Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 13 – The Garnet Moon Pack

“No one knows for certain how much impact they have on the lives of other people. Oftentimes, we have no clue. Yet we push it just the same.” – Jay Asher, Thirteen Reasons Why

Lyra

I’ve never expected that I would cut a road trip getaway with my husband short when encountering a broken pup.

Von

I spare glances at Halima from the rear–view mirror, curled tightly in my denim jacket. It did nothing to cover the bruises and cuts that littered her legs, starkly standing out from her brown skin. Many of her bruises look months old, never having the chance to heal properly. Her curly hair littered and matted with dirt, leaves and other scum lay her head. I faintly spot an open wound on the back of her head, barely obscured by her hair. My heart breaks the more I look at her, vulnerable and broken to the world. What evil people could stomach hurting this poor girl? I don’t know if it’s my motherly instinct, but I felt an overwhelming sense to protect this girl. The terrified look in her brown eyes when I first met her back on the road reminds me of the battered women and children Nikolai and I welcome into our pack for safety.

They all have that same look in their eyes, fear, hopelessness, and torment.

“Honey.” My husband’s sweet voice drew me out of my thoughts. His deep amber, almost golden eyes feld mine through the mirror. “We should take Halima to Dr. Nava for examination. It would tell us a better story of what she went through. Something tells me a female doctor is better suited for this.”

Teresa Nava was one of our best pack doctors. Passionate, informative, and open, she oozes warmth and security. Many of our wolves who seek her treatment come out with smiles on their faces. She helped deliver many pups alongside her husband and mate, Diego Nava. They work harmoniously inside our medical office, providing optimal care to the entire pack.

“I agree.” I sigh. “What pack do you think she came from?”

“It’s hard to tell.” Nikolai huffed. “She holds a rogue scent, and we found her far from any known pack territory. But her rogue scent is fresh, which means it hasn’t been long since she went rogue. Judging by her bruises and how skinny she is, she didn’t have much of a choice.”

That made sense. Many have gone rogue for years to a few months, to a few days and it’s all based on how fresh the scent was. Recent rogues have a fresh, potent scent. Long–time rogues‘ scent was just as potent, but it’s not fresh at all. The car continues to speed down the open road, bumping into a few potholes along the way. I glance back at Halima to see she was still asleep.

“There is something special about her,” I say with a smile. “Can you sense it? Something deep. Very few wolves have this unique aura around them.”

“I can.” My husband nodded. “As if she’s blessed with an extraordinary gift. When she is up to talking, she could tell us more about where she came from.”

“She needs to feel safe, first,” I added. “I don’t think Halima has felt safe in a long time.” I ponder in thought for a moment. “She looks like she’s about Lyria’s age, or younger. Probably younger.”

“Goddess, that would mean she is barely eighteen.” He growled, gripping the steering wheel tight to where his knuckles flashed white. “She’s a baby! Once I find the pack that did this to her-!”

1/4

– The Games Moon

his large hand. Instantly, my touch calmed Nikolai down. That’s one benefit of having a mate bond,

first. Then we can figure out what

we reach the stone gates of the Garnet Moon Pack. My husband signals for the guards to let us in. We drive slowly through the snake–like path of redwood trees, their scent bringing me internal pleasantries. As we drew closer to the pack grounds, the

hand–to–hand combat. I was proud to say that our wolves were near unbeatable. We train to protect, fight, and serve. We occasionally send our warriors to neighboring packs if they need help. Any wolf seeking protection knows that the safest place for them to be was Garnet Moon, hence why we have many children

but we were more like

full stop. Leaning over, I gently tap Halima on the knee to wake her up. She wakes up in a startled

She asks me

territory of the Garnet Moon Pack, the pack of warriors.” Nikolai answered, unbuckling

before.” She admits, gripping my denim jacket for dear life. She took a deep whiff of it, my scent helping to calm her down. I couldn’t help but smile fondly. It brought me joy. The sounds from the lawn captured her attention, looking out the rear window. “Are your

how he’ll be once he is alpha 1 chuckled. “Halima, we’re going to take you to the pack doctor to get you checked out. We want to know

extent

lap, the fear potent in her scent. “D–do I have

ready for, but I highly recommend it. What do you say?” Halima went silent for

“Okay.”

training grounds to the pack hospital. Some warriors stopped to spare a glance at the newcomer,

13- The Gamet Moon

a rogue is doing on their territory. It has been a while since we had one

“I’m sorry…

did nothing wrong,

were taken up by warrior wolves, some wolves with their mates at their side, and the elderly. In

with a stethoscope hanging around her neck, giving her clipboard to our charge nurse. Ebony hair tied high in a ponytail and

back. “Halima, this is Dr. Nava, one of our most trusted physicians. She won’t hurt you. I promise.” I took a moment to realize just how short Halima is. Werewolves, on average,

I’m here to help you. I want to examine you so we could get

her. She stared at Dr. Nava’s outstretched palm for a moment before looking up at me. “Could you stay

be

with me.” Her bony hands clenched mine

at the thought of Halima already trusting me. The look in her eyes was pitiful, exposed. It sigh, looking at my husband who knows what I was about to

on my