Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 60 – The Dinner

02:00

“Family is supposed to be our safe haven. Very often, it’s the place we find the deepest heartache.” – Iyanla Vansant

Later That Evening

I strode into the dining hall as the Omegas set up the plates and utensils on the long table. Onsight, I sought to leave the room because my parents and older sister have taken their seats. Valerian, handsome as ever, flanked on Raina’s left and little Adonis on her right, wiggling in anticipation for the food. The atmosphere is tense, like a tight muscle in the neck. At least around me. My growls rumbled softly in my chest, low enough to where only I could hear them. As much as I want to keep my distance from sperm and egg donors, I wonder what bullshit they’ll spew from their wretched mouths to win me back.

I took my seat next to Adonis, who smiled at me. His smile was infectious. I smiled back at him. The little beta was the only person in this room I like. I didn’t like Valerian either. Although he had never directly abused me, he refused to stop Raina. He turned the blind eye to her horrific actions. He was complacent and thus earns a fraction of my abhorrence.

“Dinner is ready.” Lead Omega Cassandra announced with a bow, holding a pot full of pasta while her subordinates held pots with sauce, tongs, and ladles. The silence saturated our space as we were being served. Pungent odors of anxiety were noticeable from the Omegas as they trudged towards me. I didn’t say a word, nor looked at their disgusting faces. Cassandra’s eyes lingered on me before she and the others took their leave, leaving the five of us alone.

Clinks of silverware hitting ceramic played a sour, melodious tune during the meal. I waited for someone to speak while everyone avoided my gaze. My eyes trained on little Adonis; cheeks filled with pasta like a chipmunk. He reminded me of myself at his age–spaghetti is my favorite meal. I’d eat it daily without complaints because Ashley or Cassandra made it.

Now, it does nothing to fill the holes in my heart.

This dish used to make me feel loved. Now, it made me feel empty.

Why the hell was this dish picked for this ‘family‘ meal?

“K–Kiya.” Ashley broke the silence. A pleasant, yet nervous smile tore her face as her gaze filled with fondness. I resisted the urge to throw a meatball at her face.

“Remember the first time we had spaghetti? I think you were no older than Adonis. You were so terrified of eating it because you thought the noodles looked like those earthworms in your science class.” I stared, emotionless. “It took much convincing to get you to eat because we didn’t want you to go to bed hungry. I remember your face lighting up when you took your first bite. You became such a ravenous pup that we had to stop you before you got a stomachache.”

I remember those rare, happy memories my mind clung to. One of the rare moments I remember the genuine love from these strangers. The feelings of joy and curiosity filled my senses back then. My mind wouldn’t let me forget that memory. It made me feel sick. My fork poked and prodded at the floppy pasta, the thieving aroma hacking away at my appetite.

“I remember that too,” Raina spoke with a smile. “It was one of those times Cassandra was so worried about her! The horror in her eyes when she dug into her fourth helping of spaghetti and meatballs. I was sure that Kiya would puke all night because she ate too much.”

“Your point?” I asked, raising my head. Irritation poked at me faster than my non–existent pleasure.

“Don’t you like spaghetti anymore?” Steven pondered. “You used to ask for it every night.”

“No.”

The three of them clammed up, bristling in their seats. I rolled my eyes and continued to poke at my food until Valerian spoke.

“That’s a fond memory.” His fork twirled around his noodles. “Cassandra makes the best pasta dishes. The children love them, especially Adonis.” The boy mumbled in agreement, stuffing more food into his mouth. “Adonis, slow down! The food is not going anywhere.”

01:56

I sighed, annoyed. “Is there a reason you took a trip down memory lane? Because Raina told me you wanted to talk, so stop stalling.”

“R–Right. Kiya…” Ashley’s dark eyes pleaded with me, glistening into tears. “I’m sorry. We’re so sorry for what we’ve done to you. You can’t stay mad at us forever.”

eyebrow. “How about

don’t mean that,” Steven responded. “We’re still your family. We made you. Your mother gave birth to you. You

retorted harshly, setting down my fork. “What I learned is that even the most poisonous people on

to the tension between his family because the taste of the food made him ignorant. “We shouldn’t have

demanded, glaring at every adult at the table. “Why would people I loved so much raise their hand against me? Not once, not twice, but countless times?

slave? What cockamamie excuse have you all cooked up to win me back?” I glared at my sister. “Make no mistake Raina. Just because you helped

still hate

Ashley stuttered, failing to form a coherent

tossed it at the center of the table. “They took me in when I was at my worst. Instead of turning a blind eye as you all did, they worked to help me get better. Not just them, but my friends. The same people training your weak wolves. After the damage that you all inflicted on me, they worked hard to get

Steven bellowed, gripping his fork. “We’ve

is a weird way of showing me love, isn’t it?” I shouted back, infuriated. “Doing nothing as I cried in pain isn’t

2/5

The Dinner

eyes in her lap. “Alpha Jonathan’s word was

#you

+10

Bonu

01:5

took back my family photo and placed it back where it belongs. “You had a choice to protect your little girl, but you didn’t. Was

me to calm down! “We’ve all made mistakes and your parents and sister are trying to make amends. Holding onto the past would only hurt you more

You’re just as complacent in this mess. You’re Neron’s best friend and you allowed him to abuse me! You never stopped your wife from hurting me, either! You never defended me or pulled her away, even though I was also your “family.” I mimicked air quotes on the last word. “Heck, when Raina asked for your permission to hurt me, you agreed! You’re just as shitty as they

to Val like that. He’s

you and your husband! I hope the Beta position

wasn’t paying attention to the fight until his grandfather yelled. “We organized this dinner so we could calmly talk about our issues and come to a consensus, but you’re not making this easy, Kiya. Where is your respect?”

“You don’t understand what happened down in that dungeon. The horrible things that were done to

seat. “Look, Celeste was my best friend. We grew up together. Losing her was like losing my sister. I–no,

aunt! Instead of blaming the rogues who took her life, you chose your little girl!” The desire to rip Ashley’s throat apart ached in my fingers, my claws protruding out from my fingertips. I wanted her to suffer, for all of them to suffer.

never heal.

lost her that day too. Ever cared enough to realize that?” I clapped, mocking a standing ovation. “Wonderful motherly decisions you’ve made, Ashley. You deserve an award for best

would you stop referring to us by our first names?” Steven asked with

be called ‘fuck face‘, ‘sack of shit‘, “bastard‘ or ‘failure‘, then I’d

her eyes. “You’re right. We’ve hurt you. We abandoned you. We weren’t the family you deserve. Nothing we say could erase

the disgusting leftovers I forced myself to eat when my hunger became intolerable. “I already got the family I deserve, and they are the only ones I’ll

Chapter 60–The Dinner

my parents and

+10

Bonu

01:50

Ashley, now full of unjustifiable rage. Moments earlier, sadness became her mask. She ditched it and donned an expression full of fury. Her

in

widened at the child; his green eyes filled with twinkling curiosity. Ashley couldn’t do what I thought she was about to do.

is your auntie, sweetheart.” She revealed, much to the astonishment of her daughter and son–in–law. “She’s your mother’s