The Bridge (Golden Lycans Sequel)

Out With the Old, In With the New

"Camping..." I begin with a dramatic pause, "is ON."

I tell the others at dinner later that evening.

Theo looks extremely excited and he does an adorable little boogie in his chair at the news.

"How much did you have to beg daddy dearest?" Joel jokes.

"Honestly, I think he was just happy that I'm hanging out with new people. No begging was required," I shrug, "he agreed pretty quickly but everyone still needs to check with their parents."

"Sure fire sign that your dad never liked your old friends," Christa says, as she dunks naan bread into her curry. I don't reply, as this is a fair assessment.

"Anyway, I don't have any classes after my computer science class tomorrow so I will go home and grab camping gear. Cooking stove and lamps and stuff," I tell everyone.

"Well I've got enough tents to sleep eight, so we are all set on that front. My dad is dropping them off tomorrow," Theo says happily.

..

I wake up peacefully the next morning, to Kate quietly moving around the room. She still hasn't said a single word to me since she called me a 'narc'.

I wonder if I can somehow get her booted from this room, but it probably isn't worth the agro.

I get up too and get ready for the day.

I've got computer sciences and it's another gruelling three hour class, again. Thankfully it's the only class I have today as I've got a few things to sort before tomorrow.

I meet the gang at breakfast and push my beans around my plate a little. I feel nervous. Computer sciences happens to be the one 'human' class that I take that also has a decent number of Lycans in it; including Louis Astor, who I haven't actually seen since his hands were heading up my skirt a week ago in the barn.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Finn says quietly, sitting opposite me this morning. I look up at him and shoot him a quick smile that immediately falters.

"I have three hours this morning with a bunch of people who are no longer speaking to me, ever since the barn fiasco," I tell him, "it's just going to be a bit awkward."

Finn looks at me kindly.

"Well, you are more than welcome to sit at the computer next to me," he says casually. Wait, Finn is in my computer class? How have I not noticed him before? But once again, I already know the answer. Aside from the Lycans in that class, I have no idea who else is in it, just like with Law. I put my head in my hands, feeling like a total tit.

"We are in...the same computer science class..." I state slowly and awkwardly. Finn laughs.

"Yes, we are, since the beginning of last year. I have always sat in the corner and I quite enjoy it as no one ever talks to me. They are all into their own things. I just watch people," he says before he grins wider, "and you, clearly had your eye on Louis Astor, all of last year."

I put my palm to my face again and laugh awkwardly.

"I'm not even going to deny that. But that ship has firmly sailed," I tell him. He looks at me curiously.

"How come?" he asks. I frown for a moment and wonder how to word this to a human.

"He's not the right...jigsaw piece for me," I say with a smirk, borrowing a metaphor from Sen.

"Aye, well, I do not think he knows his port from his starboard, so you have definitely made the right call," he replies dryly.

"Speaking of...have you thought any more about going sailing?" I ask him. I can see Joel listening in, in my peripheral vision.

"I am still considering it. There are a lot of factors to think about," he says simply with a slight frown.

"Or just two factors...the tides and the weather..." I joke. His expression softens.

"I will tell you," he says, his light blue eyes fixed into mine. He's telling me the truth. I nod before checking my watch.

"Ugh. We should probably get to class?" I say and he nods. We both get up from the table.

..

I enter the computer lab behind Finn and I feel for a moment like he's my super tall human shield as I follow him to the very back of the lab, away from the Lycan males. I briefly catch Louis' eye but I quickly turn my head away from him, putting our little rendezvous firmly behind me.

"Wow, you could cut the tension between you two with a knife," Finn says lowly to me.

"Really?" I ask with a frown.

"No," he jokes blandly with a grin, "you could do far better, Serena. Sure, he is the human equivalent of an Italian sports car, but there is not much going on under the hood. You however, seem to be full of surprises. He would bore you."

"Thanks, Finn," I say, a little surprised at his comment. By the day he seems to be relaxing more around me, which is something I'm quite happy about. He's got a fairly dry sense of humour and he's got a very calm and methodical air about him.

The class once again get stuck into working with our tedious computer coding, building an electronic point of sale interface.

"Are you looking forward to camping?" I ask Finn randomly. He doesn't answer so I look over at him and he's staring at the screen while muttering to himself. I chuckle a little and prod him gently on the arm and he immediately looks at me and smiles.

"Apologies, I have got music playing in my other ear," he says, pointing to a wireless earbud on the other side.

"Genius, why haven't I ever thought of that?" I say. He smirks at me for a moment before he takes a case out of his pocket and opens it, offering me the other earbud.

"You are more than welcome if you happen to like rock and a bit of alternative...indie...pop rock...plus...instrumental film scores..." he lists awkwardly as he laughs with a dubious expression.

"That honestly sounds like a mix that I am rather intrigued by," I reply, taking his other ear bud and putting it into the ear away from him. The song that's already playing is a favourite of mine. I smile to myself as I listen to it.

"So, I asked if you are looking forward to camping," I say to him. He considers my question for a moment.

"I am looking more forward to it by the hour," he replies with a sideways look. He intrigues me with the things he says sometimes.

"I'm really glad you're in this class," I say to him, "I think this is the first computer class I've actually enjoyed, so...thank you. You also have an excellent taste in music."

"I know," he replies casually with another sideways look.

..

After the computer science class, Finn heads off to his International Relations class. I am already done for the day, and shortly due to meet Stephen out the front with my 'new' car, which turns out to be roomy Tucson.

I see him trundling down the road in it, and I'm pretty happy to be honest. It isn't beautiful and sleek like Ella's car, but it will seat at least five people, and it's got a large boot space. Perfect for camping and many other things, really.

"Morning Stephen!" I say, greeting my dad's newly retired beta. He still lives in the pack house as a privilege.

"Serena, my dear, how are you?" he asks as he gets out of the car.

"I am really good," I reply positively, getting into the driver's side while he gets into the passenger side.

I drive to the pack house so Stephen can get home, but I've also got a fair bit of camping kit to pick up. I just need to find it in the garage.

First, I visit the cabin, which was dad's office for years, but was now Austin's. I knock on the door and wait. The door opens and my brother's handsome face is soon beaming down at me.

"Serena! What a lovely surprise, come on in," he says, holding the door open. I enter and immediately take my place on my favourite chair. It's bright red and super soft and comfy to sit on.

"So. I'm going camping tomorrow with my six new human friends," I promptly inform him. He nods and looks surprised

.

"Yeah, dad called me this morning before he left for work. You've been gone less than two weeks but it sounds like you've been gone longer," he replies. He's not wrong, things have changed rapidly in a short space of time.

"Kate's turned into an elitist b***h," I say bluntly.

"Er, she's actually always been like that, Ser, that whole pack is full of them which is why we don't have much to do with them, despite their proximity," he says truthfully. I shake my head and look down at my hands.

"How come I never saw it before?" I ask Austin.

"I don't know, but now you do see it and the fact you don't like her behaviour suggests some good growth in you, to me. You're growing up, and while you strayed a little last year, you were still raised with the right fundamentals. You're a Landry," he says warmly.

"My new friends are really great. They like the same things I like. They'd make excellent Lycans, except...they're not," I say with a smile. Austin scoffs at my comment.

"Well that's not hard, you like a lot of things. I don't know anyone who can do as many things as you can and has tried as many things as you have," he laughs.

"I hate that I can't tell them what I really am. I think they'd accept it so well," I remark sadly.

"I know the feeling. Before I found out what Ella really was, I thought she was human. I felt like she was closed off from me, that she'd never know the real me and she'd never be a part of my world. Yet here she is, now the biggest part of my world. People have gone back and forth with the idea of going public about the supe community for hundreds of years, and the reason we don't is because it's simply not necessary. We don't bond with humans and we've done pretty well so far to keep ourselves to ourselves," Austin says.

"I guess," I reply, "it's just...something made me randomly decide to sit somewhere else in law class, and that decision led me to a new friend and then five more. It feels like it's all been done with purpose, like I'm meant to be friends with them, like it's part of my path, you know? Maybe I'm going nuts. It just feels so natural, so fluid...so easy."

"I understand that feeling. It's what made me never give up on Ella; the feeling like I was being guided to her for a greater purpose. What I do know for sure, Serena, is that there is always a higher power at work and She works in strange ways. If it feels right, then keep going. Trust yourself the way I did," he says to me, rather passionately.

"I worry what people will think about me hanging out exclusively with humans now," I admit.

"Ignore them. Do what makes you happy and feels right. Trust your gut and follow it, you can't go wrong," Austin says kindly.

"It does feel rubbish, that they'll never truly know who I really am," I say sadly.

"They will know you, Serena. Our wolves become a big part of us, but we were still a whole, full person before they blended with us. The person they talk to is the Serena you've become with Hera's influence these last few years. So, they do know you, Serena and they technically know Hera for the influence she's had on who you are today. Rest assured they will always get to know who you are, whether they see you with a tail or not."

I nod, because what he says does make sense. Day to day I looked and acted human and that's because I technically was, for the most part.

"The fact you have so many skills, so many interests and have such a rich character isn't just down to Hera. Remember that, because you did all that before you got her. She has made you stronger, bolder and so fearless. But before she blended with you, you were human just like your new friends," Austin reminds me. I nod again.

"Anyway, I'm off to raid the garage for some camping equipment, then Hera is going to go for a run for a few hours," I say, standing up to leave.

"You can stay for dinner if you like? I'm cooking," Austin suggests. I smile at him but I shake my head.

"Nah. I'll have six people wondering where I am," I say with a bigger smile.

..

A few hours later the car has been loaded and Hera has dutifully visited her favourite parts of our pack grounds. I feel refreshed and content. I'm on my way back up the garden when Amoya approaches me.

I like Amoya, but she's very frustrating with the way she speaks to people. I could do without a cryptic encounter right now.

"Serena, you have returned for a short time," she states.

"Hi Amoya, I hope you're well," I say politely. I'm about to walk past her and escape her, when she reaches for my hand and manages to snag it.

Great.

I sigh as her eyes roll back to their whites and I wait twenty seconds for her to leave her state of Seeing.

Right now I don't need Amoya bursting my good mood with some ominous warning.

Her eyes return to normal and she instead stares at me in a way I've never seen her look at anyone before. I feel my heartbeat go a bit faster as I wait for her to say something.

"Oh child...what you are starting..." she says slowly in a strange and hazy way, yet still staring at me straight in the eyes, "so beautiful, so pure...do not be afraid. Go forward without fear and embrace it. Become the bridge."

"W-what do you mean?" I ask, my heart pounding as I search in her intense eyes for the answer. Her expression suddenly relaxes and she instead smiles.

"Go, enjoy your lovely weekend. Sing proud my dear," she says in her normal voice, her eyes now full of warmth. She lets go of my hand and walks away. I turn and watch her leave, wondering what on earth she meant by what she just said.

...

I drive back to Exton at around four o'clock, now laden with a camping stove and associated pots and pans, two oil lamps, seven tightly packed sleeping bags, a cool box for food, some wooden logs and two fishing rods plus a bucket.

I park my new car in the student car park and chuckle to myself as I remember Kate indignantly telling me about how I should have a car here.

But...she didn't make me want to have a car here, other people have instead. I enter the atrium and I salute Lynda in my silly way. I've got time for a gym session before I meet the gang for dinner, so I go back to the room.

When I enter the room I am very surprised but also very happy to see that Kate's half of the room is now totally empty.

What a win! Hera exclaims

Hallelujah, the b***h has gone! I agree.

I laugh out loud with happiness, punching the air in jubilation.

She clearly decided to change rooms and I'm totally fine with that. I immediately want to ask Christa at dinner if she wants to move to this room, since she's on her own already. I can't think of anyone else who would enjoy the balcony more.

Kate only used it to smoke weed.

I get changed into my gym shorts and a cropped sports bra and I head down to one of my other haunts.

This is why Dad will always have a soft spot for me; it's because I've learned to love the gym, where my other siblings really aren't fans. It's probably why I get on so well with Ollie, too.

I head straight over to the free weights area while I insert my ear buds. I sigh as the opening bars of one of my favourite songs start to play. It's a great opening and I press my ear buds deeper into my ears, shutting my eyes for a short time as I let the music fill and invigorate me.

I zone myself back in and put my weightlifting gloves on and start loading up one of the weight bars with my usual. I feel a tap on my shoulder.

My eyes nearly pop out of their sockets as I'm greeted by a topless Joel, glistening with sweat and looking...so hot.

I want to curse myself now, for deciding not to enjoy Joel, just because of potentially sensing my mate soon.

I hear Austin in my head, reminding me to trust my gut and have faith in where I'm being led. Joel needed to stay firmly in the friend zone, because it was what we both needed.

"WOW," I say loudly and without thinking, staring right at his six pack while removing my ear buds.

"Thanks," he says with a small wiggle of his eyebrows.

"Seriously," I nod, now looking into his brown eyes, "you clearly work very hard."

I've figured enough about Joel over the past few days to know that he needed a bit of a confidence boost every now and then. I mean every word, though, the guy is a work of art.

I find it even more impressive, knowing there is no supernatural cheat code at work here. It's all on him.

"Well, all of this is the money maker," he says , gesturing down his body with a shrug. I furrow my brow at him a little.

"Joel, I'm sure your acting ability isn't defined by a set of sculpted abs and tight glutes," I say with a smirk. He laughs at this.

"Oh, so you have noticed," he says brightly, referring to my glutes comment. He looks down at the weights I've added to my bar and he frowns.

"Serena, you couldn't possibly lift this?" he asks, looking at me like I'm nuts.

"Hmm..are you sure?" I ask before I shoo him out the way, proceeding to push jerk my one hundred and twenty kilogram bar over the top of myself in front of him. Now it's his turn for his eyes to pop out his head.

"I am now a little turned on," he teases.

Makes two of us, Hera comments in the background.

Stop it, it's not going to happen.

I snort to myself at Hera, and I gesture to the bar once it's back in the floor.

"You could do this," I inform him. He shakes his head lightly.

"I've never done that before, I'm actually too nervous to do a push jerk. If I hurt myself, it could cost me an acting gig."

"Then I'll spot you, it'll be fine. I'll coach you, right now. Today is the day, do you trust me?" I say to him. He lets out a long exhale before he nods and smiles.

"Excellent. This weight should not be hard for you," I say, eyeing up his muscular arms. He easily picks up the bar, but looks nervous about lifting it up high.

"Keep your core engaged and remember to breathe," I tell him, and he nods. I raise my arms up in case I need to help him, and I coach him through the remainder of the lift. When I've got him standing there, triumphant, with the bar over his head, he looks ecstatic.

"How the hell are you so strong?" he asks once the bar is back on the ground, "that was pretty heavy."

"Good genes," I say simply with a lopsided smirk.

..

On my way out of the gym I remember to check in with Sen before I go back to my room for a shower. I take the next doorway out to the garden and walk along the covered walkway that leads me to the security door to the garden.

I swipe my room card and I enter, taking a deep inhale of the various scents within the garden. I do love it in here.

"Sen?" I call out. After a few seconds I hear footsteps behind me and I turn around to see Sen standing before me, dressed in a flowing white dress.

"Ohh, woman, you look like an angel," I laugh. She smiles at my comment.

"I saw Ella earlier today," Sen tells me as we take a seat on a nearby bench.

"She was here?" I ask.

"Yes. She is well. She wanted to know if you were well," Sen tells me.

"I'm great," I tell her. She looks around me at my aura and I roll my eyes a little.

"Yes, you are," she agrees. I nod and lean back on the bench with my eyes shut.

"Your father wanted you to help out here to teach you some discipline," Sen begins, and I open my eyes and look toward her, "but I do not think that has ever been your problem, Serena. You actually have more discipline than anyone else I know, which is why you are so multi-talented. I also don't need help here as my magic takes care of everything quickly and also, most efficiently."

"I do have discipline," I agree, "I have just lacked the right direction. But I don't think that's the case anymore."

"Exactly. You are heading in the right direction. I want to make sure you remain that way. Instead of helping me here, I just want you to come and see me twice a week, just to talk. No holding anything back. Wednesday's and Sundays at three. What do you think?" Sen offers.

Not many would pass up what is essentially free therapy, which is how I see any conversation that I have with Sen.

She is always unbiased, insightful and has never judged me for even a moment. I guess that's what happens when you live for almost two millenia like she has. She had the widest perspective compared to anyone that I've ever met.

"Sounds good to me. I'll see you on Sunday," I tell her happily.

"Enjoy what you have planned. Your excitement is plain to see all over your aura."

I nod and smile at her before exiting the garden.

..

At dinner Joel is regaling our time in the gym to everyone else.

"There is no way, Serena is like a size eight, how could she lift that much? She doesn't even look that muscular!" Stacey says in disbelief. I need to remember to do the heavy lifting after hours, or only at the pack, I think to myself. Someone my size shouldn't be able to lift what Joel saw me lift. I needed to be more careful.

"She cleared that tree like an Olympic gymnast, I'm not surprised," Alice chimes in.

"That was quite impressive," Finn agrees.

"When are you coaching me, Jang Mi-ran?" Theo jokes, naming a world class female weightlifter.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa-she's my coach," Joel says, staring down Theo. I think about what Joel had just said for a moment and it feels like a good decision.

"Yep, I'm officially now Joel's spotter and gym buddy, making sure he doesn't take a kettle bell to those perfect teeth and face of his," I joke, "but if you're serious, go talk to Ollie Woodward, Theo, he's actually here to teach students in the gym."

"Oh, I saw him in the gym earlier this week, that guy is sick," Joel says. I laugh.

"Yeah you don't know the half of it. He's my older sister's fiancé," I tell him.

"Anyway," I say, putting down my dinner fork, "I've now got myself a car in the car park and it's full of camping stuff. Cooking equipment, lamps and sleeping bags for all. There is even one big enough for our gentle giant."

I add, looking across at Finn.

"That is very thoughtful of you, thank you," he says appreciatively, "I was concerned I might get a bit cold."

"Aww Finny, you know I'm always up for some spooning. I'd have you warmed up in no time," Joel jokes.

"You guys must have some interesting times in your room," I say, looking between the two of them.

"Yes, it is a hoot and a half, every day of the week," Finn says with a lopsided smile.

"He actually loves me, I promise, " Joel says brightly.

"Speaking of rooms, my grumpy old roommate changed rooms some time today without telling me, so...I have a spare bed," I say, remembering my surprise for Christa and removing a keycard I'd got made for her from my pocket, "so how would you feel about moving in with me, Christa?"

Christa's eyes open wide in surprise and she snatches the keycard from me and nods, a broad smile spreading across her face.

"Hell yes, can we go move my stuff now?" she asks, "and by that I mean I would actually need help from every single one of you coz I do have a fair bit of stuff."

She looks around the table at everyone, and sure enough, some time after dinner, we are moving all of Christa's things to my room.

I am made up.

I could have dealt with having the room to myself but I just know I'm going to have a good time with Christa there. It feels right.

...Purposeful.

We stand outside the door and I turn to them.

"This is one of three rooms like this and they're really quite different from all the others. You're going to be a little surprised," I tell them just before Christa inserts her new keycard for the first time.

They all pile into the room and soon there are loud noises of approval coming from them.

"What! You have a balcony?" Joel exclaims, wandering out onto it with Finn, "this is way better than the living room we have."

I'm very surprised to hear that Joel and Finn share one of the rooms usually earmarked for heirs, which has a living area before the bedroom that boasts two large sofas and a fridge among other things.

"Ohhh okay, I guess our resident movie stars get all the perks when it comes to rooms," I tease.

"Have you always had this room?" Finn asks in a strangely urgent tone. His eyes are fierce, right now. I am a little bewildered...

"Umm, yeah, ever since I got here. I could never part with it, to be honest. This balcony has been my godsend."

He bites his lip, looking over the railing and down to the grounds below, evidently thinking through something.

"This half glass ceiling and wall is amazing, but does it not get hot during the warmer months?" Alice asks, looking up through it curiously.

"It can do from time to time, but the normal air con system does a pretty good job. Sometimes it's fine if I just leave the door open," I reply.

"This is just incredible, thank you so much. It's so light in here, it's perfect," Christa says, taking my hands gleefully. I look at her and smile warmly.

"It's the least I could do Christa, you've made coming back here so much better," I reply, beyond thankful for her bringing new people into my life.