Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 15 The Friend

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“Courage isn’t having the strength to go on – it’s going on when you don’t have strength.“– Napoleon Bonaparte.

Nikolai

I never thought I’d hear about the Zircon Moon Pack again. Unfortunately, there was a dark history between Jonathan and me with a fractured alliance between our packs. Our friendship shattered and we went about our ways. We’ve never been the same since. The last I spoke to Jonathan Prince was to give my condolences for the loss of his mate and daughter eight years ago.

Now, he reentered my life through a broken and abused pup. Never in my life would I’ve expected Jonathan to stoop so low as to torture one of his own, and a girl at that. How far had this man fallen?

I’m in my office at my desk, gazing out the window in deep thought as Lyra took her seat next to me. It had been a day since Halima arrived on my territory and to my surprise, she had agreed to stay. There was no chance in hell I was sending her back to Zircon Moon, especially with the news my mate revealed about her history. I was tempted to give the ol‘ bastard a call to give him a piece of my mind, but a hand on my shoulder from Lyra convinced me not to.

It was better to not let them know that Halima is still alive. They would surely force us to give her back and thus, take her to her execution. Casting the Mark of the Betrayer on her was unjust, it only serves to prologue her suffering until her death.

Losing your Luna and your daughter at the same time I’m sure was devastating. I’d surely fallen apart if I lost Lyra and Lyria, my daughter in such a horrific way. However, subjecting a pubescent girl to almost a decade of slavery and mistreatment for it cannot and would not bring back their lives.

Then again, pain and anger could make people do unspeakable things completely out of their character.

“There is nothing we can do about Zircon Moon.” I say to Lyra. “I don’t know how long it has been since Halima abandoned her pack, but what I do know is I rather keep her here, safe and alive. You say she’s a white

woll?”

“Yes, that is what she told me.”

Simply put, white wolves are avatars of our precious Moon Goddess. They hold a lot of power and are destined for greatness. “Teresa says it’s too dangerous for her to shift, given her current state. Only when she’s healthy enough, can she shift again.”

“It is a crime to abuse a child, but Jonathan has allowed the abuse to persist. Selene’s avatar should be protected, not broken.” I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “I don’t think I would ever understand how he could raise his hand to protect his pack and use that same hand to strike an innocent pup.”

“A wolf without his mate is not a pretty sight, an Alpha even more so,” Lyra explained, taking my hand into hers. A wolf who loses their mate doesn’t differ from a feral wolf. They lose their sanity. Many commit suicide after the loss. Some lucky ones were granted a second chance mate, but those who don’t grow mad over time. A mate was not just their destined lover, but the other half of their soul. Mates complete one another. And to rub salt in the wound, he lost his daughter. I sympathize with my former friend. That pain does not go away. However, that’s no excuse to hurt someone else.

That pain was an endless cycle where no one wins. Everyone perishes at some point.

soft kiss. “Yes, that is true. I hope one day he could see the errors of his actions.” Leaning my head back, I focus on more pressing matters. “So,

much debate.” My beloved chuckled, her smile was contagious. “Lyria tried to convince him to go darker, but he

Moon Goddess.”

child, the Alpha title will pass to him as opposed to his younger sister Lyria. But regardless, Lyria still had much command because of her Alpha blood. Now that Anthony had found his mate, it

me that it was ready for whenever she’s released from the pack

“Excellent.”

office. “Enter.” My Beta, Alan Seals stolid like a marbled

the threshold,

regarding the unoccupied land

well. We will prepare for his arrival

his arms. “Word has gotten around that we have a newcomer. And she’s a

Jacqueline over to cheer her up and

Alan’s stoic demeanor broke, running his hand through his coiffed black hair as his smile feigned nervousness. “She’s on her way there

Halima

have a goddamn tube down my

hospital was kind enough to give me, Dr. Nava suggested a feeding tube. I’ve lost too much weight,

my

of the feeding tube was uncomfortable. I coughed several times as the tube slid down from nose to my throat and finally my stomach. It was violating, but

me get to and from the bathroom. Despite being in a foreign place, I felt safe. Everyone here was doing their best to

medical staff.

nurses were so kind to give me. I’ve seen the women in Zircon

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The Friend

tall, had beautiful hair, baby faces, and

a tiny flab of fat only to be met with bone and tight skin. The women were skinny, for sure, but they had a healthy amount of fat on them. Their bones weren’t showing like how mine

I’d ever be beautiful like them.

from my magazine to see a girl, not much older than me, leaning against my door with her arms crossed. She wore a black tank top with tight blue denim shorts. She was about a shade darker than

She’s pretty!

were you.” The mysterious girl commented. “Humans are so superficial. Everything is air–brushed. Besides, there’s no one darker–complected in any

a seat next to me. “You’re the newcomer I

slowly, eyeing the girl suspiciously while setting my magazines on my

handled by the Deltas.” She offered her hand, but when