Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 59 – The Rivalry

“Love has its own dark morality when rivalry enters in.“–Thomas Hardy

Kiya – One and a Half Weeks Later

What do you call it when two people were awkward with one another?

Because that encompassed almost 100% of my interactions with Neron.

After my heat, I understood what a steak feels like on a grill. It wasn’t a fun time.

02:18

Neron had been nothing but attentive during those torturous three days. I was impressed. He kept his promises and took care of me. Even my friends were shocked when I told them. None of them had faith in Neron, so this moment might change their view on him. Known by werewolf kind, Alphas, despite their strength, were notorious for their impulsivity and animalistic instincts. They were the kings of the pack and denying them wasn’t heard of. Faced with fighting his true nature, I admire Neron’s abnormal self–restraint..

He kept me safe and secure. Deep within me, foreign happiness stirred.

It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, however, I continued to keep my distance from him since then. Unfortunately, because of the heat, I needed him at my side. I was desperate and on the brink of insanity. He was the sole person who could quell the heat that was killing me from the inside out. Without him, who knows what would have happened?

The moments we shared the past three days were intimate. We were close, almost inseparable. The Alpha kept me near him and held me when the pain became unbearable. For a human, we could have been mistaken as an affectionate couple. A couple that couldn’t keep their hands off each other.

After the madness ended, I pushed him away. I had to clarify immediately that those days meant nothing.

Neron accepted my words more gracefully than I expected as he left me in the solitude of my room. That conclusion hurt me more than I thought it would. A sliver of doubt swam through my heart, tugging at the heartstrings. I don’t love Neron, but I couldn’t say I hate him either. He proved through his actions that he could keep his word, so he became tolerable. Still not fond of his presence around me, but at least I don’t have the instinct to vomit yesterday’s lunch upon sight of him. Do I trust him?

Of course, not.

The pup trainees were on their hour–long break from training, spending time with their families, or socializing. I was grateful for Jackie and Galen stepping up in their sessions in my absence. I could always count on my friends to have my back, especially since I’ve been getting a whole slew of problems lately.

I have 99 problems, and Odessa was most of them..

She took back her rejection and it made Darien happy. Whenever I’d speak to him, there was this light in his eyes unmatched by any star in the twilight. He was sincerely happy that Odessa accepted him and was already dreaming of a future with them together: moving into their future home, having a litter of puppies, the whole nine yards. My friends and I would spot him kissing Odessa’s cheek lovingly, holding her body during pack bonfires, and more. Darien was bending over backward to make her happy. My best friend was enamored with his mate.

Chapter 59- The Rivalry

But this was where the confusion settles in.

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Bonus

02:14

after Neron? Since my heat ended, she amped

Two Hours Earlier

progress reports. I was proud to say that most of the pups were coming along nicely while a few needed a little more support. As for the adult trainees, I have already delivered their progress reports to Kwame. The manilla folders in my hand, each labeled

know you want me, Neron. You’ve always

and I are through. There’s nothing between

Your body knows what it wants. Only I could

“Odess…”

care of you,

open the door. Why? I wish I knew, but I had to. I wasn’t prepared for the soft porn scene in front me. Odessa sat in Neron’s lap with her fingers tangled in his black tresses, breasts sprung free from their fabric cages,

upon sight. The brunette woman looked at me with a smirk of a champion, winning the prize she hungered

finished.”

deaf in my ears. Because I was focused on the pain twisting my heartstrings. I shouldn’t feel anything, but I do. Why?

reach for my towel. What am I supposed to do? Watching Odessa play the part of the loyal, loving mate sickened me. She was playing with my best friend’s heart while pursuing another man! But why didn’t Neron stop her? Does he still love her like he originally claimed? There was no reason for

deserve

many questions, but so few answers. It was infuriating. With a growl, I threw my towel in the hamper and walked out of my room, wanting to clear my head. Yet, Odessa was intent on taking away my mental peace as she stood on the other

– The

+10

Bonu

want?” I asked. “I’m not

02:11

“All you have to do is stay the hell away from my men.” Her men? The amount of disrespect this woman had

to laugh. “You’re joking.”

of my way and

towered over me by a couple of inches, but I refused to stand down. “Now, about “your‘ men, don’t think what you’re doing escapes my eyes. You’re a sick, twisted woman for leading on

with it. He loves me. You can’t get in between the love mates have for each other.”

piece while you

the Moon Goddess says, Neron belongs to me. Don’t forget that he broke your pathetic mate bond for me. Everything

before I break your face. My

covered in ugly scars. Who would want a scarred, useless woman when they could have someone as flawless as me?” She gestures to her body for emphasis, wiggling her hips. “You have no power here. I do. I may be unmarked,

to me. I don’t care if you’re going after Neron. I care about Darien. He is a good man, and your intrinsic selfishness makes you blind to his purity. Break his heart and

did its duty of sending chills down my spine. “As if I’m going to fear the word of a weak dog. Without that muscle, you’re still a scrawny mutt.

squeeze the life out of her body for poking fun at my ordeal. She’ll never understand what happened to me in that hellscape prison. No

her a deep, warning snarl. “Heed my warnings, Odessa. If you screw up, you only have yourself to blame.” With that, I

1. me.

I wish I could make Darien see the ugly truth behind Odessa’s sweet facade. But it was my word against hers. As much as I hate to admit it, he would side with his mate.

Chapter 59–The Rivalry