A Leader Must Rise - Old Version

Chapter 2

Warrior Mark -->

Andrew

I gripped the stirring wheel hard as I drove away from my sister. James whined in my head as Aria disappeared into the woods.

Go back, Drew, James whined, and I clenched my teeth together.

I know, James but she's right. If we're caught dropping her off, they'll hurt her to teach us a lesson then give us a few bruises. Remember the last time? I asked, and James whimpered. Aria nearly died that day. Not only did she receive a beating, but she was also raped afterwards by pack members. We were lucky enough to get to her in time before she bled to death.

I know, but I wish we were strong enough to help her. I hate having to submit to my brothers, so they can't hurt us, James replied, and I physically nodded as I pulled into a parking spot. Despite the fact what is going on, I still love my big brother, even if he's a bastard to Ari, and Chase has been with the three of us before I can remember. He's a part of the family and I love him just as much as I love Justin.

I know, it's not fair, I agreed before I composed myself and opened the door. Chase and Justin were walking over when I lifted the half-finished assignment.

"See, got the fricking thing, couldn't find it," I answered their question before they even asked, and Justin glared at me.

"Then you should clean up your room, it's always a mess," he replied, and I rolled my eyes.

If things go the way we think they will, you, my dear brother, will have a heart attack, I said to James and he growled in agreement.

"Yes, mum," I replied sarcastically, and he growled.

"Enough," Chase interrupted before we could get into an argument. "Did you see Aria?" I looked at him carefully. His tone is void of emotions, but his eyes hold a mess of them.

We should have showered as well, James said.

No, I want them to know they don't own us, I replied.

"Yes, but only to tell her to hurry her ass up, otherwise she'll get another beating," I answered Chase as James growled. I felt sick to my stomach for saying that and I just want to punch some sense into these idiots.

"Good. She's already been late once this morning if she is late to school, she will get her ass kicked...again." He growled with deadly promise before he turned on his heel and headed into school.

"Ready for another day in hell?" Justin asked as we followed him.

"Not even close," I replied, and he laughed.

"Me neither." He said.

You have no idea, I whispered angrily, and James growled again. We followed Chase to his locker. Justin and my lockers were a few doors down and we waited for Chase to get his books and followed us to ours. I just grabbed my math book when I heard a terrible screech.

"Chasy," Kara yelled. I mentally groaned as James rubbed his paws over his ears in an attempt to block out the noise.

She has to be half banshee, I whispered as Kara jumped on Chase, causing him to fall back into the lockers.

"Kara, get off and how many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me that," Chase growled. Both my brother and I flinch at the power behind the words. Kara is crazy to push him like that, he's still in transition. The transition was what all wolves go through; it's where wolves discover where they fit into the pack and it takes time to settle into that role. Werewolves typically got through the transition when they are able to find their mate, although some wolves can be earlier or later than that, such as my sister. She was early at age fourteen and the amount of power that radiated off of her had me on my stomach. Her aura changed dramatically; it went from submissive and timid to dominant and demanding submission. I had to help her rein in that power before going back to the pack house. I was glad we went off territory because if we did stay, I'm sure Alpha Marcus would have her killed in an instant. I was early also, about a year after Ari transitioned but Justin transition that year as well. Chase had ordered me away from the house. Ari brought me to the same spot I took her, and she helped me with my transition. When I managed to get my dominance under control, she said I was her Beta wolf. It wasn't a suggestion or a question, she was showing her dominance over me and I didn't fight in submitting to her, but with my rank, I'm constantly fighting with Justin. He believes he's a Beta wolf as well, but Aria said he wasn't. I didn't know how she knew that, and I didn't ask, but she did say my aura was more powerful than his.