The Wolf Within Me
Chapter 2:

The Darkwood Pack Manor in the kitchen

Nova: “BOOOOO! AHA! I scared the wolf out of you.”

In Kiani’s head: Nova, member of the Darkwood pack. Her wolf is pure caramel brown with pale brown eyes. Mated to Asher.

River: “My inner wolf didn't even flinch, Nova.”

In Kiani’s head: River Darkwood. Her wolf is a reddish brown with light brown eyes. River is the youngest of the pack. Daughter to Hunter and Sierra Darkwood.

Nova: “Urgh! First day at the University. Are you excited? Why aren’t you excited?”

River: “Yay, I have to study.”

Nova: “Yeah, fair play but think of all the fit University boys.”

River: “That's one good thing. Although humans are not my type.”

Nova: “No harm in a bit of fun. Until you replace your mate.”

River: “I'm still young, Nova. I want to date around, not be attached to the hip by some mate. Yes, I'm talking about you and Asher.”

Nova: “You'll love it when it happens.”

River: “It's gonna be exciting mixing with humans, huh?”

Nova: “Is the great River Darkwood nervous?”

River: “I'm not nervous!”

Nova: “I can feel the nerves.”

River: “I'm nervous for them. Humans won't know how to handle me. (Nova laughs)”

Nova: “Wait until your brother replaces out you're nervous.”

River: “I’m not NERVOUS! Don't you do it.”

Nova: “WHATEVER! (both laughs)”

In Kiani’s head: Maia, member of the DarkWood Pack. Her and her wolf is white and gray (different shades of gray) with arctic blue eyes. Unmated.

Maia: “Aww, is today your first day?”

Nova: “Our little pup is all grown up.”

River: “I'm not a pup. I'm eighteen and sexy as ever.”

Nova: “Still our baby, you're the youngest. She's nervous about her first day.”

Maia: “I'm not surprised. She'll be with humans. You should be wary of them. They're dangerous to everything they don't understand. I'm surprised you wanted to go to the university. Very interesting.”

In Kiani’s head: Sierra Darkwood was mated to Hunter Darkwood, the now dead alpha. Sierra now has two full grown pups. River and Rocco Darkwood.

Sierra: “River will go to the university so we seem normal to humans. The Hawthrone ‘human’ family keep asking questions. You're right, to be wary of humans. I don't want them in our business. The fewer humans know about us, the better.”

Maia: “Sierra!”

Sierra: “River will set a good example. Our pack's name has been tarnished enough.”

In Kiani’s head: River used to know her mom as loving and caring now she's turned cold towards her. Ever since the death of their pack leader Hunter Darkwood. The son Rocco Darkwood soon took over to become alpha. River knew and saw her dad was evil, near feral. He had to be put down. The whole pack knew it. River wished it wasn't her brother who had to do it. That would leave deep-rooted scars no one could recover from.

River: “That's me, miss a good example.”

In Nova’s head: I swear Sierra always kills the mood.

Sierra: “I want no drama, River. Don't let your pack down. (Sierra leaves)”

Maia: “I swear she comes out of nowhere.”

Nova: “You get me. So you were forced to go? Damn.”

River: “Mom doesn't want the Hawthrone’s sniffing around in our business.”

Nova: “You'll be sniffing around. What are you even learning at the University?”

River: “I'll replace out when I get there.”

Rocco’s Mindlink to River: ‘River!’

River: “Rocco’s back. (River runs out to the garden)”

In Kiani’s head: Rocco’s wolf stalks River. Dominante radiates off him in waves. Rocco’s wolf is full of power and strength. No one can get close to him when he's in wolf form. He's known to bite but River is willing to risk it, knowing it's her brother underneath all that raw power. River view's his wolf as beautiful in an intense way. A magnificent beast.

In River’s head: He's just a giant fluff-ball, really.

In Rocco’s head: My wolf recognizes my sister. Thank God. I don't know why she risks it every time. River is full of young confidants. Always has been. My wolf's growls. My wolf has a temper. He's not impressed. I've interrupted him from his morning hunt. I wanted to see River off before she went to the university. I feel the change take place. My wolf lets me take control. He knows he's in good hands.

In Kiani’s head: Rocco Darkwood. Alpha of the Darkwood pack. Killer of former Alpha, Hunter Darkwood. His dad Rocco knew his wolf was mighty. Full of dominance.

In Rocco’s head: He's a pain to control. We have temper issues but he has his good traits. He's very protective of his pack. Hunter betrayed our pack. Tarnished its name. Abused his power. My wolf dealt with him. I'm one of the most powerful alpha’s now. Meadow Lake is my territory. I'm feared, admired and respected all at the same time.

Rocco: “I told you not to pet my wolf. I'm not a dog. (River rolls her eyes)”

River: “Maybe your wolf wouldn't be so moody if he had a good belly rub.”

In Rocco’s head: A fucking belly rub! (Rocco rolls his eyes - River laughs)

River: “Here, I brought you your clothes.”

Rocco: “So you are useful, huh, sis?”

River: “Oh, how smart are you.”

Rocco: “Very smart. (River rolls her eyes)”

River: “I better get going to the university.”

Rocco: “Mom has the right idea. To send you to the university. I'm sick of people thinking we're in a fucking cult.”

River: “No, we're much worse. (Rocco rolls his eyes)”

Rocco: “Why are you nervous?”

River: “Nervous? Me…I never…”

Rocco: “Don't lie to me. I'm your alpha and your brother. I know when you're lying.”

River: “Why do I have to be the first wolf to go to the university? I know why but why me?! I'm still figuring out what I'm learning. I'm the worst example going. I never know when to shut up for starters. Now you're throwing humans at me. Just because of the stupid Hawthrone’s saying we’re a dangerous cult. If they learned what we are, they would all go running scared. Just because they're rich like us doesn't mean…”

Rocco: “Are you done?”

River: “Yeah, I'm such a great choice.”

Rocco: “I told you because you're the right age. I know you can handle yourself. I know you have firm control over your inner wolf. You're confident and intelligent, River. You can do this. Also, you're taking art. I thought you might like to get creative.”

River: “Art? I can't draw to save my life. Yeah, that's why you did, rude. Oh, so you think I can handle my wolf?!”

Rocco: “You're not complete crap at it. Tao will give you a ride. Enjoy your day, sis. Don't make it too much drama.”

In River’s head: Where have I heard that before? (Tao runs in)

Tao: “Please tell me I'm gonna see fit cheerleaders? (both laugh)”

In Kiani’s head: Tao, member of the Darkwood pack. His inner wolf is brown and black with some greys and hazel eyes. Unmated.

River: “Cheerleaders, what are we? In an American High School drama?”

Tao: “We British have cheerleaders and they could be hot. (7:30 am Kiani’s bedroom)”

Nia: “KIANI, YOU’RE GONNA BE LATE!!”

In Kiani’s head: Kill me. I swear she treats me like I'm sixteen. I may have forgotten to set my alarm. It's my first day of actually being normal. First day of University. Finally doing the art program I've dreamed of. I might get friends. I sounded so antisocial. I'm a bit socially naive. Constantly moving and being homeschooled can have that effect. But not anymore. (in the living room)

Nia: “What time do you call this?”

Kiani: “An ungodly hour. I couldn't sleep much last night okay.”

Nia: “So excited for the University?”

Kiani: “Precisely, I am, of course but I may or may not have gone for a late-night jog because I couldn't sleep again.”

Nia: “Kiani, it's dangerous to jog at night.”

Kiani: “I needed a run, and Nia, I'm twenty one.”

Nia: “At least tell me.”

Kiani: “Well, if you tell me why I need to be careful all the time…”

Nia: “Not now! I'm sorry.”

Kiani: “You know I love fresh air. I can't be cooped up. A run helps me sleep. Otherwise I would’ve been in my room doing push ups for something to drain me. How do you think I got these cute abs?”

Nia: “Do you want a lift?”

Kiani: “I'll walk, we don't live too far.”

Nia: “But you just jogged half the night.”

Kiani: “I prefer the fresh air.”

In Nia’s head: Of course you do.

Nia: “Have a good day, yeah?”

Kiani: “I'm glad we've finally got a home base.”

Nia: “We can't keep moving forever. You need some friends before you turn weird.”

Kiani: “What? I do like my own company, but you're right.”

Nia: “Right, tell me your last name. Come on, Kiani. You know the drill.”

Kiani: “I’m Kiani Green.”

Nia: “Good. Kiani after school, come straight home. I need to talk to you. It's why we moved to Meadow Lake. It may explain some things you don't understand.”

Kiani: “Why do we keep moving, and why do I always have to change my last name? Or maybe why you're overly protective of me.”

Nia: “I'll talk to you later. (Meadow Lake University)”

River: “Bloody hell, we do have cheerleaders. This is gonna be interesting.”

In Tao’s head: Knew it.

Tao: “I'll pick you up everyday if I see that brunette chick.”

River: “She seems full of herself to me.”

Tao: “Yeah, that only turns me on.”

In Brooke’s head: No fucking way?

Brooke: “SHUT UP, LUCAS! Do you have any idea who that is?”

Lucas: “I doubt I'll give a fu-”

Brooke: “Standing over there is River Darkwood.”

Lucas: “Damn, she's hot.”

Brooke: “More like the huge guy she's with is hot. Talk about yummy. The Darkwoods are the wealthiest family in Meadow Lake. If their big manor is anything to go by. I still think my family is, though. I can't believe she's come out of her little manor. I swear her family is a fucking cult. They're weird. They're so private, they don't attend anything. Where the hell do they get their money from? They also live with a bunch of freeloaders, I've heard. That's what my mom said once.”

Lucas: “How can a manor be little?”

Brooke: “This year is gonna be interesting.

In Kiani’s head: Brooke Hawthrone comes from a wealthy family in Meadow Lake. Her parents are shareholders in the University. Highly suspicious of the Darkwoods.

Brooke: “Now that's someone I don't know, and I know everyone.”

Lucas: “What's with all the fit girls this year?”

In Kiani’s head: I can do this. Just act weirdo free.

Tao: “I'll talk to you later, River.”

In River’s head: Yeah, I admit. I have messed around with Tao. I mean, have you seen him? He's hot. But we're not mates or anything. Wolf shifters can get needy. Oh yeah, lust big time. We have primal needs. That's what Tao’s for. My wolf decides to perk up, does she? Yeah girl, I smell it too. It can't be…

In Kiani’s head: River’s wolf starts to get restless as she scents another wolf present. A stranger wolf. That should be highly unlikely as this is Darkwood Pack territory. The only way another wolf can step into their territory is if the alpha allows it. Rocco is an undefeated alpha. You must be mad or brave to cross his territory.

In River’s head: So who's mad or brave?

Kiani: “Oh hey, I'm-”

Brooke: “You're not from around here, are you?”

Kiani: “I'm sure a lot of students aren't from around-”

Brooke: “Most students are, and I know every one of them.”

Kiani: “Okay.”

Brooke: “So what's your name?”

Kiani: “Kiani St- I mean Kiani Green.”

In Kiani’s head: Damn it.

Brooke: “So you just moved to Meadow Lake?”

Kiani: “Yeah, just the other day act-”

Brooke: “I'm Brooke Hawthrone.”

In Kiani’s head: I feel like I haven't finished one sentence.

Kiani: “Nice to meet you.”

Brooke: “Do you work out?”

Kiani: “Urgh…”

Lucas: “You look like you workout, gorgeous.”

In Kiani’s head: Oh he’s cute. Gulp.

Brooke: “Do you cheer?”

Kiani: “No, I just work out.”

Brooke: “What are you studying?”

Kiani: “I'm in the special arts program.”

Brooke: “Why would you take art? That's a dead-end job, frizzy.”

Kiani: “Excuse me?”

In Kiani’s head: I feel a growl in the back of my throat.

Brooke: “Are you deaf to?”

In Kiani’s head: I feel the hot rage boiling through my veins. I could knock this girl's light’s out. Then take a big old bite. I need to calm the hell down. I'm shaking, I'm so damn angry. This damn bimbo is ruining my first day.

Kiani: “I'm talented, thanks and I have tamed curls. (Kiani storms off)”

Brooke: “What a freak.”

Lucas: “A hot freak.”

Brooke: “Do you even have a brain?”

Lucas: “Screw you.”

Brooke: “You have, and you loved it.”

Lucas: “Sure, let's go with that.”

In Brooke’s head: Bad start Kiani Green.

In Kiani’s head: I need to break something. Bad thoughts…be calm.

River: “Control your damn wolf stranger.”

In Kiani’s head: Did she just call me a wolf?