The Wolf Within Me
Chapter 19:

Asher: “You've never been wise, have you, Fang?”

Fang: “I can always get another enforcer. Nice to see you again, Sierra. I want my meeting, Asher. When Rocco calms his wolf. I'll be back.”

Asher: “It's a good thing you can hide behind your enforcers or it would’ve been you that was gonna be ripped apart.”

Fang: “Watch it. I can quickly kill you, Asher.”

Asher: “Calm your wolf before I calm him for you. (Kiani runs in front of Asher)”

Kiani: “I'm pressing the time out button here. Look here mr. desperate. If you want a meeting so severely, this right here is not the way to go about it. Now Rocco’s on a killing spree. I thought alphas were meant to be clever?”

Fang: “Who the hell are you?”

Kiani: “An angry ass wolf shifter, that's who.”

Fang: “Wait a second. Your Rocco’s new mate?!”

Asher: “Yes, she is. I suggest you get out before Rocco comes back.”

Fang: “I'll see you soon, sweetheart.”

Kiani: “WAS THAT ROCCO’S UNCLE?!”

Maia: “Fang Darkwood.”

Asher: “Rocco won't be shifting back anytime soon.”

Kiani: “Do you mean?”

Asher: “He's tasted blood. His wolf feels highly threatened. It was more to do with you being here. Rocco’s wolf tends to go near feral in fights. It takes him a while to shift back when he's in that state.”

Maia: “How dare Fang enter our territory.”

Asher: “Rocco said he was desperate.”

Kiani: “Why is this Fang guy so desperate for a meeting?”

Asher: “A new pack means a new threat.”

Kiani: “There's a new pack?”

Maia: “We should go in and wait for Rocco.”

Asher: “It's gonna take him all night at this rate.”

Kiani: “I'll go replace him. Relatives, aye?! (Kiani storms off)”

Asher: “Kiani’s one of a kind.”

Winter: “We all want to know what's going on. (somewhere else in the woods)”

Kiani: “You're a big boy, aren't you? Thanks for the protection but there's no threat now. Okay then…how about this? This is gonna hurt. I'm doing this for you. I hope you know that. (Kiani starts to shift)”

In Kiani’s head: Come on out wolfie.

Kiani’s Wolf: “My pleasure. (Kiani shifts - the next few days still in the woods)”

In Kiani’s head: Rocco snoozes in the grass. Feeling one with nature. As he stares as his content mate next to him. I stretch as I wake up for my nap. Feeling the light morning sun rays on my wolf's fur. Our wolves finally met. We’ve been roaming and hunting in the forest since. I've noticed that I bring out Rocco’s inner pup. We love to play. Always ends in play fighting. But Rocco’s always gentle with me.

In Rocco’s head: My wolf bites her ear when she feels if he's getting rough. Feisty girl.

In Kiani’s head: He licks my nose as if he's saying sorry…you're the boss. We could’ve turned any day now but we’re enjoying our wolves getting to know each other. Rocco has Fang Darkwood to deal with. (in a cafe Sierra and Nia meeting - Rocco’s office)

Sun: “Asher honey. Where's the big man?”

Asher: “Ahh Sun. You're here.”

Sun: “I'm not exactly going to refuse Rocco’s call. That would be dumb really.”

Asher: “Speaking of dumb. Fang wanted an alliance. He interrupted our Moonlight ceremony desperate is the word. Rocco nearly killed him last night but Fang’s now dead enforcer got in the way.”

Sun: “Well damn, he has no shame. Fang’s a crazy ass just like his dead brother. But I guess everyone's in a panic. Especially with the rise of the Bloodstone pack. Everyone thought they were all dead. It's wise for Rocco to call in his alliances.”

Asher: “Are you and your pack on standby?”

Sun: “Always.”

Asher: “Good.”

Sun: “So, where is mr. rough and ready? (Asher laughs)”

Asher: “He's out with his mate.”

Sun: “Mate?! This is some news for me. Don't tell me he went there with Winter?”

Asher: “Nope, someone completely different.”

Sun: “I'd love to meet the girl who stole Rocco Darkwood. (Asher laughs)”

Asher: “Stole?!”

Sun: “She had a lineup of dominant females. This girl must be unique.”

Asher: “Wait until you meet Kiani. She’s a healer too.”

Sun: “This visit is getting more interesting by the second.”

Asher: “Come on, I'll tell the pack you're here. (in the hallway)”

Tao: “You've been avoiding me.”

River: “Have I?”

Tao: “Yep, for a couple of days now.”

River: “I haven't.”

Tao: “It's about what I said, isn't it? I was only messing around, River. Drunk perhaps, yes but I was only joking.”

River: “Exactly Tao. You were drunk. (River walks away - in the kitchen)”

Sun: “Girl, that was the most enormous sign of your eighteen years.”

River: “Sun, what are you doing here?”

Sun: “Alliance meeting and all.”

River: “Right.”

Sun: “I heard Rocco has a new mate. Well, spill the tea. (River laughs). Here's to hoping Winter’s vexed.”

River: “Wow. Give Winter some slack. But yeah, I totally went for the kill.”

Sun: “I knew it. I've always said Winter will eventually cause trouble.”

River: “Winter has always been loyal.”

Sun: “For how long? Especially with Rocco out of the picture.”

Kiani: “I tamed the beast, River.”

In River’s head: Always with the good timings.

Kiani: “Well, it took a few days but I tried my damn hardest. Rocco can be stubborn as hell. Anyways, I can't forget about the university. How cute is this outfit?”

Sun: “You must be Kiani.”

Kiani: “Yep, that's me.”

In Kiani’s head: Wow, she's tall, got it all together, female wolf shifter.

Kiani: “You are?”

River: “This is Sun, the alpha of a pack. Our packs have an alliance with her. Also we're really good family friends.”

Sun: “Nice to meet you, honey.”

Kiani: “Likewise.”

Rocco: “Look who it is. Has Asher kept you updated?”

Sun: “He has, but I'm more curious about your new mate.”

Kiani: “I wouldn't say new.”

In Rocco’s head: Spinning wheels time with Kiani. Her majestic white creamy wolf is dominant. It comes out through the flashes of her eyes. I know her eyes just flashed right now. We've all learned to control our eye glow. Kiani’s wolf likes to be known. Her presence is there. I love it.

Kiani: “How ‘new’ am I?!”

Rocco: “I have yet to tell the community. Only my alliances know.”

Kiani: “Why not tell the community? You might move on, huh?”

Rocco: “Who said anything about-”

Kiani: “The mega hot got it together wolf shifter Sun over there!”

Sun: “Oh Rocco, now I know you've picked well. Or did miss Kiani pick you?”

Kiani: “He rejected me! (River laughs)”

River: “That totally happened.”

Kiani: “Care to elaborate for all of us?”

Sun: “We're all ears, honey.”

Rocco: “I don't know who's easier to deal with? You or your wolf.”

Kiani: “I will bite you!”

Rocco: “Please do. I’ve sent Tao to pack your things so you can move in.”

Kiani: “Urgh, what now?! YOU LET TAO LOOK THROUGH MY THINGS?!”

River: “WOW!”

Sun: “Boy, I know you didn't. (Kiani walks away)”

Rocco: “We'll have a meeting later Sun.”

Sun: “I love that girl.”

River: “My brother is whipped.”

Sun: “I know. Chasing after her, how cute. I never thought I’d never see the day Rocco was so carefree. (in the garden)”

In Maia’s head: Why the hell is our gate broken in? We need to get that fixed. I thought it was strange Fang got in so quickly without setting off any security alarms. Only a wolf shifter can break it. (Meadow Lake University)

River: “Can you believe Tao?”

Kiani: “Are you sure he was drunk? Not just saying it. We all know Tao can flirt with the wall. (River laughs). But he's flirty by nature. But you two have something.”

River: “But we're not true mates, we would know.”

Kiani: “Have you tried? You always called it a bit of fun, so you've never let him in.”

River: “Look at you being all knowledgeable. (Kiani laughs)”

Kiani: “I am older than you.”

River: “By a couple of months.”

Kiani: “Still. Soon to be Luna.”

River: “Here comes the big head. (Kiani laughs)”

Kiani: “I have a petite head, thanks. (both laugh)”

In Ghost’s head: My wolf perks his ass up big time. As I stare at Kiani Stone. Damn. My wolf all of a sudden is very responsive. A rush of awareness shoots through my wolf as he takes in her delicious arousable scent.

Ghost’s Wolf: “Marked, grr! Replace the mark now!”

In Ghost’s head: Calm yourself. Just great. I didn't think that would happen. I masked my scent. Years of training helped with scent masking. If you can even be bothered to learn the neat trick. I knew I would need it. So I mastered it. Now here we are. In Rocco Darkwood’s territory. Spying. Undercover. My alpha wants me to watch his long-lost sister in the wrong pack. Why is she in the enemy's pack? Now I know she's mated. But the question is to who? (Rocco’s office)

Sun: “My pack will be closer if we have your permission. To freely come and go from your territory.”

Rocco: “Yes.”

Archie: “My pack will do the same. Kylo Stone has yet to make his move. He won't reveal his allies. Can you get any more casual for a meeting, Rocco?”

Rocco: “All I need to do is wear my power.”

Sun: “Have you met his Kiani?”

Archie: “I'm looking forward to it. The great Rocco Darkwood replaces a mate. She must be quite a woman. Not to mention I bet she's exquisite.”

Sun: “She really is striking.”

Rocco: “And very mine.”

Archie: “I wouldn't dare mess with your mate. I like my head firmly on my shoulders.”

Rocco: “It would be an improvement. (all laugh)”

Maia: “Rocco. Sorry to interrupt but we’ve had a breach in security.”

Rocco: “You must be joking.”

Maia: “The gate to our property was broken in, which is why Fang got in so quickly with no warning.”

Rocco: “Are you telling me someone in my pack betrayed me? That gate can only be open from the inside. The alarms would set off. Unless, someone turned them off.”

Maia: “It's a high possibility, but no one would ever betray you in this pack. It has to be something else.”

Rocco: “HOW CAN IT BE SOMETHING ELSE?!”

In Rocco’s head: My wolf doesn't tolerate betrayal.

Archie: “It's blatantly obvious. How can it not be? (school hallway)”

Teacher: “Kiani. You have rare talent. If you keep creating art like this you'll be one of the best artists in my class.”

Kiani: “Thank you.”

Teacher: “Your friend River. Leaves a lot to be desired. (teacher walks away)”

Ghost: “Hey, you’re Kiani right?”

Kiani: “Yeah.”

Ghost: “I heard your name being called out.”

Kiani: “Right, there’s always that I didn't hear your name.”

Ghost: “They call me Ghost.”

In Kiani’s head: My wolf’s pay attention. There's something different about Ghost.

Kiani: “Ghost is an interesting name.”

Ghost: “Are you making fun of my name my mother gave me? (Ghost laughs). It suits me, don't you think sweetie? (Kiani laughs)”

Kiani: “I'm not your sweetie.”

Ghost: “I guess so when you're a mated woman.”