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

mate bond is strengthening, then why was Odessa incessantly pining after Neron? Since my heat ended, she amped up her

Two Hours Earlier

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

want me, Neron. You’ve always

are through. There’s nothing

deny your instincts, my love? Your body knows what it wants. Only I could make you feel this way,

“Odess…”

me take care of you, baby.”

in front me. Odessa sat in Neron’s lap with her fingers tangled in his black tresses, breasts sprung free from their fabric cages, and a skirt so short

champion, winning the prize she hungered for. I slammed the files down in the chair next to me, turning my back. “These

finished.”

focused on the pain twisting my heartstrings. I shouldn’t feel anything, but I do. Why? I

eyes were hollow, expressionless as I 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

deserve

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 side of the hallway, arms crossed under her cleavage.

59 – The Rivalry

+10

Bonu

do you want?” I asked. “I’m not

02:11

want any problems, Halima.” She sneered. “All you have to do is stay the hell away from my men.” Her men? The amount of disrespect

laugh. “You’re joking.”

way and you won’t

but I refused to stand down. “Now, about

have a problem with it. He loves me. You can’t get in between the love mates have

you’re treating him like a side piece while you

me. Everything he ever did was and always will be for me. You are but a mere afterthought, sloppy seconds from a shriveling bond. You’ll never mount up to me and deep

more time to call me Halima before I break your face. My name is Kiya, you

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, but

“I don’t care what you do 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 I would take the utmost pleasure of breaking your

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

fingers itched to wrap themselves around her throat. They itched to 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.

my warnings, Odessa. If you screw up, you only have yourself to

1. me.

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