The Golden Lycans (Ella) novel Chapter 17

Free Period-Part 2 

*Freya*** 

“Go away. I am not my brother’s keeper, just leave me ALONE,” I angrily say to Lauren McCarthy while rolling my eyes. She was one of the most annoying girls in my psychology class and, like many of the girls had been doing lately, she’d sidled up to me at the end of class to press me for 

details on my brother. It was getting highly annoying. 

“Aww, come on Freya, you must know something,” Lauren says, pouting. 

I snap. I round on her with my eyes fierce, bringing my alpha aura to the table with me. 

“Lauren. Pay attention because I’m only saying this one more time. He isn’t interested. Go sniff around Cassian if it’s an alpha you’re after, I’ve heard he isn’t picky!” I say with a huff, heavily annoyed now and stuffing my book back roughly into my bag. Lauren looks as if she is about to say something else, but I hold my hand up in front of her face before storming away. 

I was just making my way down the corridor when my phone chirps. 

Dad: Honey, I need you and Aus back at the house tomorrow evening. Family meeting. It’s urgent. 

I frown. Dad never usually got us to come back home during term time. It must be something important. My mind goes back to the terrible news from the previous weekend and I pray we hadn’t lost more pack members. 

I check my watch, thanking the goddess that it was now a free period. 

I need some tea, so I head to the dining hall. I grab a mug and while I am pouring hot water over the teabag I hear some familiar voices and laughter coming from the patio. I wander over to the doorway and look out. 

To my surprise, on one of the tables, is Austin and Ella, both repeatedly smiling at each other in between laughing a little at something the other had said. There was definitely some light flirting going on, which seemed so strange coming from either of them, especially my brother. I was totally taken aback to see Austin then place his hand over Ella’s, his expression strangely excited in a way I’d never seen before. I tune in with my wolf hearing just in time, feeling a little nosey, but I can’t help it. I am incredibly surprised to hear my brother ask anyone out on a date, let alone Ella, who, as far as we knew, was human until proven otherwise. I continue to observe them with rapt curiosity and I breathe a sigh of relief when I see Ella gently pull her hand away from my brother’s and kindly decline. 

He looks so downhearted for a moment, and then I feel my ears burn when Austin deduces that I must’ve had some part to play in her decision to reject him. I sigh and feel a little guilty, in spite of 

he fact I thought I was doing them both a favour by warning Ella away from him. My brother’s usually relaxed shoulders are now hunched, and I could tell he is feeling pretty hurt. This wasn’t something I ever wanted to see. I grumble to myself and I do feel bad, but I know it is for the best. 

For both of them. 

They chat a little more before Austin gets up. He suddenly leans in very close to Ella and says something I can’t quite hear, before picking up his coffee and turning toward the doorway. He had been smiling, but then looks immediately sheepish as he sees me standing there, clearly watching them. I raise my eyebrows up at him. 

“Dad wants us home tomorrow evening,” I tell him as he approaches me by the door. He sighs. 

“Any idea why?” he says, turning a little, subtly continuing to watch Ella. She carries on with her work while nervously rubbing the back of her neck with her free hand. I look at them both for a moment. They both seemed really awkward and tense. I feel a sadness brewing in the pit of my stomach over what I had just witnessed. 

“Not a clue. Perhaps it’s related to the loss of that patrol last Saturday,” I suggest. 

“Uh huh,” Austin says, still staring wistfully at Ella. I pull him inside the dining hall and out of Ella’s earshot. 

“Look, I overheard your conversation with her just now. What is going on with you?” I begin, earning myself a glare and then a full frown, “I get you’re hurt by her rejecting you but can you please focus on what’s going on in the pack?” 

He sighs and nods, before giving me an apologetic look. 

“You’re right. I’m sorry. Be ready to go at five tomorrow, and I’ll drive us back,” he replies, still looking a little off. 

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify