The Wolf Within Me
Chapter 36:

Winter: “I was meant to be the one to surprise you. How the hell did you know I was coming for you?”

Kiani: “I was always coming for you. We're not all betrayers like you.”

Winter: “ARCHIE!!”

Kiani: “Archie would never betray Rocco. He knows where his loyalties lie. I really think you should know that by now. You really are stupid. (earlier in Rocco’s office)”

In Archie’s head: I fucking love it.

In Kylo’s head: Fucking bold, my sister.

In Juno’s head: Interesting, this could work.

In Sun’s head: This girl is badass.

In Rocco’s head: HELL NO!

Kiani’s Mindlink: “You know it's brilliant, Rocco.”

Archie: “I like it. It's a good plan, Kiani. But why am I the one who has to pretend to betray Rocco? Are you trying to tell me something? (Sun laughs)”

Sin: “You have a shifty look about you.”

Kylo: “I'm not going to lie, I thought that about you as well. (Juno laughs)”

Rocco: “I think you're the right man for the job.”

Archie: “All of you get that from me, that is just rude.”

Kiani: “Don't be offended, Archie.”

Rocco: “I'd be offended, to be honest.”

Kiani: “It just means you're perfect for my little plan, Archie. Winter is more likely to believe you. Believe you have a motive. I want to get her alone.”

Archie: “Well, if I'm perfect for Kiani. I can play your little game.”

Rocco: “Don't push it.”

Archie: “I'm just saying I like the plan. But I'll get Winter right where you want her. Consider it done. Then she'll be all yours for the kill, Kiani.”

In Rocco’s head: Kiani’s such a caring free soul. This would be her first kill. I know she can defeat Winter. Her wolf is ready. Killing someone is a different story. Everyone in this room except Kiani has been raised the way of the wolf. We’ve killed. If Kiani’s human upbringing makes her hesitate for a second, Winter will never hesitate.

Kylo: “I’ve never met Winter. Is she a dominant wolf? Will it be an easy fight?”

Kiani: “Yes, she's dominant. But I'm more. I've beaten her before, I can do it again. This time, there will be no second chances. Are you in agreement, my alpha?”

Rocco: “Of course. (present time)”

Winter: “Is Rocco here too?! You'll need backup.”

Kiani: “Did you forget I let you live that one time? But you've gone too far, Winter. There's no redemption for you. (WInter laughs)”

Winter: “Child’s play Kiani. Oh, You've grown balls babe. My wolf will have fun tearing you apart. You shouldn't have come alone.”

In Kiani’s head: I let my inner wolf take over. (both fighting)

Kiani’s Wolf: “FIGHT! I will never back down.”

Winter: “ENOUGH! (Winter shifts)”

In Kiani’s head: Winter's beast within comes out as her bones crunch and reform. I've trained for this. Winter can shift with ease. For me, it's still horrific agony and a much slower process. Winter’s wolf won't wait for me to shift. She's on the attack. Right now, I'm vulnerable. I flipped over, just missing Winter’s ferocious inner beast.

Kiani’s Wolf: “I'll take over.”

In Kiani’s head: I embrace the pain. (Kiani shifts). My wolf lunges for Winter’s jaw snapping aggressively. Our fight takes more crashing through the woods. The saliva dripping from our wolf's jaw as we growl and bite. The quick motion of clawing at each other. Blood from flesh wounds seeps out of the wolves fur as they continue to fight for dominance. Winter’s hind legs split for a split second. I don’t hesitate. Her neck is exposed. I go for the jugular. Death comes for Winter. Fear makes her shift back to her weaker state. Winter’s blood flowing freely. I stand over Winter. Dominance radiates off me in waves. I release a long howl telling my pack that I'm victorious. Suddenly an intense pain hits me full force. Shocking my wolf. (Winter shoots Kiani)

Rocco’s Mindlink: “Never hesitate, little wolf.”

Winter: “I-if I can’t k-kill you, the p-posion in your blood will!”

In Kiani’s head: Bye bitch. I feel my wolf fading. She's trying to hold on to life. I feel the poison spread through my bloodstream. Lightning in my insides are on fire.

Kiani’s Mindlink: “Rocco!”

Rocco: “Kiani, stay awake.”

In Kiani’s head: I start to weakley mindlink with my mate.

Kiani’s Mindlink: “I-I should’ve known W-Winter would cheat. Rudeness.”

Rocco: “You need to save your strength. I need to get you back-”

Kiani: “N-no Rocco! Don't leave me hanging, just stay with me. You know, you’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Rocco: “You’re not going to d-die Kiani!”

In Rocco’s head: I stumbled over the word dying. I feel my wolf pace and whine.

Kiani’s Mindlink: “So stubborn, my highlander.”

In Rocco’s head: I feel her life slipping away. I feel my soul being torn apart. My soulmate isn't going to make it. Reality hits me. The poison is so deep within Kiani. A wolf shifter healer cannot heal themselves. The only other wolves can. The realization of this makes me and my wolf truly panic.

Rocco: “K-Kiani, you can't leave me. I love you, my little wolf.”

In Rocco’s head: I feel the pain of my heart physically breaking. As Kiani’s breath. The most prominent lump forms at the back of my throat. Tears are start to blind me. I'm always so strong. Now I'm weak and helpless.

In Kiani’s head: I feel Rocco’s heartbreaking. As the sensation of his teardrops on my skin. I can't live without my soulmate. But I feel my wolf leave me.

In Asher’s head: I watch as my alpha breaks down. As I see Kiani dying in his arms.

In Maia’s head: I see and hear Rocco’s gut-wrenching cries. I feel my heart drop.

In Rocco’s head: The pain was too much. I can't stop my wolf from taking control of me. My wolf naturally goes into defense mode. (Rocco’s wolf sits next to Kiani while a glowing light forms Kiani’s body and Kiani’s alive - everyone is surprised and bows)

In Kiani’s head: Who said that a healer can't heal herself? They sure as hell are wrong about that. My wolf roars in agreement. (in Fang’s office)

Fang: “Winter’s dead. I felt the loss of our connection.”

Angelina: “She was stupid to act alone. How’s your wolf coping with loss of a mate?”

Fang: “We were never true mates. It was just out of convenience.”

Angelina: “Her obsession with Kiani got her killed. Winter was not fit to be our alpha female. She just fell for her looks. What did she do for us? We gave her damn poison bullets, and she couldn't even kill Rocco. And Kiani, even the bullets, it seems so.”

Fang: “Tell me how you really feel.”

Angelina: “Now we have a lost wolf shifter killer weapon. Also, no alpha female.”

Fang: “Yes we do, you.”

Angelina: “Unlike you, I want to wait for my true mate.”

Fang: “Angelina. Are you telling me you don't want to be the Luna of my pack? We have a war to win. I want you to help me win it by my side. Rocco is coming for us and we need to be ready. I've noticed how strong you've become and the pack has seen it.”

Angelina: “It's about damn time. (a few days later in the living room)”

In Kiani’s head: After the events of the past few days, the pack is feeling somber. A bittersweet feeling flows through the pack, with Winter no longer being a threat but also me, their Luna nearly died with the poison bullets. Who’s now that the bullets seemed to be no longer rare. Me healing myself has triggered questions.

Aspen: “I can’t believe Kiani healed herself. That's insane.”

Tao: “It's madness, mate. Does that mean that all healers can heal themselves but never knew or something?”

Maia: “No healer has ever done what Kiani did. It should be impossible.”

Aspen: “Well damn.”

Tao: “Well, look at our Kiani defining nature.”

In Asher’s head: If Kiani died, all the years I've known Rocco I've never seen him break down like that. Our pack would’ve been destroyed. Rocco wouldn't have survived that. I'll never forget that day. I pull my Nova and my pup closer, watching our other pup in Maia’s arms. It makes me think of my own family. If anything happened to mine…

In Nova’s head: I know what Asher so nearly happened to Kiani and Rocco has deeply affected him emotionally. Not many wolf shifters can survive after losing a true mate. They would rather die themselves than be without them. Or they left their wolf beast takeover forever to stop the constant agony of heartbreak. Feral. No wolf wants to experience that kind of pain.

In Maia’s head: I'll never unsee what I saw. To know Kiani broke the laws of nature not to die and leave Rocco. Beyond the supernatural. True love. It's scary to think someone you love unconditionally could also destroy you. I instantly think about Ghost.

In River’s head: I knew Kiani was extraordinary. As soon as I got to know her I knew she could change everything. Rocco hasn’t left Kiani’s side for the past few days. I don't blame him, knowing that we almost lost Kiani. I don't want to even imagine it.

In Sierra's head: This changes everything. Kiani’s new healing ability must be kept within the pack. Even the wolf community should be kept in the dark. For her safety and our pack. What Kiani did was impossible. (in the woods Kiani laying on Rocco)

Kiani: “Such a new healing ability. I've got all sorts of skills, huh? I think that makes me pretty damn unstoppable. Even rare, I like to say.”

In Kiani’s head: Rocco’s been different since my near death experience. Almost silent like he's constantly deep in his thoughts. Hence my one sided babble. He never left my side. I tried to gather my thoughts. I feel like the whole experience made me stronger. If I didn't nearly die, I don't think I'd ever discovered that I can heal myself. Don't get me wrong, nearly dying is no joke. I wouldn't recommend it. Seriously. Leaving Rocco wasn’t an option, so defying nature and all that like Tao keeps telling me. But Rocco is it himself and I'm worried. (Kiani stands up)

Kiani: “Tell me what you're thinking about. (Rocco stands up)”

In Rocco’s head: What I'm thinking about? I nearly lost her. Why didn't I think Winter would bring such a weapon? I let Kiani go into a fight blind. She nearly fucking died. If she didn't have some rare ass ability, that's not possible, Kiani would be in the ground and there would’ve been nothing I could do about it. I felt it. It was soul breaking and let alone heartbreaking. I couldn't fight the overwhelming sadness I was drowning in. My wolf had to take over to contain my grief. Or I would’ve been swallowed whole in deep despair. A deep black hole I'd never see the light again. I now know what it feels like to nearly lose a soulmate. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. So, I've just been following Kiani Around like a zombie for the past few days. But I felt like all my pent-up emotions are about to explode out of me.

In Kiani’s head: Welp! His emotions hit me. He's been holding out on me. He blocked his emotions up until now. Now I feel everything he went through that day.

Kiani: “It's not your fault, Rocco. There's no way I'm leaving you anytime soon. My wolf keeps showing me how powerful she is. You'll never lose me, Rocco. Not without a fight. No one will break us apart. It's you, me, and our pack.”

Rocco’s Wolf: “We chose well. We have a powerful mate. A perfect match for us.”

Rocco: “If anyone dares to take you away from me…I-I can never feel that pain again!”

Kiani: “It's you, the pack and me forever.”

In Rocco’s head: This will only make us stronger.