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?”

question. But if you must ask, yes. I’m ready to get back into the training regime.” 1 kicked a leg up over the armrest. “College is fun and all, but I miss my family

us?” Galen mustered the biggest and cutest puppy dog eyes. It is his way of getting me to surrender into his adorableness. He

my fellow Deltas. Darien and Galen have been best friends since diapers,

I couldn’t wait to get back

We pack the back like a sardine 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 semesters, we

sheer volume alone, and that he was a huge fan of Blackpink. It’s not right to not sing along to such amazing songs, and so, much to Darien’s dismay, the three

we did more screeching than

Neron

pungent scent of rotting earth and decay drifted across my nose, a vicious insult to my sense of smell. The scent of death itself.

soldiers dragged out mangled corpses of dead wolves 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 hospital.

sight that I

squeezing painfully. Children begging to see their fathers and mothers, ignorant to the fact they’re no longer on this

Valerian, my faithful Beta. His sigh alone from behind me is enough to

We lost about ten. Pack members? Luck is on our side this time, none.”

my voice coming out harsher than expected. “Honorable wolves still died. And

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

to consider asking for help,” Valerian suggested. Asking nearby territories for help with

for we weren’t the only ones hit by this disaster. Several packs have fallen in complete disarray after the attacks, and I cannot let that happen

on others for support, a good Alpha knows when to ask for help. I cannot stomach more families losing their loved ones. My words of support

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

uric these

by someone, and Kwame is having a tough challenge tracking the bastard responsible.” He huffs out a sigh. “He sends his best trackers and they walk into a dead- end every time,”

These rogue attacks had always put him on edge. The threats become more real when you have a

VON

wife,” I ordered. “Your son needs you. I will handle

“But…”

my Alpha voice on Val, but he needs this. He needs to unwind and relax, knowing his wife and son were all right. To know that they were safe and ready to deliver him the

packhouse. As much as I appreciate both Valerian and Raina’s help in improving this rogue situation, their family comes first. Little Adonis