The Golden Lycans (Ella) novel Chapter 94

< Another Rogue Encounter

Another Rogue Encounter

+25 Points

My question is answered soon enough, as several pairs of red eyes came through the darkness across the river, the river I now knew they could easily jump over.

But…this wasn’t like the beginning of the year. I know what they are, I know I can outrun them if I have to, and I know exactly what I was capable of now.

With Austin’s mark sitting proudly at the base of my neck, I stand there with confidence, knowing now had a lot of magic at my disposal. Thanks to Will’s magical combat classes, I also had a number of tricks up my sleeves that I didn’t have at Christmas.

One of the rogues steps forward, growling menacingly. I feel a little nudge of fear, but I steel myself, raising my now glowing white hands up toward the rogue, trying to look menacing myself while some rather welcome adrenaline begins to surge through me.

I react instantly, thrusting my hands forward and releasing a writhing ball of fire. It slams into the creature mid-air, knocking it off course and sending it crashing into the river with a loud splash- followed by an ominous sizzle. The remaining rogues hesitate for only a second before leaping across the river, realising their strength lies in numbers.

I backpedal, rolling my shoulders as my wings unfurl in one smooth motion. Within moments, I’m airborne, looking down at them. But the thick canopy overhead limits my height, forcing me to hover just above their reach.

From above, I quickly assess the situation. Six more. Seven in total.

One rogue breaks away from the pack and scrambles up a tree trunk, its claws tearing through the bark as it climbs with terrifying speed. My pulse quickens as I track its movements-too fast, too

precise. Then, it leaps.

I barely have time to react before it’s hurtling toward me, claws outstretched, fangs bared. Instinct takes over. My hands snap together in front of me, and before I even think, once again, a blinding

burst of white energy erupts from my palms.

The blast strikes the rogue dead in the chest.

It doesn’t even make a sound as it crumples mid-air, plummeting back to the forest floor like a

stone. I don’t have time to process what just happened, as the others are climbing now-dozens of

sharp claws scrape against bark, sending splinters flying as they scale the trees all around me.

I drop back to the ground in a swift, controlled descent, bracing myself.

They’re coming.

1/6

9

OOGW

|||

O

<

Another Rogue Encounter

But, I’m ready.

+25 Points

Biohistake, guys. You’re climbing the one thing I happen to have incredible control over,” I mutter,

stly to steady myself.

Focusing my energy, I reach out to the trees. Their branches respond instantly, lashing out and striking the rogues over and over, battering them with relentless force. Then, with a single thought, I command the ivy vines wrapped around the trunks to move. They slither like living creatures, tightening around the rogues’ necks, squeezing the life from them.

Four drop lifelessly to the forest floor.

The sixth rogue snarls as it breaks free, having gnawed through the vines in sheer desperation. It launches itself toward me, fangs bared, landing just a few feet away.

I don’t hesitate. Bringing my hands together, I manage to produce another pulse of deadly white light. It streaks toward the rogue, striking it square in the chest and sending it crashing to the ground, unmoving.

I spin on my heel, already anticipating the final attacker. The seventh rogue barely has time to react before I unleash another surge of light. It staggers mid-charge, eyes widening before dropping

motionless at my feet.

Silence.

My breath comes fast and heavy, adrenaline surging through my veins. Every nerve in my body is on high alert as I cast my senses outward, searching.

Are there more?

Or is it finally over?

***Will***

I sprint through the atrium, my pulse quickening.

I had sensed Ella’s light magic-strongly-somewhere outside on the grounds. And she wouldn’t be using that kind of power unless she needed to.

Just as I reach the doors, I spot Austin darting out from the sports corridor, still in his gym wear. He must have sensed it too-through their half-completed bond. Without hesitation, he bolts after me, both of us heading toward the entrance.

“Ella’s using her faerie magic-she might be in danger!” I shout over my shoulder as Austin falls in step behind me.

But then, a thought strikes me.

2/6

003

FRI

OGW ။။

<Another Rogue Encounter

Maybe this is the perfect chance to see how she handles herself.

“Austin! We need to see if she can handle it on her own!” I call out.

He skids to a halt and spins on me, eyes blazing.

“WHAT? Let someone attack my mate? You cannot be serious!” he roars.

+25 Points

Then he turns and takes off again, his pace doubling. Clothes fly as he sheds them mid-stride, his body shifting in seconds. Atlas emerges in all his hulking power, tearing across the grounds at an astonishing speed toward Ella’s location.

I curse under my breath.

“Let her handle them! Her training wheels have to come off eventually, Austin-you know that!” I shout after him, but I already know he’s too far gone.

With a resigned sigh, I strip out of my own clothes and shift, Fabian surging forward as I race after them, my instincts sharp, ready for whatever was waiting ahead.

As I reach the cluster of trees near the North border, I spot Atlas standing still, watching rather than intervening. A small satisfaction settles in-he had listened, trusting my judgement.

I arrive just in time to see Ella unleash a final white pulse of energy, striking the last rogue. She stands there, tense, eyes darting around as if expecting more. Seven bodies surround her in the clearing, her aura a blazing ball of adrenaline and light magic.

But she’d handled it. And damn, I was proud.

Austin shifts back and rushes toward her. I do the same, joining just as he pulls her into a tight embrace, burying his face in her neck.

“Ella! Are you okay?”

“Are they all gone? Did I get them all?” she gasps, still scanning the area.

I step over a rogue’s body.

“You absolutely smashed it, Els. You wouldn’t have pulled this off three weeks ago.”

Her growth-both through training and her bond with Austin-was undeniable.

She lifts her head from Austin’s shoulder, frowning.

“Did you run out here in your boxers, Will?”

I glance down at myself, then gesture broadly.

“Do you really think a hybrid wouldn’t know how to enchant his clothes for shifting?”

9

OIG

|||

3/6

<Another Rogue Encounter

She smirks, but before she can respond, Austin stiffens.

“Where the hell is Ollie?” he growls, pulling away and sniffing the air.

“I haven’t seen anyone else. Not even Freya. She went for a shift over an hour ago,” I reply.

Austin clenches his jaw, fists balling before he shifts again and charges off.

Ella watches him go, eyes wide.

“He’s angry… I’ve never really seen him angry.”

I exhale, scanning the c*****e.

+25 Points

“I’d assume his beta was supposed to be on patrol. You shouldn’t have had to do this, Els. What were you even doing out here?”

Her gaze shifts to the bodies.

Her breathing hitches.

Her lip trembles.

…oh no…

Before I can reach her, her face crumples.

A wail escapes her as she stares at the lifeless human face of one of the rogues. Sobbing uncontrollably, she collapses against me, shaking.

“I-I killed seven people,” she gasps between sobs.

Of course, that’s where her mind would go. Taking lives was against everything she was- especially as a faerie.

I grip her shoulders gently.

“Ella, I know this is hard, but you defended yourself. You defended us. You stopped seven attackers

My chest tightens at my own words, as I glance at the bodies again.

…Seven.

A chill runs through me. My stomach sinks.

“Ella… I think this was planned. I think Erebus planned this.”

Her sobs lessen, mind shifting from grief to realisation.

20

9

OIG

N

|||

r

4/6

<Another Rogue Encounter

“Another test? But why would he send seven of his rogues to die? That seems like overkill.”

exhale sharply.

+25 Pointé

“Because in dark magic, sacrifice is often needed for something bigger. Seven souls, right on the North border-this wasn’t a test for you, Ella. He wanted them to die here. He’s planning something.

”

Her confusion deepens.

“But / killed them. Doesn’t the sacrifice have to come from the one using the dark magic?”