Chapter 47:
In Kiani’s head: Night of the funerals. As a graveyard with Lucas's parents, Curtis, Peyton, and Haley. Meanwhile wolf Pack's got it together for the burial of Conan Stone. The Ceremony of Souls in the wood. The female shifters dressed in all white light dresses with a crowning of Bloom Flowers. The male shifters bare-chested with white loose trousers and a leaf vein wrapped around their arm. All right a tire represents the moon’s pure white light shining through the dark sky. As Billie Begins to say words to release her father soon. Conan’s soul Will leave his wolf body and return to the Moon. as it is Billie Jean’s father, alpha Kylo Has given her this right.
Billie Jean: “As a Mighty Wolf Falls, we have to the Moon as she calls, for a soul to rise through the black Sky, the pack gathers to say a last goodbye. A soul not protected in the moon's life, rest in peace. We will howl for you until midnight.”
In Kiani’s head: The words are both beautiful and magical. The purple but the price of these words come with deep sadness. The pack begins to howl to show their respect. This is a tough day for everyone. (back at the graveyard)
Haley: “Brooke, you came.”
Peyton: “Where the hell have you been these past few months you don't answer any of my calls or texts. We were worried about you!”
Curtis: “You posted your friends and now you just show up. Maybe you only cared about Lucas. But for us, not so sure.”
Brooke: “I got Justice for Lucas. What did your so-called friends of his do? Cry over him, maybe? Crying solves nothing Lucas is dead, get over it. Move on with your boring ass lives. That serves no purpose.”
Curtis: “GO TO HELL!”
Haley: “She's not worth it Curtis.”
Peyton: “You're unbelievable, you know that?”
Brooke: “Guys, this is all morbid. Haley, Are you in Curtis a thing now? With Lucas dead, it's distracted Curtis long enough to notice you. And Peyton, You can stop being my little sheep. Bold someone else around maybe. Or not, you've finally got a voice and not just a puppet. Good for you all. (Brooke laughs). You should see your faces. Before you throw your threats around, I'm leaving. I have a higher calling. A higher purpose. In a Twisted way, I suppose I wanted to say goodbye.”
Peyton: “Screw you Brooke!”
Curtis: “You're crazy.”
Haley: “I've always known it.”
Brooke: “I admit I was closed. But I'll tell you a little secret. Now I am and I love it.”
Haley: “God help you, Brooke. You've lost it more than ever. You don't deserve the Loyalty of friends. Never have. I'm going, I'm not wasting any more time on you.”
Curtis: “I don't know how you got Justice for Lucas, but the look in your eyes tells me something went down. So if you did, then thank you. But we're done.”
Peyton: “I can't believe I put up with all of your psycho crazy for so long. Congratulations, you've just lost everyone. Like hell if you care. Lucas should’ve ran far away from you while he still had a chance. We all know who killed Lucas, you.”
In Brooke’s head: I nearly died for him. Screw them all. Lucas should be thanking me from his fucking grave. (back in the woods)
Kiani: “Are you coming, Billie? I don't want you to be alone.”
Billie Jean: “I think I'm going to stay a little while longer. I want to be alone.”
In Kiani’s head: I wish I could take your pain away.
Kiani: “I love you, Billie Jean.”
Billie Jean: “I love you too. I'll be okay, I just need a minute alone. (they hug)”
In Kiani’s head: I rest my head on my cousins. Sending waves of comfort from my wolf to hers. Like she did for me when we first met. I Feel our wolves connect emotionally. Billie’s sad emotions swirl around her like a hurricane. Anger is right in the eye of the chaos. The Calm before the storm. As saying I'm In Too Deep, she pulls away.
Kiani: “You know where I'll be if you need me.”
Billie Jean: “Aspen…”
Aspen: “I just want to say how sorry I am. If you ever need anything, I'd be here for you. Always. (Billie Jean hugs Aspen - Rocco’s bedroom)”
Rocco: “What are you worried about?”
Kiani: “I'm really worried about Billie Jean.”
Rocco: “Her pack has her back. She's strong to live through the pain. It will get better over time. All we can do is be here for her when she needs us.”
Kiani: “You're right. It's just hard to see her like that.”
Rocco: “What about you Kiani? He was your uncle.”
Kiani: “I haven't thought about mine. I wish I got to know him more. I didn't have enough time with him. But I hope he's resting with my father and mother. And I really hope that he finds peace.”
In Kiani’s head: He'll never get to meet my little one. My Highlander gently lifts me in his strong arms. I naturally wrap my arms around his neck.
Rocco: “I'm sorry you're going through this. I love you, I can feel your every emotion.”
Kiani: “Billie Jean Told me what the humans did to him. They tortured him by making him weak. He took my place, Rocco. He suffered because I got revealed. They don't like our kind, do they? I'm worried for the future, especially for our pup.”
Rocco: “Kiani, Nothing will ever happen to you in our up or my pack. Not while I'm still standing. I'll tear this world apart for you. Do you hear me? “
In Kiani’s head: I feel Rocco’s deep growl Vibrating against my chest as he possesses my lips, in a deep angry possessive passionate kiss that makes my damn head spin. His Punishing kisses as if to say how dare I think that way. Rocco Is my Untamed storm. A storm that will destroy anyone who's a threat. I match his heart kisses as he tightens his hold on me.
Rocco’s Wolf: “Mine!”
Kiani’s Wolf: “Mine! (River’s bedroom)”
In River’s head: I can't help but to think of my father. He didn't have the ceremony of souls. He was left to rot in the ground. I know he deserved everything he got and but why didn't my father care for me? Why couldn't I say the magical words to the moon and buried my father? Why was it my father that was beyond Redemption? Is it selfish of me to think like that?
Sierra: “River, Are you okay?”
River: “I don't know, just having weird thoughts. I feel bad for thinking of them. I'm just being selfish.”
Sierra: “Is it about your father?”
River: “We don't have to talk about him “
Sierra: “I wish it was different as well. I wish he wasn't the evil man that he was. I understand tonight would bring up his death.”
River: “I know what he was, mom. There was no saving him. I just wish that things were just different.”
Sierra: “We can't change the past and we cannot change the man.”
River: “I wish he loved me.”
Sierra: “Me too. (they hug - River cries - Tao walks in surprised)”
In Kiani’s head: Many months later. (on the docs looking out in the river)
River: “Rocco Says that you should be resting. (River laughs)”
Kiani: “Rest My Ass. Who does he think he is? I know what my body needs. You're loving this far too much.”
River: “Yep. (River laughs). All you two have been doing for months now is argue nonstop. It's hilarious. Although I think Aspen is ready to kill himself.”
Kiani: “Aspen is ready to kill him…?!”
River: “Oh dear lord.”
Kiani: “Well let me find a damn knife. I'll get a knife for Rocco too while I’m at it.”
In River’s head: Yikes. Wolf shifter females have mega mood swings when pregnant. Big time. Kiani Is a walking exploding hormonal Time bomb reck. Her words, not mine. When she's in her calm place. Which Rocco Likes to smash to Smithereens without meaning to because he's overprotective. Go figure.
Kiani: “ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME?!”
River: “Breathe. That's it, baby mama. We can put the knives away. (Kiani laughs)”
Kiani: “I'm a mess. (River laughs). It's not funny. I think I'm scaring Rocco away.”
River: “It's cute how you still think Rocco Could just abandon his soul mate. He stuck with you forever, dumbass.”
Kiani: “Why do you always have to cheer me up? I love you more than life itself. (Kiani cries). And I just threatened to kill you with a knife. I'm such a bad friend.”
River: “No, you did it, that was Aspen and Rocco.”
Kiani: “But I was thinking it.”
River: “Well aren't you the sweetest. But you know you're easy to knock over right now. Your pup is heavier than you are, so ha. (both laugh)”
Kiani: “I swear I don't want to kill anyone. (River laughs). Don't worry little one, River isn’t calling you fat.”
River: “Thanks a lot. (both laugh). I'm going to be her favorite wolf.”
Kiani: “Does that mean free babysitting?”
River: “That’s what Tao’s for. (both laugh). Come on, I'm sure the pack are sick of watching Rocco pacing.”
In Kiani’s head: You do know your dad is going to be a pain in your ass, right? I hear Rocco’s deep voice in my head.
Rocco’s Mindlink: “I heard that. Now get your ass back here, I miss you.”
In Kiani’s head: I've been gone for 5 minutes.
In Rocco’s head: Hmph! My little girl love me the most.
Rocco’s Wolf: “We're the best.”
In Rocco’s head: Damn straight.
Rocco: “My little Nymeria is nearly here.”
In Rocco’s head: My pup will have a father worthy of her. I already love her too much and she hasn’t arrived yet. Damn, I'm going to be a pain in the ass. I'm not letting her out of my sight.
Kiani: “Oh, so we've decided on a name then?”
Rocco: “Our little Nymeria. It means warrior Queen.”
In Kiani’s head: I fell in love with the name as soon as he suggested it.
Kiani: “I thought we decided on Susan.”
Rocco: “Susan? What does that even mean?”
Kiani: “It's very wolf like I think. Susan Darkwood.”
Rocco: “It's a nice name but for a wolf shifter, it's too human. (Kiani laughs). You're joking aren’t you?”
Kiani: “I’m joking Rocco. (Kiani laughs)”
Rocco: “I hope I'm the dad that she needs me to be.”
Kiani: “You'll be that and more. (Bloodstone pack living room)”
Kylo: “How long has Billie been in wolf form?”
Kai: “Long enough. She's not letting any of the pack near her. If she stays like this any longer I'm concerned she's going to turn feral. A wolf is in full control.”
Kylo: “Werewolf shifters, not mindless animals. We need her to come back to her senses and shift back now. Billie is the most controlled wolf-shifter I know.”
Kai: “We know she's not handling the death of her father well. She needs more time.”
Kylo: “I know she needs more time, Kai. But she can't sort through her emotions when she's a wolf. I'll have to go and knock her wolf out at this rate.”
Kiani: “Who are you knocking out now?”
Kylo: “Ki Ki! What are you doing here?”
Kiani: “Nice to see you too.”
Kylo: “You know what I mean.”
Kai: “Right, I'm out of here. I know Rocco Will be close behind and I'm not dealing with a vexed alpha. Kiani geez, Do you know what she's like at the moment.”
In Kiani’s head: Being mated to a pregnant wolf shifter means Rocco Is beyond protective and won't let other male wolf shifters around his unborn pup. Even if he knows them. Instincts make him do so.
Kiani: “Okay, so he might be slightly overprotective of me right now but I came all this way to see my dear brother. I know Billie Jean Has been away.”
Kylo: “She's been in her wolf form for far too long. She won't shift back. She won't let any of us near her. I'm worried.”
Kiani: “Where is she? I'll go find her. I'll try and calm her down. I've had a lot of practice with Rocco.”
Kylo: “I can't Let You Go, Ki Ki. She's too wild at the moment. She's not herself. You’re pregnant with a pup. Rocco might try and kill me.”
Kiani: “You'll be okay. So will I. Billie Jean won't hurt me. Plus if she tries having a tantrum I'll kick her ass. Being pregnant only makes me more aggressive. I think I know where she might be.”
In Kiani’s head: My senses Billie’s presence. I approach quiet and submissive. Which is very hard on my wolf when she is dominant. Also with a pup in her belly. But Billie Jean is family. Billie’s wolf Remains calm and still lets out a warning snarl. My heart breaks as I know why she's here. This is where her dad died in her arms. I feel her wolf's grief too. Being a wolf helps with the pain. I understand. (Kiani shifts back)
Kiani: “Billie Jean, it's time to come home. We both know it. Nymeria will be here any day now and I'd like you to be around for it. We can talk when you're ready. But only when you're ready. But right now, I just want to see your face. (Billie Jean shifts back)”
Billie Jean: “Brooke Hawthorne is alive. Her body was gone Kiani. There will be no calm until she’s dead!”
Kiani: “You would be no use feral then.”
Billie Jean: “It's only the beginning Kiani. Brooke Not being dead is the worst possible outcome. I saw the look in her eye. She took my father's life, she's not going to stop there and you know it as well.”
In Kiani’s head: Brooke Hawthrone Always had that dark look in her eye. The scary part is, she never covered it up. She let everyone know her true nature but we still dismissed her. Billie Jean’s right. There'll be no peace until we find her. Brooke is far from done. The Darkwood pack rests on the highest cliffs in Meadow Lake. The Wolves wait for their newest member to be one with the pack. Ears alert in anticipation. Especially mother and father waiting with pride. (Nia comes in holding the pup). Only a few days old. Little Nymeria meets her pack mates. (Nia gives Sierra Nymeria). Rocco tilted head to the side then he started to sniff his pup. Gently resting his snout on her little cheeks.
Sierra: “Kiani, I have your sweet pup.”
In Kiani’s head: Sierra lays the puppy on the ground next to me. I like my little pups. I love you to the moon and back, little one. Your wild journey is only just the beginning. My Nymeria. For the strength of the pack is the wolf and the strength of the wolf is the pack. By. Rudyard Kipling.