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

having

first. Then we can figure out what to do

us in. We drive slowly through the snake–like path of redwood trees, their scent bringing me

training, weapon training, and 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

humans, but we were more

on the knee to wake her up. She wakes up in a startled scream, her eyes registering fear and confusion. It’s only after a minute does she realize where she is, or

She asks me

are now on the territory of the Garnet Moon Pack, the pack of warriors.” Nikolai answered, unbuckling his seatbelt. Halima’s eyes widened at the explanation, her

Moon 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

Some are hardheaded, like my son Anthony. Lord knows 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 how

the extent of your

in her seat, eyes cast down to her lap, the fear potent in her scent. “D–do I have to?”

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

“Okay.”

some hesitation. Exiting the garage, my husband and I passed through the warrior training grounds to the pack hospital. Some warriors stopped to spare a glance at the

13- The Gamet

the trembling girl. “They must wonder what a rogue is doing on

“I’m sorry…

You did nothing wrong,

wolves with their mates at their side, and the elderly. In the pediatric unit, we

hanging around her neck, giving her clipboard to our charge nurse. Ebony hair tied high in a ponytail and thick–rimmed glasses resting on her nose, her blue eyes. sparkled once we’re spotted. “My Alpha. My

won’t hurt you. I promise.” I took a moment to realize just how short Halima is. Werewolves, on average, were

you. I want to examine you so we could get a sense of your state of health.” She held out a hand. “Will you come with me?”

Nava’s outstretched palm for a moment before looking

be alone,

you were with me.” Her bony hands clenched mine tight.

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