The Bridge (Golden Lycans Sequel)

A New Friend

The first day back at school was always a drag. It was time to fish out my pleated skirt and my white shirt from the wardrobe. I hoped I'd washed it. Right now I can't remember as I open the wardrobe with my blurry eyes and fumble around inside.

"Warm weather again today. No tights, underwear is optional," Kate says from on the other side of the room. Super grim, I couldn't imagine going without underwear during the day, here at school. That was a little outside my comfort zone. I look in the mirror and frown. I've grown taller and my shape has definitely changed; my skirt is a little short and a little tight.

"Good grief Serena, better keep away from your Dad looking like that," Kate remarks from behind me. Rats, she's right, he'd flip if he saw this, mainly because from his perspective, if anyone had to set the standard around here, it should be me, annoyingly. I hope I can pick a new one up from reception.

"Yeah... let's hope he stays put in his ivory tower," I mutter as I start putting on some light makeup.

"I wish I hadn't decided to take Biology just because Cedric from the Freshwater Coven was taking it. I almost failed it last year. So pointless now, especially now that he has a boyfriend..." Kate says in irritation as she packs her bag behind me.

"Yeah, I think I need to try a lot harder in human Law this year if I want to do the same job as my sister," I reply absentmindedly while swiping some mascara on my long lashes.

"What does she do now? I've forgotten..." Kate says awkwardly behind me. I've told her a fair number of times, the last time being only yesterday. I sigh.

"She's a liaison lawyer when legal issues involving the General Council cross over with human ones. Overall it's pretty diverse and interesting, and she gets to travel fairly often. Not that Ollie likes that. She's not back now until after my birthday," I explain. I finish adding the required items for the day to my satchel and look at Kate with a sad frown.

"Ready?" I ask. She rolls her eyes at me a little.

"I might ditch my first, honestly I am not all there this morning. I snuck down to the east border with Cade and Kai last night and we smoked up until like, one o'clock. I'll see how I feel after breakfast, though. Maybe some food will perk me up," Kate says with a shrug. I'm a little shocked she's been doing drugs at night with the other two. It was also a bit brave of her to think of ditching classes already, it's not even eight o'clock yet. It was hard to believe sometimes that Kate had started off at Exton as a bright eyed, intelligent girl with some solid aspirations. Somewhere along the way she'd definitely lost herself, and now all she seemed to care about was boys, vaping on the balcony, more boys and apparently now she also did drugs. It was only m*******a, but still...

The way she made me feel toward the end of last year is clawing its way back in. Her attitude has actually gotten worse and she hasn't grown up at all. I can feel it sapping the resolve out of me already. Perhaps Dad really did have a point. I could've kept better company and perhaps I'd be excelling instead of coasting along. As we leave the room, I feel disappointed in myself.

Damn Dad and his comments.

He couldn't command me to do anything anymore, but his words yesterday had hit me harder than I realised. I collect a new skirt from Lynda at reception and I'm still mulling things over in my head as we enter the main hall for breakfast. I look up happily at the domed glass ceiling, seeing blue skies and one or two wispy clouds. Definitely a good weather day. It brings my mood up a little and I feel a little cheerier as I head over to grab my food. I spoon a few loads of chopped avocado onto two halves of a bagel and drape some slices of smoked salmon over the top. Breakfast had definitely kicked up a notch over the past year or two. Score one for the latest food fads and daft dietary requirements.

"Dunno how you can eat that stuff, it's so gross," Kate says with a look of disgust at my breakfast.

My mood dips once again.

It was nice while it lasted.

"Better for me than what you've got," I tease back as she carries her plate of sausages, bacon, black pudding, beans and hash browns toward where we usually sit.

"I wonder if Michaela Abshot has decided to get her nose fixed yet," Kate says casually as she starts eating her breakfast.

"Why, what happened to her nose?" I ask, tucking into my bagel, wondering if something bad had happened to Michaela.

"Genetics," Kate laughs with her mouth half full. Gross. I frown at her comment, as I'd never noticed anything wrong with Michaela's nose. She was a gamma from a local pack, nice enough, kept to herself. She certainly didn't make those sorts of comments about other people. I feel very uncomfortable that Kate feels the need to talk about someone else's nose like this. Wondering if someone had undergone a cosmetic procedure was one thing, but implying someone needed one was another thing altogether and that was a line I would never be crossing. I get up and wander over to the hot drinks station and pour hot water over an earl grey teabag. I look out across the room again like I did last night, wondering again about everyone in the room. I inexplicably feel rather alone at this moment, seeing groups of friends happy and chatting to each other. I feel more than a little disconnected from Kate since we got back. I wish for the first time in my life, that I had some proper friends.

Saying goodbye to your lone wolf days? Hera asks.

Maybe...but how does anyone make a friend?

I go back to the table with my tea and shoot Kate a quick smile as I sit down.

"I text Cade and Kai and told them like...six o'clock for dinner," Kate informs me. I nod slowly and eat some more of my breakfast.

"It's so annoying that you don't have a car," Kate suddenly says, and I look up at her.

"Why? I don't really have the need for one right now. I can walk through a tree and be back home," I reply.

"Well think of all the places we could go if you did. I mean I'm still a few months off passing, being a May baby and all. Otherwise I'd totally be getting a car so I could have more fun with my friends," she says a little haughtily. Her tone almost sounds like she's annoyed at me for not having a car, like I'm somehow being selfish. I finish my last bit of bagel and sigh. I feel like I'm being suffocated by her negative energy.

"I need some air," I state, getting up from the table with my drink and heading to the patio, depositing my tray on the return stack on the way.

I open the doors and breathe in the morning air as I step through. It's a little cooler than the sky makes it seem, but it's still mild and pleasant as early September generally was.

"Tea drinker too, huh? Seems like coffee is the standard drink of choice at this place," I hear a masculine voice from behind me. I turn around and my heart leaps into my mouth, then quickens immediately at the sight of Louis Astor standing behind me, holding a mug of tea himself. Interesting, I didn't know that about him. Great minds think alike, I guess.

"You've got that weird flowery one though," he says with a grimace. I roll my eyes comically.

"I really like the bergamot. Some guy got me hooked on it years ago in Verbier."

He steps a little closer. I'd been too nervous last year to ever make it obvious just how much I fancied the pants off him, but things had changed over the summer. I knew I was very attractive and in truly excellent shape, so any straight male Lycan should be interested based on that alone. Adding the prestige of my name and my pack...I was definitely a catch; any alpha would be so lucky...

Louis clears his throat and turns those dark brown eyes my way. Lord he's so beautiful.

"So...a group of us are heading out on Friday night, around ten, to this old barn a little north of the border. A few beers and ciders...maybe some other things. You should come. Bring Kate; my gamma Ben is keen on her. Maybe with some drink in her she will soften up and intimidate him a little less," Louis states, looking at me with some interest. We definitely weren't going to be mates, but I was very keen to satisfy this particular physical craving of mine come Friday night.

"Yeah, sounds like a good time. I'm sure Kate will come. Willingly, actually. Not sure if you'll have anything strong enough to soften her up, though," I joke.

He smirks at me, maintaining a little eye contact before he wanders back inside.

In school, the summer holidays were always a magical period of great change. I left school before the previous summer looking like a young girl and I came back seven weeks later looking like a young woman. This summer the change seemed to be more mental than physical. Since coming back I just felt so awkward and out of place, like things weren't as easy as they used to be, particularly between Kate and I. Coupled with the catty things she'd said since we arrived back yesterday...I was wondering what happened to her.

I walk back inside and she is still sat on the table finishing her breakfast. She is a bit of a slow eater.

"Where'd you go?" she asks without looking up from her phone, browsing the latest popular social media network.

"Patio. Louis came up to me," I say, and at this her eyes divert toward me.

"Oh?" she inquires.

"We've officially been invited to his barn shindig on Friday. It's at ten. Apparently his gamma, Ben, has a thing for you," I inform her. She wrinkles her nose.

"Ben? Ugh, he's the same height as me," she says, looking unimpressed.

"He's cute though and he's got a great sense of humour," I suggest diplomatically, unsure why being the same height was a turn-off.

"Ugh, well you should get with him, then," she sneers, picking up her bag and standing up.

"I've got media studies, I might actually go," she adds, wandering off and leaving her tray and dirty plate on the table. I sigh and stare after her, wishing my roommate could be literally anyone else at this point.

I pick up her tray and sort it myself.

...

I stand in the doorway of my Law classroom, or Human Law as I preferred to call it, since I study both. I am the only supernatural that is enrolled onto this course, and last year, I just sat at the back on my own, ignoring everyone. I don't even know the names of anyone in the class. I make a face as I realise that I can barely remember the name of the teacher either.

"'Scuse me," a dark haired guy says, squeezing past me and finding his seat in the middle of the room. He greets another guy who is already there, and they start chatting about their summer. I can hear their conversation perfectly of course, due to my heightened Lycan senses. A girl squeezes past me now and I realise that I really ought to just take a seat.

I don't know what comes over me, but I suddenly decide to take a seat somewhere in the middle. It's a little away from who is already here, but I find myself hoping that maybe...maybe, someone will sit next to me.

Maybe I was just feeling needy for some interaction after my cold and dismissive breakfast with Kate. All I knew was that I was realising that I really needed other people to talk to in this place or I'd probably go insane.

I sit down and get my tablet ready to take notes. Lo and behold, two minutes later, someone takes a seat next to me.

"Got tired of languishing on the back row last year, then?" a girl with hair remarkably similar to my own says as she sits down. I look back at her and shrug.

"Yeah, I fancied a change," I reply casually, wondering what this girl's name is. I don't even remember her. Not a bit. She's got an oval face, hazel coloured eyes and a friendly smile. She's pretty and those are definitely fairly expensive diamond earrings that she's wearing, too.

"Well, I'm Christa, I don't think you know that so I'm officially introducing myself; welcome to the final year," she says boldly, holding out her hand. I shake it, feeling intrigued by this girl. She immediately seems upfront and self assured, and that reminds me of myself.

"I'm-" I begin to say.

"Serena Landry, the Headmaster's daughter," she interjects abruptly. I raise my eyebrows at her and nod my head a little solemnly.

"I'm sorry for your loss, for your grandad, I mean. I met him a few times and he was a really insightful man. Quite cool, actually. It must be a bit of a drag, having your dad here now. Couldn't he have waited til next year once you'd left?" she says. I chuckle, since I have wondered that myself quite often over the past month or so.

"I wish. But hey, I've got a great room and I can get food delivered from the kitchen when I'm bed bound with menstrual cramps, so that's a big bonus," I joke. Christa laughs genuinely and I feel myself relax a little.

"So is your dad the reason you're not at the back anymore? Is he giving you a hard time?" she asks. I shake my head.

"No, this was actually a spur of the moment decision. I'm just feeling a little...lost," I admit. She nods as though she totally understands what I mean.

"Welcome to the wonderful world of adulthood," she says darkly.

"Ha, I've still got another four weeks of my teens to enjoy just yet," I reply.

"Good for you. I actually turned eighteen today," she says with an unenthusiastic expression. What a s**t day to turn eighteen, on the first day back at school.

"Savage. Happy Birthday anyway," I say with a smile. There is some throat clearing and some paper shuffling at the front of the room, and the balding man who taught us last year is now up at the front of the class. I wish I could remember his name.

What was I doing last year?

We all fall silent as he looks around at all of us; pausing on me and frowning for a moment as he takes in my new location in the room.

"Welcome back everyone, I hope you all had an enjoyable summer. If any of you also got your tickets cancelled for that music festival up the road the other week, I share your pain," he says conversationally. His voice blends into the background as I look around the room at everyone. I really don't recognise anybody in this room at all. f**k sake, Serena.

Christa soon bobs her head into my field of view and looks at me strangely. The teacher has finished talking and has apparently set us some work.

"Are you okay? You look...confused," she suggests. I nod slowly.

"Yeah I just...I don't recognise anyone in this room and I don't even know the teachers name," I admit I appear to have gone around with blinkers last year, and I don't know a single one of them.

Probably because they are human. Well, I know it's because they are human. I didn't mind humans at all, but I definitely hadn't seen them as any consequence to my daily life here, not until yesterday when Kate did what she did. Now I could see how indifferent us Lycans often were toward them and I wasn't really sure why.

"It's Mr Summers. Also, to be totally blunt? You ignored everyone last year and never took part in group work, so I'm not surprised you're confused. But now you've woken up and joined the real world do you fancy working together on this?" Christa says kindly. I look into her kind face and it's warm and friendly.

She's delightfully normal and she's got a fun aura about her. I quickly feel guilty for being so obnoxious last year. I could've met Christa a whole year ago, if only I'd bothered.

"Yeah...I'd like that," I find myself saying.

"Great, let's boss this," she replies.

"Before we start...I'm sorry. Last year I was...I don't know. A bit up my own arse, I guess," I say with an apologetic expression, "but...I'm quite keen to excel in this class. I think I might want to do the same job my sister does."

"Oh yeah? Is she a lawyer?" Christa asks, actually seeming interested.

"Yeah, she kind of works for the United Nations," I tell her, remembering not to call it the General Council. Truthfully Freya did often work with the UN so it wasn't a stretch. Christa nods slowly.

"Sounds really intriguing. Well, let's get cracking. Our task is based on mens rea. We need to come up with a scenario about criminal intent," Christa explains.

Trying to make friends with humans now? This is an interesting turn of events, Hera comments in the back of my mind.

Meh, why not? This already feels so much easier than being around Kate, lately, I reply.

I'm all for it, Kate has pissed me off since we got back here. She's changed but we've also changed, these things happen as people grow up. Christa seems nice, though, Hera says.

"Whoa don't space out on me too badly, or I'll have to drag you to the patio for some caffeine after this," Christa jokes.

"No dragging would be necessary, I'm always up for a cuppa," I tell her.

And just like that, Human Law wasn't so bad after all.

..

After class, Christa and I do go for a drink, as it turns out we both have a free period. We go and sit outside on the patio off the hall, as thankfully the sun is shining once again.

"You know, the weather here is just always so good. it perks me right up," Christa says, closing her eyes and enjoying the sun on her face.

"Yeah, it's like we have our own little micro climate here," I reply, sipping my tea. I knew of course that the weather around here was sometimes dictated by the mood of our faerie inhabitant. If Sen was happy, so was the sky.

"So, tell me Serena Landry, why do you feel lost in a school that is owned and run by your family?" Christa asks boldly. I explain to her about Kate, how her attitude was bad last year but was even worse this year. I tell her about turfing the guy off the table and the catty comments she's made about people since only yesterday.

"Doesn't sound like anyone I'd like to hang out with, that's for sure. People can change and grow apart quite quickly as they mature," Christa muses.

"I guess," I agree.

"If it helps, you aren't alone, feeling lost, I mean. My roommate left," she reveals.

"They just left?" I ask.

"Yeah. Apparently she got a record deal. Nepotism for sure as I can tell you right now, she was no good at singing. She did it all the time in our room and she wasn't great, but I guess it helps when your dad runs a record label though," Christa says with a frown.

"So do you have the room to yourself now?" I enquire.

"Yeah. It's nice, but it's pretty lonely. She was a crap singer but we used to dance around the room like lunatics for fun, have movie nights, do makeovers on each other, purposefully bad makeovers on each other too. Those were always interesting. We had a lot of fun and she even got along with my friends which was great," Christa says wistfully.

"Sounds like you both had a lot of fun," I reply, realising Kate and I never really did anything fun like that. Christa and I chat for the next hour and its...just easy. She's got a great attitude, she's funny and she hasn't seemed like she's judged me at all for some of the things I tell her about myself.

Kate found it weird that I didn't watch TV or go on social media, but Christa just nods and tells me she gets it, that she and her friends don't do it much either.

"Have you ever felt like you've suddenly woken up as a completely different person?" I suddenly ask Christa, voicing how I feel today.

"Oh dear, sounds dangerously like you're having an existential crisis," she jokes at first, "but actually...yeah. Apparently our brains process things very quickly and efficiently when we sleep, so I think you really could wake up with a new perspective on basically anything and therefore be a different person."

"Well, I feel like I woke up a different person today," I admit.

"Well, I have some good news for you Serena, the person you woke up as today? She is pretty cool."

...

After my free period I have a Supernatural Sociology class, and this is the one class I have with Kate. I breeze through the doorway and head straight for our usual spot and find Kate already there. I am glad to see she hasn't ditched. Instead she is getting her things out ready for class to begin, and for a moment it's like old times as she looks up and notices me coming toward her. A brief smile flickers across her face, and I pull the chair out next to her.

"All good?" she asks. I turn to her and I nod with a smile.

"Yeah, I had a good first class and then I had a drink with someone from law just now during my free period," I reply.

"Wasn't it human law you were just in?" she asks.

"Er, yeah. Why?" I ask with a nervous chuckle as I hang my bag on the back of my chair.

"You had a drink with a human?" she says bluntly.

"Yeah, she was a good laugh actually," I say casually, turning my head to look at her as evenly as I can. I feel uncomfortable again and it's not like old times at all.

This is actually what she's like now.

"Sure," she says with a hint of sarcasm. I decide to stay quiet. I wasn't sure when it had become acceptable to be this against humans, but apparently Kate had some strong feelings on the issue.

Thankfully our teacher Mr Flannery walks in and the class soons falls silent.

"Welcome back ladies and gents. To kick things off we have our first topic of the term; Lycan mating and interspecies relations. Yes, yes, I know it's a very poignant topic, especially for our Lycan peers around the room as they come of age this year," Mr Flannery says with his hands casually in his pockets. He then goes over to his computer and clicks a few times on the mouse, and a video starts playing on the interactive whiteboard up front.

Half an hour into the video, the narrator starts discussing Lycan mate bonds that have occurred with other species over the past several hundred years. Kate leans toward me and mutters quietly.

"Imagine you found out you were bonded to a dwarf, can you imagine how disappointed you'd be?" I smile at the visual of Kate with a dwarf and chuckle a little.

"I think the idea of the bond is that you'd love them regardless," I whisper in response. Kate makes a grimace.

"Bond or not I'd be physically repulsed," she says. I shake my head a little in reply and say nothing. Kate is really annoying me and I'm starting to get tired of her comments.

Ten minutes later Mr Flannery turns off the video and puts the lights back up around the room.

"Interesting stuff eh? How many of you knew Lycans could bond to so many different species?" he asked. He was met with resounding silence. He chuckles.

"Yep, still a little early for me too, but here we are. Some say that the Lycan Moon Goddess creates these bonds with other humanoid supernatural species in an effort to diversify our packs and bridge the understanding between the two species when it is needed, or when it is beneficial to Her grand plan. As the video outlined, these bonds could have a startling effect on their Lycan counterparts...such as with your brother eh Serena, wouldn't you say? They're quite a unique pairing," Mr Flannery says, looking at me now. I feel eyes turn to me within the room.

"Uh, yeah, it's definitely going to diversify our pack hugely once they have kids. But my brother's mate does so much for our pack and many others. She's so powerful, but she's only that powerful because of the strength of their bond. It's a mutually beneficial bonding, it's kind of beautiful," I reply. Mr Flannery nods enthusiastically in response.

"Yes, exactly! A cracking example of interspecies bonding. There are only three packs across the country that have an interspecies pairing at the helm. Just three -"

Kate suddenly starts to talk, interrupting Mr Flannery.

"I'm sorry sir but it almost sounds like you feel like there should be more... I mean we are Lycan. Three is more than enough. Packs should be run by pure Lycan pairings," she says boldly. Mr Flannery looks at her and sighs a little.

"An opinion you are entitled to have, Ms Davison, but one that many do not share," he replies curtly. Another student across the room raises their hand, "Yes, Mr Silvester?"

"Have Lycans ever been bonded to a pure blooded human? I mean the video mentioned humans that are born to supernatural parents, but what about basic humans?" a dark haired lad on the other side of the room asks.

"Never, as far as we are aware, and written record goes back to several thousand years ago. Likely why humans are largely unaware of us," Mr Flannery replies.

"Largely?" Kate pipes up indignantly. Mr Flannery nods and explains.

"There are a select few who are briefed on our existence in order to protect our interests. They're known as 'the big five', and they all have a protected seat within the United Nations. They all have a Lycan or Witch advisor on their staff, although Russia currently has an Elf."

"That's crazy that some humans know about us," Kate remarks loudly.

"Is it? Supernaturals make up a paltry seven percent of the entire global population. Would you not want your interests represented along with the other ninety three percent?" Mr Flannery responds, beginning to sound a little irritated at Kate's tone.

"Why do I need my interests represented to a bunch of humans? We are better than they are," Kate says angrily. My eyes have widened at Kate's bigoted comment. Mr Flannery sighs loudly and checks his watch.

"Thankfully, it's time to wrap up class for today," he says with a disappointed glance at Kate.

...

At lunch I decide to sit outside on the patio, feeling uneasy about Kate's comments in Sociology class. She follows and comes sits next to me on the table I've chosen, but I wish she hadn't.

"Can you believe Mr Flannery?" she asks me haughtily as she picks up her pizza, "it's like he doesn't like being Lycan."

I try to think of a diplomatic response.

"Well, he is mate bonded to a witch, so he's got a particular perspective on the subject, I suppose," I reply.

"But I mean its not like it's a strong pairing?" Kate says stupidly. I put down my fork and stare at her.

"You do know that the largest pack in our country is led by a hybrid, right?" I ask. Kate shrugs.

"Will Leighton-Carter...a hybrid thanks to his Lycan and Witch heritage. He is a really strong alpha Lycan and a powerful warlock, all in one. They have really strong ties to many covens up in the north of the country because of him. Who do you think we owe the school's enchantments to? The Easter bunny? This school is physically protected by us when we patrol, but our very existence is protected by our magical community. Together, we thrive. Apart...we are alone," I say indignantly. Kate stares at me and shakes her head a little.

The good mood I'd developed after being with Christa this morning has since evaporated.

Thankfully we continue the rest of our lunch in silence.