The Wolf Within Me
Chapter 5:

Meadow Lake party in the woods - Circles by: Post Malone

Kiani: “Okay, this is cool.”

River: “Now the question is…”

Kiani: “Where are the damn drinks? ‘Run away but we're running in circles. Runaway, Runaway. I dare you to do something’.”

River: “The song, though.”

Kiani: “I love it. To the drinks. I'm getting wasted. Can wolf shifters get wasted?”

River: “Yeah, good thing I'm here.”

Kiani: “You're not just keeping an eye on me, are you? I feel like we're friends now.”

River: “We’re friends. I'm looking out for you. Also, I guess you're cool to be around.”

Kiani: “That means a lot. Time for drinks. Of course, this is where the drinks are.”

River: “Great, the ice queen is on to us. (Kiani laughs). I'm just here for the boys.”

Kiani: “Can we get a drink first? I need a confidence boost.”

River: “Don't worry, I'll get us the drinks. From the ice queen. (Kiani laughs)”

Lucas: “So, you came.”

Kiani: “Yeah, I thought it would be fun.”

Lucas: “Are you having fun?”

Kiani: “I feel like I'm going to.”

Lucas: “Let me get you a beer.”

Kiani: “River's gone to go get me one, thanks.”

Lucas: “Then do you want to dance?”

Kiani: “I need a drink first.”

Kiani’s Wolf: “He's too weak for me.”

Lucas: “Are you okay?”

Kiani: “Urgh, I’m…”

Kiani’s Wolf: “I don't want him.”

Kiani: “I gotta go.”

In Kiani’s head: Just when a cute boy was flirting with me. I screwed it up. He probably thinks I'm a freak. I guess I am. (by a bonfire)

Curtis: “Hey, it's you. The girl who nearly went viral. Do you love to make a scene or? You were on the ground all dramatic. (Curtis laughs). I thought it was cute.”

Kiani: “Oh really now? (Kiani fake throws up - both laugh)”

Curtis: “I brought you a beer. You must like me to accept my beer.”

Kiani: “Cheers to beer buddies.”

Curtis: “I'm Curtis.”

Kiani: “Kiani.”

Curtis: “Nice to meet your sexy self. (Kiani laughs)”

Kiani’s Wolf: “He's funny.”

In Kiani’s head: Really now?

Curtis: “So you came with River Darkwood.”

Kiani: “Don't tell me. You've heard the rumors.”

Curtis: “Everyone has.”

Kiani: “Do you believe them?”

Curtis: “I got better things to think about. How I'm gonna get you to dance with me.”

Kiani: “Beer is the right way to go.”

Curtis: “I knew it. (Kiani laughs). I love your laugh. That was less cheesy in my head.”

Kiani: “Thank you. (Midnight Sky by Miley Cyrus). I love the song. (both dancing)”

Haley: “Such a good tune.”

Kiani: “The midnight sky is the road I'm taking.”

River: “Head high up in the clouds.”

Haley: “OoOoH!”

Curtis: “I've heard the Darkwoods are wolf shifters. (Kiani and River stare at each other and everyone laughs - Haley and River taking pictures - Kiani and Curtis kiss)”

Kiani’s Wolf: “I want my mate. (Kiani rolls her eyes)”

Kiani: “Is your wolf so vocal?”

River: “The more vocal they are with you, the more bond you share.”

Kiani: “I-I LOVE you so m-much. (River laughs). I don't know what I would’ve done without you. I-I think I'm drunk, but I mean it. I love you, River Darkwood.”

River: “I love you too.”

Kiani: “You're the only one who's been completely honest with me. Crazy thing is I've only known you for, what? A week? I'm so glad I met you.”

River: “Rocco wanted me to keep an eye on you, okay? I'm sorry but this has never happened before. I do wanna be your friend. Are you lying about not knowing your pack? I mean, your pack could be our rivals. I've never clicked with anyone so fast. I really wanna trust you but your condition is so unheard of. But you're so fun and a great girl to be around and-”

Kiani: “You don't believe me?”

River: “No! It's j-just…you must know something.”

Kiani: “Are you serious? You’ve seen how I've been reacting. Isn’t that enough? ”

River: “I'm sorry, I-”

Kiani: “SAVE IT! I'm alone then. Fine, whatever. I'm used to it. (Kiani storms off)”

River: “KIANI, WHAT! (in the woods away from the party)”

In Kiani’s head: I.AM.FUMING.

Kiani’s Wolf: “I like her.”

In Kiani’s head: Urgh.

Kiani: “IF I’M THIS BIG ASS WOLF SHIFTER! WHY DON’T YOU SHIFT ALREADY?! RIGHT NOW, I’M JUST HEARING YOUR VOICE. DO YOU KNOW WHAT WOULD HELP ME INNER WOLF?! IF YOU KNEW WHO MY DAMN PARENTS WERE!”

Kiani’s Wolf: “I smell another wolf.”

In Kiani’s head: Then with surprisingly excellent eyesight, I see the most enormous wolf ever. A beautiful wolf beast. Crawling towards me, ready to let out a powerful ground. Stalking me. Honey colored eyes glowing in the dark. As if off instinct. I stood my ground. I feel its dominance coming off the wolf in waves. I still stand my ground. I'm taking a backseat as Kiani. My inner wolf has come out partly to protect me. She's not gonna let this big ass wolf mess with me. I feel protected even in my human form. My wolf could do some severe damage to this wolf. I think. The feeling of me being hunted is extreme as the wolf stalks me. Right before my eyes, the wolf starts to shift. It's the most horrific scene I've ever witnessed. Where's my wolf when I need her?

Kiani’s Wolf: “It’s okay, my Kiani, it’s only Rocco.”

In Kiani’s head: Why doesn't this give me comfort? Rocco’s bones break, crack and restructure. Ghastly sounds feel the night’s air of bones being forced into the right place. As a magnificent man standing before me. The massive highlander. A massive delicious highlander with honey colored eyes.

In Rocco’s head: My wolf was vexed. He wants Kiani to be his mate. Although I shifted I'm still in the back seat. This is all my inner wolf right now.

Kiani: “Rocco?!”

In Kiani’s head: Then he spins me around. Gulp. His chest is so warm. As I feel his chest gently rise and fall.

Rocco: “My mate.”

In Kiani’s head: A deep baritone voice growls. I feel my whole body shutter. He places his lips on my neck. Rocco boldly preparing my neck to take what's his. Suddenly! He bites me. It doesn't hurt, but I feel like I've been claimed. Then everything goes black.

Kiani’s Wolf: “Mates!”

Rocco: “Ah damn. (River runs)”

River: “What did you do?”

Rocco: “What do you think?”

River: “Kiani’s your mate?”

Rocco: “Yes. I marked her. For now. But it was a mistake.”

Rocco’s Wolf: “KIANI IS MINE!”

River: “How can this be?”

Rocco: “This can't be happening. No experience, a young wolf!”

River: “You're not much older, Rocco. You just act like you are.”

In Kiani’s head: Rocco is twenty five.

River: “Does your wolf think it hurt her by mistake.”

Rocco’s Wolf: “NO! (Rocco rolls his eyes)”

Rocco: “Take Kiani back to the penthouse. She can stay in your room for now. Don't tell the pack anything until I do. (Rocco walks off)”

River: “They're gonna replace out. You gave her a big ass mark just above her chest. Nice place by the way. She's gonna freak out when she wakes up. Not to mention your wolf is gonna get real possessive over her. (the next morning River’s room)”

In Kiani’s head: Urgh. How much did I drink? Where am I? Smells like wolves in here.

Kiani: “How much did you let me drink? (River laughs)”

River: “I'm not responsible for your alcohol intake.”

Kiani: “I'm still blaming you.”

River: “If you can't handle it.”

Kiani: “Shut up. (River laughs)”

River: “Do you remember anything?”

Kiani: “I'm brain dead. (River rolls her eyes). This is your room?”

River: “I don't swing that way.”

Kiani: “Not that! I thought I wasn't allowed in the packhouse. What happened?”

River: “Why don't you take a shower first?”

Kiani: “Are you saying that I stink?”

River: “Well, you don't smell exactly fresh.”

Kiani: “SHIT! I haven't texted my aunt. She's gonna kill me. (River laughs). Thirteen missed calls. I'm dead.”

River: “Go shower and damage control.”

Kiani: “My head is banging.”

River: “The shower is that way.”

In River’s head: How the hell am I gonna tell her? She's gonna notice that huge mark any minute. In a not so great place. Dammit.