The Wolf Within Me
Chapter 26:

In Kiani’s head: I see Brooke Hawthrone through my wolf eyes. Her fear of me is overwhelming. What is she doing in the dark woods at night? But my mind is more wolf like. All she's thinking…is this my next prey? 

In Brooke’s head: I've never seen a wolf as big as that. I'm gonna die. I wanna run but my legs won't move.

In Kiani’s head: If I shift, Brooke will know the mythical secret. Hopefully, my wolf won't be interested in having a bite of her. Not to mention my pack isn't far away. My wolf isn't interested. Too weak to be a threat with the ways of fear coming from her. She will soon scurry away. But I picked up another scent. The smell of death. I howl to alert my pack that there’s no threat here.

In Brooke’s head: I've never been so scared in my life. So close to death.

In Kiani’s head: I was right. A dead body in our territory. A deceased human body. Death by a wolf shifter for sure. It's Lucas. (in the garden)

Kiani: “Thanks, Tao.”

Rocco: “Did you know him?”

Kiani: “He went to my university. His name is Lucas. I saw Brooke Hawthorne out there, she saw me in my wolf form. They must’ve been out there together.”

Rocco: “The only pack that's close to our territory is-”

Kiani: “The Bloodstone pack.”

Rocco: “If Brooke had been killed we would’ve had another problem.”

Kiani: “We need that meeting. Just make sure that you behave.”

In Rocco’s head: What was Brooke Hawthorne doing in the woods? When the police replace out about Lucas they’ll be all over Meadow Lake. (Brooke’s home)

In Brooke’s head: Maybe I was scared I made up how big that wolf was. Lucas probably got home okay. Although he would have texted me by now, sucking up. I need to get my shit together. All I know is Kiani has some sort of super speed. Can that link to a wolf, maybe? (flashback to Kiani freaking out to River about Ghost).

A new guy named Ghost. Did I hear wolf shifters?! (present time)

Mrs. Hawthorne: “Brooke. What happened to your leg?”

Brooke: “I just banged it.”

Mrs. Hawthorne: “Well it looks awful. What? No smart response.”

Brooke: “I need to go to my room. (Brooke walks away)”

Mrs. Hawthorne: “While you're there, sort your bags under your eyes. Weird child. Brooke couldn't handle the truth. You're right, she should stay out of it. Have you seen how jumpy she's been recently? Imagine what she would think of wolf shifters.”

Mr. Hawthorne: “Exactly. Brooke is smart. Maybe we should train her. We need her to carry on the legacy of our work. I think about it, we're in deep now.”

Mrs. Hawthorne: “And to call in more security, don't you think? By that, I mean our special security. (Kylo’s balcony)”

Kylo: “You killed a human? On Rocco’s territory?!”

Conan: “My wolf was raging and he was in my way.”

Kylo: “Are you kidding me right now?”

Conan: “I'll go back and clean up my mess since we're old friends with the Darkwood pack. I'll go and ask politely. I'll tell them I'll be quick. Maybe I'll say hello to my niece. Might as well sit down and have a bloody cup of tea. What did you agree to?”

Kylo: “Nothing, right now.”

Conan: “How do we know what Kiani said was all true? They could be lying to her.”

Kylo: “Do you think I've considered that? It doesn't add up. Kiani would know.”

Conan: “How can she be mated to him? The Darkwood bloodline is tarnished. Rocco’s not good enough for Ki Ki!”

Kylo: “I nearly slipped up and called her that. (Conan laughs)”

Conan: “Trying to keep up your tough exterior. What's she like?”

Kylo: “The truth, I want her with us.”

In Kylo’s head: I should’ve always been there to protect her.

Conan: “Then what are we waiting for?”

Kylo: “They're not just mates, uncle. Their soulmates like Juno and I. Like mom and dad. When we mate, we mate for real man, geez.”

Conan: “Maybe we should have that meeting. I also wanna know how to get my hands on Fang Darkwood. I'll call you as your beta.”

Kylo: “I have Kai for that.”

Billie Jean: “I'll come to be your enforcer.”

Kylo: “That's a firm no. Things are already heated as is. I'm alpha here. What I say goes. (a few days later - Rocco’s room balcony)”

Rocco: “Kylo wants to meet.”

Kiani: “Took him long enough.”

Rocco: “He has a lot of explaining to do with a dead body. Nia’s here. You know if she's lonely, she can move in, it's big enough. (Kiani laughs). What now?”

Kiani: “Under that big bad wolf is an absolute sweetie. (Rocco rolls his eyes). Nia says if you roll your eyes too much, they'll get stuck up there. (Rocco rolls his eyes). You can keep risking it all you want. Look at you trying not to.”

Rocco: “I'm surprised yours is not stuck. (Kiani laughs). I'll let her know you're here.”

Kiani: “We have a lot to catch up on.”

Rocco: “We'll talk more about the meeting with Kylo later. (Rocco walks away)”

Kiani: “All I ask is that you don't kill each other.”

Rocco: “Not to be blunt, but I wouldn't be the dead one. Warn your brother. (Kiani rolls her eyes). STUCK!”

Nia: “You have a lot of explaining to do. I wanna know everything, I'm your aunt. The aunt that raised you might I add. (at the cafe)”

In Brooke’s head: Why is Lucas not texting me back? What the actual hell. It's been days. He's making me sound obsessed.

Haley: “Are you and Lucas ‘not speaking terms’? Curtis texted him saying what's up with you two? They were meant to hang out yesterday but he never showed.”

Brooke: “We're not attached to the hip.”

In Brooke’s head: Where the hell is he?

Haley: “I was just checking.”

Peyton: “He's probably moody about something. That's when he goes quiet.”

Haley: “That's one big ass bruise, Brooke. Are you okay?”

Brooke: “Would you mind your damn business Haley. Your whole being is annoying me today, damn it.”

In Haley’s head: Well something's up for sure. She's more of a brat than usual.

In Brooke’s head: If wolf shifters and that Kiani girl are connected. The giant wolf in the woods, what if it got Lucas?

Brooke: “I have to go.”

Haley: “Maybe Brooke’s gone too far this time.”

Peyton: “What's that supposed to mean?”

Haley: “Let's face it, Brooke’s never been stable. Lucas might’ve pushed it too far and Brooke finally snapped.”

Peyton: “Yeah right, stop being dramatic.”

Haley: “Am I? Exactly. (in Rocco’s office)”

Rocco: “Any more information on those poison bullets?”

Asher: “I wanted to say thank you for-”

Rocco: “Don't mention it, Asher. You would’ve done the same for me. Always have. Your new pup is on the way and they can't grow up without a dad.”

Asher: “I've heard around the wolf shifted community, poison bullets such as these are extremely rare. It can take down a wolf with two shots. An alpha is still a work in progress. As proven with you. The bullets originally belong to Mystic Hunters. The Mystic Hunter Organization was lost, or so we thought. Now it seems like they're back. We need to know who and how Winter is linked with them. Fang is involved. How Fang and Winter linked to Mystic Hunter, I have no idea.”

In Kiani’s head: Mystic Hunters: A human organization highly trained to get rid of the world of magical creatures. Some are known to be more than just humans.

Rocco: “Mystic Hunters, aren't they a thing of legend?”

Sun: “They were around before any of us. In ancient order that should’ve been wiped out. Stories told to frighten little pups. The only thing to take down a wolf shifter is Mystic Hunters. But it's spread around the shifters community that they're back. All older generations of wolf shifters confirm that they’re real. You should be vigilant.”

Archie: “Mystic Hunters cleared out generations ago by wolf shifters. This is a concern for all of us.”

Asher: “The bullets had Mystics ingrained in them. Sierra told me as much.”

Rocco: “Great, an ancient order returning to haunt us. Now we also have a dead body on our hands. Thanks to the Bloodstone pack.”

Kiani: “We can get answers to that when we meet with Kylo. Brooke Hawthorne also saw me in my wolf form.”

Sun: “Hawthorne…?”

Rocco: “I feel like we should look into their family name.”

Maia: “On it. I'm keeping an eye on Brooke. Especially if she saw Kiani in wolf form.”

Rocco: “It won't be long before the police get involved when they replace out Lucas is missing. So fewer wolf shifts from now on. Now, meeting Kylo Stone. I want my betta with me, Asher. Maia, you’ll watch over Kiani.”

Kiani: “Kylo doesn't wanna fight Rocco but talk.”

Rocco: “I'm not taking any chances. Sun and Archie, I want your packs nearby but out of sight. I want our alliance to remain private. We don't want secret alliances Kylo has.”

Kiani: “You do know that I'm coming. Don't even try to stop me.”

Rocco: “Of course. You're my alpha female. Where else would you be but by my side?”

Maia: “We're in a meeting, Kiani. Blush later. (they laugh)”

Rocco: “Last thing, Kiani, your healing ability. I want you to keep it a secret for now. Healers are kept protected and private for a reason.”

In Kiani’s head: I'm praying that this goes well. (Brooke’s living room)

Mrs. Hawthorne: “You might pop a vein, darling.”

Brooke: “WOLF SHIFTERS ARE REAL!”

Mrs. Hawthorne: “Leave us. (the maid leaves)”

Brooke: “Don't you dare say that I'm crazy.”

Mr. Hawthorne: “I was on the phone dammit.”

Brooke: “I don't care. Just tell me what's going on. I think I saw one with Lucas and I in the woods. I haven't heard from Lucas since.”

Mr. Hawthorne: “Welcome to the family business Brooke. But your friend is probably dead. If you saw those things lurking in the woods he is as good as dead. I'm surprised that you're not.”

Brooke: “Why would you even care if I was?”

Mrs. Hawthorne: “Of course we would stop being so sensitive, love.”

Mr. Hawthorne: “What your mother said.”

Brooke: “Lucas can't be dead.”

Mr. Hawthorne: “I didn't think you cared for him but if you were trained properly, perhaps you could’ve saved him.”

In Brooke’s head: I don't know who my family is. Why do I go looking for trouble? I wish I remained naive. The world is more dangerous than I imagined. (in the woods)

Kiani: “Kylo, this isn't gonna end in blood and tears.”

Kylo: “You're the only reason for that. Roccco might’ve killed his dad for the blood he shed but too much has happened. You should leave the Darkwood pack. Join my pack where you belong. That's what our parents would’ve wanted.”

Kiani: “That's not good enough, Kylo. You know I'd never leave my soulmate. I would hope our parents wouldn't want us to fight. Rocco is not to blame for our parents death and you know this.”

Juno: “Maybe not. But where’s our justice? The Darkwood pack still split our blood.”

Kiani: “Then when is it gonna end? We've all lost enough.”

Rocco: “I have justice for you.”

Kylo: “I'm listening.”

Rocco: “Fang Darkwood is still alive. I want him dead, and I believe you do too. You're right for wanting revenge. I would. Fang Darkwood is the last of my tainted bloodline. We have a common enemy. I don't know if you know of the Mystic Hunters. We believe that they’re back. Somehow connected to Fang. We should work together and you can have a relationship with your sister.”

Juno: “I think that sounds fair.”

Kylo: “We'll see how this goes, Rocco Darkwood.”

Rocco: “Of course.”

In Kiani’s head: Relief. It's that slight smoke coming from my brother. I feel like he was testing Rocco. All while intending to have an alliance. That cheek. Making me sweat it out like that.

Rocco: “One more thing.”

In Kiani’s head: Oh great.

Rocco: “Why did I replace a dead human in my territory?”

Kylo: “You can blame your uncle Conan for that, Kiani. He also nearly stopped for tea. We'll discuss this further. I invite you to my territory tomorrow. Kai, Ghost, let’s go.”

In Kiani’s head: Oh shit.

In Rocco’s head: Ghost is here…

Rocco’s Wolf: “DEAD GHOST!”