Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 10 – The Choice

“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.“– William Shakespeare

Halima

“Artemis!” A smile spread across my face as my wolf trotted toward me. I broke out into a run and hugged the big snout of my other half. Large and magnificent, Artemis was a thing of absolute beauty. As big as a horse, her

pure white fur glided through my palms like silk, and her soft tongue against my cheek was wet with drool. “I knew I’d see you again!”

“It’s great to see you too, Halima,” Artemis spoke through our mind–link. Her jaw didn’t move, but her sweet voice was clear as day. She affectionately nuzzled her snout into my belly, her enormous tail wagging in excitement behind her. Gosh, she was so cute! I peered into her eyes, noticing they were a bright, piercing blue. It was strange to never see the eyes of your wolf before, but mirrors weren’t exactly my best friends when I was alive. As I pet her ears, I noticed something else. There was a glowing silver patch on her forehead, shaped like a crescent moon.

I petted the crescent mark, and she purred, eyes fluttering close. I smiled widely and planted a soft kiss on her snout, resting my head on it.

“That feels nice.”

“I hope it does.”

Selene laughed behind me, walking toward us. “Wolves are in their physical form when passing to their final resting place. Just as you both were together in life and death; you’re together in the afterlife as well. How

does this feel?”

“It feels great.” I sniffled. “I’m glad to have Art by my side. We really are in this together, aren’t we?”

Artemis and I spent another moment together before turning back to the goddess. She waved her hand to the space next to her and a bench made of what I believe to be a moon rock rose from the ground. She took a seat and patted the empty one next to her, motioning for me to sit. Artemis rested her head on my lap once I took my seat, huffing silently.

“Why was I blessed with a white wolf?” I asked suddenly, scratching behind my wolf’s ears. “My, um…parents, have red and brown wolves. Raina is also a red wolf. Where, in my werewolf genetics, did white come from?”

“That’s because it didn’t come from your genetics. I’m responsible for that.” Selene chuckled, also scratching behind Artemis’s ears. The pretty wolf loved the pampering she was getting, judging by the powerful gusts of wind her wagging tail was making. “White wolves are rare for a reason. A white wolf is made in the image of the Moon Goddess and serves as her avatar–both her sacred child and her representative on Earth. They are born once every century, destined to carry my message to all werewolves. I believe in acceptance, love, peace, and harmony. Many are not lucky to ever see a white wolf, but if they do, they know that I have blessed them and their pack with protection.”

“Um…” Heat rose to my cheeks as I thought of how to plan my next words. “I don’t mean to be rude, Selene, but…if I’m your avatar…you didn’t do a good job at designing me. I look nothing like you. Have you noticed how dark my skin is?”

Selene burst into laughter, pressing her hands on her chest. The heat on my cheeks intensified, wondering if 1

Chapter 10- The Choice

thoroughly embarrassed myself in front of the werewolves‘ multron god. I died inside; no pun intended. There was a eulogy and everything.

“You have it wrong, dear. Your human looks have nothing to do with it. In fact, all my previous avatars look nothing like me. It was for your protection! It is only when you stiff does one see the avatar of Selene. White wolves are powerful, more than the average wolf. You and Artemis are bound for life, death, and everything after. You’re a white wolf because I have chosen you. After all, you were hom to do derful things. Magnificent things! Your true self was to be cultivated and only them could you fulfill your destiny to bring peace.”

I sighed heavily, feeling Artemis shift on my lap. “I’m sorry that it didn’t come to fruition. Being beaten and condemned to servitude didn’t really help in ‘finding my destiny. I leaned back on the bench. “I’m sure my former pack is more than happy to get rid of me–wait!” I shot back up,, my thoughts pulling puzzle pieces together left and right. “White wolves help protect the pack they are born inon, right?”

“Yes.” Selene nodded. “White wolves have a direct connection to me; thus, the presence protects their community. Think of it as a silent guardian.”

Alpha Jonathan kept me alive all these years. It wasn’t just to deum his filthy floors. He kept me around to protect the pack. Rogue attacks vanished completely only after I shifted, and the pack grew prosperous. I was more than just a slave. He selfishly kept me around just to leech off Selene’s protection, and yet, he failed to protect me from the threats that lay inside the pock

disinin for Zircon Moon was limitless. He should’ve disobeyed the laws and killed me before I reached shifting age. But alphas work for the betterment of the pack.

every right to be. What your family did is unforgottle. By my word,

shouted, anger twisting in my chest. “They ruined my life! The best thing about all this is that I never have to face them again.” Sucking in a deep breath, I squashed my anger and turn back to the prior conversation.. “You said all wolves meet you here before they pass into heaven. Does that mean…”

Luna, her wolf Ashia, and her daughter are beyond the gates of Heaven together. They are doing well if you’re wondering about that. Nuria had grown to be a lovely woman. Her waiff Amgulika

Artemis looked up at me and bumped her nose into my arm, her way of asking if I was okay. “I’m okay.

gates of Heaven don’t return

I’ll see them when I get through the

in her pale feet. The surrounding atmosphere changed from serene to tense. Artemis noticed the change, now sitting upright on her rear next to me. She towered

me?”

Selene revealed, her tone laced with seriousness. “You are to return to Earth.”

ה

unexpected inuws.

lips into a smart. “No. Absolutely not. I’m not going back

but you must. You

for

it out of maliciousness, my

Artemis reached over and rubbed her

“Let’s hear what

But…

I

my solis quieting She knew exactly how no calm me down. My wolf was my security

I sniffled. “Explain, please.”

it.” She slinvily brought the bot of us davm to sit again. “You have not fulfilled your purpose on Earth. I was not joking, when said you are menni tao dio great things. Yes, you’ve died. Your death is one to cause a systemic change that history had! failed to mymize. Your death

whimpered again, my body trembling at the thought of returning to a world filled with monster in human festh. It made me want to crawl into a hole and never come out. I kneeled from the bench to hugm wall, feeling her trombling fear. Our old life terrified

in the rough, a rare find. The world is a cruel place, and you will face many obstacles and adversities at all angles. It’s not a question of whether you can

down my spine. “There shouldn’t be so many

They all can come at once, hitt you cannot

to go back” Artemis asked Selene, bowing her head. “What would

don’t?”

to hurt you. I care about you, Elimu. You are my sacred child. I hold

I’d be back here faster than I could blink. The other half of me wanted to go back. I wanted to see the better life that I could have gotten; the life I rightfully deserved. But what was the better choice? Am I that important that the Moon Goddess would defy the will

herself. She was doing this for me. Selene saw something in me

to Artemis, unable to battle the internal conflict of my own “What do you think?”

terrified, just like you. There is no telling what may or may not happen to us when we go back. But if there is a better life, and we have a greater purpose in life than in death…then I want to see it.

thought about my choices, weighing the pros and cons of every situation I

deal with them. I’m returning you to Earth, not your birth

made my decision a lot easier. Sighing once again, I take both of Selene’s hands

“Go on.”

my mate has rejected me.”

“Yes, I know.”