Untouchable by Marii Solaria

“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

Third Person POV

The Passage of the Alpha ceremony marked a new beginning for all werewolf packs in the world.

As the new Alpha claims his or her new title, it paved the way for the new generation of leaders to be greater than their predecessors. It honored the Alphas who served before their time, passing on their wisdom and honor to the new successor, in hopes they’d follow in their footsteps. Following in line was the next generation of the Beta and Gamma, who served as the Alpha’s right and left hand, respectively. Once the passage was complete, a new light of hope was born, and celebrations stretched until the moon rests for the night.

From top to bottom, Zircon Moon’s assembly hall glittered with magnificence. Gold and white decorated every tile, stair, chair, and table across the room. Near the front of the stage stood three tables, each decorated more intricately with Greek insignias, representative of the Alpha, Beta, and Gamma families. A big chandelier hung above, shining brightly like cut diamonds. From the human eye, the assembly hall was decorated similarly to that of a wedding reception. Every pack member, male, female, young, and old, piled in and sat in their respective seats. Each dressed in elegance, in a competition of who could outshine the other. Chatter echoing and laughter infectious, everyone was ready for the best night of their lives. The Omegas began serving wine for the adults and juice for the little ones.

The Elders of Zircon set up the ceremonial table and the three Passage Goblets meant for the official ritual. The golden goblet for the Alphas, the silver goblet for the Betas, and the bronze goblet for the Gammas. Each bedecked with rubies and diamonds across the rim, shining with prestige. But at the center laid zircon crystals, the gemstone the pack was named after. Matching ceremonial daggers rested next to its prospective chalice.

“I think I’m going to be sick,” Valerian mumbled, sitting at the table marked for the Beta Families. Dressed in a clean, double-breasted gray suit, he leaned back in his chair. “Is all this attention necessary?”

“Don’t think about it too much,” Raina whispered, holding his hand in hers. The future Beta Female dressed in an off-shoulder silver dress that reached to her knees with her matching jewelry glittering underneath the lights. Her normally coily raven hair was curled to perfection. “You’ll be on stage for, like, five minutes. You do your thing and you’ll come back to me.”

“That’s the only thing I’m looking forward to.” He chuckled, capturing her lips in a kiss. Before they could go any deeper, Beta Steven cleared his throat.

“As much as I love watching young love blossom, have some decency for these old eyes.” He chuckled as an Omega filled his wineglass.

“Oh, don’t be too hard on them, my love. I could name a few instances where we lacked decency during the last ceremony…” Ashley’s voice dropped an octave, her hooded sending shivers of pleasure down Steven’s spine.

“Oh, Mom. That’s gross.” Raina gagged for emphasis. “We don’t want to hear any of that.”

“Who is this ‘we’?” Valerian’s mother Michelle asked, holding hands with her husband, Jesse, under the table. “I, for one, want to hear more. Remember that one time all those years ago where you skinny-dipped in the river and—”

burst into cackles. Much to their children’s dismay, their parents still acted as if they were young again. Kwame, with his family, was talking logistics about the ceremony, but his mind was elsewhere. Messing with the cuff of his tanned suit, he gave away that he wasn’t paying much

His father, Gamma Omar, tapped him on

He muttered, ignoring his little brother’s airplane noises, and his mother’s failed attempts to make him sit still. “All of us should be in here, celebrating this monumental time. She’s

was speaking about. He spoke about Halima, the slave, presented merely an afterthought to the rest of the pack. Like Kwame, he too feels for the girl. His wife, Gamma Female Amani, prayed often for the Moon Goddess

to a whisper, to where only his table could hear him. “Tracking down those rogues had taken years. They

hair. “I fear she might not live to see her next birthday. Her only solace is escaping from this pack. She grows skinnier and

his wife’s hand. “But I have faith for her better days. We will draw closer to bringing enough evidence to

much as he respected the Beta Family, he abhorred the way they treated her. Halima was their flesh and blood, and they treated her as if she was nothing. He could only hope that one day, they and the pack would

was befitting of kids’ play. Odessa and Neron were playing footsie as Alpha Jonathan had a brief conversation with one of the

continue that after the ceremony,” He grunted,

hot underneath his suit. His love looked so beautiful, so innocent in such a soft color. His fingers trembled with the desire

king of the pack and you’re

beautiful. Don’t you think so, Onyx?” Neron teased, fully aware

pretty. Big whoop. We both know you’ll take

watch

if the ceremony is about to start. Pay attention!” It was no surprise that Neron and Onyx were opposites. While both were confident, Neron was laxer, whereas Onyx was more straightforward. It was common for wolves to have distinct personalities from their humans.

Steven, and Gamma Omar made their way to the stage. All conversation ceased, and all attention was now to the highlight of the ceremony. The hall had a lot of echo and space, so it was easy for all pack members to listen, no matter

was not like

of you contributes to as a whole. Our strength lies in our numbers, so whether you know it or not, each of you lending a smidgen of your strength to your community, your family, was how we all escape the toughest of circumstances. We suffered

through the air, each member feeling rejuvenated and

as your guides, holding the legacy of the pack within their minds and their hearts. They’re young and sometimes a little hard-headed, but they’re more than fit to lead the next generation of werewolves into a new era that would go down in history. Give these fine gentlemen your well-wishes and gratitude, for they will take the first step into the roles they were born to fill. May the Moon Goddess serve us her

Mikos, and my pride and joy, Neron Prince, please come to the stage and accept

with thundering applause and cheers erupting from behind. The three men worked, trained, fought, and played together from childhood to adulthood. Each holds a special place in each other’s hearts and couldn’t agree more that they

Bronze respectively. It was to be placed on the ring finger of the successor’s right hand; the hand always placed over their heart. It was a sign of dedication, gratitude, and readiness to lead the pack in