The Wolf Within Me
Chapter 22:

Both packs at the gate

Kylo: “Look here, pack. The deadly Rocco Darkwood. Never been defeated. That's gonna change really soon.”

Rocco: “You try challenging me, we'll see what happens.”

Rocco’s Wolf: “THREAT, ATTACK!”

In Rocco’s head: I feel my muscles rippled and flex. My wolf wants out to attack for challenging my dominance. Strange wolves on his territory without his permission. She feels insulted and that will not stand. The threat of death is in his eyes. Kylo Has no idea how easily I can rip them apart.

Kiani: “Rocco.”

Kylo: “Sister. You're on the wrong side.”

In Kiani’s head: He looks like me, I think. My brother Kylo. My emotions are conflicted. Loyalty split. But then I don't know what kind of man my brother is. All I know is that he's blood. I owe it to myself to know him but not like this. I need to remain calm. Emotions are high. Kylo Doesn't know the whole truth. He needs to know before rage swallows him whole. No one needs to get hurt today.

Kylo: “So you do know! THEY MURDERED OUR PARENTS IN COLD BLOOD! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING WITH THEM?! ROCCO NEEDS TO DIE WITH HIS SCUM OF A FATHER KIANI!”

Kiani: “DON’T THREATEN MY MATE!!”

Kylo: “I see where your loyalties lie.”

Kiani: “You don't know anything about me! Not everything is so black and white. You need to know the whole truth before there’s any blood spilled. They were my parents too. Listen to me, brother.”

Juno: “There must be a reason why she's still with the Darkwood pack. Apart from being Rocco’s mate. After all, she's your blood Kylo. I need you to know that I'm sorry for breaking your neck. I’m Juno. Kylo’s soulmate.”

In Kiani’s head: She's the one that broke my damn neck.

Kiani: “Were you at my house as well? Thanks for the cupcakes.”

Rocco: “We’ll talk on mutual grounds tomorrow. Not in my damn territory. Cross it again, there’ll be no talking, just blood. You can think my SOULMATE that there isn't already.”

In Kiani’s head: At that moment, I searched his eyes. I think he might care for me.

Kylo: “Tomorrow. I’ll only talk to Kiani. Alone. I can barely even look at you, Rocco without snarling and wanting to kill you.”

Kiani: “I'll meet you tomorrow, Kylo.”

Rocco: “NOW GET YOUR WOLVES OFF MY TERRITORY!! (Rocco’s bedroom)”

Kiani: “Okay, I get the face.”

Rocco: “You’re not meeting Kylo alone! I don't care if he's your brother. You know nothing about him.”

Kiani: “You two can't talk without death looming. So I'm the only one who can meet him. You said you would let me handle this. Don't snarl at me, it's not cute.”

Rocco: “How did you feel when you saw him?”

Kiani: “Mixed feelings. My wolf knew him straight away. He still feels like a stranger. We haven't got the natural sister and brother bond because we've been apart all this time but we did have a moment.”

Rocco: “The hate he has for me runs deep in his veins. I felt it. He wanted to murder me but he stopped because of you. That's something. He's powerful, I'll give him that.”

Kiani: “Hopefully Kylo will understand. It does look bad though. If you need to know the whole picture.”

Rocco: “I can't change the past but this is why we're here. It led me to you.”

Kiani: “We would’ve always met. Maybe you wouldn't have turned me down flat.”

In Kiani’s head: Rocco grabs me for a kiss. His lips still on mine as his mine links me.

Rocco’s Mindlink: “Would you get over that?”

Kiani’s Mindlink: “It's okay. I know denial when I see it. (Kiani falls)”

Kiani: “RUDE!”

Rocco: “I'm never in denial. I was just waiting for the right time to pounce. Now I need to deal with Winter. We'll talk more about you meeting Kylo without me.”

Kiani: “Nothing to talk about, I'm still going. (in the woods)”

Kylo: “We should’ve attacked.”

Juno: “Then why didn't you? I'll tell you why. Kiani is your blood. Your mother and father would never want you to fight with your sister. Let's just hope they're not using Kiani. She should be with us. (Kylo rolls his eyes)”

Gia: “Juno’s caught the steals, just because she feels terrible about snapping Kiani’s neck like a twig. If you ask me-”

Kylo: “I didn't.”

Gia: “I would’ve killed one of them to show our power. I was waiting for your nod, okay? I wouldn't have gone for your sister. One of the males to prove my strength.”

Kylo: “Where's your brother?”

Gia: “Why does everyone say that?”

Kylo: “Who would you rather deal with? Ghost or you?”

Gia: “Touche my alpha. Touche. (Gia walks away)”

In Kylo’s head: I hope Kiani comes tomorrow. (in the living room Winter’s texting)

In Winter’s head: Damn it. (Maia smacks Winter)

Winter: “WHAT WAS THAT FOR?! (Maia beating up Winter)”

Aspen: “What the hell is going on?”

Maia: “Before I came to this pack I had dealt with a traitor. I couldn't believe it. They gave me this scar on my eye after all. I will not have a traitor ruin everything again.”

Winter: “What are you talking about?”

Maia: “To think I trusted you. (in the study room)”

In Rocco’s head: This room seemed fitting.

Rocco: “Do you know why you're here?”

Winter: “I've always been loyal to this pack. I can't believe you think I'm a traitor.”

Rocco: “You let Fang and his enforcers through our gate. Didn't you?”

Winter: “No, I would NEVER!”

Rocco: “It's all about being a luna, for you isn't it? You couldn't be the luna to my pack so you thought Fang would be a better bet. You want power, always have.”

Winter: “Kiani put you up to this, didn't she? Can't you see ever since she got here she's turned everyone against me.”

Maia: “That's rich, knowing you hated her as soon as Rocco marked her. You made it very clear how much you hated her. You tried to kill her when she didn't even have her first shift yet. It all makes sense I should’ve seen this coming.”

Winter: “ROCCO WOULD’VE BEEN MINE! KIANI RUINED EVERYTHING!”

Rocco: “YOU BETRAYED THE PACK WINTER! (Winter laughs)”

Winter: “YOU BETRAYED ME!”

Maia: “YOU TRAITOR! After all, we've been through as a pack.”

Winter: “OH SAVE IT MAIA!! I should’ve always followed Fang. He recognizes power when he sees it right before him. KIANI IS GONNA BE THE DEATH OF THIS PACK. YOU CHOSE THE WRONG MATE! (Winter beats Maia to the ground and pulls out a gun). We never accept guns. Fatal flaw. (Winter shoots - Rocco pushes Asher out the way - Rocco’s hit by the bullet Maia beats Winter to the ground)”

Maia: “Rocco!”

Rocco: “Don't let her leave here alive.”

Rocco’s Wolf: “Hard to heal.”

In Rocco’s head: You're telling me. Dammit.

Maia: “Of course. (Maia leaves - Kiani walks in)

Kiani: “Rocco!”

Rocco: “I pushed Asher out of the way. He's just knocked out. Don't heal me. Poison. I could kill you. (Sierra and River run in)”

Kiani: “Rocco, I can heal-”

Rocco: “I think I'm gonna rest here but you can't heal me. If you try, you'll have this poison too and you might not make it. I can take it and I don't wanna risk your life.”

Kiani: “Now look who's talking too much. If Maia doesn’t kill Winter. I will. I'm putting you in a healing sleep. I've been practicing. I'll see you when you wake up, my highlander. You have no choice but to get better. He'll sleep for a day. Then, hopefully the poison will be drained out.”

In Kiani’s head: My wolf is torn between sadness for her mate’s state. But worry about what Winter has done. She wants blood. (Sierra and River shocked)

In River’s head: I've never seen anything like it.

Sierra: “Thank God you're here, Kiani. These bullets were designed to kill wolf shifters. If Asher took these bullets, he might not have been strong enough.”

River: “How the hell did Winter get those types of bullets? How can she do this to us?”

Kiani: “Power. (in the woods Winter’s running)”

In Winter’s head: If Maia catches me, I'm dead. Come on. Push this pain, wolf. This is worth it Fang. (The night before the Moonlight ceremony at a bar)

Winter: “This is the only way to get what I want. Fang, your standards have dropped.”

Fang: “You can go. I don't have time for you humans, even if you’re sexy.”

Joy: “Sorry, I didn't realize you were insane.”

In Fang’s head: How can Rocco reject this beautiful creature?

Winter: “Fang, two enforcers to meet me? You must think I'm dangerous.”

Fang: “I recognize power when I see it. Rocco is a fool to give you up. I understand why you're damn right raging. But you betrayed your whole pack because you can't get your way. Why would I want a traitor and my pack?”

Winter: “Give it a break, Fang. You want me to be your mate, practically drooling all over me. We both can get what we want. A chance to join your old pack. Me to be an alpha female. I don't care whose damn pack anymore. It's what I was born to be.”

Fang: “Your wolf has a big temper. If you get me in the Darkwood territory without getting me killed I'll have you as my mate. You can be the alpha female for my pack. What you've always desired. How does that sound, my beautiful Winter?”

Winter: “I love the sound of that.”

Fang: “If Rocco rejects me for the second time. Will you do what needs to be done?”

Winter: “I’ll feed you information on the inside. I've been loyal. We can't fail.”

Fang: “I like the way you think, darling.”

Winter: “How about a kiss to seal the deal? (they kiss)”

Fang: “This is Rocco we’re dealing with. If he ever gives you any trouble. This is a prototype. I have friends in high places.”

In Winter’s head: A gun? (present time)

In Maia’s head: I'm gonna rip her apart with my bare hands. I don't even know how far we're out of the territory. All I know is that my wolf is on Hunt and kill mode.

Gia: “You're good. Far away from your precious territory. (Gia and Maia fighting). I don't have abs. (Ghost comes from behind and hits Maia). I had her, Ghost.”

Ghost: “Your face says otherwise Gia.”

Gia: “It's called having fun before the kill.”

Ghost: “It's called losing.”

Gia: “It's called giving you the perfect opportunity to strike. You’re late by the way.”

Ghost: “I'm always on time.”

Gia: “Well, if you were on time, I would be able to feel my face right about now.”

Ghost: “Didn't you just say that you had it?”

Gia: “I had it, if you had it. You're my backup. Twin of mine.”

Ghost: “This wolf looked like she was hunting someone down.”

Gia: “Yeah, I saw the other wolf go that way, looks like she was chasing her but I got bored on our Patrol and thought why not take on an enforcer? No doubt my twin will back me up if things go wrong. I swear I saw her at the face off.”

Ghost: “It must be one of Rocco’s wolves. Something went down. We should take her to Kylo. (Ghost walks away)”

Gia: “I'm cute and petite. I can't carry her! You know I've never developed my abs.”

Ghost: “YOU DON’T NEED ABS GIA!”

Gia: “I still think they might peek through. They're just late bloomers.”

Ghost: “COME ON, GIA.”