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—”

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

tapped him on the shoulder. “What’s on

mother’s failed attempts to make him sit still. “All of us should be in here, celebrating this monumental time. She’s just

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

the best we could to prove her innocence, but it is difficult.” His voice dropped to a whisper, to where only his table could hear him. “Tracking down those rogues had taken years. They have grown cunning over the decade, but we won’t give up. Halima

youngest son’s, Adama, hair. “I fear she might not live to see her next birthday. Her only solace is escaping from this pack. She

have faith for her better days. We will draw closer to bringing enough

way they treated

surrounding mood. At the designated Alpha table, the mood was befitting of kids’ play. Odessa and Neron were playing footsie as Alpha Jonathan had a brief

that after the ceremony,” He grunted, snapping his

Neron smiled, his voice brimming with confidence. Odessa gripped his knee to grab his attention. Wearing a baby pink, strapless dress made Neron hot underneath his suit. His love looked so beautiful,

bellowed in his mind. “We’re about to be king of the pack and

so, Onyx?” Neron

pretty. Big whoop. We both know

to 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. Wolf and human balance each other as yin with yang. Regardless, whether they like it or not, whatever personality the wolves adopt was merely one-half of the complete picture.

The hall had a lot of echo and space, so it was easy for all pack members

like werewolves needed microphones,

Jonathan’s booming voice pierced through the silence. “I welcome you all to this monumental occasion, the Passage of the Alpha ceremony! It has been a long time coming for the next generation to assume their roles as your new Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. This pack holds the pride and strength that each 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 substantial challenges and hardships as a community that we’re all accustomed to, but we all emerged stronger than

member feeling rejuvenated and jovial to be part of such an

would serve 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 blessings and bathe these young men in her protection and her love

chosen successors. Kwame Dubois, Valerian Mikos, and

the stage 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

that marks their rank. They had passed each ring down to future leaders, one generation after another. Gold, Silver, and 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