The Wolf Within Me
Chapter 34:

In Rocco’s office

Kylo: “Embry, the Mystic Hunter escaped. He somehow managed to break out of his chains while we were rescuing Kiani. He broke Billie’s neck while he was at it.”

Rocco: “Did he break Billie’s neck? Billie Jean is a strong fighter. But Embry managed to break out of the unique teams all while breaking Billie’s neck.”

Kylo: “What are you trying to say?”

Rocco: “It just seems odd to me.”

Kylo: “Billie is my cousin Rocco! She's beyond loyal to my pack. To suggest…”

Rocco: “Fine. If you have complete faith in her then I believe you. But I've learned, family doesn't always mean trustworthy.”

Kylo: “Why am I not surprised with your family?”

Rocco: “Watch yourself, Kylo. (Kiani walks in)”

Kiani: “Why do I see veins?”

Kylo: “Why the hell would Billie let Embry escape?”

Kiani: “Embry…?”

Kylo: “The other Hunter. What would she gain? You're wrong about this, Rocco.”

Rocco: “You better hope that I'm wrong. Billie has helped us a lot. But Embry must have had help unless he's stronger than I imagined.”

Kiani: “Are you crazy, Rocco?! Of course Billie had nothing to do with it. Embry can shoot fucking fire balls!”

Rocco: “I hope you both are correct but we should question her.”

Kiani: “Question her my ass.”

Kylo: “I trust Billie. No questions asked. We should be focusing on the fact that the Hawthrone’s and the Night Waker pack are working together. Your uncle Fang knows how to play both sides. He has no damn loyal bone in his body.”

Rocco: “You're right about that. We need to stay on high alert. This isn't the end.”

Kylo: “Maybe we should have text first for a change. We know who's involved now.”

In Kiani’s head: Why am I doubting Billie?

Kiani’s Wolf: “Our mate doubts her.”

In Kiani’s head: Hm.

Kiani: “I’ll talk to Billie. You can wipe that smug look off your face.”

Kylo: “I’ve known Billie all my life. She's like a sister-”

In Kiani’s head: Just like his sister. Billie has always been there for him. Unlike me. I know it's not my fault but it sucks.

Kiani: “I get it, Kylo. Okay? I get it. Which is the reason why I should talk to her. But right now, we have no reason to doubt her.”

Kylo: “Fair enough but it's not an interrogation. (Hawthrone’s living room)”

Officer Carrie: “I'll be in touch.”

Mr. Hawthrone: “It's becoming a myth again to them. (Fate and Embry walk in)”

Fate: “My magic won't last forever. I can't manipulate her mind without killing her. You need to understand we were sent here to kill wolf shifters, not capture them. Capturing ends badly which is why we are where we are. Your time is running out.”

Embry: “Tell us what wolf shifters you want dead or our contract is over. And the organization isn't really patient.”

Mr. Hawthorne: “Your job is far from done. Embry getting himself captured was not a part of our contract. You both are meant to be efficient. So the organization only has you to blame for the job being delayed. You will do what needs to be done.”

Fate: “We don't work with wolf shifters. We kill them. I'm sure the organization would love to hear how we had to work with them.”

Mrs. Hawthorne: “You're right. We shouldn't be working with a wolf pack, we’re only using them. Once they help us and give us what we want, we’ll let you end them. The poison bullets are made for your use. I'm sure they’ll please your little organization.”

Embry: “What do you truly want?”

In Mr. Hawthorne’s head: What my family has wanted for generations. To expose the wolf shifters to the world. The government knows. They're too scared to do anything about it. So they kept it quiet to stop a mass panic. Fools. Humans deserve to know they share their world with. It deserves to be my family name but exposes them.

Mr. Hawthorne: “No more kidnapping. I want Rocco Darkwood dead. Once he helped us take him down Rocco. Fang Darkwood dead too. The Darkwood’s have been the leading power in Meadow Lake. Not anymore.”

In Mr. Hawthorne’s head: The rest of their pack will be dealt with. When the truth about their kind is exposed to the word. A recording of Kiani Stone shifts to a beast. My only regret was not killing Kiani after. But she will be broken when her mate dies. Now I just need these Mystic Hunters to do their damn job.

Mr. Hawthorne: “Will it be done?”

Fate: “Consider it done. Then we're done. We're needed back.”

Mrs. Hawthorne: “Our trust in you has lowered, you won't get captured again?”

Embry: “If I didn't get captured I wouldn't know the layout of the pack, would I?”

Fate: “Yes. His capture has proven useful.”

Embry: “I don’t understand how Mrs. Hawthorne in a cage was very useful. It's a good thing that Fate was there to bail you out. Kiani put you there, after you let her escape.”

Mrs. Hawthorne: “I got what I needed! (on the docs)”

Billie Jean: “It's nice and peaceful here. I feel like I can think things through clearly.”

Kiani: “This is where I ran to when everything was too much for me. It's peaceful.”

Billie Jean: “What was too much?”

Kiani: “I was torn. I had just been told that I was a wolf shifter. Then I found out that my mate was Rocco. But all I was talking about was that Rocco didn't want me. Out of everything. I hardly knew Rocco then either. But I wanted him, and he didn't want me. But now look at him, he can't get enough of me. I fucking love him, that highlander.”

Billie Jean: “I can tell that he loves you. You two are couple goals. True mates.”

Kiani: “You have a lot on your mind, don't you?”

Billie Jean: “So much has happened. That night when you came to rescue me. Thank you, Kiani. I felt guilty when you were taken.”

Kiani: “You held your own, I heard. Thank you. I heard you had to seduce a Hunter. I can't believe he escaped. How dare he break your neck. He's a dangerous threat.”

Billie Jean: “I’m no seductress, trust me.”

Kiani: “I heard he saved you that night. That he's a wolf shifter, trained to be a Mystic Hunter. You got that out of him. Maybe you two have a connection.”

Billie Jean: “What are you saying?”

Kiani: “I'm saying that there's a connection there, Billie. Or he wouldn't have saved you. He's part wolf. Maybe you didn't want him to die.”

Billie Jean: “I made sure you were back safe first. My wolf wanted to set him free. I don't understand it myself. I know I betrayed my pack but…Kylo will never trust me again. What have I done, Kiani?! I put my pack in danger.”

Kiani: “Billie, I defended you.”

Billie Jean: “Who doubted me?”

Kiani: “It wasn’t Kylo. He didn't even want me to come and talk to you about it. He thinks of you as a sister more than a cousin.”

Billie Jean: “I’ll tell Kylo. I already lied to my dad's face.”

Kiani: “You said your wolf wanted to set him free. I know you wouldn't have done it.”

Billie Jean: “I always listen to my wolf. We agree on everything. This is the one thing I'm angry at my wolf for.”

Kiani: “They don't need to know how Embry broke free. I doubted my wolf's once but they always seem to be right. They have the instinct that we don't. Your wolf seems to know what's right. You should trust her.”

Billie Jean: “But I promise I'll hunt him down if he comes back. (Rocco’s kitchen)”

Rocco: “I'll let you and your wolves move freely in and out of my territory. And then I'll introduce you to my allies. Maybe they'll be yours too if they accept.”

Kylo: “Of course. (Asher’s mad - Kylo’s confused)”

Rocco: “Don’t mind Asher. He's more hostile than ever. (Rocco laughs). His mate Nova is pregnant. His wolf won't let anyone near her. I feel for you, Nova.”

Nova: “He's glued to my hip. Don't glare at me, moody. (Rocco and Kylo laughs). You must be Kylo, Kiani’s brother. It's nice to finally meet you.”

Kylo: “Congrats, Nova. I can't wait to have pups of my own. But Juno, my mate, wants to wait. I said I can wait because you'll give me at least seven pups.”

Rocco: “Yeah, seven is a good number.”

Asher: “I feel like Nova is about to have at least three in there. Good start, boys.”

Nova: “I'd like to see your ass given birth to seven pups.”

Kiani: “Seven pups?”

Billie Jean: “Unbelievable guys.”

Kiani: “I'm still in my prime. No offense, Nova.”

Nova: “Asher is lucky he's getting his pups so early, thanks. (Kiani laughs)”

Kiani: “Rocco, get babies out of your head. (Kylo and Billie Jean laugh - living room)”

Conan: “That night, Zion and Dawn took Kiani somewhere else. She left her with you to raise. Why didn't you reach out to us sooner?”

Nia: “I was scared for Kiani. We were in hiding. I wanted her safe. I thought you all were dead but when I heard Hunter Darkwood died I wanted answers and I heard rumors. That's why I moved back to Meadow Lake.”

Conan: “I heard you never even told Kiani what she was.”

Nia: “I thought it was for the best at the time. But I know I should’ve always told her. This was all just suddenly thrown on me. The responsibility of raising a wolf shifter. Then to hear my sister and her whole pack being killed…we did what we could. Raising them. I hope my sister is proud of me.”

Conan: “I feel like I was too rough on Kylo. He had been through hell.”

Nia: “It's understandable, knowing he would one day have to lead a pack. I know you would have done your best for your brother Zion.”

Conan: “I miss my brother. Every time I think about that night, it makes me angry. If there was anything I could’ve done. If I could’ve saved them. I have nightmares of not getting there on time. I see them being murdered, but I could never save them.”

Nia: “You shouldn't blame yourself. Hunter Darkwood is the only one to blame.”

Conan: “But he's dead. Fang Darkwood is still alive and breathing. He took my eye. I'm going to take his and his life. (on the balcony)”

Kiani: “SEVEN PUPS?!”

Rocco: “I'm being serious. Ten pups if we're blessed. Your angry pout is cute.”

Kiani: “Is punching you in the face cute too? (Rocco laughs)”

Rocco: “You can try little wolf. (Kiani punches Rocco and misses). I'm offended. (Kiani laughs). Wait until heat season. See if you'll be able to resist then.”

Kiani: “What’s heat season? (Rocco kisses Kiani)”

In Kiani’s head: Rocco bites my lip as he whispers against my lip.

Rocco: “You'll go crazy for me.”

Kiani: “More than I usually am?”

Rocco: “So much more.”

Kiani: “You’re still not getting me pregnant until I'm at least thirty.”

In Rocco’s head: We’ll see about that. (outside in the backyard)

Sun: “The Bloodstone bloodline has some solid and attractive genes.”

Kylo: “You said it, not me. (Sun laughs)”

Archie: “So on the topic of allies.”

Sun: “Funny as well. (Kylo laughs). Don't get me started on your gene pool.”

Rocco: “Have you made any alliances?”

Sun: “Like I'm going to say no to this hunk. (Kiani laughs)”

Rocco: “What's with the face, Archie boy?”

Archie: “I wanna make sure we fully trust him. We’re your secret allies for a reason.”

Kylo: “I don't remember your pack coming to Kiani’s rescue.”

Rocco: “Enough! If you don't want an alliance with the Bloodstone pack, it's your call. His pack has an alliance with me. My partnerships are built on trust. (Archie laughs)”

Archie: “Alright, I give in. If you have Rocco’s trust. You have mine.”

In Kylo’s head: Hm, I'm not sure about this guy. My wolf agrees.

Kylo: “I'll think about it. I decide with my pack.”

In Kiani’s head: Seems tense between them.

Rocco: “Fair enough.”

Kylo: “I'll speak to you about mine at a later date.”

Rocco: “Of course.”

Maia: “You've mastered the waddle walk.”

Nova: “I have to waddle fast to get away from Asher. For at least five minutes.”

Maia: “Aw, Don't you think it's adorable? (Maia laughs)”

Nova: “It's only getting worse as my belly grows. Good luck when you have your pups. I heard you and Ghost have a thing going on. (Nova laughs)”

Maia: “I have no idea what you're talking about.”

Nova: “We've all seen the way you look at each other. Like you want to eat each other up. I'm waiting for you to make it official.”

Maia: “We're just having a bit of fun. We're attracted to each other. That's it.”

Nova: “Sure, let's go with that. Oh my God, I think my water just broke. Don't you think I'm the one who should be freaking out?”

Maia: “Maybe you just had a little accident.”

Nova: “MAIA!!!”

Maia: “WHERE THE HELL IS ASHER?! This is my worst nightmare.”

Nova: “YOU’RE NO HELP! I need my Asher.”

Maia: “I'll go get him.”

Nova: “DON’T YOU DARE LEAVE ME!”

Kiani: “I heard screaming!”

Nova: “You wouldn't think that would be me screaming.”

Kiani: “Oh sweet baby Jesus. (in the woods)”

Winter: “Don't tell me. Rocco has an alliance with Kiani’s brother.”

Unknown Male: “Yes. A strong one so it seems. Kylo’s pack helped save Kiani. Sealed the deal. No one can know about me, Winter.”

Winter: “They won't if you play your part.”

Unknown Male: “I have news. Nova is in labor.”

Winter: “How is that any useful to me?”

Unknown Male: “I do sometimes wonder if this is worth it. They won't be expecting an attack. I can get you in and out with no problems. Does Fang know that you're here?”

Winter: “He doesn't need to know everything. I need to tie up loose ends. I want Kiani dead. Like you said, I'll be in and out before you know it. You are going to help me do it. Then we'll finish whatever war we've started.”