The Golden Lycans (Ella) novel Chapter 80

<We Are Going to Change Everything

We Are Going to Change Everything

*Will***

“I’m going to grab us a drink,” Annabelle whispers in my ear, casting a flirtatious glance before

sauntering toward the bar. I watch her retreat, my emotions churning.

A familiar voice then cuts through the din behind me.

“Will, can we talk?”

I turn to find my father standing there, his expression unreadable. A beat passes before I nod,

leading the way to the patio. I break the silence, my tone edged with defiance and longstanding

hurt.

“You want to know why I transferred schools?” I ask as the cold air hits.

He meets my gaze, eyes searching..

“That’s one of many questions I have.”

I shrug, settling onto a bench at the nearest table. My father sits opposite.

“Ask away,” I reply, unable to stop myself being so blunt.

Claim

“Is any of what Austin Landry said earlier this evening…is any of that true?” he asks, his expression unreadable. I clasp my hands together on top of the table and lean forwards.

“Yeah, it’s all true. Every word,” I reply, my voice steady and unwavering.

“I have complete control over myself now. I can shift into my alpha wolf, Fabian, at will. My magic

is very strong-just like mum’s. I’ve also developed new abilities: aura reading, telepathy,” I meet his gaze head-on. “I’m not the same person I was.”

His expression shifts, joy briefly flickering across his face, then tempered by something more

solemn.

“I know it wasn’t easy for you,” he admits, his voice softer than I remember, “growing up in this famil

y, the expectations were… heavier for you than for anyone else. You were treated unfairly. And it

wasn’t until you left that your mother and I truly saw how much you were struggling.”

His gaze drifts toward the sports field, lost in some distant memory.

I swallow hard, pushing past the lump forming in my throat.

“I was struggling,” I confess, “But more than that, I was dangerous. Unpredictable. Leaving wasn’t

just for me. It was the best thing for everyone.”

#00

THU

8

1/6

W G

|||

O

<

We Are Going to Change Everything

Clair

When he looks back at me, there’s something different in his eyes. Something I never thought I’d

see from him-pride.

“didn’t expect to come here tonight and find my youngest son here, and like this. Stronger than ever could have hoped. You seem… whole. You seem happy.”

I nod, a real, genuine smile forming on my lips.

“I am,” I glance around, taking in everything that’s brought me to this moment.

“This place-well, more than that, one person in particular, really helped me find myself again. I know now that this is where I belong. This is where I’m meant to be.”

“Which person would that be?” my father asks, his tone careful, as if he’s afraid of pushing too

hard.

“Austin Landry’s new mate, actually. She’s… special. She’s the one I’ve been helping. We’ve grown very close.”

His brow lifts slightly.

“How is she special?”

“Let’s just say she’s one of a kind. You’ll find out soon enough. She’s not Lycan.”

That makes him pause. His brows knit together, his mind clearly turning over my words. But instead of questioning it further, he exhales and shifts topics.

“You’re certain you’re going to finish school here?”

I nod firmly.

“I have to. At first, I doubted it when my friend Ella said I was always meant to come here, but she was right. And do you know why, Father?” I lean forward slightly, my smile widening, “Because my

mate is here too.”

His face brightens with genuine elation, a look I never imagined I’d see directed at me.

“Your mate? Who is she? Can I meet her?”

“She’s an enchanting omega from Landry’s pack. She doesn’t feel the bond yet, but I can see it in her aura, and I feel it in my soul. She won’t come of age until early September, but when she does, you’ll meet her.”

His expression softens, a rare warmth settling into his usually stern features.

“That’s wonderful, Will. I’m so pleased for you. Unfortunately, Marcus still hasn’t found his. I had hoped he would before I stepped down.”

B

THU

OOWG

|||

2/6

<We Are Going to Change Everything

Something about the way he says it makes my stomach clench.

“Stepping down? Why?” I ask, frowning.

A flicker of something-fatigue, maybe even pain-crosses his face before he straightens his

shoulders.

Claim

“As Lycans, we’re blessed with long lives and fast healing, but we’re not invincible. I’m… quite sick,

Will.”

It feels like the air is sucked out of my lungs. I blink, trying to process his words.

“Sick? In what way? There must be something that can be done.” I lean toward him, my voice laced

with desperation.

But he only shakes his head.

“It is what it is. We can’t live forever.”

His tone is steady, but I hear what he’s not saying. It’s serious…maybe even terminal.

I drop my gaze to my hands, my chest tightening. Despite everything-despite the years of

resentment, of feeling like I never truly belonged-he’s still my father. And now, the thought of losing him settles over me like a heavy weight.

“I’ll come home at Easter,” I say quietly, blinking away the sting in my eyes.

His eyes soften.

“That would make your mother very happy. She’s missed you more than you know. And don’t forget, your brother’s wedding is in May.”

I nod absently.

“Mhmm. How’s Kyle these days?” I ask. The question feels obligatory rather than heartfelt, but I ask

it anyway.

Father chuckles.

“Like any twenty-year-old in love with his mate-completely consumed by it. He’s struggling a bit

with his studies, though. Hopefully, he sorts it out before the end of the year.”

I don’t comment, just nod.

A beat of silence stretches between us before he speaks again, his voice quieter now.

“Do you know what you’ll do after you graduate?” he inquires.

I exhale, shaking my head.

3/6

00

THU

8

OOWG

O

<We Are Going to Change Everything

“Honestly? I haven’t thought much about it. I’ve had other things on my mind. But… maybe teaching? Apparently, I’m pretty good at it. And I enjoy it.”

For a long moment, he simply studies me, something unreadable in his gaze. Then he nods, his

voice carrying a quiet sincerity I rarely hear from him.

“That sounds like a good path. As long as you stay the way you are now. Happy. It’s all I ever wanted for you, Will.”

I scoff slightly at that, as it contradicts its actions and words in the past, but he presses on

regardless.

Clai

“I’m sorry for how things were. For how you were treated. I should have done more. I should have stopped your brothers from tormenting you. Maybe if I had supported you more, if I had been

stronger for you-”

I shake my head, cutting him off. I didn’t need him to say this, not anymore.

“No. Don’t do that. Don’t dwell on what’s already done,” I say, sitting up straighter, my voice steady, “If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that looking back doesn’t change anything. This is who I am now and you know what? I quite like him. Everything that has happened has shaped me into who I am now, so I’m not going to look back anymore. Because I have a lot to look forward to.”

A slow smile spreads across my face, one of true confidence as the words I’ve spoken settle

inside of me, their truth real to me.

His eyes flicker with emotion-pride, regret, maybe even relief. And as we sit there, something

shifts between us. It’s not perfect, not yet.

But it’s a start.

And maybe, just maybe, that’s enough.

***Austin***

As Ella melts into my chest on the dance floor, a contented sigh slips from my lips, unbidden yet so

right.

A warmth spreads through me, slow and sure, wrapping around my heart like a comforting

embrace. It’s the feeling of home-of belonging in a way I never have before. My arms instinctively

tighten around her, unwilling to let go, afraid that if I did, she might slip away. That she might pull back and say she’d made a mistake. Or worse-that I might wake up and find this was all just a

cruel dream.

4/6

THRY

8

OOWG |||

O

<We Are Going to Change Everything

Clair