The Wolf Within Me
Chapter 24:

The Bloodstone pack house

Kiani: “Do you have Maia?!”

Kylo: “I don't know her name but she crossed our territory.”

Kiani: “Like you did ours. Let her go. Maia better not be hurt. She came into your territory because she was trying to stop a traitor.”

Gia: “She was chasing another female wolf. I thought I had interrupted something but as they say, I was just doing my job.”

Kiani: “Well you suck at it.”

Gia: “Talk about offended.”

Ghost: “To be fair, I was the one that stopped Maia.”

Gia: “She's got balls.”

Kylo: “We have a traitor.”

Kiani: “Winter. Running back to Fang. I should’ve killed her when I had the chance.”

Kylo: “Fang Darkwood.”

In Kylo’s head: Uncle Conan has unfinished business with him. When do I tell Kiani she has an uncle and a cousin as well. (flashback to that night)

Zion: “CONAN! Time to go, take Kylo and him.”

Young Kylo: NO DADDY!”

Zion: “Be strong, son.”

Conan: “I'm not leaving you to fight alone, brother.”

Zion: “Control your wolf, Conan. You have my orders. Take my son and your daughter Billie. AND GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE NOW!”

Conan: “You're acting as if we've already lost.”

Zion: “We're not young wolves anymore, Zion. We have families to think about. I want my pups safe regardless of when we fight the Darkwood pack. Do you want Billie in this fight? Conan, Billie is all you’ve got!”

Conan: “Where’s Kiani?”

Zion: “With Dawn. We’re hiding Kiani somewhere else.”

Conan: “This is madness brother.”

Zion: “It's what has to be done. (present time)”

In Kylo’s head: I didn't know who Kiani had become but she deserves to know.

Kiani: “Seems like she's joined his pack.”

Kylo: “Rocco’s uncle…why is Rocco’s bloodline always a threat, huh? That was the next pack I wanted revenge on. I thought their packs would have an alliance.”

Kiani: “You can't choose your family but you can choose the path you take.”

Kylo: “Wise one, huh?”

Kiani: “Well, I don't wanna brag. (Kylo laughs)”

Kylo: “Gia, let Maia go.”

Gia: “You guys are no fun.”

Ghost: “Gia’s crazy, but we love her. (Kiani laughs - Kylo rolls his eyes). Why don't I introduce you to everyone? They're all dying to meet Kylo’s long lost sister.”

Kylo: “I still need to tell Kiani-”

Kiani: “Maia and I should go.”

In Kiani’s head: Wait, did he just say he still needs to tell me something?

Ghost: “Billie isn’t back yet. It won't take long, honestly.”

Kylo: “Why are you so eager?”

Ghost: “I'm trying to be nice.”

Kiani: “Who’s Billie?”

Kylo: “All in good time.”

Kiani: “Does this mean you’ll meet Rocco? Alpha to Alpha, you both need to talk.”

Kylo: “I do wanna talk to him. But I can't promise you it won't end well.”

Kiani: “You're a nightmare. A stubborn nightmare!

In Kiani’s head: Billie Jean by Michael Jackson booms out. (in the other living room)

In Billie Jean’s head: This is why I stay in the woods.

Kai: “HEE HEEEE!”

Twyla: “Your name is brilliant. Perfectly placed in a Michael Jackson song.”

Juno: “If my name was Billy Jean, I'd be asking everyone to ask me my name. They better damn well sing the tune. Every time I walk in.”

Kai: “Conan is insanely cool to call you that. It pains me you've never heard of him.”

Billie Jean: “He named me after his favorite song. I should’ve had a wolf name.”

Twyla: “There goes the I size. Welcome back, girlie. Conan keeps you away from normality Billie. You’ll become a recluse. You don't want to become wild.”

Billie Jean: “I am Wild. I'm a wolf.”

In Billie Jean’s head: Ghost.

Kiani: “Yeah, just as crazy as my pack.”

Ghost: “Is that right? I'd say crazier.”

In Ghost’s head: Damn it, Billie’s back.

In Billie Jean’s head: No one told me a new wolf was joining our pack.

Billie Jean’s Wolf: “Familiar scent.”

Ghost: “Your back, finally been introduced to Michael Jackson. So this is Kiani.”

In Ghost’s head: Talk about bad timing. Billie will be able to scent Kiani bloodline. She's more wolf than any of us.

Kiani: “Heyyy….”

Kai: “Yo Ghost. Big ass elephant in the room.”

Twyla: “Damn, you're gorgeous. Are you mated to Rocco Darkwood? Oh snap!”

Juno: “Billie, we were meant to-”

In Kiani’s head: So some are more shocked than others.

In Billie Jean’s head: Kiani Stone. Dad is gonna be so shocked by how much she's grown. She looks so much like auntie Dawn. I had a feeling that I should come back today. Now I know why. No thanks to my pack you could’ve warned me.

Kiani: “Hey.”

Ghost: “We didn't want to overwhelm her, Billie.”

In Billie Jean’s head: She's my cousin, did dad know Kylo found her alive? We may not live with the pack, but we're a part of them.

Billie Jean: “Kylo should’ve told me. (Billie Jean runs off)”

Kiani: “Her eyes glowed blue! That's insane.”

Ghost: “Yeah, she has your little neat trick. Her wolf lives close to the surface. Oh, and you guys are cousins. Surprise. (in the kitchen)”

In Kiani’s head: I need a breather. This is all overwhelming. Now I have a damn cousin. I guess that's what Kylo was about to tell me. I have shock after shock at the moment. Rocco’s gone quiet. He’s probably fuming. What's frustrating is this pack and mine would get along so well but it's not gonna be easy. How can I make them see eye to eye? I feel tied to both packs now.

In Billie Jean’s head: Do I say excuse me? Do I just slip past her? Do I introduce myself? I'm not good at this. (Billie Jean sniffs Kiani). Definitely blood-related.

Billie Jean: “I'm Billie Jean. But you can call me Billie. I'm your cousin on your dad's side. My dad is Conan, your uncle but he's away at the moment. I don't even know if Kylo told him. They disagree all the time. I shouldn't have been surprised, really.”

Kiani: “This is all so-”

Billie Jean: “I thought you were dead. (Kiani laughs)”

Kiani: “If I don't laugh, I'm gonna cry.”

In Kiani’s head: She must think I'm insane.

Billie Jean: “Your emotions are everywhere.”

Kiani: “Do you blame me?”

Billie Jean: “Is this where I comfort you?”

In Kiani’s head: What?

Kiani: “I mean you could. (Billie Jean bows and hugs Kaini)”

Billie Jean’s Mindlink: “Be calm.”

In Kiani’s head: I hear her strongly in my mind. My inner wolf naturally feels more relaxed. A sense of peace flows through me. My wolf responded lovingly to Billie.

Kiani: “That felt like-”

Billie Jean: “Like we’re kin.”

In Kiani’s head: Billie’s like an old soul.

Kylo: “You've met then.”

In Kylo’s head: Sh- (Kiani and Billie Jean are mad - in the backyard)

In Rocco’s head: I'm beyond fuming.

Rocco’s Wolf: “FIND MATE NOW! KILL TRAITOR! PROTECT MATE! KILL GHOST! HEALED, GO ATTACK. GO TO MATE!”

In Rocco’s head: Yeah, I'm trying hard. My wolf is like a broken record. I know Kiani needs to do this but my wolf thanks very differently. Now my lying mother wants to talk. Rage is very hard to control right now. I need Kiani here. She's the only one that can calm me down. What if she joins her brother's pack?

Rocco’s Wolf: “NO!”

Sierra: “I hate seeing you like this. Kiani will be back, she loves you. I hate that I lied to you but I was just trying to protect you like I've always done. I had no hidden motive. I only wanted to give you and Kiani a fighting chance.”

Rocco: “You just wanted the PACK SAFE!! Admit it! You never cared if Kiani and I were mates. You just saw the benefits. You lost your caring nature a long time ago. Don't pretend any different. (Rocco walks away - Kylo’s living room)”

Maia: “YOU RUINED EVERYTHING! I ALMOST HAD HER! This is all your fault.”

Gia: “It should’ve been quicker.”

Kiani: “Let's all just calm down.”

Gia: “I’m very calm.”

Maia: “Let me see how calm you are when I kick your ass.”

Gia: “I'm ready for round two.”

Kiani: “No one is ready for round two.”

Twyla: “I care for round two.”

Juno: “Smash anything in my house and I'll break you all.”

Kiani: “Maia. Let’s go outside. (Maia walks off). THIN LINE! (Kiani walks off)”

Gia: “The thanks I get for letting her go. Are we all friends now or something?”

Juno: “We obey our alpha, Gia. Right now we're getting to know Kiani.”

Billie Jean: “You sound like things might change.”

Juno: “Kiani’s still with Rocco and his pack. We still have to be cautious.”

Twyla: “Is Kylo gonna meet with Rocco?”

Juno: “He hasn't made a decision.”

Gia: “Do you think Rocco’s gonna play nice? He’s a Darkwood.”

Billie Jean: “But Kiani isn’t. More so, she’s my kin. (outside)”

Maia: “How’s Rocco?”

Kiani: “He's okay, thank God. I healed him. I think he's awake.”

Maia: “I’m surprised Rocco didn’t come with…you went when he was asleep, didn't you? Very clever. But you had no backup.”

Kiani: “Well, you're here.”

Maia: “Do you trust Kylo?”

Kiani: “I trust that he won't hurt me, but that's so far. He also let you go. I have an uncle and a cousin as well.”

Maia: “Fucking family reunion.”

Kiani: “Yeah, I guess.”

Maia: “We should get back. No doubt Rocco is breaking walls.”

Kiani: “Well, he stopped screaming in my head.”

Maia: “God help you. I was so close to killing Winter. I can't believe I didn't see this coming sooner. I let the pack down.”

Kiani: “Winter let the pack down. She’ll get what she deserves. I'm making sure of that. Go back and tell Rocco that I’m coming. I need to speak with Kylo before I go.”

Maia: “You're coming back to our pack?”

Kiani: “Of course I am. (Maia laughs)”

Maia: “Rocco isn’t gonna be happy I came back without you.”

Kiani: “I won't be far behind.”

Maia: “Me and my wolf are glad you're one of us. I feel you're gonna make a strong alpha female that I can trust.”

In Kiani’s head: My wolf respects the respect. Especially from Maia, a strong wolf.

Kiani: “I'll be back soon. I'm just planning on stealing Kylo’s dog. (Maia runs off)”

Ghost: “I don't think Kylo won’t be happy with you stealing his dog.”

Kiani: “Do you like to ease-drop? (Billie Jean was listening - Rocco’s bedroom - Kiani looking around - Rocco grabs Kiani and pins her to the bed)”

In Kiani’s head: God, I've missed him. It's only been a day. Our hearts beat frantically as one. As passion burns like never before.

Kiani: “Rocco. (the next day Kiani and Rocco on the floor in their undergarments)”

In Kiani’s head: I don't even remember how we got here. Rocco would not let me rest. All night. Did we even sleep, is my question? There's no room for talk. Which is kind of making me nervous. I'm concerned he hasn't exploded yet.

Rocco: “Who the hell is Ghost?”

In Kiani’s head: There it is. Out of everything, that's the first thing. (in the bathroom)

Rocco: “His scent is all over you!”

Kiani: “Now you're just being dramatic.”

Rocco: “He's a dead man walking.”

Rocco’s Wolf: “DEAD!!”

Kiani: “WHAT ABOUT WHAT WAS IT LIKE MEETING YOUR BROTHER HUH?”

Rocco: “Don't get me started on that. While I was out of it you snuck out behind my back and went and endangered yourself AGAIN.”

Kiani: “A thank you for healing you would be nice.”

Rocco: “That's what healers do. THEY HEAL!!”

In Kiani’s head: Really?!

Kiani: “OH, YOU’RE A REAL GENIUS ASS FACE!”

Rocco: “YOU LEFT ME WITH NO WARNING!”

Kiani: “You were out cold and I told Asher. What was I supposed to do?”

Rocco: “Urgh, wait for me to wake up!”

Kiani: “Oh grow up, you big baby.”

Rocco: “Then you came back with another male wolf shifter’s scent.”

Kiani: “HE DIDN’T EVEN TOUCH ME YOU LUNATIC! YOUR SCENT IS ALL OVER ME NOW, HIGHLANDER! I BET YOU’RE REAL PROUD!”

In Rocco’s head: I am.

Kiani: “I said I would meet Kylo, whether you like it or not. I just chose to do it while you were night night. It's a good thing I did. It saved me from beating your ass. Then let you heal your damn self. Another thing. I stopped Kylo from attacking and possibly got an alliance with him. The only person he hates more than you is FANG DARKWOOD. WHO IS WORKING WITH A TRAITOR WHO SHOT YOU TWICE! All while trying to get over the fact that not only do I have a brother, I have an uncle and cousin. (Rocco’s shocked). I hope flies go in your mouth and choke you. I found Maia too. SO I THINK I’M THE FUCKING GENIUS, YOU COMPLETE ASS FACE!”

In Kiani’s head: Jerkface.

Kiani’s Wolf: “I think he's just worried.”

In Kiani’s head: Betrayed by my own wolf.

Kiani’s Wolf: “Dramatic.”