Chapter 46:
At city hall courtroom
In Mrs. Hawthorne’s head: What is going on? They haven't arrived yet.
Mrs. Hawthorne: “Something is Wrong, they should have been here by now.”
In Mr. Hawthorne’s head: I look around the courtroom. There is an air of uncertainty. The special forces and police have been called to the room. They're not coming. My eyes find Rocco Darkwood.
In Rocco’s head: My eyes find Mr. Hawthorne. I can’t help but give him a smirk.
Kiani: “We need to go now! (in the woods)”
In Billie Jean’s head: I feel the poison burning through my body. My vision is blurry. The pain I've never felt before feels like hot lava under my skin. I'm ready to explode. My world Is dark but I can't let the darkness take me, my dad needs me. I made a deal with my wolf not to die. She growls in agreement, determined as I. I pulled the arrow out as I screamed in agony. There's someone else here. (Conan and Fang fighting)
Conan: “BILLIE!”
Billie Jean: “B-behind you!”
In Kiani’s head: Fang’s First free midair as he attacks Conan. Conan Uses his last strength to shift as well. Two big beast clash as they tried to tear each other apart. Fang Overpowers with brute strength while Conan growls in fury! As months of neglect have left Conan weak.
Brooke: “This has gone on long enough, soon the whole pack will be here.”
In Brooke’s head: But if I take this shot, I'll reveal where I am. I know I should have stolen more arrows. (Brooke shoots)
Billie Jean: “NO!”
In Billie Jean’s head: My body couldn't move without the crippling pain. My wolf was fighting to stay awake. But I saw the girl holding the gun. The pain was all consuming, but only one thought forced its way through my complete Agony, don't let me watch my dad die. (Fang chocks Conan)
Fang: “Feel the poison take your worthless life. Feel my hands crush your neck as Fang Darkwood ends Your Existence. Let my face hunt you beyond the grave.”
Kiani: “BILLIE! (Rocco comes in Fang’s shocked - Maia chokes Brooke from behind)”
Maia: “DROP THE DAMN GUN BROOKE!”
In Kiani’s head: Rocco’s wolf lunges at Fang while his claws Tear into his flesh as they crash land. Fang Forces himself to shift to the pain. Fang’s bloody wolf let’s out his frustrations with a horrific deep guttural roar. As Rocco circle’s Fang, Kylo comes snarling into the fight. Kylo and Rocco both prowl around Fang. hawkeyes on their prey. Outnumbered. Fang’s Time in this world is up. He knows it as he whines in desperation. Rocco Snaps his jaw showing his Sharp ivory canines. In quick lethal motion Rocco goes for the neck while Kylo slashes the gut. Once fresh fur, now turned bloody. As the sun sets, Fang’s limp wolf beast lies dead. Kylo looks over his kill. Licking his paws tasting the fresh blood. Rocco and Kylo howl in unison.
Billie Jean: “D-dad…?! (Billie Jean cries)”
In Kiani’s head: Uncle Conan is gone. Dead. I can’t heal the dead. He’s gone. We were too late. Billie’s dying too.
Kiani: “Billie, You need to let me heal you. You're fading. BILLIE!”
Billie Jean: “I couldn't save him. I just watched. Humans broke him. T-the p-posion.”
Kiani: “Billie, You need to let me help you.”
Kylo: “Billie listen to Kiani! I won’t l-lose you too! Listen to your Alpha. Your cousin.”
In Billie Jean’s head: I wouldn't let the poison flowing through my veins take me to. Then he wouldn't leave this world alone. I would be with him.
In Brooke’s head: Rest in peace Lucas.
Billie Jean: “P-poison bullets, I-I saw a g-girl.”
Kiani: “BROOKE!”
Rocco: “Brooke Hawthrone. (Billie Jean punches Brooke into a tree)”
Kiani: “BILLIE!”
In Rocco’s head: I should’ve killed Fang a long time ago. But Brooke Hawthorne, I would have never expected this.
In Kiani’s head: I'm sorry I couldn't save your dad, my uncle. I never got the chance to truly know him. But I can save you. (Kiani heals Billie Jean). I use my healing magic to draw out the poison. I feel my mother with me, guiding me. She has only Made Me Stronger. I simply blow the exposed poison from the wind to carry it away.
Kiani: “You'll be okay now. Just rest. (on top of the hill Brooke bleeding out)”
Fate: “Brooke. You killed a wolf shifter. I'm impressed. I never really believed in you. I guess you proved me and Embry wrong. But you'll be dead soon. Not quite a great outcome and not much help to me.”
Brooke: “M-my p-pendant.”
In Kiani’s head: Nighttime falls.
Mrs. Hawthorne: “I noticed Kiani and Rocco Left quite early.”
Sierra: “I suppose they did. Not that it's any of your business but, there wasn't a trial as I recalled so there was no need to stay. They had other matters to attend to. The court wasted our time. Now if you don't mind-”
Mrs. Hawthorne: “We will find out what happened. Mark my words.”
Sierra: “Well if you find out what happened to the prisoner, be sure to let me know. No one likes wasted time. Good night, Mrs. Hawthorne.”
Mr. Hawthorne: “What did she have to say?”
Mrs. Hawthorne: “Playing dumb, what I expected.”
Mr. Hawthone: “The military in charge to escort Conan Stone to court are all missing. Including Conan himself. They're out looking for all of them as we speak. Fools!”
Mrs. Hawthorne: “What about our meeting that we arranged?”
Mr. Hawthorne: “Of course, it's still going to happen. They need us more now than ever. They can't do this on their own. They need our creation.”
Mrs. Hawthorne: “Brilliant. Maybe this is what we needed. Now they know they can't handle the beasts with us. (Nia’s bedroom pacing)”
In Nia’s head: Ungrateful that they let me live at the packhouse. I'm not a member of the pack. I could never be. Not when I rejected my inner wolf. None of your pack would reject me. Rejecting my wolf has been my biggest regret. So I'm honored to be around them. But times like this… I have no clue what's going on. I'm really worried. They all should be back by now. Mindlinking It's not a privilege I have anymore. I have to anxiously wait. Maybe I should go ask Nova and Tao if they’ve heard anything.
Nia: “What happened?”
Kiani: “W-well…(Kiani cries)”
Nia: “Didn’t the plan work? No one is hurt are they?”
Kiani: “Uncle Conan didn’t make it. He was gone before I could try and heal him. Everything was going to plan but then Fang and Brooke Came out of nowhere and-”
Nia: “C-conan didn’t make it?! It can't be true. I'm sorry.”
Kiani: “Billie Jean nearly died too But I saved her. She watched her father die. (Nia hugs Kiani). I hardly knew him but he was still my uncle. My parents died but I didn't see it, I was just a baby. Billie Jean saw her father die. Kylo saw. I can't imagine what they're going through. I didn't want to leave them but I know they need time to grieve. I'm scared they won't be able to cope. Especially Billie Jean.”
Nia: “They say time is a healer but I haven't done much healing since your mom died. At least now when I remember her it isn't so painful. Kylo and Billie Jean are strong. They’ll be okay. We’ll be okay. We all have each other to help us get through.”
Kiani: “Rocco.”
Rocco: “We’ll honor Conan’s life. The wolf shifter way. (Hawthrone’s living room)
Mr. Hawthorne: “The meeting went very well. Wouldn't you agree?”
Mrs. Hawthorne: “Working with the government dear. To maintain human safety. Oh, we'll do that alright. (both laugh)”
Mr. Hawthorne: “I think we should celebrate.”
Mrs. Hawthorne: “Ooo, What do you have in mind, Mr. Hawthorne? (they kiss)”
In Brooke’s head: I cough up the blood in my lungs still wanting to choke me. From what that brat wolf did I felt my whole body shattered and she threw me like a damn rag doll. I would have died if it wasn't for the Cure. well if Fate Did it show up and give it to me. I couldn't move. I drank all of the Cure. I need more. I think I still have a broken rib or two.
Brooke: “Where are you keeping your of the Cure as you can see that I needed. Help your daughter out. While you were idle In that fancy courtroom waiting for nothing. I killed Conan Stone.”
Mrs. Hawthrone: “Brooke, you've always been dramatic.”
Mr. Hawthorne: “You've always been such a liar.”
Fate: “She's not lying. I was there. That cure you've developed could help the organization. You could say our interest has peaked.”
Brooke: “Yes, so hand it over. We can all sing Kumbaya my Lord and work together. But I need to cure now.”
Mr. Hawthorne: “So that's why you stole the Cure from us? The court case didn’t happen because of you. Well done, Brooke. I knew you were at least list. Thanks to you, we're now working with the government. Soon we'll have stocks full of a cure. Seeing as it's working.”
Mrs. Hawthorne: “Brooke did nothing. Like she normally does. You can heal on your own. You deserve it after your little stunt you pulled. I didn't know you got the Mystic Hunter's involved. Our contract with your magical beings is over. Now all of you get out of my damn house. Brooke, I don't want to see your face again. You're a disgrace to this family. YOU LOCKED YOUR MOTHER IN A CAGE! You think all is forgiven because you killed a wolf shifter?”
Mr. Hawthorne: “You acted concerned, you were never looking for Brooke, were you?”
Mrs. Hawthorne: “Like you cared.”
Mr. Hawthorne: “But she has proven herself and we need to keep our bloodline. Who else would take over after us? I was angry but you need to keep your head on woman.”
Brooke: “Father, do you know how to make the Cure or do you have Mom's little scientist freaks available?”
Mrs. Hawthorne: “What's that supposed to mean?”
Mr. Hawthorne: “Of course I do. I know all of your mother's contacts. I know where the Cure is safely being kept. I'm the head of this home.”
Brooke: “Good to know. I need that care dad. Besides, you're going to need someone to rely on. Keep our family name and all that.”
Mrs. Hawthorne: “We don't need you. You'll never be a part of this family Brooke. I'm the fucking brains of this family. YOU’RE USELESS!”
In Brooke’s head: Screw it. I'm running out of time. (Brooke kills Mrs. Hawthorne)
Brooke: “Why are you standing there gawking like you haven't seen blood before? Get me the damn cure. I'd kill you but we need each other.”
Mr. Hawthorne: “HAS THE CURE MESSED UP YOUR BRAIN!? You killed your mom.”
Brooke: “I don't see you crying about it.”
Mr. Hawthorne: “You've become unhinged, Brooke.”
Brooke: “I think you're right. I think I like it. No show me where it is so I can heal and become a damn Mystic Hunter.”
Mr. Hawthorne: “I'll show you. What did you do to my security? I thought you were going to be someone I could rely on, Brooke?! Especially now your mother is out of the picture. Now I'm going to have to clean that up.”
Brooke: “Now look who's being melodramatic.”
Mr. Hawthorne: “Brooke THINK!”
In Mr. Hawthorne’s head: The cure does have side effects. Craving for more, paranoia, impulsive behavior and no empathy. I don't think Brooke had empathy to begin with.
In Brooke’s head: Urgh!
Brooke: “Okay. fate Did some magic Dumbo on the security. They're fine. The first go get me the Cure. I need go train to be a Mystic Hunter. How about I come and visit now and then? Plus the organization wants to work with you again. Thanks to the Cure we're all like saying now. As for dead mommy dearest, we’ll just say a wolf shifter killed her and now everyone is happy.”
In Fate’s head: Brooke has come a long way.
In Embry’s head: Brooke is a loose cannon! The Cure seems dangerous to me. To many side effects. She nearly killed Billie Jean. I feel the fire I possess burn under my skin. As my anger flares I strained my hard muscles as they Flex with tension. I tried to breathe through my newfound anger whenever Billie was involved. Brooke would be nothing but dead next to her dead mother. Maybe I'm a loose cannon? I'm starting to question. I never question. I do what needs to be done. What the organization tells me to do. But Billie Has made me start questioning.