Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 26 The Regret

“If only. Those must be the two saddest words in the world.“– Mercedes Lackey

Kiya

Before long, the men showed up at our apartment with bags full of Chinese takeout. The wafting smell of chicken dumplings and shrimp chow mein made me drool instantly. Settling on the couches, we all dug in as Darien flipped through the channels for something good to watch.

“How have things been back home?” Sapphire asked, eating a crab rangoon.

“Hectic, but it’s quieting down,” Darien replied. The seriousness of his voice did not match the pleasurable expression on his face as he took a bite out of his orange chicken. “More of our best warriors are deployed to help packs affected by the recent rogue attacks.”

“What’s the damage this time around?”

“A smaller pack in Utah is completely decimated. The warriors sent there are doing damage control and giving supplies to the families affected.”

My heart wept for the families displaced by the violence, especially the children. Rogue attacks have been increasing at an alarming rate, last I heard. They’ve been getting stronger too. Many of the attacks were situated around our cluster of states, including Nevada, Utah, and northern New Mexico. Oregon’s packs got hit hard too.

“Alpha Anthony is doing a good job at delegating who goes where and distributing supplies and aid. Some warriors returned earlier this morning. But I’m afraid more packs have already fallen. We might expect an influx of refugees within the week.”

I ponder deep in thought, a dumpling hanging in my mouth. Our pack would increase in size, for sure, but this shouldn’t be happening. The spontaneous rising of rogues in our states is concerning, especially since rogue attacks haven’t happened near Garnet Moon in a few years. However, with the sudden increase, every Alpha in the Tri–state area should be on edge, especially my big brother.

‘Sorry to put a damper on the mood.” Galen chuckled nervously. He slurped his noodles, involuntarily making the rest of us cringe like we ate lemons. “But the Alpha and Luna are awaiting your returns.”

“Hasn’t been the same with one of our best Deltas missing,” Darien smirked, looking at me. “Are you sure you want to miss training for boring classes every year?”

“I

may have missed four months‘ worth of training, but I could still kick your ass.” I narrow my eyes at his blue, a smirk rising on my face. “Want a demonstration, my friend?”

Darien’s eyes widened a bit before he snorted. “Eager to get back to training, huh?”

to get back into the training regime.” 1 kicked a leg up over the armrest. “College is fun and all, but I miss my

and cutest puppy dog eyes. It is his way of getting me to surrender into his adorableness. He had such a

with my fellow Deltas. Darien and Galen have been best friends since diapers, and yet, they couldn’t be any more different from each other.

wait to get back

could with the colorful miscellany of suitcases and bags threatening to burst. Bidding farewell to the apartment I called home for the fall and spring

he

more screeching than

Neron

earth and decay drifted across my nose, a vicious insult to my sense of smell.

off my territory, leaving a row of rotting blood to mark their exit. My eyes darted to the pack of medics either bandaging up soldiers or carrying the critical ones to our

had become a sight that I was forced

lives lost today. The pain–laced wails of mates losing their other half locked my heart in a vice grip, squeezing painfully. Children begging to see their fathers and mothers, ignorant to the fact they’re no longer on this earth. It’s a heartbreaking scene I prayed to the Moon Goddess to never witness In

many casualties this time around?” I asked Valerian, my faithful Beta. His sigh alone from behind me is enough

Pack members? Luck is on our side

voice coming out harsher than expected. “Honorable wolves still died. And for what? A bunch of dirty mongrels looking to cause havoc.”

attacks have been increasing over the past several years on Zircon Moon territory. I wish I could say we were victorious in every battle, but I would be lying. We lose lives in each encounter, and the rogues grow smarter and stronger with each appearance. Death is a failure, and that failure is on me and me alone. I am the Alpha, and yet, my people continuously die for nothing. My soldiers died protecting the pack they love, but I wish the price paid for victory isn’t their

consider asking for help,” Valerian suggested. Asking

hit by this disaster. Several packs have fallen in complete

help. I cannot stomach more families losing their loved ones.

turning my head to my friend. “What’s the latest on Kwame’s reports?”

uric these

working on it. Tracking down rogues is difficult, especially with how abnormally strategic mutts have become. It is as if they are being trained by someone, and Kwame is having a tough challenge tracking the bastard responsible.” He huffs out

clear on his face. Unlike me, Valerian had twice as much to worry about. These rogue attacks had always put him on edge. The threats become more real when you have a family to protect. I clench his shoulder gently,

to VON E

wife,” I ordered. “Your son needs

“But…”

he needs this. He needs to unwind and relax, knowing his wife and son were all right. To know that

much as I appreciate both Valerian and Raina’s help in improving this rogue situation, their family comes first. Little Adonis needed both his parents, a rogue attack is terrifying to pups,