The Wolf Within Me

Nighttime Darkwood Manor closet

River: “You don't need heels, Kiani.”

Maia: “Yeah, it's a barefoot event. (Winter rolls her eyes)”

Kiani: “I can feel your eyeroll, Winter.”

Maia: “Heels and grass don't mix.”

Winter: “It's not hard to figure out.”

Kiani: “How about I figure out how to punch your face right through here?”

Nova: “Would you two get a grip. This is meant to be a fun night. New pack member, welcome Kiani. We need to help Kiani look beautiful tonight. Not that you're not already stunning. Don't ruin the night WINTER!”

Maia: “You've been told.”

Winter: “Don’t you have a book to read? (Winter storms off)”

River: “We knew that was gonna happen. Come on, what dress are you wearing?”

Kiani: “I’m still deciding on three dresses”

Nova: “That just gives you an excuse to try them all on.”

Kiani: “This is the one. Red is definitely my color.”

Nova: “Lippy now, honey.”

Maia: “I don't think he needs it.”

Kiani: “That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me, Maia.”

River: “Drop dead gorgeous or what?”

Nova: “I can do your hair if you like.”

Kiani: “Of course.”

Nova: “I only have a few ideas.”

Kiani: “But you know what you’re doing, right?”

Nova: “RUDE!”

Kiani: “I'm just saying my hair texture is different.”

Nova: “I do Aspen's hair for him. Let me at it.”

Maia: “Just do it before she has a mental breakdown. (Kiani laughs)”

Nova: “If you hate it don't tell me. (Kiani laughs)”

Kiani: “I love it.”

Nova: “You were saying?”

Kiani: “Okay, you're brilliant.”

River: “Stunning. (in the garden)”

Nia: “I’m Kiani’s aunt. Nia. I'm here for-”

Sierra: “The Moonlight ceremony. I know who you are. I need to talk to you.”

Nia: “Who are you?”

Sierra: “Sierra Darkwood. Hunter was my mate. I know who Kiani is. I also know that Kiani is Rocco’s mate. I knew you were coming tonight. You're gonna try and stop this from happening. I can't let that happen. (in the backyard)”

Tao: “Could you stare any harder?”

Winter: “Rocco looks delicious tonight. I can't help it.”

Tao: “He can hear you.”

Winter: “Good, I want him to hear me.”

Tao: “Seriously? That's coming from me. You need to know when to quit. Desperation doesn't look good on you.”

Aspen: “Winter still wants you, by the sound of things.”

Rocco: “I hope she hears that one more wrong move and she's out.”

Tao: “You can't break up soulmates, Winter. It never ends well.”

Winter: “But they're not soulmates.”

Tao: “Yet. (Asher mindlinks Rocco)”

Asher’s Mindlink: “Game time.”

Rocco’s Mindlink: “Game time.”

Asher: “Gorgeous.”

In Rocco’s head: Big ass pup.

Nova: “I need to talk to you. (in the garden)”

Maia: “Sierra.”

Sierra: “Oh, Maia. What are you doing out here? I'm doing the last patrol of our territory before the ceremony.”

Sierra: “I'm sure everything will be fine. I'll see you there. (out front)”

Kiani: “Nia hasn't turned up yet.”

River: “Shouldn't she be here by now?”

Kiani: “That's exactly what I thought.”

River: “Give her a call. (Rocco sees Kiani surprised)”

In Kiani’s head: Shivers run down my spine.

In Rocco’s head: Kiani really shouldn't have worn that. My wolf is going wild. (River walks away - Rocco touches Kiani’s face)

Rocco: “I swear you're too good to be true, Kiani. You look irresistible.”

In Kiani’s head: Rocco’s eyes burn through me. I'm fully hypnotized by him. A tingly feeling blossoms in the hollow of my belly. I'm melting for him and he knows it.

Aspen: “Kiani, you look damn fire.”

Tao: “I'm dying to say-”

Kiani: “Let's not get beat up today, Tao. I've got a highlander snarling over here.”

Tao: “But baby, if you were a fruit, you'd be a fine apple. (all laugh but Rocco)”

Rocco: “Tao, you're a damn screw up.”

Kiani: “Oh wow, lucky we'll see who gets to be your mate.”

In Kiani’s head: Rocco possessively pulls me closer to him. As I concentrate on his touch. I've never felt as sexy as I did right now and at the mercy of this beautiful man.

In Rocco’s head: I take in her delicious scent on a long in hell. I can't believe Kiani is mine. This time I feel her wolf purr like a cat.

In Kiani’s head: My heart was beating. He makes me nervous. (Rocco picks Kiani up)

Rocco: “We're gonna be late boys. We'll meet you there.”

Tao: “How come Rocco gets such a hot mate out of nowhere? Where’s my hot mate?”

Aspen: “River’s got you all distracted.”

Tao: “She has, hasn't she? (in the woods). River, why are you so damn attractive?”

River: “I'll cheer to that.”

Tao: “I wanna mark you, right now.”

River: “Don't be silly, Tao.”

Tao: “I have the urge, River. I've had it for a while now, but-”

River: “If we're true mates, it would’ve happened sooner.”

Tao: “You haven't had the urge to mark me?”

Asher: “You should be resting.”

Nova: “Baby, I'm not dying.”

Maia: “When are you gonna tell the pack?”

Nova: “This is Kiani’s night.”

Maia: “Great, a pup will be running around soon. A very protective beta, huh Asher?”

Asher: “I was hoping for a congratulations or something.”

Nova: “You do know it's Maia.”

Sierra: “Are you okay?”

River: “Have you seen Nia? She was meant to be here for Kiani.”

Sierra: “You should ask Asher and Maia. They check the comings and goings.”

River: “I guess so. You look lovely, mom.”

Sierra: “So do you, my River.”

Winter: “Where the hell are they?”

Aspen: “What do you think? (by the river in the woods)”

Kiani: “They're all waiting for me.”

Rocco: “Let them wait all night.”

Kiani: “I still have your top. Look at all of these lights.”

In Rocco’s head: I tense as I sense someone’s watching.

Kiani: “We really should attend my party. What is it?”

Rocco: “Nothing. You can't let them wait any longer.”

Kiani: “Is this gonna be some weird ritual or something?”

Rocco: “We take your blood. (Rocco walks away)”

Kiani: “We're not vampires. Don't tell me that's a thing. Highlander. (at the party)”

Rocco: “It goes from the oldest members of the pack to the youngest. Each member will bow their head to touch yours. Welcoming you into the pack. All the while mind linking. Creating the pack link.”

In Kiani’s head: I’ll officially be a part of the pack. This is the first time I felt a part of something. I've joined a complete family with no loss. My wolf couldn't be more content. I know I'm doing the right thing. The empty feeling I've always had feels like it’s filling up. I'm honored they're all willing to accept me. The feelings of acceptance and belonging. If only my aunt Nia was here to see how happy I am. Where is she?

Sierra: “Welcome, Kiani.”

In Kiani’s head: A warm sensation runs through my body. As if we're linked.

Kiani: “How am I meant to reach your head? (Asher and Rocco laugh)”

River: “Let's get linked, girl. (Kiani laughs). Now the real party starts.”

In Kiani’s head: The Hills by The Weeknd music surrounds the woods.

Kiani: “Don't you want to dance, Rocco?”

Rocco: “I know how to move my hips.”

Kiani: “Dance with me.”

Rocco: “Is that a demand?”

Kiani: “Yes.”

In Kiani’s head: Rocco’s deep rumble snarl vibrates through me.

Rocco: “I thought Nia was coming.”

Kiani: “Me too.”

Rocco: “You seemed worried.”

Rocco’s Wolf: “THREAT!”

Fang: “Sorry to interrupt. Not many wolves on patrol tonight. That's not the case with a Moonlight ceremony. Rocco, you didn't tell me you have a new pack member.”

Rocco’s Wolf: “THREAT ON OUR TERRITORY! NEAR MATE ATTACK NOW! ATTACK!”

In Kiani’s head: This is why I have to train everyday. Unexpected threats. My wolf paces anxiously around inside me. We're both on alert now.

Fang: “More like a gorgeous new pack member.”

Rocco: “THAT’S MY MATE YOUR TALKING ABOUT! Do you know the penalty for entering my territory without an invite?”

Fang: “How else will I get you to listen to me?”

Rocco: “You didn't listen to me.”

Fang: “Calm down, Rocco. Let's talk about this.”

In Rocco’s head: I couldn't stop my beast. I didn't want to. He feels threatened and mad. That's a bad combination. Someone is gonna die tonight. My wolf wants blood.

Fang: “ROCCO! (Rocco shifts)”

In Kiani’s head: Rocco shifts into his giant wolf. With a death threat in his eyes. Snarling with sharp fangs out, ready to kill.

Fang: “PROTECT ME NOW!”

In Kiani’s head: Fang’s enforcer shifts as he takes on Rocco. Rocco snaps his jaw, releasing a fierce growl as he lunges for him. Rocco knocked the enforcer over with his brutal strength, swiping deadly claws. With one mighty shake Rocco’s head with the lesser right in his mouth. Rocco’s ferocious wolf ripped him apart within minutes. Throat torn, wolf lane on the blood-stained grass.