Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 20 – The Recovery

“You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.“– William Faulkner

Halima–Two Months Later

I stand on the mechanical medical scale in my patient room, watching the beam tilt and lean to get an exact measure of my weight. Dr. Nava slid the calibration bars from left to right until the beam stills. I weighed just above 120 pounds, which was one hell of an improvement from my ghastly 97 pounds two months earlier. I should celebrate, but I was not out of the woods yet. I was still slightly underweight by werewolf standards. However, Dr. Nava says that my physical recovery was going better than she had expected. Because of my werewolf DNA, I’ll recover a lot faster than the average human.

A smile crept across my face; a sense of accomplishment rushed over me. I was thrilled with my weight gain; it meant I was getting better! When I look in the mirror nowadays, I was not as skinny as I used to be. The indentations of my bones were disappearing, and I was gaining more body fat, which means I didn’t have to wear hoodies or baggy clothes to keep me warm. That’s tortuous considering we’re in the middle of summer. The wound on the back of my head healed two weeks ago and Jackie had been helping me with my hair growth journey to make up for lost length.

Because of my rapid improvement, Dr. Nava wanted to remove the feeding tube. Dr. Jones, my nutritionist, was also on board with the decision. I must admit, I was nervous about getting off the tube. I’ve grown used to the dumb thing, and I was worried the effort would be all for nothing. What if I still couldn’t swallow? What if I end up vomiting my food again?

Regardless of my internal protests, it was removed. And it felt so gross.

I’ve also been seeing my psychiatrist and psychotherapist. It hasn’t all been sunshine and rainbows. My nightmares about Zircon Moon have been plaguing me every night to the point I wake up in a cold sweat, thinking I was back in that dingy cell. The angry faces of my family and pack members were extremely vivid, but sometimes the nightmares cast their faces in an ominous shadow so I wouldn’t know who was sneering at me or hitting me.

The worst nightmares were Neron and his father beating me to death. They call me names, damn me to hell, and pummel me with their fists and feet repeatedly. I couldn’t go back to sleep after that. My mind, when asleep, often slips into the black trenches, picking what memory to torment me with. A full night’s sleep was a luxury. It was only after my nightmares with that one guard who raped me surfaced that I was prompted to have sessions with Mayra twice a week as opposed to once a week.

Dr. Khan had diagnosed me with Post–Traumatic Stress Disorder alongside depression. The diagnosis came to no surprise, for I was a walking trauma tank. I was still debating whether to go on medication, but I was glad I have the option to choose.

Besides that, I’ve grown closer with some members of Garnet Moon. I was proud to call Jackie one of my closest friends, but Artemis will always be my number one. I haven’t seen Dwayne much since he was often accompanying his father to other pack territories for Beta business, but I was glad to have a friend like him

around.

Anthony and I were also good friends, and I finally had the chance to meet his mate, Alesia. Tall, Latina with luscious long auburn hair, olive–brown eyes, a fierce warrior–she had all the makings to be a wonderful Luna. I’ve seen her train and fight with the warriors and Deltas, and I must say, I wouldn’t want to have her as my

Huviin 20 – The Tenusmy

oppement. She could lay five men down on their backs without breaking a sweat while I wanch in complete awe. I aspire to be like her one day.

out. As for clothes or if she was bored, she goes on shopping trips and she drugs

some strawberries on am avocado toast because I heard it was extremely popular with humans and I wanted to try it. This would be the first food I’ve eaten since my doctor removed the feeding tube. I had nerves on top of

see Jackie, sporting a sports bra and matching leggings. rummaging through the fridge. Judging by the sweat rolling down her shoulders, she’d just come from training. “First it’s with the humans

Omega Cleo replied nonchalantly, removing the core. “What do

fine.” The woman pulled out a clear, cold bottle of water. “I was looking for this!” Guzzling the contents down, she

than a popped balloon. “Dr. Nava gave me the green light to attempt eating on my own. I’m hoping nothing goes wrong.” I shrugged. “Having the tube was fine. but I miss

me a side hug. I instantly cringed, feeling her sticky, smelly sweat.

Go take a

out to the front yard to continue training. Not long after, Lyra came in, her hanel lights lighting

me kindly too, acting as my missing father figure. His hugs were as warm as embers in a fireplace and his compassion never failed to make me feel safe in his presence. I’d seek him out when I have internal conflicts, like joining the pack. He assured me he was a patient man and would wait for my answer, no matter how long it took. Knowing my hesitation with strangers, be reminds me ahead of time, taking that extra length to make me feel

smile. “Did

the bright pink hue on. ber cheeks. And Cleo shoots a very knowing look. It didn’t take me long to put two

24

Chapter 20–The Recovery

fresh orange juice. I gulped, gazing at my food with a thin–lined smile, unsure of how to proceed. Picking up the piece of toast, I look for the best corner for my

like a

any adverse

savoring the combination of sweet, buttery, and crunchy. The sweet taste of strawberry exploded in my mouth, with the nutty avocado flavor accompanying it. The chia seeds were

before settling down. I sat, expecting the usual wave of nausea to hit me, but it didn’t. I drank a bit of the

eat like a normal person again! Cleo clapped for me and Lyra hugged me with uncontained, powerful love. Two months on a feeding tube finally

on my back. “This is ant amazing accomplishment! But we still have to follow your nutrition plan until the coast is clear.”

just feels good

older woman, arising from Italy. She usually ties her blond hair in a ponytail and her pale green eyes hold love

hose, sending me into a coughing fit. Immediately, Lyra patted my back to calm me

“Since Anthony is mated with Alesia, we thought it’d be good to have the ceremony where not only he selects his new Beta and Gamma, but Alesia

Anthony and Alesia were destined for the throne. How could I have forgotten? Next Saturday is a full moon. An icy chill swam down my spine, and a dull ache encompassed the

terrified.

should go,” I admit sadly. “I might mess it up.”

toward my shoulder where