The Golden Lycans (Ella) novel Chapter 21

Back to the Packhouse-Part 2 

Austin*** 

“Short answer? Dark magic. Who? We don’t know exactly. One pack member managed to get here to safety. The only thing they could tell us was ‘Erebus’. A word that means the ‘personification of darkness’ in Greek mythology, according to the Internet. Their entire library of antique books was stolen. We think they were searching for something in there, in particular. Julian had strong family links to an ancient coven; and they had some very powerful books stored safely there.” 

“So could it be an individual or a group?” I ask. 

“I think we are looking at it being a powerful individual, one with followers or hired rogues. But in truth, we just don’t know,” dad replies. 

“Is there anything we can do?” Freya asks, tears in her eyes but sounding classically determined and unafraid like she always did. 

“You just have to focus on your school work,” mum chimes in. Freya looks as incredulous as I felt at this idea. 

“What’s the point of school work if my entire pack gets wiped out during a psychology class?” she replies hotly. 

“I understand your frustration, Freya, but rest assured we are not going anywhere. This pack is far better protected than Fern River was. It is unfortunate, yet true,” dad replies. 

“Your mother is working with the Seers to find out as much as we can about what’s coming,” he then explains. 

“Nothing too useful as yet, you know how they are,” she says, now finishing her last spoonful of dinner, “they just keep saying ‘nature is in balance, light is coming’, whatever that means. Of course, they don’t go into specifics as that would be too helpful.” 

“In any case, we wanted you home to explain what had happened. It didn’t seem right to do it over the phone. We need to make amendments to the security around Exton, also. There is currently one pack alpha, two direct heirs and nine other alphas including Freya, at the school. In addition to them, there are one hundred and thirty six witches and warlocks from neighbouring covens, eight due to take over their covens in the next ten years. That, is a lot of far-reaching legacy to protect for many of our local allies,” dad states while fiddling with his dessert spoon. 

Mum gets up and collects our plates while dad asks Freya about how Annabelle is getting on. 

“I believe Mr and Mrs Wilde are shortly heading on a world cruise, so please feel free to invite 

Annabelle over for Christmas,” he says, as mum dishes up key lime pie for dessert. 

“Oh please, dad, I already offered,” she informs him with a little smile. 

“How did your roommate deal with finding out about the school in the end? I am surprised the Council haven’t got wind of it,” mum asks. I shoot a furtive look at Freya before she answers. 

“She’s really taken everything about our world in her stride, which has been amazing. She’s lovely. She’s down to earth, she’s really settling in and opening up a bit more. She’s funny, and she thinks about things so differently…I really enjoy having her as my roommate. I’d do anything to protect her,” she says, then looking directly at me. I wasn’t sure why Freya was so against me when it came to Ella. 

“It must be tough being a human at that school,” mum muses as she plates up the remains of the pie. 

“Well, she’s not like any other human, she’s different,” I suddenly exclaim. I feel the tops of my ears go pink immediately, as that was a pretty odd outburst for me, and definitely gave a little too much away. 

“Oh? What do you mean by that, Aus? How are you getting to know Freya’s roommate?” mum asks, looking at me suspiciously. 

“She…can run faster than Atlas, that’s pretty unusual,” I reply promptly, hoping that was enough of an explanation for mum. Dad however, drops his spoon into his bowl loudly and looks incensed. 

“Dana, Freya, I need to speak to Austin alone,” he says, sternly. I sigh and roll my eyes, bracing myself with my arms crossed as mum and Freya leave the room. 

“Regardless of how I am sure you perceive things, I actually consider myself very blessed by the fact that most other pack leaders have a terrible time getting their heirs to act in good order at your age. Other heirs spend too much time thinking with the brain in their trousers rather than the one in their head. I am very thankful for the influence that Atlas has had on you in that regard,” he begins. I sit there impassively and listen to my dad, wondering what was coming. 

“You are remarkably level-headed, which means you can be strategic and focused when needed. But that can only take you so far,” he says, putting his hands together on the table. 

“You need to let a little more of your alpha nature and your heritage come through. Step up, be a litt le more aggressive and assertive, you need to start becoming the steadfast leader that you need t o be. Externally, you need to work harder. I need you bigger and stronger and I need you faster – much, much faster if you were somehow out-run by a human girl. I need you to focus on becoming this pack’s most deadly fighter. Things are very uncertain right now, and we need to make sure you are physically and mentally ready to be this pack’s leader tomorrow if something were to happen to 

You need to seriously ramp up your weight training and cardio. It’s time to step up to the big league. You are my heir and I expect nothing less. The pack depends on you. A Landry has always done this pack and I won’t have your position challenged by anyone outside this family.” 

I let out a lengthy exhale. There it was. I had been waiting for this, in actuality. 

“I know you have started filling in at times for Elon, but I think you need to start teaching combat classes regularly, now. Make sure you have a group of excellent fighters at school. The enchantments may not be enough against this ‘Erebus’ considering what happened to Fern River, 

You need to be ready to defend yourself at school if necessary. This pack must survive. Do you understand?” 

“Yes, sir,” I nod, feeling a large weight of responsibility bearing down heavily onto my shoulders, far sooner than I had hoped. I sigh loudly. 

“No pressure though, huh?” I add, raising my eyebrows. He shoots me a little smile. 

“It is a big undertaking on top of all your classes, I know, but you are my son and this is what Landry’s do. I know you will manage and that you will make me proud.” 

I stand up from the table, sensing the conversation had drawn to a close. 

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