Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 11 The Rebirth

“There comes a time in your life when you have to choose to turn the page, write another book or simply close it.” -Shannon L. Alder

Halima Back on Earth

Babble and burble of a brook echoed in my ears, intermingling with the distant chirping of baby birds. The scent of mud and earth tickled my nose, slowly drawing my consciousness to the limelight. Pain seared throughout my body, my wet dress only adding to my agony. My eyelids lifted and my vision cleared to a small blue jay perched in front of me, peering at me curiously.

I was no longer in the Realm of the Moon Goddess. I was back on Earth. Unfortunately, I was cold, wet, and hungry, but I was alive. The blue jay flew away when I moved my head, retreating to its family up in the trees. My body jerked forward violently as I fell into a coughing fit, heaving river water out of my lungs. I pushed myself off the large rock, I was splayed over and looked around at my unfamiliar surroundings.

The mountains stood quietly in the distance, their sharp peaks blending with the cerulean sky. Stretching below were endless miles of lush green trees shielding my eyes from the orange sun on the horizon. Spots of gold light shone through the gaps of the leaves dotting the forest floor beneath my bony knees. Beside me was a riverbank lined with mud and greenery, staining the bottom hems of my raggedy dress. The diamond–clear water eroded the rocks in its under wash, carrying pieces of the earth downstream.

It took me a moment to realize just how far I’d drifted from Zircon Moon territory. The pack lived a distance away from the cliff, so it was no surprise that I wound up so far. I sniffed the air for a familiar scent, but there was none. Nothing from Zircon Moon. I didn’t sense a fellow wolf nearby. I was alone from all angles of the near–empty forest.

Iv

I was packless, mateless, and branded. I was officially a rogue, and I never felt so free.

in an unfamiliar place. Anything could happen to me here. But that

and the slash on my shoulder blade still stung. Despite being alone in the physical,

our mind–link.

Hali.

do now?” I asked, scared. “Selene sent us back, but now we have to

idea,” Artemis warned. “Your body is very weak. Shifting might

to Selene, and that’ll defeat the purpose of sending me back here. in the first place. I walked downstream along the river, wondering if it would lead me somewhere safe. While walking, I thought about what the Moon

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11 – The

in the arms of their mother. I’d forgotten whattamusther’s love felt like, and yet, Selene awoke those. old feelings back from the depths of

in the distance. It was small but secluded enough in the deep trenches of nature. I could only hope that it was empty. Willing toward it, I took in

of rocks and dirt.

my bruised