Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 21 The Decisions

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“Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimism is a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice. Respect is a choice. Whatever choice you make makes you. Choose wisely.“–Roy T. Bennett

Halima

I’m now laying in my bed, looking up at the ceiling. Nightfall had made its appearance, immersing the territory in darkness. Up above, the half–moon and its twinkling stars serve as our only illumination. The distant chatter of wolves and their late–night rendezvous echoed in my eardrums, but I didn’t pay attention to it. My mind’s stuck on my therapy session today with Mayra.

1 spilled everything from my fears to my desires. It took me two months to get used to speaking to a stranger due to fear and judgment. But Mayra had been nothing but open and warm, allowing me to gradually come out of my shell. Just like the others, she, too, recommended that I make my decision on whether to attend the ceremony. That’s the power I have over the situation, and no one would judge me for it. The entire time, she reassured me I was not a walking disaster warning, if anything goes astray, I shouldn’t take the blame for it.

I roll on my side, resting my arm under my pillow. Why was this so hard? It feels like two strings were pulling me, one to the light and the other to darkness. Sometimes, the pull into the darkness was stronger. It was seductive, cloaking me in a blanket, leading me to believe I was better off dead. But in others, the light was stronger. The light was warm, but also foreign. It was something I’ve never felt before, and it was scary–but now I have people around me pushing me forward to heal.

But It’s a battle where I feel unequipped to fight.

“Are you going to go to the ceremony?” Artemis spoke through our mind–link. It was always nice to hear her voice, she helped to fight the demons in my mind since we’re both in this together.

“I want to,” I answer back, shutting my eyes to envision my beautiful wolf. Big and majestic as ever, I needed to let her out once I’m okay, “I’m scared. My mind is coming up with all these scenarios that could go wrong if I show up.”

“I know. I can see them, and they aren’t pretty.” Artemis trotted closer to me, sitting on her hind end. “I, too, wish things were easier. But, just as Mayra said, we’re dealing with many traumatic experiences, so our brain is wired differently. We expect the worst in everything and hide, hoping things go right.”

admit with a self–deprecating sigh. “I want to be strong. Artemis. I’m so sick and tired of being weak and scared of my shadow. I look around and see all these powerful wolves, happy and living life.

there, and we didn’t have a choice. That wasn’t our fault. But what is our responsibility is when and how we get back up. Fighting is hard. You said so yourself. But no one ever said that recovery is easy. It’s a long, hard, and treacherous journey.

ponder in thought for a little, feeling the weight of Artemis’s words.

up on a few things during your sessions.” Artemis shrugged. “It’s a process, Halima. Taking back the power that has been stolen from us is a process. But

1/3

was right. Her words lit a deep fire within me I didn’t know was there. I rather–no, want to live in the light.

supportive. I want to be a part of something that brought in a broken girl

made my decision, or rather,

This was my first cell phone, and it had taken me time to

shopping tomorrow? I want to find a

seconds. “I got a couple of styles in mind that would fit you! Meet me in the common room tomorrow

see you then. Goodnight

as I changed into my cherry red nightgown. Shutting off the lights, it bathes my room in comfortable

hear you correctly? You

my office. There was a small smile on her face, and she looked bealthier than I’d ev

tube. I feel relieved,

too risky to request for it without jeopardizing her safety. I was betting on the fact that they

mind told me the would accept the offer, though I didn’t expect it to be so soon. I felt as though Halima would make a great addition to Garnet Moon, not the fact she was a white

desk. “You will go through a bonding ritual that ties you to the pack. You will have the Pack Mark branded on you

“H–How would

“I promise it is not as barbaric as you think it is. I’ve done hundreds of bindings since I became Alpha. It will appear once

makes a lot more sense.” She answered with an anxious laugh, running her hand through her tight curls. “Um. When will the ritual happen?”