Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 63 – The Pool

“All she wanted was that special someone to reach beyond the surface and discover her heart.“– Terry O’Neal

Kiya

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Entering the mall foyer, I immerse my ears in the intense melody of punk rock. It fills the blitzing tunes with riveting emotion, amazing vocals, and harmonious instruments molding together into the perfect recipe that captured my attention. I followed, the music getting louder with my approach. An audience, in their seats, watched and listened to the rock band.

Los Delphines. Fascinated, I took a nearby seat, settling my bags around my legs. As the music raged on, I was enamored by the band. They give off an otherworldly vibe, deepening my curiosity. All the band members were exceptionally talented. Yet, I couldn’t take my eyes off the lead vocalist.

Long, curly jet–black hair curled to perfection with one side shaved. A thick streak of teal poked proudly out of her ringlets. Deep blue–green eyes with skin light tan. Dressed in all black leather, she truly was a star. My eyes spied the blue choker around her neck with an oddly shaped pendant.

Is that…a seashell?

There was something about the vocalist I couldn’t put my finger on. Something told me she was someone special, even Artemis could feel it.

As special as Phoebe.

Within several minutes, the group finished their song, and the spectators roared in applause. I clapped along. I never found punk rock to be a genre I’d be interested in, but this band piqued my interest.

As the band packed up, I lingered, shuffling around the seats. Something in me was urging me to talk to the vocalist. Would she be mean? Snobby? Would she find me unworthy of her time? Too many nights of reading internet horror stories of fan interactions with musical artists made me wary of approaching.

But it never hurts to try, right? If anything happens, I’ll lick my wounds at home. Huffing a breath of gallantry, I grabbed my bags and walked up to the singer. “Um, hello?”

The moment our eyes met, I felt like my breath snatched from my lungs. She was stunning and her eyes. reminded me of the deep seas. Her natural scent was interesting, I could smell an oceanic scent radiating z off her. How odd. I’ve never met anyone who smelt this way before.

The three other band members have the same scent marker. The two men were deep in conversation in the background. Judging by their closeness, I assume they’re in a relationship. The shorter woman with rose–gold hair was packing away the microphone stands.

“Yes?”

I silently cursed myself for losing focus so quickly. “I just wanted to congratulate you on your performance.

You’re talented.”

She smiled warmly, almost beaming with pride. “Thank you! It’s nice to hear from a fan.” Her shoulders relaxed. “Are you a local of Carson City?”

Chapter 63 – The Pool

“Sort of.” I shrugged my shoulders. “It’s complicated. My name is Kiya.”

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“Violetta.” We both shook hands. Hers were so smooth and supple. “Have you heard of Los Delphines before?”

I shook my head. “This is the first time I’ve heard you guys play and I’m impressed. Were you all always a punk rock band?”

“Pretty much.” Violetta pointed to her members. “The short one with the rose–gold hair is Marina. She may be small, but she packs one hell of a punch. The lovey–dovey couple over there is José with the black hair and Chase with the green mohawk.”

“Wow. You guys sure are…”

“Different?” She smirked. “We try to be. We weren’t allowed to be ourselves growing up. I sure as hell wasn’t.

Glad I left that cult so that I could watch movies and wear whatever the hell I want.”

at her in silence, eyes wide as saucers. “Cult?”

that!” Violetta stammered, shaking her hands

say a lot of things we don’t mean.” But deep down, I feel

words.

necklace. is that clear

came over me, my hand instinctively covered my moon pendant. “It’s

ocean.” She shot a wink

Wink wink, nudge nudge. “Anyway, would you guys be staying in Carson City? I’d like to

we are. We have a gig coming up in two weeks at a dive bar called the L&L Tavern. You should check us out there

on their way to get some pizza. Bidding Violetta and her bandmates farewell, I write a note on my phone

band.

I stood in front of my full–length mirror in my black, polka–dotted swimsuit. It exposed all my scars, from the ones on my back, my thighs, and ankles. It feels weird to have them visible in the place they were born in, but there was not much I could do about it. Grabbing my sunglasses and slipping on my

looked amazing in her plain, bright yellow bikini. Jackie was going to be all over her, swimming in something other than water. Smiling, I put my shades in my hair and loop my arm with

hers.

“Yup!”

Chapter 43–The Pool

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the blaring music. There was a minibar serving all sorts of drinks from juice

the unshifted pups who wanted to hang out with their peers and parents teaching their smaller children how to swim. I spot my friends and their mates, huddled near the pool or on the

Adorable!

making out like they couldn’t breathe without one another. I want to be happy for Darien, but I couldn’t because his mate was a conniving cheater. The happiness in his eyes made

strong mate donning a forest–green two- piece. “By the Moon Goddess, you look

try to keep your hands to yourself.” She teased, smooching the Beta’s nose as she was slowly put back on her feet. Jackie

not letting you out of my

cue to leave when they started making out. I found

mated couples around the pool, enjoying each other’s company on and off

love. Everyone I knew was mated now, even Sapphire who I have yet to see arrive. It wasn’t even the stupid bond I wanted! I wanted someone to look at me with pure admiration in their eyes, holding me

wanted to mean the world to someone. I wanted someone to just…love me for me. Not because they had to. Was that a bad thing? Was it a bad thing that

the bond affect my rationale, but the good feelings it gives were mind–boggling. I couldn’t

bond. Stupid Alpha. Stupid

“AAH!”

Swimming to the surface, my ears were bombarded

I was just

assholes catapulted me into the

63 – The Pool

there?” Sapphire mocked, shooting me

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the pool like a rocket and chased the pair down. They ran fast,

Too fast.

I open my eyes to be pulled in by his bright blue. He smirked as I slowly realized the

looks like you’ve fallen for me.” He

a nightmare! “Don’t

wet body off him, but his arms locked around me tighter, pressing my body into his. My eyes couldn’t look away as our breathing slowly settled as one. That’s when I suddenly realized just how

close our lips

and I’d

whimpered. “L–Let me go.”

too, do you? Our bond revitalizing?” As one arm remained locked around my waist, Neron brings a hand to brush my wet curls from my face, thumb caressing my cheek. I had to resist nuzzling into his large palm. “Goddess, I want to kiss you

simmering in his deep cerulean blue. The waves of his desire and admiration. crashing violently against the shore, pulling me deeper into the depths of his soul. It was suffocating, seductive. It

look

didn’t want to move. There was a deep part of me that was curious about what would happen if I did just

“N–Neron…”

“Kiya…”

was only the two of us in our smoldering bubble. It felt good. It felt peaceful.. My resistance wavered

on mine.

Just…a single…taste….

eyes, leaning into him, enjoying the heavy aroma of his sandalwood scent swallowing me whole. I wanted to feel what it was like to be loved deeper than familial. I