The Golden Lycans (Ella) novel Chapter 57

Christmas

*Will***

It was half past eleven and I am sat on a sofa in Ella’s living room, doing something I had never

believed could be possible.

The movie still plays, but Ella has fallen asleep, her head resting against my shoulder, breathing

softly.

In the dim light, the soft features of her face are beautifully highlighted, and I sigh with

contentment.

I think back to a few days ago after I left the greenhouse.

I had made the decision to seek help from the Headmaster and I had gone straight to him after

I’d made the connection between Ella and Austin.

I’d told him everything.

I explained how I’d come into contact with Erebus, who drew me in during my lowest point as I travelled across Europe, angry, alone and deeply unbalanced.

Over several months we had travelled around Asia, and he’d used a combination of both dark and blood magic to strengthen me, to balance me, and he’d taught me how to strongly encourage both

sides of myself.

I was se

very much under his power as I hungrily learned more and more about my

what he wanted; a loyal and indebted servant who was eager to repay him for bringing

er to the utter chaos I’d had inside me.

We went back to the UK at the end of summer and he told me about a great source of light, hidden

from the world which he wanted me to locate, with my uniquely powerful empathic ability. I explained to Landry the threat he’d then made against my pack, after he’d so easily wiped out another. Our partnership had taken a swift, ominous and worrying turn at that point.

I explained how I’d spent weeks, concentrating in my bedroom, searching for the light. I described the night that the talisman had stopped working, unleashing a wave of light energy that I’d felt from the other side of the country. Having honed my senses so well by this point, I located the source immediately.

A vision of Ella had popped into my mind; I had no idea the light was a person.

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I had then set about transferring to Exton after my next set of instructions from Erebus. Headmaster Landry had sat there impassively, listening to my story, without judgement or Comment. I continued, describing the precious time I’d spent teaching Ella, helping her grow her power, getting to know her, eventually growing to love her myself.

The irony of how things had turned out was not lost on me.

Landry had been so kind. He pointed out I hadn’t yet done anything gravely wrong at that point, and/ warned me to proceed cautiously with Erebus still believing I was his to control. He wanted me to

keep an eye on Ella in London, and I had done just that.

Ella makes a noise and stirs a little before snuggling into my shoulder even more, breathing a

happy sigh. My heart feels so full, despite knowing she was made only for Austin. I felt so elated

and then so sad when she admitted she had enjoyed our kiss.

She felt for me too, without the aid of a mystical mate bond. She felt for me. But, I knew she would

never have the same connection to me that she would have with Austin. I wondered how I was going to admit to her what I had told Landry. I needed to be honest with her, but I was afraid of how

she’d react.

For now, though, for the first time in countless years, I feel wanted, useful and above all…I feel

happy.

***Ella***

I open my eyes, feeling rested, warm, and oddly comforted. It takes a few seconds to register where I am-curled up against a sleeping Will, his arm draped protectively around me. I rub at my eyes, then slowly, carefully, ease myself out from under his arm.

Sitting up properly, I’m hit with a wave of quiet confusion-strange and conflicted about the closeness we’d just shared. My gaze drifts back to him. His face is peaceful, lips slightly parted,

jaw sharp and defined, chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. There’s no denying it-he’s very

easy on the eyes.

“What are you doing?” he mutters, voice thick with sleep, eyes still closed.

“Merry Christmas,” I reply softly, glancing at the clock above the fireplace. Just after eight o’clock.

Will opens one eye, then the other, and shifts lazily beside me. A slow smile tugs at the corners of

his lips, soft and a little crooked.

“I’ve never slept with anyone before,” he says, stretching his arms above his head with a teasing

grin.

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I feel the heat crawl to my cheeks, but say nothing. My throat tightens slightly as I peel away

the warmth of the blanket and his body, standing quickly.

go get dressed,” I mumble, trying not to meet his gaze.

Pointe from

As I head to my room, I’m acutely aware of how close we’d been, curled up on the sofa like that. I’m thankful my parents hadn’t come down earlier. I don’t even want to imagine that conversation.

In my room, I change into a black mini skirt and tights, then slip on a crimson sequin tank top I’d worn the Christmas before. It clings to my frame more than I remember. I pull out my plait, letting the waves fall loose around my shoulders, and run my fingers through the strands. My reflection in the mirror looks festive, but there’s a tightness behind my eyes I can’t quite ignore.

I don’t usually dress up for Christmas at home-but with Aunt Connie and my cousins coming over later, I suppose it makes sense. Still, now that I know the truth, I can’t help but think back on every childhood Christmas, every time they’d beat me at games or somehow predicted the exact present I’d want. Had it always been magic? Was it all just one big trick?

I sigh and wander down to the kitchen, where Mum is already up, peeling carrots at the breakfast

bar.

“Merry Christmas, Mum,” I say, leaning in to kiss her cheek and snatching a peeled carrot to munch

“Merry Christmas, honey,” she says warmly, barely glancing up.

I sit down across from her, nibbling thoughtfully.

“Aunt Connie-”

“-is a witch, yes,” Mum finishes, not missing a beat, “as are your cousins.”

I blink. That blunt honesty still catches me off guard.

“Could we… not say anything about… me?” I ask, almost hesitant.

Mum nods.

“Definitely. It would probably make things a little more-”

“Normal?” I offer.

“Exactly. I imagine normal is something you’d welcome right about now.”

“Definitely,” I sigh, twisting an elastic band that had been wrapped around the broccoli until it

snaps.

She glances up at me with a little smile, her voice lowering.

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“Tell me more about Will.”

My ears burn instantly.

“What do you mean? I already told you everything about him.”

She raises a brow.

“But how do you feel about him?”

+25 Points

I scowl, instantly defensive. “Mum, I’m not answering that. I’ve got too many other things going on.

“Oh, come on, Ella,” she teases, shaking her head. “You never mentioned a single boy from your last school, and suddenly after one term at Exton you’ve got an alpha Lycan from two powerful packs on each arm. And don’t even try to tell me there’s nothing going on. You could cut the tension between you two with a knife yesterday.”

I bury my face in my hands.

“I don’t know how I feel about him, okay? He’s still part wolf. His future mate bond could wreck everything, just like it’s been with Austin.”

Mum is quiet for a moment, then hums as she fills a saucepan with water.

“Oh, to be seventeen again,” she muses, “nothing stopping you from having some fun, though…”

I groan loudly.

“Mum!”

I rest my head on the counter. I miss when my biggest concerns were exams and essays, not supernatural bonds and emotionally confusing Lycans.

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