Love or War?

Chapter 14

Joanna's POV

The next couple of days were awkward, to say the least. Luke insisted that Ashton and I continue to fake date even though we'd clearly broken up and Harry knew it. However, he also told us that we have to be nice to Niall and Harry no matter what. Luke and the other boys decided that letting Niall and Harry stay would benefit us in the long run. They are by no means a part of our pack, but they are sticking around.

There was a knock at my door, "Joanna?"

I sat up as Luke walked into my room. I'd basically locked myself in my room since Ashton and I fought. "Hey Luke." I tried to sound cheery.

"We need to talk Jo."

I shrugged, "About what?"

"Come on, don't play dumb with me." He sat on my bed next to me. "You've been walking on thin ice for weeks now."

I huffed. 'I wonder why.'

Luke growled, "Jo. You hated him because of dad but now the two of you are sneaking off and sitting at the clearing together every afternoon."

"How do you know about that?" I mentally slapped myself as soon as I said it. Of course he knows, he's the Alpha.

"Joanna, you're smart. I know you are. I just don't understand what's going on inside your head." He let out a sigh, "Do you love him?"

I choked on nothing. "Wh-what? No! That's absurd!"

"Come on, Jo. Ashton isn't stupid. He catches you thinking about Harry more than I do most days."

I rolled my eyes, "I have gotten a lot better at that by the way."

"I know you have but not good enough. So answer my question."

"I don't know, Luke. Its all pretty confusing to me. I had a crush on Ash for as long as I can remember. So asking us to fake date was not the end of the world. I just knew he wasn't my mate so it was hard to trust him like Lei trust Mikey."

"No one expects you to be like your sister, Jo. You're your own person. I just don't want you to be with Harry right now. Its a conflict of interest when we're about to fight Pack Hart."

I sighed and leaned back against my pillows. "I'm not with Harry, Luke. We're just friends. What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing. Just don't let it get in the way."

I was silent.

Luke took the hint and left.

Less than a minute later there was another knock on my door.

"Yeah?" I called.

The door opened again and Harry popped his head in. "You ready?"

I nodded, smiling, and followed him down the stairs and out the front door.

I ran ahead of him and jumped in the air, transforming.

"Damn it Jo! I wasn't ready yet!" Harry called behind me.

I chuckled and began to run to the clearing. I felt Harry catch up and wiz past me.

'Well shit, Harry. In a rush?'

'Just want to beat you for once.'

We both skidded to a stop as we reached the clearing. Ashton sat at the edge of the cliff humming a tune I recognized as one of his own.

Harry backed off, 'Find me later.'

I nodded and he retreated back into the woods.

I transformed back into human form and padded my way over to Ash and sat down.