Listen to me 89

In “Listen to me 89,” the story begins with Benedict returning home from school, greeted by the comforting scent of his mother’s lavender air freshener. However, the atmosphere shifts as his mother informs him about an important political dinner that requires him to cancel his plans for Christa’s birthday party, leaving him disheartened. Despite his initial disappointment, he masks his irritation and agrees to comply with her demands. The scene sets a tone of familial obligation and the struggle between personal desires and family expectations.

Benedict’s sister, Bethany, enters with urgent curiosity about a classmate, Slade, who has been bullied. Their mother expresses disdain towards Slade and his sister Sloane, reflecting her judgmental nature. Bethany, emboldened by her recent acceptance of her wolf, challenges their mother’s hypocrisy, revealing deeper family dynamics and the theme of standing up against injustice. Benedict admires Bethany’s courage but feels constrained by the family’s expectations, highlighting the generational conflict regarding morality and loyalty.

As the evening unfolds, the tension within the family continues, especially regarding their views on the Hartwells. Bethany’s frustration with her mother’s double standards escalates, leading to a moment of levity when Benedict playfully warns her about her language. The siblings’ bond is evident, as is their shared struggle against parental expectations. Benedict’s internal conflict about his academic competition with Sloane adds another layer to his character, showcasing his determination to earn his achievements genuinely.

The following day at school, Benedict witnesses a shift in the social dynamics as Slade stands up to upperclassmen, demonstrating newfound confidence. This change sparks a sense of responsibility in Benedict, who reflects on the importance of standing up for others, especially his sister. However, the day takes a darker turn when he senses fear among his pack members, leading him to confront a troubling situation involving Sloane and Aisling. The climax reveals Sloane’s unexpected power, challenging the established hierarchy and foreshadowing a deeper conflict within the pack.

Overall, the chapter captures the complexities of family loyalty, the struggle for identity, and the moral dilemmas faced by young individuals navigating social hierarchies. The characters grapple with their roles within their family and society, setting the stage for further exploration of these themes in the unfolding narrative.

**TITLE: Listen to me 89**

Benedict

As I stepped through the threshold of our home after a long day at school, the familiar scent of my mother’s lavender air freshener filled the air, instantly soothing my frazzled nerves. However, the moment I heard her voice, I knew I was in for a surprise.

“Sweetheart, we’re having an important political dinner this weekend. I’m not sure what plans you might have, but I need you to cancel them. This is crucial,” my mother stated firmly, her tone brooking no argument.

My heart sank at her words. Christa’s birthday party was the highlight of my week, and now it felt like a cruel twist of fate. But honestly, was I really that disappointed? Not even close.

“Of course, I’ll be there, Mother,” I replied, planting a quick kiss on her cheek as I breezed past her, trying to mask my irritation with a veneer of compliance.

“Bene! Wait up!” My sister, Bethany, burst into the house behind me, her usually carefree demeanor tinged with urgency.

—

Our family had a peculiar tradition: every member’s name began with the letter ‘B.’ My father, Benedict; myself, Benedict; my mother, Beatrice; and my sister, Bethany. Sometimes, I fantasized about having a family of my own someday, where I could choose names that began with any letter of the alphabet—anything but a ‘B.’

“What happened with Slade? I know you know,” Bethany pressed, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. She and Slade were in the same year, and I often felt a protective instinct rise within me. After all, upperclassmen bullying freshmen was a phenomenon I detested. What if they targeted my sister?

“Slade Hartwell?” my mother scoffed, her disdain palpable. “Is he as troublesome as his sister? You should steer clear of him, Bethany.”

“Oh, Mother, cut it out. You’re always preaching about rising above judgmental behavior, yet here you are, being as judgmental as ever about the Hartwells,” Bethany countered, her voice steady and defiant. I had noticed that since she had embraced her wolf, she had become more outspoken about our family’s flaws.

Internally, I cheered her on. I couldn’t voice my thoughts as freely as she could; the spotlight on me was too intense. But Bethany had the freedom to be unapologetically herself.

“Darling, it’s not the Hartwells I have a problem with, just those adopted children of theirs, Sloane and Slade. They should never have been allowed into the packs. They’re nothing but trouble. I heard that Sloane girl actually assaulted Alpha Carson’s Beta. What kind of self-respecting girl does that?”

“Perhaps a better question, Mother, would be how Alpha Carson’s Beta ended up on the receiving end of a beating from a girl,” I interjected, instinctively defending Sloane. I had come to her defense so many times that it felt like second nature.

“Oh, not you too, Benedict. That girl is trouble with a capital T. You both need to steer clear of them,” my mother warned, her voice laced with concern.

“Let me ask you something, Mother. Would your opinion change if you knew that Louis and four other ranked members cornered Slade, a freshman like Bethany, and were bullying him when Sloane intervened and punched Louis to protect her brother? Would it?” I challenged, already anticipating her response.

My mother had an aversion to Sloane and Slade that was almost palpable. Yet, she would never openly express it, fearing the wrath of Alpha Roman and Luna Samara. We couldn’t afford to be on the wrong side of the most powerful pack in the country. But I knew that behind closed doors, she engaged in whispered conversations with her friends about why those two should never have been accepted into the packs at all.

Her lips pressed into a thin line, she realized there was no way to articulate her thoughts without sounding hypocritical. With a huff, she turned sharply on her heel and exited the kitchen, her heels clicking sharply on the tile floor, a clear indication of her displeasure without a single word spoken.

“Is that what really happened?” Bethany asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.

“Yeah, that’s exactly what happened,” I confirmed.

“Good for Sloane. Louis is such an asshole,” she declared, her voice filled with conviction.

I couldn’t help but smile at her boldness. “Just make sure Dad doesn’t hear you using that kind of language,” I warned playfully.

She shot me a cheeky grin. “Where do you think I picked it up?”

I chuckled, and she leaned in to plant a kiss on my cheek. “Just promise me you won’t turn into one of them. Please, Bene. You’re better than that. Dad’s alright, but Mom’s a piece of work,” she said, her expression serious.

“Good to know that I’m at least okay. But what did your mother do this time?” my father asked as he strode into the room, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

I exchanged a glance with Bethany, who let out a heavy sigh.

“I can’t stand her double standards, Dad. It’s just not fair,” she said, frustration creeping into her tone.

“Who is she being double standard-y against?” he inquired, his eyebrows raising slightly.

“The Hartwells,” she replied, her gaze fixed on our father, searching for a reaction.

Our father, accustomed to the scrutiny that came with his position, remained stoic. Yet, I could see the tension tightening around his lips—an almost imperceptible shift. It was a testament to the years of training he had instilled in me; to maintain a calm exterior no matter the storm brewing within. Sometimes, I wondered if he posed these questions to Bethany just to practice maintaining his composure in the face of whatever news came his way.

“I’m assuming you’re referring to two Hartwells in particular?” he asked, his voice even and measured.

“Of course,” Bethany affirmed, her gaze unwavering.

“On that note, I’m going to take my leave,” I said, ready to escape the brewing storm.

“Really, Bene? You’re leaving me to deal with this? You know Dad sides with Mom on this,” she protested, her voice rising slightly.

“And yet, you still chose to bring it up,” I replied, planting a kiss on the top of her head and nodding at our father before making my exit.

“I didn’t bring it up! He was eavesdropping!” she called after me as I retreated to the sanctuary of my room.

It was a valuable lesson for her. She needed to realize that there were always ears listening, and she should be cautious about what she said, even within the safety of our home.

The rest of my evening was consumed by homework. I often wondered how many of my classmates were aware that I was on track to become Valedictorian, or that Sloane was nipping at my heels, eager to surpass me. I thrived on competition, and I had no intention of letting my title slip away. But I wasn’t even certain if Sloane knew she was in the running. The only reason I was aware was that Principal Rollins had summoned me to his office, practically pleading with me to do whatever it took to secure the Valedictorian title for myself, so he wouldn’t have to award it to Sloane.

Part of me pondered whether he would manipulate the numbers to ensure I claimed the title, even if I fell short of surpassing Sloane. But I would never want to achieve that honor without truly earning it. Therefore, I was determined to put in the effort necessary to make it happen.

The following day at school unfolded much like any other, except I noticed a significant change: Slade was walking around campus seemingly untouched by upperclassmen.

“Thanks for spreading the word,” I said when I spotted Ellis.

“I won’t lie; there was a lot of grumbling about it. But you know nobody dares to go against you,” he replied, shrugging.

“I know,” I said, observing as Slade confidently passed a group of upperclassmen. They attempted to intimidate him with their stares, but he held his ground, refusing to flinch under their scrutiny.

“What if that was Bethany, Ellis? What if it was her or your little brother being bullied? Wouldn’t you want someone to step in?” I pressed, my voice earnest.

He let out a resigned sigh. “Yeah. Yeah, I would.”

The atmosphere remained calm until after lunch. Then, I sensed something amiss from two of my pack members. As I focused in, I realized it was fear.

A low growl escaped my throat as I followed the instinctive pull toward my pack members, who were clearly in distress.

“Alpha, what’s going on?” Ellis asked, rushing up to me, concern etched on his face.

“I’m about to find out,” I snarled, my senses heightened.

As I stepped into the hallway leading to the lockers, I was taken aback by the sight before me: four she-wolves were on their knees, necks arched in submission. I strode forward, parting the crowd that had fallen silent at my approach.

When I finally reached the front of the gathered students, I was shocked to see Sloane standing defiantly before the she-wolves. Her presence radiated such power that it felt almost suffocating. It was clear she was the one forcing the other girls into submission.

“Sloane!” I barked, my voice booming with authority. “Let them go!” I commanded, releasing my Alpha aura.

When our eyes locked, I realized it wasn’t Sloane who was exerting control; it was Aisling, her fierce expression a stark contrast to Sloane’s.

“No,” Aisling snarled, defiance lacing her tone.

In the end, the whirlwind of emotions that had swept through our home and school culminated in a profound realization for me. I had always felt the pressure to conform to my family’s expectations, to uphold the traditions that defined us, but witnessing Bethany’s defiance and Sloane’s strength ignited a spark within me. I understood that standing up for what was right, even against the currents of judgment and tradition, was more important than adhering to the status quo. The weight of my mother’s expectations began to feel lighter, and I found myself yearning for the courage to carve my own path, just as Bethany and Sloane had done.

As I confronted Aisling, I felt a sense of purpose solidifying within me. This moment was no longer just about protecting my sister or defending Sloane; it was about challenging the very foundations of our pack’s beliefs and the prejudices that had been ingrained in us. I knew that the journey ahead would be fraught with challenges, but for the first time, I felt ready to embrace them. The bonds of family, loyalty, and the fight for justice had intertwined, leading me to a place where I could finally listen to my own voice amidst the clamor of expectations. I was no longer just Benedict the compliant son; I was becoming Benedict the leader, ready to stand up for those who couldn’t stand up for themselves.

In the next chapter, readers can expect a dramatic escalation of tensions within the pack as Aisling’s unexpected display of power sends shockwaves through the school. Benedict, already grappling with the complexities of family loyalty and societal expectations, will be forced to confront the implications of Aisling’s actions not only for Sloane and Slade but for the entire pack dynamic. The confrontation promises to reveal underlying rivalries and alliances, challenging Benedict’s perceptions of strength and leadership. Will he stand by Sloane, or will he be compelled to uphold the traditions that his mother and father have instilled in him?

As the political dinner looms closer, the stakes will rise even higher. Benedict’s role as a protector will be tested, especially with his sister Bethany caught in the crossfire of the unfolding drama. The dinner could serve as a pivotal moment, where alliances are solidified or shattered, and the ramifications of Aisling’s actions ripple through their tightly-knit community. With tensions simmering, will Benedict find a way to navigate the treacherous waters of loyalty, love, and duty? The answers may lie in the choices he makes in the heat of the moment, and readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eager to discover how each character will respond to the brewing storm.

Sara Lili

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.