Love or War?

Chapter 10

Joanna's POV
I woke up earlier than usual but only because I expected a response from Leila by now.
When I still didn't have one by the time I usually wake up, I decided to pick up some breakfast and head over to Mikey and Ashton's place.
When I knocked on the door I was surprised to see Mikey.
"Hey!" I chimed, letting myself in.
"Hey?" He closed the door and met me in the kitchen. "What are you doing here, Jo?"
"Well, I never got a reply from Leila so I grabbed her bag and an extra set of clothes and even brought her breakfast. Here." I tossed him a muffin "I got some for you and Ash too."
"Thanks." He took a bit and then ran up the stairs; hopefully going to get my twin.
A few moments later, two arms wrapped around my waist from behind. I smiled wide. "Hey Ash."
"Hi beautiful."
After our run-in with Harry, we'd made up quickly. I was still set on sleeping alone so I sent him home early last night.
"How are you this morning?" He asked quietly, taking a muffin from my bag.
"I'm good. How are you?"
"Good." I felt his lips linger on my cheek. "I'm sorry."
I turned around in his arms, "I told you last night to stop apologizing. I'm over it. Besides, I should be the one apologizing to you."
"No, babe."
I sighed. "Okay, we gotta stop this now."
"Yes you do!" Leila announced, walking into the kitchen.
I rolled my eyes and handed her her bag and breakfast. 'Says the girl who never responded to her sister.'
She shrugged, 'I was busy.'
'Doing what?'
She shot me a look, 'None of your business. How are you and your boy?'
I didn't respond. Instead, I picked up my backpack and left the kitchen. I slammed the back door shut behind me and made my way toward school.
'Come on, Jo! I didn't mean it like that!' She called.
I ignored her as I ran into school and to my first period which I was already going to be late for. I wasn't there long when I felt a warm presence beside me.
"What do you want?" I asked.
"Are you okay? You seem stressed.
I huffed, "Well of course I'm stressed, Styles. You won't leave me alone!"
"I just wanted to apologize. I shouldn't have followed you. I'm sorry."
"You know what? I'm really tired of apologies. So how about you leave me alone like we agreed upon and I can actually pay attention in this class. I'm failing."
"I can help you with that."
I turned my head and glared at him.
He stood up and returned to his seat beside Niall without another word.
Just as I was focusing back on the current studies, a voice chimed inside my head. Like fucking clockwork.
'Jo.'
'go away.'
'stop talking to him'
'you think I like talking to hi, Luke? Its hard when he's the one initiating every thing'
'just focus on school. I'll take care of it.'
I sighed and got through five minutes before two desks behind me suddenly tipped over and two figures zipped out of the room.
I didn't have to glance back to figure out that Luke had just pissed off Pack Hart and their Betas were ready to settle it.
'what did you do Luke?'
'nothing of your concern, Jo.'
I wasn't convinced.
'Lei?'
No response.
Fuck. I began mumbling to myself long enough for the teacher to send me out of class. I left my bag in my locker and sprinted toward home.
I was two miles from the edge of the border between our land and Pack Hart's claim. I could hear members of my pack arguing with one another but I couldn't pinpoint them. I skidded to a stop near the cliff.
'Luke, it's not fair to keep her out of this.'
'Lei, they fought over her the day after Mikey was attacked. We can't let her emotions get in this.'
'she's fine! Just ask her and she'll tell you.'
'she didn't seem fine this morning when she ignored you.'
'Luke.' Cal's voice chimed in; too close for comfort.
He came up behind me and led me to the clearing.
"You're supposed to be in school, Jo."
"Stop trying to protect me, Lucas. I'm fine. So now tell me why Harry and Niall ran out of class faster than the wind in a hurricane."
Leila walked over to me, "Luke asked for a meeting between the packs. There isn't much past that."
I groaned, "Okay, so what do we do?"
"There isn't much we can do, Jo." Luke said quietly. "But you two can go back to school. We can handle it."
We both shook our heads.
"No. We're your Betas. We're going to be there no matter what."
Leila looked at me expectantly. "Jo, are you sure you're good with this?"
I nodded. "I have to be, Lei. This has to end."