Love or War?

Chapter 12

Joanna's POV
"What the hell are you two doing here?" Leila growled.
"Um, we uh-" Niall stuttered.
"Come on, Horan we don't have all day! Spit it out!"
"We're not fighting against you." Harry blurted.
Niall looked over at him. "Yeah, okay, way to be subtle about it, mate."
"Well its better than your stuttering."
I rolled my eyes. "No, no, no. The two of you cannot come all this way and just blurt out that you're not fighting against us. What does that even mean?"
Harry stepped forward. "Is there somewhere the two of us can talk, Jo?"
I shook my head as Leila stepped in front of me. "Not a chance in hell, Styles." She snapped.
"Let her speak for herself, Leila."
Lei shook her head, "She doesn't want to talk to you. And especially not alone."
"Why are you so protective of her? She's your fuckin twin." Niall asked.
"Because she's conflicted, Niall! Harry won't leave her alone long enough for her to decide what she wants!"
I rolled my eyes. Do they realize that I'm still here?
"She knows what she wants, Lei! Let her speak." Niall said again.
I huffed and walked around Leila. "Okay, for once I'm agreeing with Niall. I'll be back sis."
I took Harry's hand, despite the burning sensation, and led him to the woods. We walked slowly toward the clearing. I dropped his hand as I sat down near the cliff.
"Okay. Here is your chance to talk."
"Niall and I decided that we're not fighting against you and Leila." He said softly, sitting down beside me.
"Why?"
"Because we can't fight our mates."
"But why me?"
He sighed and took my hands in his. "I asked myself that at first too but the more I watched you and thought about you, I couldn't control my growing feelings for you." He paused, "I love you, Jo. And I can't, no I won't, fight against someone I love."
I gasped. "Harry."
"I know, I know, you're with Ashton. I get it. And I'll stay clear and not bother you. But I won't fight against you. Hart kicked us out because we refused to do what he said. We don't know where we're going exactly, and honestly your house was the first place we thought to come to. We understand if you send us away too, but I had to tell you, Jo. I'm not fighting you."
I took a deep breath, "This is all a lot to handle, Harry."
"I know it is, babe, and I'm sorry."
"And you know I can't make this decision on my own. Lei and I have to talk about it and then we have to bring it up with Luke and right now he hates the both of you." I sighed, "but I wouldn't be against having you around."
His eyes met mine and he looked shocked, "Wait. Really?"
I nodded, a small smile forming.
"But you always glare when you see me or when I get near you."
"Well yeah, because you've usually done something really stupid."
Harry lightly chuckled, "I don't deny that one bit."
"Look Harry, I know you only mean well and I know we're mates, but you're right- I am with Ashton. I want to be with him right now because it's where I feel safe. I will talk to Leila, okay?"
He nodded. "Okay." We stayed in silence for a bit before he spoke up again. "Um, Jo? Can I just say one thing?"
I looked up and nodded. "Yea of course."
"Okay" He said softly as he quickly leaned over and his lips touched mine.
My heart stopped momentarily before he pulled away. His forehead rested against mine.
My breath hitched, "I should probably go talk to Lei now."
"Um, yeah."
I pulled away and stood up, Harry following behind me all the way back to the house. That's when I saw their bags sitting on the front porch. They really were kicked out.
"Lei?!" I called as we walked into the house.
She called from the kitchen. "In here."
"Can we talk?" I called out a bit softer.
Niall walked out of the kitchen and motioned Harry outside. I joined Lei at the island counter.
"Do we even bring this up to Luke?" I asked, knowing Niall had told her basically what Harry told me.
"I have no idea, Jo. I mean, it would be wrong to send them away. They're rogue now."
"But it is up to Luke isn't it."
"Yeah. It is. And Luke hates them."
I groaned and laid my head down on the counter. "God this is so fucked up, Lei. Luke isn't even going to hear us out."
Just then we heard the front door slam against the wall. "Leila! Joanna!"
We stood up as Luke stormed into the kitchen.
"Why the fuck are Hart's Betas outside?! Why did Michael call for me saying he and Ash were worried about the two of you?"
"Luke-" I started.
"No, Jo! Stop talking! You have been a mess since Harry came around."
"Lucas!" Lei shouted, cutting him off. Her Beta blue eyes bore into his. "They're not Hart's Betas anymore! They got kicked out! They're rogues!"
"What?" He ran back out of the kitchen. We followed closely behind as he ran to the yard. "The two of you are rogue?"
The boys nodded.
"So why are you here?"
"We won't fight against your Betas, Hemmings." Niall spoke up. "They're our mates. But we're not looking for any special treatment."
"Good because you're not getting any." Luke sighed. He turned and his eyes met mine. I silently begged him not to send them away. 'Jo.' He muttered silently.
'Please, Luke.'
Luke took a deep breath. "Go inside."
We didn't fight him as I took Leila's hand and we walked inside the house. My sister was quick to run up the stairs. I heard her door shut and the sounds of her and Mikey talking. I slumped onto the couch and turned on the television. Seconds later, I felt a presence behind me.
'Hi, Ash.'
'Hi, babe.' He walked across the room and sat beside me, his arms engulfing me. 'I missed you today.'
I smiled. 'I missed you too. Did you hear?'
'Hear what?'
"Harry and Niall were kicked out of their pack." I said aloud.
"Really?"
I nodded. "They refused to fight against me and Leila."
"What is Luke gonna do?"
I shrugged. "No idea. He sent us inside."
Ashton held me tighter. "I'm not ready to let you go." He whispered.
"I'm not going anywhere, Ash." I assured. "Harry promised to stay away."
"But you don't want him to, do you Jo?"
I looked up and met his gaze. "Wh-what?"
"Its okay Joanna. I get it. He's your mate and it was wrong of me to get so attached."
"Ash, wh-what? But I just said-"
"I know you did, but that doesn't mean I don't know what's really going on inside your head. Jo, I like you a lot. I always have. But Harry is your mate and he's really not all that bad. You like him."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Ashton. I'm dating you. I don't like him like I like you."
"Jo, you don't have to pretend anymore. You know you're meant to be with him and that conflicts your heart when it comes to me. Just promise me that we can still be friends. Just like before."
I pulled out of his arms and stood up. "I can't believe you right now, Ash! You convinced me that being with you was the right decision. You asked that I let go of Harry and I did that for you! I gave you all of my attention and I forgot about him until he just showed up today! And now you're telling me that you don't want to be with me anymore? What happened to protecting me? What happened to the Ashton I've had a crush on since I was nine years old? Where did he go? Because I don't see him right now and that hurts because he's the one who keeps me safe and makes me laugh. It took everything I had in me to sat yes to you last week, Ash but I was ready! I was ready to give you a chance." I took a step toward the door before turning around. "I was ready to love you, Ashton." I didn't wait for a response.
Soon I was transformed and I ran through the woods. I know Luke told us to always be with someone but I didn't want to be near anyone, especially Ashton, the one person Luke trusted the most.
'Jo!' I heard Luke call for me. 'Get back here.'
I ignored him and continued to run.
*******
I had no idea where I was when I finally stopped running. I breathed heavily, but listened around me for voices. There was only one and I didn't like the sound of it.
'Well, well, well, look who decided to take a run into the wild side.'
I looked around me for the source of the voice. 'Wh-who's there?'
There was an evil laugh. 'Is the Hemmings Beta scared? Hmm. You must be Joanna. Leila would be growling by now.'
I suddenly knew who it was. I pushed my fear aside. 'Look Jackson. I'm not here to cause trouble. I was just running and I lost track of where I was. I'll just leave now.' I took a step back toward the north. Suddenly a shadow appeared that made me halt.
'No, princess. I think you should stay.'
'Don't. Call. Me. That.' I growled.
'Oh, why not? Is that what Daddy called you?' I held my ground as Alpha Hart circled around me. 'You know. He always told me how he'd do anything to protect his little girls. I just never thought he would actually die for you.'
'Stop talking about my father. You didn't know him like I did.'
'But did you really know him, Joanna? Was he ever really around?'
I was becoming frustrated. I knew I could jump him anytime I wanted, but I also knew Luke would be upset if I did. Afterall, I'm the only one out here.
'Here's my proposition for you, Little Miss Beta. You convince your brother to give up your land to its rightful owner, and I'll spare the lives of your friends. I seem to remember the name of one you're particularly fond of. Ashton, is it?'
'You leave him out of this, Jackson!'
'I also happen to know, very well in fact, another that you're fond of. Harry is quite the Beta but he has trouble sorting between love and loyalty.'
My heart skipped a beat at the sound of his name.
'I-I don't know what you're talking about.'
He chuckled lowly, 'You know. Harry was right about you. You are the quiet one.'
I growled. 'You don't know me.'
'You're right. I don't. But I would love to know you more, princess.'
He stopped in front of me. 'So what do you say? Are you going to convince your brother and protect your mate and your boyfriend, or are you going to let everyone who you care about get hurt?'
I stayed quiet, afraid to even think anything in fear that he would hear my thoughts.
Suddenly his ears perked up. 'Well, I suppose that's my cue to leave. Just think about what I said, Joanna.'
He was quickly gone and I was almost instantly surrounded by the others.
I transformed, causing the others to as well. I didn't speak as my brother, sister, and our friends bombarded me with questions.
I soon felt two arms wrap around me and everyone became silent.
I leaned my head against Harry's chest.
"Jo, what happened?" He asked softly.
"He threatened to hurt everyone if I don't convince Luke to give up our land."
"Who did?" Luke asked.
"Jackson."
I felt Harry tense up. Everyone started murmuring to each other. Harry put his hands on my face. "Did he hurt you?"
I shook my head. "Not physically."
"But?"
"But he used all of my fears against me. Ash, Leila, Luke" I sighed "You."
"Me?" He asked quizzically.
I nodded. "Yes. You, you idiot." I pulled away from him and made my way to Luke. "Please tell me you have a plan."
"Yeah, I do. We all go home and sleep tonight. In the morning we'll plan our strategy. We're not letting our land go that easily."
"And what about Harry and Niall?" Leila asked.
"I've agreed to let them stay for tonight. We'll talk about it more tomorrow. For now, Calum and I will do perimeter check. Ashton and Mikey will take you girls back to the house."
Ashton cleared his throat and avoided my gaze, "Um, mate-"
Luke changed his mind. "Oh, right, of course you little fucker can't even look at my sister right now. Fine, you can come with. I guess Harry and Niall can walk Joanna with Mikey and Leila."
I groaned. "I don't need them to look after me, Luke."
"Obviously you do, Jo! You just ran off and then were cornered by the Alpha of another pack! Now get back to the house!" He growled. "All of you!"
As we went our separate ways, Harry's hand fell to my lower back.
Luke growled again, "Styles! Don't touch my sister! I still hate you!"
I rolled my eyes transforming and beginning my run behind Leila.
This was going to be a long night.