The Wolf Within Me
Chapter 13:

Brooke: “Looks like you got a personal driver as well.”

Lucas: “Is our ride here?”

Brooke: “Someone’s is.”

Maia: “You missed training.”

In Kiani’s head: Oh boy. Have I got a tracker on me or something?

Brooke: “Training?”

Lucas: “What sort of training?”

Kiani: “I do boxing.”

Brooke: “What's with a personal driver?”

Lucas: “I would love to see the type of boxing you do.”

Maia: “The interesting company you keep. Get in the car, Kiani. Someone is fuming. And you know who. Asher's driving.”

In Kiani’s head: I forgot how rich they are.

Brooke: “Can I catch a ride?”

Kiani: “Urgh, what? I thought you were getting picked up.”

Brooke: “Well, they're not actually clear.”

Lucas: But they’re-”

Brooke: “Please, you're not going to leave me here, are you?”

Kiani: “I am.”

Maia: “We've only got room for one. Hurry up.”

Lucas: “Is that a scar on her eye?”

Brooke: “Yeah.”

Lucas: “How wild.”

Brooke: “Wild indeed.”

Kiani: “We'll drop you off, Brooke.”

Lucas: “What? I'm walking?”

Brooke: “I guess you are, Lucas. (Lucas storms off). I'm ready whenever you are.”

Kiani: “I can't believe this. (in the car)”

Brooke: “I didn't know you were rich. Some posh boxing you do, considering you need to be picked up for it.”

Kiani: “I'm not rich.”

Brooke: “Well, you don't have a driver for boxing, either.”

In Kiani’s head: Yeah, that was a stupid excuse.

Kiani: “I'm staying over at River’s house, okay? She must’ve called for me to be picked up. She's rich, like you remember? What's with all the questions anyway?”

Brooke: “Now that makes sense. It's not my fault you like to lie. But you don't think there's something strange going on with it? Something’s not quite right. You must feel it. A dangerous aura around them. Everyone thinks so. I’m just saying it.”

Kiani: “What are you on about? I would tone it down if I were you. You wouldn't wanna come off as weird.”

Brooke: “You know I'm right, dork.”

Kiani: “What do you mean by a dangerous vibe?”

Brooke: “Cult vibes, Kiani.”

Kiani: “You have to get off that crazy train.”

Brooke: “I’M NOT CRAZY!”

In Kiani’s head: So I've touched a nerve. I'm trying to put her off, but I've triggered something. Brooke doesn't like to be called crazy, that's for sure. This mystery around the Darkwoods is crazy big. I understand why they have to reel it in. Can you imagine if Brooke found out about wolf shifters? I feel bad for her because she's right, but no way in hell am I going to tell her the Dark Truth. She's sitting right next to the mystery.

Kiani: “They just like their space.”

Brooke: “Whatever, I don't know why I waste my time.”

Maia: “I believe this is your stop, Hawthorne.”

In Kiani’s head: Did Maia and Asher hear all that?! I thought the shutter thing was soundproof. Damn, they know she's a Hawthrone. This ain’t gonna go down well.

Brooke: “Say hi to River for me. Also, tell her thanks for the ride. I'll be seeing you, babes. (in the Darkwood garden)”

Maia: “So you hang out with Brooke Hawthrone now?”

Kiani: “It's not what you think. Are you guys tracking me now?”

Maia: “It's not like you can look after yourself.”

Kiani’s Wolf: “Grr!”

In Kiani’s head: Cool it.

Asher: “Give her some space. It's none of our business who Kiani’s friends are.”

Maia: “Urgh, Hawthorne’s has a history of being in our business.”

Kiani: “Friend is a strong word. I know how to handle Brooke.”

Maia: “It sounded like she handled you.”

Asher: “Maia!”

Maia: “I'm sorry, Ash, but the more I think about it, Winter’s right. All she ever does is bring trouble. (Maia walks away)”

Asher: “I can imagine how hard all of this is for you. The others forget. You're doing better than you think.”

Kiani: “If only that was true, Asher.”

Asher: “You're strong. I know it. You're gonna be good for this pack.”

Kiani: “Do you think so?”

Asher: “Prove me right and the others wrong.”

Kiani: “Well, I can't disappoint the beta of the pack. (in the study room)”

In Rocco’s head: I hate this room. It haunts me. Deep thoughts eat me alive. I torture myself being in here. I replace myself drawn back to this room. Why? Considering this is my father's study room. The place where I made the significant decision. The decision to kill my father knowing that if I died fighting. Even though I won by the skin of my teeth. A part of me died that I'll never get back. Killing your dad tends to do that. I hated that man with all of my being. He was never a father to me. He was never worthy of being alpha. He was a cold hearted monster that couldn't control his feral beasts. I vowed that night I’d never turn into him. But he was blood, does that mean by default I'll be like him? There's no escaping my fate. I try so hard to control him but sometimes I just wanna give in and forget the pain. The pain of killing the boy I was before, I was forced to kill my own blood. I feel alone. My mother was broken by Hunter Darkwood but I feel hurt as well. I can't be because I have a pack to lead. I fucking hate this room. (knocking). Hm. No one disturbs me in this room. Too scared to. I meant myself here. Either is my wolf. (a few minutes before the knock)

River: “BROOKE FUCKING HAWTHRONE! You left me at the University HER?! You got Maia and Asher to give her a ride home!! (River screams). She may be human but she's dangerous. She thinks we're a cult. It's more like her family. If she replaces out, Kiani.”

Kiani: “Would you calm down! I was only meant to be with Haley.”

River: “Ohh, that’s fine then. Who the hell is Haley?”

Kiani: “Woods party Haley. Then the whole fucking group came. Along with Brooke.”

River: “You were with all of her friends?”

Kiani: “You're missing the point here.”

River: “You smell like smoke and alcohol.”

Kiani: “What can I say? I got a little tipsy. All boo’d up! It was nothing, River. Haley wanted to get some lunch with me. You were in class at the time, so I went. Simple as. Brooke just happened. I lost track of time.”

River: “Rocco was mad you missed training. You need to take this seriously, Kiani, if you want to be a Luna-”

Kiani: “Who said I wanted to be?! I scent Rocco here. I came to say sorry, actually.”

River: “I'm sure he'll replace you.”

Kiani: “But I know he's in there.”

River: “Trust me, you don't wanna go in there!”

Kiani: “Why?”

River: “Urgh, well…”

Kiani: “River, what is it? He's not hurt is he?”

River: “No one is allowed in there but him. Let's leave it at that.”

In Kiani’s head: What the hell? It’s like River can't even look at the door.

Kiani: “I'll wait until he comes out then.”

River: “Are you staying tonight?

Kiani: “If you're not still mad at me. (River laughs)”

River: “Sorry, it's just Maia’s starting-”

Kiani: “To doubt me, I know. Yeah, and I know I didn't help to get my neck broken. Damn, I can heal from that.”

River: “I'm glad they didn't kill you. I care about you, Kiani, so don't screw it up. I'm gonna go eat something. I’ll talk to you later.”

Kiani:” I'll wait until Rocco comes out. I wouldn't wanna disturb him.”

River: “Yes, it's best for you to wait for him to come out. (River walks away)”

Kiani: “It can't be that bad. I'll just knock and enter. (Kiani walks in)”

In Kiani’s head: Every time I see him, it gets more intense. Rocco lazily and my body with his gold eyes. My body reacted like normal. But he seems to be deep in thought. Not there at all. I've never seen him like this. Cold. His normal fiery eyes are gone. Vacant. Lost. My inner wolf deals on edge with him for the first time.

Kiani’s Wolf: “I don't like this.”

In Kiani’s head: Why does my wolf feel threatened? Something is wrong. My wolf forcefully pushes me within myself. I'm no longer in charge. Dominants surround Rocco Like a dark cloud. Rocco Lets out a deep snarl.

Kiani: “I'm in control. Let me out, wolf.”

In Kiani’s head: A battle with my inner wolf. I need it to be myself. There's something wrong with Rocco. I can't think clearly with my wolf in charge of me.

Kiani’s Wolf: “I trust you.”

Kiani: “Rocco, what's wrong? Rocco, it’s me.”

Rocco: “Get out of here, Kiani.”

Kiani “But I don't…I don't want you to be alone. (Rocco storms to the other side of the room - Kiani grabs Rocco’s wrist)”

Rocco: “You shouldn't be in here!”

Kiani: “I'm sorry, I just wanted to be with you. (Kiani touches Rocco’s face)”

In Kiani’s head: I stood as tall as I could but Rocco lifted me up with a firm grip. I swear he likes to hold me like this, wrapped around him. I think it's the closeness of it. I've never felt this wave of emotion from him. Such turmoil rolling in his eyes. I wanted to take it away.

Kiani: “Rocco, I'm here.”

In Kiani’s head: I said softly as I stroked his jaw. I feel him drop his guard as he says gently to me…

Rocco: “I need to get out of this room.”

In Kiani’s head: His sad eyes he lets me see kills me. I feel choked by his emotions. Suffocated, like suddenly there my emotions as well

Kiani: “Okay.”

Rocco: “I wanna show you something.”

In Kiani’s head: At least the fire in his eyes is back. (in the woods)

Rocco: “This way. Do you trust me?”

Kiani: “I'm always alert, Rocco. (in a cave)”

Rocco: “Through here.”

In Kiani’s head: Rocco sure knows how to switch moods but I like the sight of him. Playful. But the sadness I saw in his eyes or earlier. I wanna know what caused it.

Kiani: “Wow, this is amazing. (Kiani’s excited)”

Rocco: “Why are you bouncing? You're bouncing.”

Kiani: “Well done, captain obvious. I'm excited. This place is beyond words.”

Rocco: “So you bounce when you're happy?”

Kiani: “Do you have a problem?”

Rocco: “Yeah, the bouncing thing. (Rocco laughs). I used to think you were sexy.”

Kiani: “At least I don't think I'm some Greek God and everyone has to obey me. (Rocco takes off his shirt)”

In Kiani’s head: Damn, I'm speechless.

Kiani: “Why is your shirt off? (Rocco takes off his pants and gets in the water)”

In Kiani’s head: What just happened?

Rocco: “I used to swim in here when I was a pup.”

Kiani: “Are you mad? It's freezing! (Rocco laughs)”

Rocco: “Our bodies can cope with the cold. If you haven't noticed, we're unnaturally warm blooded. Or I would be freezing my b-”

Kiani: “Yeah, I get it.”

Rocco: “You act, like your a vir-”

Kiani: “You swam here when you were a pup, you were saying?”

Rocco: “Yeah. This is my secret then. I loved it here. No one knows about it but me.”

Kiani: “Now me. Why show me your secret place?”

Rocco: “It felt right to show you. Get in the water, Kiani.”

Kiani: “It's all demand with you, ain’t it?”

Rocco: “But you like it, don't you? So I won't ask again.”

Kiani: “But my hair! Excuse me! I don't have white people hair, you know? It won't just naturally hang straight. (Rocco laughs). I'm talking mega afro!”

Rocco: “What's so bad about that?”

Kiani: “Nothing. But it can be a pain to deal with. Don't get me started on damage control, highlander.”

Rocco: “You only have to get your body wet.”

Kiani: “I don't have any swimwear.”

Rocco: “That's the whole point, little wolf.”