Untouchable by Marii Solaria

“Fear cuts deeper than swords.” — George R.R. Martin

Third Person POV

The Grand Feast went off without a hitch. The Omegas brought out decadent dishes of all sorts to all the pack members, serving each a hearty amount. After the new crowning of their trio of leaders, everyone was more than ready to celebrate properly. The mingle of conversation echoed in the air as delicious food-filled bellies and the children had time to play with one another. The Omegas took a break from serving and joined their fellow brothers and sisters at their table to dig into the artistry of their cooking. Kwame and his family bonded closer now that their oldest son was officially instated as Gamma. Adama gave his well-wishes and that once he grows up, he would take over as Gamma. The new Gamma couldn’t be happier.

Raina congratulated Valerian with peppering kisses on his face and pats on the back from the former Beta. He vowed to serve the Beta title honorably now that Raina was officially the Beta Female. Typically, the Beta title was passed down from parent to the oldest child, but Raina did not want the official title. Since Valerian was her mate, the title went to him. Steven and Ashley could retire easily, knowing the new Beta and Beta Female would fulfill their duties with grace.

Odessa couldn’t be more excited when her Alpha returned to her with open arms. It meant she was one step closer to becoming his Luna; mates be damned. Peppered with many kisses from his little lady, Neron felt like a new man. Now officially recognized as Alpha, he knew that turbulence comes with being an Alpha, and he was more than ready to face those troubles head-on. Everything seemed to fall into place.

The keyword being seemed.

Back in the kitchen, d*rty dishes flew in from all directions. If Halima finished with two dishes, ten more appeared. Ordered to work fast, Halima scrubbed hard with little enthusiasm. Dessert was to be served and they cannot serve dessert without clean dishes, the Omegas would say. Exhaustion overtook her faster than her mind could process, desperate for sleep. But none would leave her be until the celebration had ceased. Her arms and hands were on autopilot while her body worked against the constant exertion of energy. The delicious scent of the food was killing her as her stomach grumbled with need.

“Hurry Racoon, we don’t have all night!” One Omega, Samantha, screeched in her ear. Samantha was one of the brattier Omegas, exhibiting her true ugliness to the slave only while everyone else revered her as a walking angel. The Omega ‘accidentally’ bumped Halima’s arm, causing the water to spill on her raggedy dress. Amused, Samantha departed with the dishes in her hands. The kitchen was empty momentarily, serving as Halima’s isolation from the celebration. The slave eyed the running water from the tap, her throat suddenly parched.

In a moment of weakness, her head leaned in and took in several gulps of water. The water soothed her scratchy throat and her small stomach filled with the slightly metallic-tasting water, unable to take much more. She trained her body to run on extremely low food and water and taking in too much would make her vomit everything she risked putting in her stomach. The girl did not want to risk any punishments tonight.

“How do you feel, Artemis?”

“Not great, but the water helped.” Her wolf responded; her voice gentle. “It’s better than nothing.”

A small smile graced Halima’s lips as she wiped them and continued working. She felt slightly better with the water, but her stomach still demanded food. Food that she would never get. She forced her mind to push out the hunger thoughts so it would no longer bother her. After all the dishes were cleaned and taken back to the assembly hall, Halima sat in her little spot and awaited her next orders.

The humans say that laughter was contagious, but despite hearing so much, she felt nothing. Her heart stilled, rigid and cold. How could a pack that takes their honor and pride seriously turn around and break her down? That was what she never understood. If only there was a way to make the pack, see her truly and listen to what she had to say…

An enormous rubber basket slammed on the ground, startling her out of her thoughts. Fearful brown eyes looked up to see Lead Omega Cassandra leaning over her with her fists on her hips. “Go collect the dishes. The Omegas and I are tired.”

“Collect the dishes…in there?” Halima’s eyes looked at the assembly hall doors. Fear rolled off her flesh faster than she could blink. She couldn’t go in there! For once, against all the orders given to her, the girl refused. Shaking her head rapidly, she cowered away from Cassandra.

Groaning in annoyance, Cassandra gripped Halima’s bony arm painfully, forcing her up on her bare feet. “I don’t have time to repeat myself, but since you’re so hard of hearing, I will.” She thrust the basket into Halima’s chest, nearly pushing the girl over.

f**king dishes! Unless you want the

fear propelled Halima forward to do her job, despite her internal protests. Like her fear, the burns of her anxiety rolled into her stomach. Her heart palpitated, stress gripping her. Nausea plagued her stomach, pushing her to vomit the water she had just consumed, but she held it in. Her

her wolf desperately. Tears slid down her cheeks in rapid succession, dripping on her dress.

Artemis responded thoughtfully. “Allow me to take control, and I’ll get us in and out of there as fast as I can. You don’t have to

for me? This is the first time you

so will I.” If Artemis was physically next to her, Halima would feel her snout nuzzle into her side.

“O-okay. Thank you, Arty.”

welcome. And don’t

Artemis

I gagged.

jumble of smells was awful. Werewolves, perfume, food, dessert, and so much more made for an even worse combination than what I sniffed earlier today. How could anyone

round of abuse we receive should be punishable by wolf law. I was confident that the former Alpha hid our existence so that he and the pack could continue to hurt us. Corruption

stood no chance at the expensive clothes and shoes each person was wearing.

I expected. Conversations at the tables died as soon as I arrived. I nearly got stabbed in the hand with many knives and forks from bratty teenagers and angry adults alike. It was as if merely acting as their maid and picking up after themselves was an insult. My very presence was an

there. I’ve heard them all. Bitch, worthless slave, murderer, mongrel, and everything else in between. For a mighty pack, they could benefit from expanding their vocabulary. Tell me

heavy thing on my non-existent hip as I continued forward to collect more of their filthy plates. I could already feel a bruise coming on, but I couldn’t do a thing about

His scent overwhelmed my senses as I grew

of this connection? I collected the plates from the Gamma table, ignoring their sympathetic stares at me. Did they feel

Beta table, working as fast as I could. I could feel Halima’s pain as she sensed our family. The family that had abandoned us and turned us over to become the slave of the pack. I wanted nothing more but to rip their throats out for forsaking us, but I knew

belong to her! It isn’t fair! An extremely low, near-silent growl rumbled in my chest as I hesitated. If I was closer, his scent

on my hip pressed firmly against my flesh in protest, forcing me to hurry with my task. I partially dissociated from reality as I got to the table. Faster

One. Huge. Mistake.

my arm brushed against Neron’s. Light as a feather, yet still present. Sparks shot between our connection. For the first time, the touch of gentleness brought forth the truth of the link between us. I couldn’t feel it with the violent touches, but now it brought forth a new terror that rocked my body.

say in a small

I replied

out of control of Halima’s body. I was once again in the backseat as she assumed full control.

sorry that I kept

Halima