! I've been spending a lot of my spare time (outside of family time) like I did 20 years ago on the newly resurrected EA Sports College Football 25 game. I'll have a separate College Football 25 appreciation post soon, but for now I'm going to take a look at the upcoming season.

Lots of change. The Pac-12 is now the 2Pac for one last season. Lots of schools starting their first season in a different conference, Oklahoma included. And there is a new 12-team playoff debuting at the end of the season with home games for the higher ranked seeds in the opening round!

I'm going to try to keep my preview pretty much the same as before. Since there are now only four power conferences, my four categories will go well to parallel: Heisman Hopefuls, Conference Champ Predictions, College Football Playoff Predictions, and my Oklahoma Sooners Outlook. I'll follow the same format that I've followed the last few years - Frontrunners, Contenders, Darkhouses, and my prediction. For the playoff predictions, I'll do things slightly different and actually make my picks for who will make the playoff and then my national championship matchup and predicted champion.

Word of warning, this will probably be the most chalk filled preview I've ever done.

So let's get started!

Heisman Hopefuls

Dillon Gabriel emerges as the Heisman frontrunner

The Frontrunner: Dillon Gabriel - QB, Oregon The Contenders: Carson Beck - QB, Georgia; Jalen Milroe - QB, Alabama, Ollie Gordon - RB, Oklahoma State The Darkhorses: Quinn Ewers - QB, Texas; Jaxson Dart - QB, Ole Miss; Nico Iamaleava - QB, Tennessee; Shedeur Sanders - QB, Colorado the Meat Life Prediction: Dillon Gabriel - QB, Oregon

I had a conversation with some Sooner friends who found it funny that DG is now a Heisman favorite when there wasn't as much hype behind him when he was at OU. This is my take on it, Gabriel is coming off a 10-2 season at Oklahoma where he had 42 total TDs and the offense at times moved very well. The season before, OU went 6-6, DG essentially missed 2 games to injury, and there were various times where the offense looked stalled. So DG is going to Oregon with some momentum. And Oregon turned Bo Nix (who previously struggled as the starting QB at Auburn) into an NFL ready QB in the two years he was a starter. The long way of saying both Gabriel and Oregon have positive momentum to thrust DG to Heisman frontrunner status in his sixth year of college football.

Out of the others that I listed, I really like Milroe and am interested to see what new Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer will do with him. Beck is on there because Georgia is a powerhouse right now. If Gordon from OSU has a big year rushing, we could see him in New York. Ewers is on there because you have to have a Texas QB hyped so he can disappoint. The Dart and Lane Kiffin combination is good and will lead to some numbers, I'm just interested to see how Kiffin manages a team of basically free agents picked up in the transfer portal. Nico out of Tennessee has a shot under Heupel to do great things, so we'll see how that goes. Shedeur is just on there because he has the talent, but that Colorado o-line and defense will hold him back.

Power Four Conference Predictions

ACC

The Frontrunner: Florida State Seminoles The Contenders: Miami Hurricanes, Clemson Tigers, NC State Wolfpack The Darkhorses: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets the Meat Life Prediction: Miami Hurricanes

Is it cheating that we already saw one ACC game? Florida State is the defending ACC champ, but they looked nothing like a defending champion. The offense seems stale with DJ U under center. Georgia Tech on the other hand looks tough and should be in a dog fight every game. The popular pick this preseason is Miami with transfer QB Cam Ward at the helm of the offense. Clemson still has Dabo calling the shots so they will still be a contender for the conference he dominated for so many years. NC State taking the same approach as Miami with an experienced transfer Grayson McCall of Coastal Carolina fame.

No love for the new teams in the ACC though. SMU looked rough having to scratch out a win against Nevada last weekend. Stanford and Cal have not made an impact on the national or even conference scene in quite some time and probably still won't this season.

Big Ten

The Frontrunner: Oregon Ducks The Contenders: Michigan Wolverines, Ohio State Buckeyes, Penn State Nittany Lions The Darkhorses: Nebraska Cornhuskers, Iowa Hawkeyes the Meat Life Prediction: Oregon Ducks

This is probably the opposite of impact pick ups on the conference level. Oregon may not have won the Pac-12 in its last season, but they have all the pieces including the trigger man to win in their first season of the Big Ten. They'll get to prove it as they host Ohio State and travel to defending champ Michigan.

Michigan will be in its first season of the official Sharrone Moore era as Jim Harbaugh has moved on to the Los Angeles Chargers. They will still have the defense and run game that won the Big Ten last year. Ohio State will have transfer QB Will Howard and new OC Chip Kelly to try to get over the hump in probably the most pressure-filled season for Ryan Day since he got there. Penn State will only have to face Ohio State on the schedule this year, though they do have conference newcomer USC. And then I just put Nebraska and Iowa as dark horses because it'll be interesting to see two of the teams that benefited from the divisional format in a division-less Big Ten.

On a related note, is USC's Lincoln Riley on the hot seat? Riley's squad will have LSU in the opener and then play Michigan, Ohio State, and Notre Dame on the schedule. Oof.

Big 12

The Frontrunner: Utah Utes The Contenders: Oklahoma State Cowboys, Kansas State Wildcats, Kansas Jayhawks, Arizona Wildcats The Darkhorses: West Virginia Mountaineers, Colorado Buffaloes the Meat Life Prediction: Utah Utes

Another former Pac-12 school getting picked as the front runner of their new conference. Utah is stacked on defense and QB Cam Rising entering his 20th year (haha) leading the offense. Arizona is also another interesting former Pac-12 team, having returning many of the same personnel they had for the bowl win against Oklahoma last season.

The stallworths of the remaining "old guard" of the Big 12 will be in contention. Ollie Gordon running the ball and 22nd year QB Alan Bowman (haha) will have OSU in a good position to contend for the conference. Kansas State's QB Avery Johnson and Kansas's QB Jalon Daniels are great stories and will keep the offenses flowing.

I feel like West Virginia always overperforms and will make the conference race interesting. And I have to put the hype train Colorado as a dark horse, but I don't believe they will go to the title game. Too many variables, even with the talent in certain spots.

SEC

The Frontrunner: Georgia Bulldogs The Contenders: Alabama Crimson Tide, Ole Miss Rebels, Texas Longhorns, Tennessee Volunteers The Darkhorses: Oklahoma Sooners, Missouri Tigers, LSU Tigers, Texas A&M Aggies the Meat Life Prediction: Georgia Bulldogs

Until anyone else can knock Georgia off, they will be the lead. So much talent, particularly on the lines of scrimmage. They took the torch from Nick Saban's Alabama dynasty from a few years ago. I do thing DeBoar will have a great team to challenge Georgia.

The rest of the field has strengths to varying degrees. On offense - Ole Miss, Tennessee, and LSU will have it cranking. Ole Miss just has a lot of great talent but most of them just got there from the transfer portal so that'll be interesting to see how they mesh. Tennessee is breaking in a new QB in Nico. LSU as well, but LSU does not have a defense.

Missouri I put on there as a dark horse mainly because they have the easiest schedule outside of Austin. A&M has talent, and has been having talent. But they are the opposite of West Virginia, constantly underperforming. And then there is Texas. Many key pieces from last year are gone but they have a ton of talent. It will be interesting for them because they have lost two RBs to injury in Christian Clark and CJ Baxter, both trying to fill the void left by Jonathan Brooks who has moved on to the NFL.

The 2024 Outlook for the Oklahoma Sooners

The Sooners break in new co-offensive coordinators in Seth Lattrell and Joe John Finley and a new defensive coordinator Zac Alley. While this might cause some pause, Lattrell is a former head coach at North Texas whose offenses ranked among the top in the country. Alley is a Venables disciple from his days at Clemson who DC's at Jacksonville State to the top third in the country in total defense. And all three are former Sooners.

Oklahoma breaks in sophomore QB Jackson Arnold, the 5-star phenom who has talent and is surrounded by talent but who will be behind a bit of an experiment in line ups at offensive line.

The defense has many familiar faces in the second and third levels and is probably the strongest unit. LB Danny Stutsman and S Billy Bowman are difference-makers and have made most of the preseason player award and All-American lists. They have a mix of established players and newcomers on the defensive line.

Looking at all of this, I think this team is a contender in the SEC. Now, the SEC didn't do any favors with the schedule. 6 ranked opponents, the most of the SEC team schedules. But as they say, diamonds are created under pressure.

I think it is realistic to say that this team goes 9-3 and be in contention for a playoff spot. I think if OU does that, the season will be a success given this is the first season in the SEC. I can easily see a case where the Sooners finish anywhere between 7-5 and 10-2, but I think 9-3 is correct. I think the losses will be Ole Miss and LSU on the road and Alabama at home. I hope I'm wrong and we go into the Alabama game undefeated and in the hunt for an SEC championship spot. But wishful thinking, I suppose.

College Football Playoff Prediction

The seeding is a bit funky since the top four seeds are the top four ranked conference winners and then the top Group of Five conference winner gets a bid (in my prediction - Boise State). The rest are just based on who I think would make it in the seeds left. This is the first year doing one of these, so I would imagine it would feel more natural every year following this one.

I'll drop my EA Sports College Football 25 appreciation post soon. I've also been working on a Christopher Nolan post that's saved in my drafts.

Enjoy the college football season, everyone!

[bricecannonblogs]

College Football Week 9/24-10/01

Blog #9

Along with another week of college football was another ranked South Eastern Conference matchup. This week nationally ranked 13 Louisiana State University was hosted in Oxford by nationally ranked 20 Ole Miss. The atmosphere in Oxford was through the roof, and Jaxson Dart and Ole Miss came out guns blazing offensively. LSU didn't hold back either, scoring 4 touchdowns in the first half only trailing Ole Miss 31 to 28. After a long half time speech LSU came out and regained the lead in the 3rd quarter. Ole Miss dug deep and refused to give up, and in the last minute they scored to comeback and win 55 to 49.

[angelsdvsts]

"and how exactly do you plan on doing so?" he inquires, curiosity running through his veins as he quirks a brow. jaxson was sure that whatever it is she'd gain his trust easily, feeling as if he's completely captivated by her and they met not too long ago. he feels that female immediately kissing back. his arm snakes around her waist, tugging her body closer towards his, feeling her do the same. he smiles in the kiss before his tongue darts out to swipe at her bottom lip wanting to gain entrance.

"gain your trust? well, i can certainly try that," she replied, a soft purr in her tone. she was more than willing to work hard and earn his trust, after all she was infatuated by him in every way, the fact she was getting close to him in any capacity was so wild and exciting to her. was this really happening? god, she prayed she wasn't going to suddenly wake up and realise this was all in her head. a smile curved on her lips at the words he whispered before their lips finally locked, stevie kissing him back without any hesitation. arms moved to wrap around his neck, wanting to keep him close incase he decided to pull away, something she hoped he didn't do.

[casspurrjoybell-19]

CLAIMED - Chapter 14

*Warning: Adult Content*  

The Beta of Crescent Moon Pack, Jaxson Ortiz couldn't breathe. 

He couldn't feel. He couldn't think. 

So, he did the only thing that he knew he could do. 

He ran.

He ducked out of the shower stall so fast that he found himself surprised that he didn't slip and break his neck. 

But when he cleared the danger zone, he wasted not one second before shifting and running out of the Pack House as fast as his paws could take him. 

He took in huge gulps of fresh air as he ran, desperate to get away from the Pheromones that triggered the darkest memories to burst from their hiding spots within his troubled psyche.

His Wolf, Luka howled to be let out in his natural form as they neared the dense line of trees that marked the beginning of the forest but his human counterpart forced him back. 

Jaxson knew that his Wolf's Agenda would only consist of running right back into his Mate's arms and in his mind that was not an option, not when he was teetering on the edge of falling into a full-blown panic attack.

Pack Warrior, Tyrus Cahill was right.

Jaxson hated himself.

He hated himself for hurting his Mate.

He hated himself for running.

He hated himself for not being able to just say that Dashiell's Dominant Pheromones were triggering for him.

But most of all, he hated himself for not staying in the darkness all of those years ago.

The Beta,  for the second time in the past two days, felt tears well up in his eyes at the all too familiar helpless feeling that encapsulated him in a cocoon of fear.

Fear.

Jaxson always felt fear.

He tried to bury that one emotion that haunted him for years, the one emotion that his father quite literally tried to beat out of him. 

But his Mate was like a torrential pouring of rain, revealing the skeletons of his past that he realized he'd dug much too shallow of a grave for.

Jaxson barely heard the heavy footfalls of the large paws behind him or the loud crashes of furniture as the large Alpha Wolf ran, hot on the heels of his Mate and desperate to get the smaller male back into his arms.

Dashiell felt shocked, confused and most of all hurt. 

He didn't understanding what he'd done to make his Mate run from him when he had waited so long, so patiently for him to finally accept the Bond. 

He loved his Mate with every fiber of his being and just wanted to hold him close after months of agony, so why did he run?

Dashiell wanted to ask his Mate this question but his primal instincts made him see tunnel vision, zeroing in on one thing and one thing only.

‘Chase.’

Jaxson darted through the dense trees, wind ruffling through his dark fur as he pushed his muscles to the max. 

He forced himself to go faster despite the soreness that still lingered throughout his entire body, needing to distance himself from the Alpha who he knew was gaining on him with every passing moment. 

Salty tears blurred his vision, making the trees and foliage fly by in a messy blur of hazy green shapes as he began to feel himself lose the momentum he initially had.

He knew that Dashiell was close, so close that he could almost feel his breath on the tip of his tail. 

He knew that the Alpha would catch him, soon. 

But still, he ran.

It was all that he knew what to do.

Jaxson made it not three steps further before a heavy body tackled him onto the damp earth beneath them. 

Soil flew in all directions as the Beta fought against the weight on top of him, metaphorical knives of absolute horror spearing their way way through his body and whines of escaping his muzzle, the sound mirroring the powerless feeling that consumed him.

Logically, he knew that he was captured, that he wouldn't get away but his mind screamed at him to get to a place where he could suffer this panic attack alone.

Jaxson always suffered alone.

But Dashiell wasn't going to budge, his front paw pressing the smaller Wolf into the ground hard enough to keep him from running again but not hard enough to hurt him.

Dashiell would never hurt him.

The Alpha stared down at his Mate who thrashed around as if he'd been electrocuted, his limbs trembling and heart rate increasing as he clawed miserably at the earth. 

But the worst of it all was the tears. 

The pain-filled tears that he saw falling from the eyes of the man that he loved felt like a dagger straight through the Alpha's chest, making tears prick at the corners of his own eyes.

Flickers of Jaxson's whirlwind of emotions were detectable through their Mate bond and in that moment, Dashiell would've given his life without a second thought to stop the obvious heartache that his Mate was drowning in. 

But he knew that he couldn't, so he did the next best thing that came to mind.

Dashiell remembered his human counterpart reading something in a book about how weighted things could help with anxiety and panic disorders, so he sent up a prayer to the Goddess that he was right and this next action would help and not hurt his Mate.

Jaxson added shock to the long list of emotions that he was experiencing at that moment when he suddenly felt the Alpha Wolf descend upon him. 

Soft, black fur brushed against his own as the Wolf laid on top of him, the weight of his gargantuan body almost crushing but with it, Jaxson somehow felt a faint flicker of relief, spark within the center of the dark abyss that he was rapidly falling deeper into.

The heavy weight and soft fur of his Mate almost reminded him of the weighed blanket that he slept with for years, the one thing that he'd found helped with his anxiety and panic as it steadily got worse over the years.

"It's okay, my love. Try your best to breathe. I am here and you are safe."

Jaxson found himself being slightly released from the sharp clutches of his panic at the sound of his Mate's voice in his head, repeating the same comforting phrases over and over again. 

Tears soaked the fur around his eyes and a few hiccups left his body as he squeezed his eyes shut, concentrating with all of his might to slow his rapid breath and raging heartbeat.

Meanwhile, Jaxson slowly felt the worst of his emotions slowly fade away as he laid underneath the warm blanket of his Mate's body, his trembling becoming nothing but a few twitches and heartbeat slowing to a much more tolerable pace.

Once he relaxed enough to think somewhat clearly, Jaxson allowed himself to shift back to his human form. 

Soon after, the feeling the fur on top of him being replaced with hard muscles and smooth skin told him that his human Mate followed suit.

He felt better, so much better than before but he knew that he wouldn't be able to calm down completely until the Dominant Pheromones were stopped. 

Jaxson tried to tell his Mate this, wanting to redeem himself for his previous inability to do so but his lips refused to open when he remembered hisfFather's words.

‘Don't tell anyone about our special Beta training, Ortiz.’

"Let me. I won't do or say too much, I promise," said a small voice in Jaxson's head as his Wolf, Luka pushed forth once again. 

Jaxson wanted to protest but at the same time he felt so tired, so exhausted from crying and fighting and running. 

So, much in need of a break, he reluctantly sunk into the back of his mind, allowing his Wolf to take the wheel.

Dashiell raised himself up onto his forearms as he felt the shift in energy, his eyes widening as he felt a slightly shaking hand reach up to gently cup his cheek. 

The Alpha leaned into the touch, addictively sweet jolts electricity flying through his body as he stared down at his true, Wolf Companion.

His Mate.

"Hi..." Luka whispered out incredulously, completely lost for words at the sight of the man before him. 

Luka felt his heart rate pick up, in a good way this time, as he realized just how beautiful his Mate was, more beautiful than he could have ever imagined. 

Sure, he'd seen him through Jaxson's eyes, but this... this was a different experience entirely. 

He'd waited so long for this moment and now it was finally here.

To Luka, this was nothing short of bliss.

Dashiell was having a very similar reaction to his Mate's presence, practically bursting at the seams with excitement at the fact that what he had waited for all of this time was really happening. 

For the first time, he was meeting his true other half.

"What is your name?" the Alpha inquired, desperate to know what he was to call the Wolf that owned the other half of his soul.

"I'm Luka..." he replied softly, a faint blush working its way up his neck as he hoped with all of his heart that his Mate would approve of him.

"Luka..." the Alpha repeated, trying the name out on his tongue as he was still unable to tear his eyes from those of his perfect Mate that laid underneath him. "It is beautiful, just like you."

Luka blushed wildly at the compliment, squirming around a bit and lowering his eyes as he didn't exactly know how to react in this unfamiliar human body.

 "What is your name?"

"Dashiell," the Alpha replied, leaning down to press his nose possessively against the Bonding Mark that laid on the shoulder of his Mate, his Luka. 

The larger male simultaneously began releasing his Dominant Pheromones in an effort to make his Newfound Mate more comfortable with him, however as he did so, he noticed the opposite of the desired effect as the smaller male stiffened beneath him.

The surge of Pheromones popped Luka out of the little bubble that he'd accidentally created upon meeting his Mate, suddenly reminding him why Jaxson let him out in the first place. 

He quickly went to explain the situation to Dashiell, not wanting to waste another second as he knew that it meant that Jaxson was still suffering.

"Dash, you have to stop," Luka said and the Alpha immediately pulled back from his happy place in the crook of his Mate's neck, instead looking down at the smaller male with a feeling of confusion as he pondered what his words could mean.

"Stop? Do you not want this?" Dashiell asked, his heart stopping for a painful moment as he prayed that his Mate was not rejecting him. 

He had killed rogues without so much as a blink, taken bite, scratch and stab wounds and fought in countless sparring matches but nothing matched the pain that he felt at the thought of losing his Mate.

"Please do not reject me, Luka. I will be the best mate to you, I have waited to meet you for so long, please don't..."

"No, Dash, I'm not rejecting you. I would never." Luka was quick to silence his Mate's doubts, his heart squeezing painfully and brow furrowing as he realized that he probably could've chosen a better way of phrasing his words. "It's just... it's your Pheromones. They hurt us, especially Jaxson."

"I'm sorry, my love. I had no idea. I only thought that they would help," Dashiell immediately forced his Pheromones to stop secreting before leaning down to lap softly at his Bonding Mark with a small whine, hoping that it would show his Mate just how sorry he felt inside. 

The Alpha felt absolutely terrible knowing that he was the cause of his Mate's pain, especially considering that it was the first time that they had met.

"It's okay, Dash. We know you didn't mean to," Luka whispered out before releasing a gasp, tilting his neck to the side as his toes curled with pleasure at the new sensations that came at him from every direction. 

Everything was amplified since he was finally in control and the Wolf couldn't help but wonder what it must feel like to be with Dash in the most intimate of ways.

‘Maybe one day I would know.’

Dashiell left a trail of kisses along his Mate's neck, intent on wrapping up his unfinished scent-rolling of the smaller Wolf. 

The Alpha Wolf's mind was full of everything Luka as he did so, his heart swelling as he savored this precious moment with his beloved like the last bite of his favorite food.

 He found himself wishing that he could bottle the feeling of utter completion that being with his Mate gave him, never wanting to be without it.

"We have to give them back control," Luka reluctantly forced himself to admit after a few more long moments of basking in the sense of peace that his Mate's presence brought to him. 

As much as he wanted to continue, he knew that this wasn't the time, that there were much too many unresolved issues that they had yet to discuss. 

"Jaxson and Corey have to a lot to talk about."

Dashiell pressed a few more kisses to Luka's neck before pulling back and gazing down at his beautiful Mate that laid beneath him. 

His mate whose eyes held the unmistakable burn of love and lust, eyes that the Alpha could get lost in for hours, days, years if he was allowed. 

He couldn't help the tug of selfish desire that urged him to keep his Luka in his arms forever but he knew that the smaller male was right, that they had to let their humans talk about what had just transpired.

"I love you," Dashiell whispered, drawing himself closer to his precious Mate that he held so tenderly in his arms.

"I love you," Luka mirrored Dashiell's words, feeling the truth of them ring out into the depths of his soul.

Luka's soil-caked hands reached up to clasp either side of Dashiell's neck as they moved closer to one another, hearts beating together in a steady rhythm that symbolized the unconditional love that they held for one another.

"See you later?" Dash whispered, his quiet voice hopeful.

"See you later." Luka confirmed with a sullen nod.

A tear slid from the corner of Dashiell's eye as their lips met, both of their hearts clenching with indescribable pain at the thought of being separated from the one that they each loved moments after finally meeting. 

However, before they could lose themselves in the pain, they each allowed their humans to take back control, severing their connection.

But even then, Corey and Jaxson didn't pull apart.

The two reveled in the gentle heat of the kiss, the lingering fire of their Wolves' love for one another simmering in their veins as they moved their lips together in a slow dance.

It wasn't until they ran out of air that they pulled away, both men breathing heavily as they pressed their foreheads together. 

They held each other's eyes, both at a loss for what to say after the interaction they'd witnessed. 

So after a long moment of silence, Corey simply pulled Jaxson up and into his lap without a word, tucking the smaller man's head underneath his chin and wrapping his arms around the one person that held his entire heart.

Jaxson closed his red-rimmed eyes as he leaned his head against the warm, broad chest of his Mate, finally letting himself give into his desire to be comforted. 

He knew that it was his turn to speak first but fear still lingered inside of him, fear that tried with all its might to incapacitate him again.

"You've got this, Jaxson," whispered Luka encouragingly, watching with bated breath for his human to gather the courage that he knew he possessed deep inside. 

The push was just what Jaxson needed and so he took a deep breath.

"My mind..." Jaxson began shakily, his voice even more raspy than it usually was due to his earlier fit of crying. "It's... it's like some... some kind of Rubik's cube that I have no clue how to even begin to solve."

He took a few long pauses as he tried to formulate his feelings into somewhat understandable sentences, hoping that Corey wouldn't think that he sounded like a complete dumbass as he tried to explain a part of him that even baffled himself. 

Corey diligently listened with eyes full of adoration as he gazed down at the love of his life, not daring to interrupt as he knew that this was an extremely important step in their relationship for Jaxson to open up like this.

"And it feels like even when I finish one side of that Rubik's Cube, I just end up fucking up everything else to try to get all of it right... and I'm back at square one," Jaxson's words came out as a strained whisper as he tried to keep himself from crying again. 

He really felt like he was becoming a big fucking crybaby lately but Corey gave him a gentle squeeze of reassurance as he felt his distress through their bond, the gesture calming Jaxson enough to take a few deep breaths before continuing.

"I just feel like I can't control my own thoughts most of the time, like they're being controlled by..." Jax hesitated, knowing that he wasn't yet ready to directly speak about his father. "By someone other than me and... and it's scary as hell."

The last few words he spoke were barely audible as he curled in on himself, turning his head into his Mate's chest with the intention of hiding the few rogue tears that managed to escape his eyes. 

But Corey caught them before they could travel past the apples of his cheeks, wiping them away with the pads of his thumbs before leaning down to press lingering kisses to his eyelids that still remained closed.

"It's alright. I am here and I am listening," Corey reassured his Mate. 

Jaxson nodded, taking another shaky breath as he drew strength from the caring words and touch of his Mate.

"My mind always tells me that I am weak, that if I'm not in control then I am worthless. That's why... that's why its so hard for me to accept that I am the submissive one in this relationship."

"If you want to top me then..." Corey started.

"No, that's not it," Jaxson interrupted, a humorless chuckle escaping his lips as he shook his head. "The problem is that I like... no, I love submitting to you. It... it feels good, almost too good sometimes." 

A shiver flew down Jaxson's spine as images of their tangled bodies flashed across the backs of his closed eyelids. 

"But it's just so hard when I can't accept my own truth because I always have that fucking voice in my head screaming at me that what I want is wrong and... and I hate myself, Corey. I hate myself for it."

A strangled sob escaped Jaxson's throat as he finished, the truth of the words that he'd never in his life uttered to another living being lifting a weight off of him that he didn't even realize he'd carried all of this time. 

Corey held his love close as the smaller man shook with broken sobs and the larger man soon found tears streaming down his own cheeks as he buried his cheek into the mess of curls atop his Mate's head. 

The man pondered quietly, wondering if it was finally time to tell his Mate about his own inner turmoil.

Meanwhile, Jaxson felt a tinge of fear grip onto him again at Corey's silence, worried that it meant that maybe he had decided that he was insane for telling him about having a voice in his head or maybe it meant that he didn't love him anymore but his fear was quelled a moment later as he finally heard Corey begin to speak.

"Growing up, everyone saw me as the Alpha's quiet kid who didn't have any emotions," he started, taking a deep breath. "I tried over and over again to make just one friend but for some reason, since my face has never expressed the reality of what I feel inside, I suppose most found it to be... off-putting," Corey paused, closing his eyes as if attempting to to block out the painful memories. 

The man took in another deep breath of his Mate's calming scent before continuing.

"Eventually I found myself so lonely, depressed and borderline suicidal that I literally began to talking to the man in the moon. I felt understood for the first time in my life when I spoke to him, like he was the only one who could really understand what it was like to live feeling so isolated from everyone. I talked with him about absolutely everything over the years, big or small. But most of all, I would talk with him late into the nights about how much I prayed to find my Mate someday, the one person who I knew was made just for me."

Jaxson went to speak, wanting to voice how sorry he felt for his Mate but Corey silenced him with a gentle finger to his lips, not wanting him to speak until he fully heard what he had to say. 

"I prayed every damn night, the one thing keeping me from slitting my own throat from the misery of my endless loneliness being the promise that I would one day finally have someone that I could love me for who I was. That one day, I would finally have a real friend."

Corey pulled away from his Mate's soft hair to slip a finger underneath his chin, lifting his face up with the gentlest touch in order to connect both of their watery gazes.

"And then, I finally found him. Jaxson, you are the gift that I have prayed for every night since the day that I learned what prayer was. Even though I may not know how to show it on my face, whenever I see you, I am smiling so wide on the inside because I know that you are my reason for surviving this long."

Jaxson felt even more tears spill over the rims of his eyes as he internalized the words that his Mate said to him, his bottom lip wobbling while he struggled to contain the most raw emotion that had ever flowed through his body at one time.

"W-well I'm glad that you didn't d-d-die because if you did then I w-would h-have to k-kill you," Jaxson stuttered out his joke between harsh sobs, trying to use humor as a way to cope with the sweet words that seemed so out of place being directed towards him. 

Never in his life had someone said something so sincere to him, something so genuine that his heart threatened to stop beating altogether.

"My little goof."

 A deep chuckle escaped Corey as he leaned down to briefly claim the lips of the man who made his stomach do summersaults. 

They both leaned into the gentle kiss, moving as if they were trying to memorize every dip and contour of each other's lips. 

When they finally pulled back, Jaxson had a small smile on his face despite the tears that continued to tumble down his cheeks.

"So, every time you start to hate yourself, I want you to remember that in my eyes you are nothing less than absolute perfection. You are my life, Jaxson."

Jaxson could only nod, not trusting his voice at that moment as he leaned into the warm hand that reached up to cradle his wet cheek.

He decided that he would try.

Yes, he would try his damned best to remember those sweet words that Corey told him whenever he felt his demons begin to resurface again.

Corey felt Jaxson's acceptance through their bon, and if he knew how, then the large man would have been grinning a million-watt smile as he gazed down at the one person who he knew that he would always protect with his life, pure adoration shining brightly in his watery eyes.

"Let's help each other. If you teach me how to show my emotions, then I will try my very best to help you become comfortable in your own skin," Corey held out a pinkie. "Deal?"

Jaxson stared up at his handsome Mate as he leaned against his large frame, feeling a newfound sense of connection to the man that now went so much deeper than just the Biological Mate Bond that initially brought them together.

Jaxson trusted him.

So, he confidently wrapped his own pinkie around that of his Mate's.

"Deal."