A Leader Must Rise - Old Version

Chapter 69

Aria

For a moment, everything was quiet; a stunned silence filled the air as everyone looked at Ben. I frowned as I looked him over, releasing a small sound of distress at how ragged he looked. His usual kept, long brown hair was now short and in knots and an uneven, short beard claimed his face. I could see the he's lost some weight; not a lot but enough to concern me and I could see he hasn't had a decent night sleep since I saw him last. "What have they done to you?" I whispered and he flinched, but he didn't lower his gun. "Ben, please. This isn't you," Andrew pleaded. "Please, Ben," Abby added. "We don't want to shoot you," Jesse said. That's when I noticed everyone with a gun has them in their hands, aimed right at my friend. Even Serenity had raised her staff in a tight grip, ready to defend me at a moments noticed. "Put them down," I immediately ordered.

"Aria," "Put them down!" I shouted over Ragnor, giving him a looking of warning before nodding to Andrew. He hesitated a moment before sighing, holstering his gun and the team followed suit. "They want you to shoot me, don't they?" I asked and Ben jerked a nod. "Here's your chance." I raised my raised, gesturing to my head and chest before spreading my arms wide. "No," Volante yelled and immediately stood in front of me. "Volante, move," I ordered. "No," he said. "Brother, trust me," I whispered as I touched his shoulder and he looked at me. He looked at me for a bit before nodding, stepping away. "Don't, Volante," Alessio shouted as I returned my attention to Ben. "Go on," I said, spreading my arms again. Beside the slight widening of his honey brown eyes, Ben had remained neutral until that point; sadness and pain filling them and his hand began to shake.

"I-Is...Is it true? You're the high alpha?" he asked and I nodded. "I found out only a few months ago," I said. "Ben, I know they have something over you to force you to do this, but you know I can help, right?" Tears gathered in his eyes and rolled down his cheeks. I glanced at Seren and gestured to Ben. She nodded and raised her hand. I took a step and she lifted me up into the booth. Ben didn't raise his gun, just watched me land beside him. "Aria," Ragnor pleaded. "Come on, Ben, let me help you," I whispered. Ben sighed and raised his gun to aim at my chest, gazing at me with shining eyes. I stepped forward until the muzzle was pressed right over my heart, my eyes never leaving his. "Ari," Chase whispered. "Somebody do something," Velgos yelled. "It was you, wasn't it?" I asked, completely ignoring everything downstairs.

"From their description and from the blood trail, I know Alec wouldn't have been able to lift that door by himself, let alone find a satellite phone before hand," I said with a sad smile, cautiously reach up to grab the gun. "I know you, Ace. You would rather die than harm me." Ben smiled at his nickname and code name before allowing me to take the gun from him. "So, god damn impulsive," he whispered before cupping the back of my neck to pull me into a hug. Andrew cheered as the rest of the team heaved sighs of relief. "You fucking bastard," Jesse laughed. I smiled and squeezed him tight as his body trembled, silent sobs hitting my neck in return. "I'm here, I'm here," I rubbed his back, soothing the tremors until they ceased and he stepped back. Wiping his face clean, I squeezed his hand before handing him his gun back. "Come on," I said and dropped back onto the ground floor. "Now that was reckless," Andrew said, handing Ben a bottle of water as I shrugged. "Oh, please. You lot know he would rather die than harm me," I said and Abby scoffed.

"With the way he looks? I believed otherwise," she said and Ben feigned hurt. "Abs, you wound me. Kicking a man when he's already down," he joked and she laughed. "Maybe this will help," Serenity said and handed him a vail of blue liquid. "It'll give you the pick me up you need." "Thank you, milady," he replied as I turned back to my racial brothers. "Can someone explain what just happened?" Zephyr asked and I smirked. "I may be a bit more of a screw loose than you remember," I replied and he gave me the "Are you serious?" look. "Is that even possible?" Aurelio asked and Chase laughed. "Apparently," Andrew agreed. "How do you know them, Ari?" Ben asked and I turned to him. He looked much better, less tired and the knots and beard have magically disappeared. Pun every much intended. "Apparently, I'm a relic from...a million years ago," I replied and he looked at me incredulously.