The Wolf Within Me
Chapter 44:

In the woods

In Kiani’s head: Me and Rocco Lay in the long grass wrapped up in each other.

Rocco: “This was all you this time.”

Kiani: “Fine, this was all me baby. There’s something sexy and exhilarating about making love and the trees. (Rocco laughs)”

Rocco: “What is it?”

Kiani: “I just had a dark thought. Can you imagine if I didn't move here? It would have been impossible for us to meet. You would be alone. I'd still be lost with who I was. What if you mated with Winter.”

Rocco: “Whoa yeah, That's dark thinking Kiani. We’re soulmates Kiani. Soulmates is a force of magic no one can explain. We would always have to meet. I would’ve been very drawn to you wherever you were. How can I live without my soul?”

In Kiani’s head: How can I live without my soul? I feel his words deep in my heart as I kissed his warm chest.

Rocco: “We should head back.”

Kiani: “Or we could stay here forever and a day.”

Rocco: “Turn around.”

In Kiani’s head: I love when Rocco Ties my hair up.

Kiani: “You're blessed that I'm letting you touch my hair. (Rocco laughs)”

Rocco: “You know I'm the only one. Well, me and Nova.”

Kiani: “No one knows how to do me and Aspen's hair type.”

Rocco: “Wild and beautiful. I reckon I've got that hairstyle of yours down. In another life, I would have been a hairdresser. For all hair types. (Kiani laughs). Kiani!”

In Kiani’s head: I hear Rocco’s Voice speaking to me, but as if he was miles away. My wolf feels a strong, powerful pull. I feel the world stop around me. I can't even hear Rocco now.

Rocco: “Kiani?!”

In Kiani’s head: I sense A deep sorrow near here. Like the very land is cursed. But strangely we feel connected to it. I feel myself move or maybe my wolf moved me. What is this place? Where's it coming from? Why do I feel a gut-wrenching pain? But I can't help but move towards the Deep sorrowful energy. (Kiani walks away)

Rocco: “KIANI!!!”

In Kiani’s head: I'm terrified. Haunted.

Kiani’s Wolf: “Don't be afraid. Our mother calls to us. Death surrounds this place.”

Rocco: “KIANI!”

Rocco’s Wolf: “I sense that's here from long ago. (Kiani shifts)”

Haunted Voice: “Kiani.”

In Kiani’s head: My wolf follows the haunted voice calling my name.

Dawn: “My daughter. We meet at last.”

Kiani: “M-mom? Is t-that you?! Are you real? Please be real.”

Dawn: “Kiani, you've grown to be so beautiful and strong. My daughter, a healer. A luna. A soulmate. Everything I've ever wanted you to be. All I ever wanted for you is to live and thrive. You have done so much more and I am so proud of you, Kiani. I’ll always love you and I’ll always be with you. Whenever you need me. I'm with you in spirit, always. I'm so happy you and Kylo found each other again. Tell him I love him and I'm still with him as well. This is my final gift to you. (Dawn kisses Kiani)”

Kiani: “MOM NO WAIT, PLEASE DON’T LEAVE ME! (Kiani’s glowing)”

Rocco: “KIANI CAN YOU HEAR ME?!”

Kiani: “Rocco? Rocco, where’s my mom?! She was right here, where you're standing.”

Rocco: “What are you talking about? You took off without warning. It was like you was transfixed on something. You saw your mom? Kiani, what happened? (Kiani cries)”

Kiani: “S-she’s gone.”

Rocco: “Oh, Kiani. (Rocco hugs Kiani)”

In Rocco’s head: Kiani Breaks down in my arms. I hold her as tight as I can. She needs my strength, my comfort. Her pain cuts deep. Maybe the spirit of her mom found her in this place. Restless Spirit. This is a place where her parents died. I felt death around this place. What my father did will forever haunt me and my soulmate.

In Kiani’s head: A mile away from Conan’s prison. Brooke had set up camp to practice her archery.

In Brooke’s head: Never hesitate. The eye knows exactly where the target is. Bullseye.

Fang: “Arrows aren't going to save you, kid. (Brooke Fang and misses). Trigger happy I see.”

Brooke: “How about a gun for back up? Poison bullets and poison arrows. Check and check. How about that? What are you doing here?”

Fang: “We're camping buddies, remember? Also, you practically begged for my help.”

Brooke: “You need my help. The Mystic Hunters killed your entire pack. Burnt your pack house right to the ground. You have enemies left, right and center who want to kill you. Do you think I'm the one begging?”

Fang: “So you have a surprise on your side. But when you're out of surprises, then what? Conan Will eat you alive once you finish playing with your toys.”

Brooke: “I guess that's where you come in. But the poison will do its job. I get to poison Conan And you get to give the final killing blow. Everyone's happy. Conan’s You're 1 they got away, huh?”

Fang: “At least I took his eye. Now, I'll take his life. Why are you risking your life?”

Brooke: “I owe someone. Plus, revenge is my specialty.”

Fang: “I have to say, you're a near-perfect shot. But how good are you under pressure? When a wolf-shifter like me is coming full force at you.”

Brooke: “I aim between the eyes. (the next day Bloodstone pack living room)”

In Kiani’s head: I saw my mother. At the very place she and dad died. My mother's Spirit called to me and I answered. I felt her love for me. When she faded she took a piece of my heart with her. But left me her blessing and love. And… almost glowing golden tribal Marked designs around my arms. Which has removed my old tattoo. But this isn't a tattoo. No. it’s a part of me like it was my mother. But what does this all mean? (Kylo’s shocked)

Kylo: “That's mom's symbol for sure, I always thought it was a tattoo but it's not. So, you saw mom spirit?”

Kiani: “I think I did, also her inner wolf. She was a white wolf like me huh?”

Kylo: “How did you even replace the place where she and dad died?”

Kiani: “I don't know, I was just drawn to it. Then I had a vision of her and my wolf. After I blacked out. Only to wake up to Mom I'm hearing. Telling me she loved and was proud of me. It was all too much. I couldn't believe it. She was beautiful, radiant. One second she was there, the next she was gone. Pretty shaken up about the whole thing.”

Kylo: “I don't blame you. I would have been as well. Was d-dad there?”

Kiani: “No, just one. Rocco Said she must have been a Restless spirit.”

Kylo: “Have you told aunt Nia?”

Kiani: “No, I don't even remember Rocco Taking me back home. But I knew you would understand. I needed to see you.”

Kylo: “I wish I was there with you. (Kylo hugs Kiani)”

In Kiani’s head: This is me and Kylo’s first hug. I felt his brotherly connection to me. What we've been missing has finally been found.

Kiani: “Mom says she loves you and she will always be with you.”

Kylo: “Thank you, Kiani. (Kiani sitting on the couch while the dog laying on her)”

In Kiani’s head: Yeah, I've missed you too buddy.

Billie Jean: “I know this is bad timing but my dad's trial is in a week. We need to start planning our move. I just want to make sure that your pack is still with us.”

Kiani: “Call sweetheart. We'll have a meeting soon. I promise.”

Billie Jean: “Those aren't tattoos are they?”

Kiani: “I feel like they're a part of me now.”

Billie Jean: “At least you'll always have something to remind you of her.”

Kiani: “I've never asked about your mom.”

Billie Jean: “There's nothing to say. She left when I was little. I've been raised by my dad ever since. They weren't roommates so she moved on. I have no idea where she is. And honestly, I don't think I care.”

Kiani: “But you're still her daughter, how can she just-”

Billie Jean: “Leave me behind? It happens. Why be tied down to your pup when you can replace your true mate? It's a female wolf shifter’s instinct.”

Kiani: “It will never be my instinct.”

Billie Jean: “I have my dad and my pack, that's all I need. I hope I still have-”

Kiani: “We're going to rescue him. We won't fail.”

In Kiani’s head: A week later. The day of Conan’s trail. (wolf shifter’s lockup)

In Conan’s head: My hell is in this damn room. My wolf has been too quiet. I'm alone. Whatever they've been injecting me with for so long, has made me weak. Now my wolf is silent. What day is it? I hear heavy beats coming closer. Are they finally going to try to end me? A wolf should never be caged. I'm sure it's worse than being dead.

Military Man: “When we first brought you here three months ago I thought there was no way in hell we could tame a beast. Look at you now. You can thank the Hawthrone’s For making you so pathetic and weak. But do you want to know what I can't believe? That you're still having a damn trial. The sooner they realize how to deal with wolf shifters is to kill on sight the better. But trust me, this is a one-way trip to your death. They'll Never Let You Go free. Mark my words, dog. Time to go.”

In Conan’s head: I swear I thought he'd never break me. I taught Kylo To be strong and never let anyone break you. If he saw me now, if my daughter Billie So me now. I have nothing left in my wolf abandoned me.

Military Man: “GET IN HERE! This dog needs another dose before we go. Nothing can go wrong. Do you hear me? They all have our heads if we don't get him to court. The whole world will be watching this trial. (Hawthrone’s living room)”

Mrs. Hawthrone: “Do you think this dress is too much for a courtroom?”

Mr. Hawthorne: “You looking truly ravishing Mrs. Hawthorne..”

Mrs. Hawthorne: “This is the big day.”

Mr. Hawthorne: “It is indeed. When Conan Gets convicted of murder it will show humans how dangerous they are. It will show them that we humans are powerful to overcome magical beings. And they should follow our laws.”

Mrs. Hawthorne: “One less wolf shifter to worry about. We need to work with the government. We need more wolf-shifter healers. Their blood is revolutionary. The government will end up seeing it our way. Once we show them what The Cure can do.”

Mr. Hawthrone: “Don't worry, love. I've arranged a meeting after the trial. Have you found Brooke yet?”

Mrs. Hawthorne: “I'm working on it. (in a cafe)”

Curtis: “I'm sorry I've been a pain in the ass lately. I just want Justice for Lucas, you know? Thanks for coming with me to the trial guys.”

Haley: “We want to support you. Lucas was our friend as well.”

Peyton: “I still haven't heard from Brooke.”

Haley: “It's like she disappeared from thin air.”

Curtis: “We should go over to her house if she doesn't show up at court.”

Peyton: “Brooke might act tough but I bet she's devastated. I think she loved him in her own way.”

Curtis: “This time, the taxi is outside. (Rocco’s office)”

In Rocco’s head: I stare out the window about thoughts on the mission ahead.

Rocco: “Twyla Is currently spying on the prison and will give Kylo The go ahead. You, Maia, will go with Kylo and Billie Jean The point of attack. Me and Kiani Will attend the trial as normal. So no one is suspicious. But we will mind Link in case anything goes wrong Or if Kiani Needs to sneak out and heal someone.”

Asher: “I’m guessing Kiani Doesn't like the fact she isn’t a part of the action. Kiani On standby can't have gone down well.”

Rocco: “Tell me about it. But I managed to convince her. It makes sense.”

Asher: “Yes it does. We'll get the job done.”

Rocco: “There can't be any room for error. Remember, no killing. You guys knock them out and that's it. This has to be clean.”

Asher: “That's no fun. Kiani should come on this mission. It's her uncle after all.”

Rocco: “Kiani’s pregnant. (Asher’s shocked). I sensed it when I woke up this morning. Kiani doesn't know. She hasn't learned to sense it yet. Her mother would’ve told her…”

Asher: “Why haven't you told her?”

Rocco: “Probably because she didn't want pups until we’re ancient.”

Asher: “Somehow I think she'll be alright with it. Congratulations dude. You're going to be a father. It's not easy, my pups are starting to teeth. (Rocco laughs). Tell me.”

Rocco: “I’m happy Asher. Can you believe it?”

Kiani: “I can't believe you've put me on fucking standby. Rocco, can you go with Sierra and pretend everything’s fine. Sierra will be great at acting all shocked when Conan doesn't show up.”

Rocco: “Maia is more than capable. It has to be us to attend the trial Kiani. We've already been through this. That's final.”

Maia: “Yep, still furious.”

Kiani: “EVERYONE OUT! NOW! (Maia and Asher are nervous and leave)”

Rocco: “Kiani-”

Kiani: “I think you need to rethink your decision. I'm still fucking luna of this pack. This luna needs to be where the action is. Not wearing this damn dress-”

Rocco: “YOU’RE PREGNANT!”

Kiani’s Wolf: “Yes!!!”

Rocco: “Say something.”

Kiani: “YOU GOT ME PREGNANT?!”

In Rocco’s head: It takes two to tango. Like hell I'm going to say that out loud.

Kiani: “WHAT DID YOU JUST BLURT IT OUT TO ME?! NO CUTE NOTE!”

In Rocco’s head: What?

Kiani: “NO FLOWERS IN BED! NO SPONTANEOUS GETAWAY! NO! I GET IT THROWN IN MY DAMN FACE!”

In Rocco’s head: So she does want pups?

Kiani: “Well, thanks for letting me fucking know. How long did you know?”

Rocco: “This morning, I sensed it.”

Kiani: “So you could have made it cute and told me in bed. That I'm going to be the mother of your pup's but instead of letting it out before we go on a really important Mission my uncle the right way to go about it…”

Rocco: “Well, when you put it like that… that was pretty dumb.”

Kiani: “Just so you know…”

Rocco: “Yeah, I could have done it better.”

Kiani: “Yep. Sorry, I'm just screaming internally While thinking about what could have been a beautiful and happy moment in our lives.”

In Rocco’s head: Fucking hell, I'm dead.