The Wolf Within Me
Chapter 6:

In the bathroom

Kiani: “This bathroom is something else. (Kiani screams)”

In River’s head: The mark!!! (Kiani storms in)

Kiani: “WHY DO I HAVE A BIG ASS HICKEY?!”

River: “It's not that bad.”

Kiani: “I also have little ones all over my upper body. Why can't I remember? I was with you…that girl, I forgot her name, one of the cheerleaders. There was someone else, someone I kissed.”

In River’s head: I totally recorded her and Curtis’s make out.

Kiani: “How kinky can one get?”

River: “IT WAS ROCCO!!!”

In Kiani’s head: What?

Kiani: “Can I ask why?”

River: “Your kind of his mate now. Welcome to the pack.”

Kiani: “What was that? I don't think I heard you.”

River: “Nope, no, you did. Rocco marked you as his mate. His wolf wanted you badly but don't freak out. It's not completely bad.”

Kiani: “HOW IS IT NOT BAD?!”

River: “You still need to mark him, so you're not fully mated. You don't have to mark him back but Rocco’s wolf will want you to, try to convince your wolf. Possessive is the word I would use but Rocco is another story. He didn't wanna mark you. He lost control of his wolf which he rarely ever does. Which makes me think…never mind.”

In River’s head: Soulmates. Nah, That can't be right.

River: “Are you okay?”

In Kiani’s head: Breathe! I think I'm dying.

Kiani’s Wolf: “Stop being so dramatic. Go mark him back, he's ours.”

River: “I get that this is a lot to take in. Why don't you get changed? I've left you some clothes on my bed. I'll go get you a drink. Coffee it is. Look at you. You look better.”

Kiani: “I'm starving.”

River: “Let me get dressed and then we'll get something to eat.”

In Kiani’s head: Rocco marked me. Well, his wolf wants my wolf. I'm kind of offended that Rocco didn't want me. I'm a fucking catch. I shouldn't care. I don't want this…do I? I remembered what happened. I feel like singing It's All Coming Back to Me Now by Celine Dion. (Kiani laughs). So not funny right now. Last night was so surreal. The full moon was glowing, and Rocco gave me sensations I could only dream of. How Rocco claimed me for himself. I loved every minute of it. I would’ve handed over my v card to him with a fucking bow. I meant to be freaking out. Not acting disappointed. What if Rocco’s here?! I need to get out of here. (in the living room)

Winter: “Who the hell are you? WHY DO I SMELL ROCCO ALL OVER YOU?!”

In Kiani’s head: I felt her dominant aura surrounding me. My wolf is not having it.

Kiani: “BACK OFF BLONDIE.”

Winter: WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME?! (River runs in)”

River: “Let's all just calm down.”

In River’s head: Or not.

Maia: “What's with the noise I'm trying to read.”

Winter: “Who cares about your damn book?”

Maia: “Urgh me…”

Winter: “This brat has been all over Rocco. She called me blondie!”

Maia: “You are a blond.”

River: “Winter’s gonna kill her.”

In Kiani’s head: Clothes suddenly ripped through Winter’s hands as she claws Kiani.

Maia: “WINTER!!!”

Kiani’s Wolf: “Time to teach her a lesson. (Kiani punches Winter across the room)”

Maia: “I think you broke our wall.

Tao: “Who broke Winter?!”

Maia: “What is happening today?”

In Kiani’s head: Did I just do that?

River: “Wow, that’s gotta hurt.”

Maia: “Winter is still out cold.”

Kiani: “I'm sorry. I have mood swings. She'll heal, right?”

Maia: “Wait a minute.”

River: “Okay, it's safe to say that Kiani is a dominant wolf. Right on, girl.”

Maia: “You're the wolf everyone's talking about. Why do you have Rocco’s scent?”

Tao: “You have Rocco’s scent…”

River: “You should’ve waited for me. Most of the pack is here.”

Maia: “I’m Maia.”

Kiani: “Kiani.”

In Kiani’s head: Now River tells me. Rocco. My wolf perks up big time. I really can't face him right now.

Rocco’s Wolf: “Good, she still has my scent. I think Tao’s a little too close. We need to mark her again.”

Rocco: “Why is Winter bleeding on my floor?”

In Rocco’s head: My wolf practically begged me to replace Kiani this morning. I was trying to stay as far away as possible.

In Kiani’s head: He's so close, I could feel his hot breath on my neck.

Maia: “Winter got aggressive and Kiani beat her ass.”

River: “That sums it up.”

Maia: “What's going on?”

Kiani: “HOW DARE YOU MARK ME?! (everyone’s surprised)”

In Kiani’s head: Back to the mood swings. It's swinging angrily.

Kiani: “You could’ve chosen a more appropriate spot.”

River: “It was just above your chest.”

Tao: “Yes, Rocco, get in there! (Nova rolls her eyes)”

Kiani: “YOU BIG JERK!”

Tao: “What? This is fucking hilarious. (Rocco walks away)”

Kiani: “DON’T YOU WALK AWAY FROM ME. (Kiani follows)”

River: “We should let them work things out.”

Maia: “What the hell is going on? (in the kitchen)”

Kiani: “I WAS TALKING TO YOU!”

In Rocco’s head: I’m generally used to the scent of fear. Not gonna lie, not smelling any fear from her has thrown me off.

Kiani: “You can't just go around marking people. I didn't agree to this marking or whatever the fuck it is.”

Rocco: “You didn't put up much of a fight last night when I gave you my mark on y-”

Kiani: “More like everywhere on my upper body!”

Rocco: “My wolf wanted you, I don't. It was a mistake. So don't mark me back. Got it?”

Kiani: “HOW DARE YOU?! I'm not a mistake. How rude.”

Rocco: “So you wanted me?”

Kiani: “Hell no!”

Rocco: “You're a headache, aren't you? Sweetheart, I'm an alpha. You don't even know what you are or where you're from. You still need to shift. You're a weak little wolf.”

Rocco’s Wolf: “She's not weak, I picked her. I want her.”

In Rocco’s head: Shut up.

Kiani’s Wolf: “I'm not weak! (Kiani screams and pushes Rocco)”

Rocco: “GRR! DON’T MAKE ME HURT YOU, LITTLE WOLF.”

Kiani: “I DARE YOU TO GROWL AT ME AGAIN.”

Rocco’s Wolf: “Can we lick my mark on her yet?”

Kiani’s Wolf: “I'll forgive him if he licks my mark.”

In Kiani’s head: Stop!

Rocco: “My mark will fade if you don't mark me back. That's what we're gonna do.”

In Kiani’s head: Why does his rejection hurt? I don't know him. My wolf isn't weak.

Kiani: “Then keep your damn wolf away from me. I never asked for any of this.”

Rocco: “You should be honored that an alpha wants you. (Kiani yawns)”

Kiani: “A bit arrogant there, highlander.”

In Rocco’s head: No one talks back to me. My wolf will never allow disrespect. Kiani has no fear for my wolf.

Rocco’s Wolf: “She’s my mate.”

In Rocco’s head: She can't be my bloody mate.

Rocco’s Wolf: “I need to mark her again, it's fading. DO IT NOW! If any male touches her, they're dead. (Rocco screams)”

Rocco: “COME HERE, KIANI!”

Kiani: “I won't take that attitude, thanks.”

In Kiani’s head: Rocco lifted me up effortlessly, forcing me to wrap my legs around his waist. He practically grips my ass. Boy, does the man have strength. If I wasn't angry, who am I kidding? This is so damn hot.

Rocco: “You're mine, for now.”

Kiani: “I’M NOT YOURS!”

Rocco: “I like your scent.”

In Kiani’s head: Rocco deeply inhales me.

Kiani’s Wolf: “Mark him!”

Rocco: “Is your inner wolf talking to you? What is she saying?”

Kiani: “Put me down.”

Rocco: “She wants me, doesn't she?”

Kiani: “Put me down!”

Rocco: “I can't believe you're a dominant wolf. I'm surprised, little wolf. You're still weak. (Rocco licks Kiani’s neck)”

In Kiani’s head: WOAH!

In Rocco’s head: I lick her neck. My wolf growls at his approval.

Kiani: “Oh wow!”

In Rocco’s head: Damn, she tastes good. I can't control my wolf around this girl. I feel the strong need to mark her neck and make her mine again. Kiani’s so damn tempting, too hard to resist. So I mark her again on her neck. Easier for me to lick later.

In Kiani’s head: His kissable lips were right in my view. Just a breath away. I need to bite that lip. I couldn't resist.

Rocco: “I said don’t mark me. That means no biting. I need you to stay away from me. I won’t have you for a mate.”

In Rocco’s head: That was too damn close. The thing is, I wanted her to bite me hard.

Kiani: “JERK! Stay away from me. (Kiani storms off)”

Rocco: “Did you hear that?”

Sierra: “I think the whole pack heard you. We need a meeting, son. Why did you push your mate away? You can't risk pushing a potential mate. You could be soulmates if your wolf is pushing so hard.”

Rocco: “She's too young and knows nothing of our way of life.”

Sierra: “Then teach her. Your wolf finally wants a mate. You should be happy. Rocco, a mate will be good for you.”

Rocco: “I should’ve just mated with Winter.”

Sierra: “You know, going against your inner wolf just causes too much grief.”

Rocco: “What is it?”

Sierra: “You never told me the strays name.”

Rocco: “Kiani.”

In Sierra’s head: It can't be. But how could I forget a name like Kiani.

Sierra: “What did she say her last name was?”

Rocco: “Green.”

In Sierra’s head: Is it though?

Sierra: “I’m gonna go get Maia to do a background check on her. You did say she doesn't know where she came from. Let's replace out.”

Rocco: “Get Maia to report back to me straight away. As soon as she replaces anything on Kiani Green. If I let her be my mate, I need to know everything about her.”

Sierra: “Does she want you? You're always in a bad mood. (in the garden)”

In Kiani’s head: That arrogant jerk. Why do I feel more hurt that he doesn't want me? Rocco’s fighting so hard to reject me as his mate. Not that I want to be, but…my wolf whines as if she’s sad.

Tao: “Kiani…don't give me that face, gorgeous. I would mate you on the spot but I don't wanna die. I’m Tao.”

Kiani: “Yeah, I heard. (Tao laughs)”

Tao: “Rocco marked you again, didn't he? I never thought Rocco would get a mate.”

Kiani: “I'm not his mate.”

Tao: ‘You will be.”

Kiani: “I really won't.”

Tao: “You can't deny your wolf Kiani. Rocco might not want you but his wolf does. You're practically dripping with his scent right now. No other wolf is gonna touch you. You might not have marked him back but you have an alpha mark on you. You can't run away from an alpha.”

Kiani: “Watch me. (Tao laughs)”

Tao: “I like you. Don't you wanna be a part of a pack?”

Kiani: “Rocco doesn’t want me. This is new to me. I was raised as a human. Do any of you shifters get that? I have to go. (Kiani walks away while Rocco watch-by the river)”

In Kiani’s head: I let my hand dip in the cold river. My mind is a mess. My eyes have been opened to this whole new world. A world that should be in the imagination. Wolf shifters. They're meant to be in a book. A myth, but now it's my reality. Why would Nia keep this from me? I have a wolf in me that’s ready to come out. And I have a mate that really doesn't want to be my mate. Why is that the strongest feeling I'm having? Not the shock of being a wolf shifter. But the fact that Rocco doesn't want me. Is this what my inner wolf feels? Or is it mine? Or are we the same?

In Sierra’s head: Kiani looks just like her mother, Dawn. Impossible. Hunter told me he killed Dawn’s pups. (ten years ago the library)

Hunter: “Enter. Well, if it isn't my loving mate. How are my pups doing?”

Sierra: “River and Rocco are fine. Rocco’s getting stronger. He shifted early.”

Hunter: “Hm. Come here, Sierra. Don't pretend you're not scared of me. That's better. I heard some alarming news. The reason Zion and Dawn’s pup's got away that night. I heard that they were warned. Did you warn Dawn? SIERRA! You let them get away?”

Sierra: “I couldn't let you kill innocent pups.”

Hunter: “Innocent pups?”

In Kiani’s head: Hunter snarls his response.

Hunter: “Innocent pups that will grow up and take revenge on my pack because I killed their parents.”

Sierra: “You could’ve allied with the Bloodstone pack. Not kill them in cold blood.”

In Kiani’s head: Sierra’s wolf dares to challenge.

Hunter: “I’ll kill you just like I killed those pups.”

Sierra: “You found them? You killed…(Hunter hits Sierra)”

Hunter: “You're weak…worthless. I should’ve killed you ages ago. I enjoyed breaking you. You were dominant when you came to me. Look at you. About to die weak.”

In Kiani’s head: Rocco stands in position, ready to take on his father.

In Hunter’s head: My son was getting too strong too quick for my liking.

Hunter: “Outside, pup. Are you ready to challenge your alpha?”

Sierra: “NO ROCCO! (present time)”

In Sierra’s head: Hunter lied to me. I should’ve known that he lied to me. I must replace out the truth. Does that mean Kylo is alive too? I need to replace out what Kiani knows.