The Wolf Within Me
Chapter 20:

University bathroom Kiani runs in

River: “Are you okay?”

Kiani: “THERE’S A NEW GUY IN CLASS WHO KNOWS ABOUT WOLF SHIFTERS!”

River: “What are you talking about?”

Kiani: “Didn't you just hear me?”

River: “I wish. I just went to the toilet and this drama happened? Are you sure?”

Kiani: “He said I know you’re a ‘MATED WOMAN’! Winked at me, then swaggered the fuck off. You know that cool smooth walk style some men do. Yeah, exactly.”

River: “He winked at you?!”

Kiani: “Oh my God!”

River: “OKAY! Did he smell like a wolf?”

Kiani: “No, that's the whole point. Yeah, now you're worried.”

River: “Was he in our class?”

Kiani: “Yes. He said his name was Ghost.”

River: “Well what happened before he ‘swaggered off’? (flashback)”

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

Kiani: “First of all, you're busting my personal bubble.”

Ghost: “Do I make you nervous?”

Kiani: “No, but you're still popping my bubble. (Ghost laughs)”

Ghost: “I'm all for popping bubbles.”

Kiani: “What are you on about being mated?”

Ghost: “Playing dumb, I see. Wise girl.”

Kiani: “I suggest you back off. You're talking gibberish.”

Ghost: “Pretty eyes. I get it. I'll see you around, sweetie.”

In Kiani’s head: My wolf knows something is up. Look at him walking off all sexy like. Who does he think he is? How long does it take for River to use the toilet?! (present)

River: “We need more information on this guy.”

Kiani: “We do. Before we tell Rocco, We should replace out more. He would freak out.”

River: “Of course. (Brooke comes out of the stalls)”

In Brooke’s head: A new guy named Ghost. Did I hear wolf shifters? (in the garden)

River: “You're moving in, right?”

Kiani: “I don't know what to do.”

River: “I'm guessing because of Nia.”

Kiani: “I have yet to hear from her. She's gone silent. I'm gonna go home after my classes to check in. (in the parking lot)”

Kiani’s Mindlink: “I'm going home, I need to see my aunt. I'll be back, highlander.”

Rocco’s Mindlink: “You better be, little wolf. I need to talk to you.”

Kiani: “Are you following me?”

Ghost: “I forgot something in class.”

Kiani: “Right. Well, you best get going then.”

Ghost: “That was the plan. (Ghost laughs)”

Kiani: “What?”

Ghost: “You’re still in the way, sweetie. Not that I don't mind.”

Kiani: “You've come out of nowhere. Act as you know me. What's your deal?”

Ghost: “I'm willing to talk over coffee.”

Kiani: “You must be joking.”

Ghost: “What? Who doesn't like coffee? I do know of you, Kiani Stone.”

Kiani: “How do you know my last name?”

Ghost: “Believe it or not, I'm looking out for you.”

Kiani: “You're not making any sense.”

Ghost: “Over coffee, it would make sense.”

Kiani: “You're crazy.”

Ghost: “But you're curious. How else are you gonna get answers?”

Kiani: “You can walk with me half the way.”

In Kiani’s head: I need to know how he knows my last name.

Ghost: “Okay then.”

Kiani: “What about your stuff?”

Ghost: “I just wanted an excuse to bump into you.”

Kiani: “You lied?”

Ghost: “Just a little white lie. I know you don't sense any danger for me. I mean, no doubt you can protect yourself.”

In Kiani’s head: Ghost knows about wolf shifters.

Kiani: “There's no such thing as a white lie.”

Ghost: “I'm ready when you are.”

In Kiani’s head: He's right, I don't sense any danger from him. But what's freaking me out is that he seems to know me. (in the woods)

Kiani: “You're not talking.”

Ghost: “I've been enjoying your company.”

Kiani: “Start talking or leave!”

Ghost: “Well, up until now I've never asked you to leave like that.”

Kiani: “Goodbye.”

Ghost: “Wait. Don't freak out.”

Kiani: “I'm all ears.”

Ghost: “In from the Bloodstone pack.”

Kiani: “I knew you were a wolf shifter. But how come I can’t smell your wolf?”

Ghost: “Any wolf shifter can learn scent masking but it's long and tedious, so most don't. That's why Rocco, your alpha isn't out hunting me as we speak.”

Kiani: “Yeah, I can let Rocco know any minute. So I would be cautious if I were you. Especially considering that I'm his mate. But I've never heard of the Bloodstone pack. Sounds familiar. Maybe Rocco mentioned it.”

Ghost: “You’re Rocco’s mate? You've never heard of my pack? It's your bloodline.”

In Ghost’s head: The hell is going on?

Kiani: “I have no idea what you're talking about, Ghost.”

Ghost: “Why do you think your last name is Stone?!”

Kiani: “How do you know my real last name is Stone?”

Ghost: “Your brother Kylo is the alpha of my pack.”

In Kiani’s head: What the actual hell?

Ghost: “How do you not know this?”

Kiani: “Hold on, you said brother. I don't have a brother, my parents died okay. I'm the only child. You must have mistaken me for someone else.”

Ghost: “How did your parents die?”

Kiani: “This is all getting personal.”

Ghost: “How would I know your last name, then? You've never heard of Kylo Stone?”

Kiani: “Now you're starting to freak me out. My parents died, I don't know how they died. I didn't even know I was…why are you telling me this? It doesn't make sense.”

In Ghost’s head: Kiani has no idea. Nia never told her a thing. I have to tell Kylo now.

Ghost: “Ask your aunt Nia about Kylo Stone and what happened to your parents. I'm sorry you got lost in all of this. (Ghost leaves)”

Kiani: “WAIT! GHOST! (Kiani’s freaking out)”

In Kiani’s head: This can't be true. I grasped my hands around my neck as I felt my lungs tighten. I felt a rising panic attack. While my mind spins out of control. This couldn't be what Nia wanted to tell me? No. (Nia’s living room)

Kiani: “NIA!!!”

In Kiani’s head: I've had it up to here with the secrets. Nia needs to tell me right now. Everything. My panic has turned to anger. Nia should’ve told me. My wolf is close to the surface. I can't help it. Ghost has come out of nowhere and seems to know more about my life than me. A damn stranger! I scent her before I see her.

Kiani: “What are you doing here?”

Sierra: “Please calm your wolf.”

Nia: “You need to listen to us.”

Kiani: “When was it us? How the hell do you guys know each other? Somebody better start fucking talking real quick.”

In Nia’s head: I’ve never seen Kiani like this before. Why have I waited so long?

Kiani: “Okay, I'll start. Who’s Kylo Stone? Have you heard of the Bloodstone pack? Apparently, it's in my bloodline. Why am I always in the dark? Don’t tell me a fucking stranger did not just tell me about my past.”

In Kiani’s head: Sierra feels the dominant waves coming off of me. Sierra also notices my eye color has yet to turn back.

Sierra: “Rocco doesn’t know. When I found out I hid the truth from him.”

Kiani: “What does he have to do with any of this?”

Nia: “Kiani, I've never known how to tell you this.”

Kiani: “You better try! (Nia’s scared)”

Sierra: “Then I'll tell you my truth as well.”

In Sierra’s head: Who told Kiani? She said a stranger.

Nia: “You should’ve known. I was trying to protect you. It's a really painful memory but I finally know the whole story thanks to Sierra. (flashback to the warning - Dawn giving Kiani up - Hunter killing Kiani’s parents - present time Kylo’s living room)”

Gia: “It didn't go well, did it?”

Ghost: “She had no idea about her family's past, about any of it.”

Gia: “She could be lying to you.”

Ghost: “She's not Gia.”

Gia: “So Kiani is in the Darkwood pack? Having no idea what they did to her own family. I'll be damned. Do the Darkwoods even know who she is?! Oh, the conspiracy, I love it. What a fallen splattered cake of a mess.”

Ghost: “The things you come out with.”

Gia: “Wait until Kylo hears about this drama. I swear Kylo told you to watch her, not to speak to her. But you know what they say, the early bird might get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese. You went in for the cheese, didn't you?”

Ghost: “How do I even understand you?”

Gia: “I guess being twins might have had something to do with it.”

Kylo: “Gia’s right. I told you to keep your distance.”

Ghost: “I can explain.”

In Ghost’s head: I couldn't if I tried. My wolf was drawn to her.

Ghost: “Your aunt Nia didn't tell her anything. Kiani’s been brought up to believe she was an only child. She never even heard of our pack. Kiani doesn't even know about you at all. Which makes more sense now why Juno found her in the Darkwood pack.”

Kylo: “Are you saying that Kiani is clueless? Impossible!”

Ghost: “It's possible. This changes everything. She didn't betray us. She didn't know.”

Kylo: “I wanna talk to Kiani. But we need to get her out of Rocco’s territory.”

Gia: “Oooh, The Bloodstone pack bloodline just got stronger. Your mate Juno probably wished she never broke your sister's neck then. Savage.”

Ghost: “Urgh, one more problem.”

Kylo: “What?!”

Gia: “This is going to be juicy, isn't it?”

Ghost: “Kiani’s Rocco’s mate.”

Gia: “Fucking daisy cutters.”

Kylo: “Over my dead body! KIANI IS MY SISTER! THE DARKWOODS HAVE TAKEN ENOUGH FROM ME! (Rocco’s bedroom)”

In Rocco’s head: A traitor in my pack. Really not what I need right now. I need to talk to Kiani and update her on the situation.

Rocco’s Wolf: “She doesn't seem like herself.”

In Rocco’s head: Too busy being angry about a possible traitor I haven't tapped into Kiani’s emotions, dealing with my own. She mentioned she was going to go see her aunt Nia. This brings me back to another mystery I chose to forget. Maybe Nia finally told Kiani. Why do I have a feeling I know what it is? I can't face it. If Kiani is Kiani Stone I need to know. It's time to see what I've been dreading. (Rocco’s office). As my eyes scan the screen for Kylo’s pack I search for a picture of Kylo Stone. Kylo and Kiani look alike. (Rocco screams and throws the deck outside Nia’s house raining)

In Kiani’s head: Rain. Figures. Pure sorrow. Murdered. I have a brother. Rocco’s dad killed my parents. The Darkwood pack, the pack I joined and began to love. Sierra and Rocco didn’t know. Kylo, my brother, is out for revenge against my mate Rocco. Rocco is nothing like Hunter Darkwood. He killed his dad because of what happened. Sierra warned my mother and Nia took me in. They all saved me and Kylo’s life. Does Kylo know the whole story? Who raised Kylo? But Sierra knew almost straight away who I was. Why didn't she tell me straight away? Does she mean well to me or does she just want to protect her back? They’re coming for my brother. Me being true mates with Rocco changes everything. My brother has no reason to care for me. We've never met. Sierra has a flaw in her plan. My trust levels are on a thin thread. Rocco. I know the pain he went through. I felt it because we're linked. He's mine. What now? I need to get out of here. I need my wolf. I let my wolf take control. My emotions overpower me.

Brooke: “What the hell did I just see?”

In Brooke’s head: Maybe my parents aren't crazy after all. (in the woods)

In Kiani’s head: My wolf is extremely on edge. Her trust levels are down and she wants to keep protecting me. I need to change back, I need to handle this. But she's with me, always. Sierra told me Rocco never knew. If Rocco lied about knowing his dad killed my parents I'd set fire to the bloody rain. I'd burn with it because I’d fallen in deep.

Asher: “Kiani, what’s wrong?”

Kiani’s Wolf: “ROCCO?”

Rocco: “Leave Asher! Don't let anyone come out here, that's a demand.”

Kiani: “DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?”