The Golden Lycans (Ella) novel Chapter 105

< Ladies that (don’t) Luncheon

Ladies that (don’t) Luncheon

**Freya***

“Wow, it’s not like you to be late for class,” I mutter as Ella slips through the door just before Mr.

Swithun shuts it.

“I got a little delayed,” she whispers, hastily pulling out her tablet. I notice the faint flush on her

chest and snort.

“Well, looks like you enjoyed that delay,” I tease.

Ella goes crimson just as Mr. Swithun starts the lesson.

“Today, we’ll introduce the immense topic of DNA – including how we inherit traits from our parents- before covering it in detail after half-term,” he announces.

Ella groans.

“Oh, great. Just the topic I wanted to learn about right now.”

Two mentally draining hours later, we finally get a break before lunch.

“I really need to get my ski gear tomorrow,” Ella says absentmindedly as we lounge in the atrium, sipping fizzy drinks.

“What? We’re leaving in less than a week!”

“I know, I’ve just been a little… preoccupied,” she replies, now biting into a chocolate bar.

Claim

I’m about to respond when a tall girl approaches. It takes me a second, but I recognize her-Verity. The same Verity I’d told my little white lie to back in October. She stops in front of us, her saccharine smile directed at Ella.

Living proof that not all lies are bad-look what came of it, Mira quips.

“Good morning, ladies. Ella, isn’t it?” Verity tilts her head. “Oh yes, I remember now… wow, I mean, I t hought you’d smell different by now, but I guess not.” Her smile remains, eyes gleaming with faux

sympathy.

“That’s so sad. If it were me, I’d be wondering what was wrong with me. But that’s just me, of

course.”

She barely pauses before continuing, “are you going to the luncheon on Sunday? Oh… probably not. That’d be awkward for Austin and his family, wouldn’t it? A bit embarrassing for them. I shouldn’t have mentioned it. It’s not really your world, after all, and I suppose you wouldn’t want people judgi

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< Ladies that (don’t) Luncheon

ng you. I wouldn’t.” She gives a mockingly sweet wave before sauntering off.

What the f**k was that drivel? Mira scoffs.

Ella and I exchange a bewildered look.

Claim

“What just happened?” she asks with an awkward laugh.

I sigh, taking a sip of coke before leveling her with a look.

“So… I take it you’re not going to the luncheon?”

“What luncheon? I don’t understand.”

I hesitate.

“She was talking about the bi-annual ‘Luna Luncheon.’ It’s actually at our pack this weekend. I’m surprised Austin hasn’t mentioned it-you are eligible to go. It’s for all the national Lunas and the mates of pack heirs. The future Lunas.”

Ella clears her throat, her expression darkening.

“Nope. Aus hasn’t said a word.”

“I’m sure he has a reason,” I say quickly, “especially where our mum is hosting…”

She falls silent, mulling it over, before her brows knit together.

“Why did she think I’d smell different?”

I wince. Here we go…I want to catch up to Verity and slap her.

“Well… once a couple has marked and mated, the female’s scent changes. You just smell like… you.

Ella looks mildly disgusted.

“Wait. So it’s front-page news when you fully complete a bond?”

“Uh… yeah. And the mark gets darker, too. It’s very obvious to everyone.” I shift uncomfortably, regretting not mentioning this sooner.

Ella lets out a short laugh, shaking her head.

“Might’ve been nice to know before I got ambushed by a bitchy she-wolf about it.”

“I’m sorry, Els. I should’ve told you. It’s supposed to be private, but… it’s also very public.”

She waves a hand dismissively.

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< Ladies that (don’t) Luncheon

Claim

“It’s fine.” Then, after a pause, she sums it up, “so she was basically mocking me for being Austin’s mate without having mated, for not being Lycan, and for not going to a luncheon I technically should be attending, that is being held at my future pack?”

I nod slowly.

“Yeah… that about covers it.”

Ella’s jaw tightens, her expression flickering from anger to something more calculating. She then quickly gets up, almost stomping down the sports corridor in a haughty fashion.

Shame we can’t warn Austin and Atlas that their mate is coming in HOT, Mira laughs./

It’s tempting to follow and watch, to be honest, I joke, Honestly though, I’m pissed at Verity for that.

***Ella***

I wonder where Austin is, and immediately, I know-he’s in the gym.

Chalk another one up to the bond.

Pushing off the sofa, I stride down the sports corridor, following an instinct I don’t question. It leads me to a side hallway I’ve never taken before-straight to the gym.

I shove open the double doors, anger simmering as I scan the crowded space. It’s busier than I expected, though something tells me it’s even worse in the evenings.

Then, I spot him.

Austin is on the shoulder press, muscles taut with effort, sweat glistening lightly across his skin. I falter, just for a second-damn. He looks so good.

Annoyed at myself for appreciating it, I push the thought aside, reminding myself that no matter how scrummy Austin looks, I am pissed off.

Taking a deep breath, I march straight toward him.

“Were you going to tell me about the event your family is hosting this weekend?” I ask simply, trying to be subtle as I knew a few people around us right now were human. Austin stops his workout and looks at me for a moment before sighing and getting off the machine. He gently takes my hand and leads me to the quiet side of the room.

“No, I was not,” he says bluntly before looking at my earnestly, “I just didn’t want to put you in that position, Ella.”

I frown back at him.

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Claim

“I’ve just had some bitchy she-wolf talk down to me in the atrium, making fun of the fact we haven’t completed our bond, the fact I’m not the typical mate for somebody like you AND it’s clear that I’m

ot even going to this luncheon that your own mother is hosting. I’m a joke,” I whisper harshly, biting my lip and avoiding his gaze. He furrows his thick brows and I see his eyes briefly flash

brightly in anger.

“Who said this to you? Give me her name,” he asks me in an angry tone. I am a bit taken aback at first, I am not sure why he is so quick to anger more often lately, it isn’t like him at all.

“It doesn’t matter who said it; they made their point and now I feel…inadequate, in many ways,”

reply staring into his eyes.

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