Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 5 Face Full of Fluff

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“I used to know you the best and now I don’t even remember your name.“– Mya Waechtler

Kiya

Well, it’s back to business! Nothing like a mental breakdown to kick my ass back into gear, right? Yet, there’s another dilemma that I need to decipher. And it involved my best guy friend.

Darien has been distant with me. Cold. Cold as the frozen tundra.

Ever since yesterday afternoon, he’s acknowledged my presence. He stares at me emotionlessly, like I’m a stranger. We never talk, and he finds any excuse to avoid me. Last night at dinner, when he greeted everyone. he skipped me and went about his evening. Fear festered in my heart at this drastic change. How did we go from close friends to strangers in twenty–four hours?

Something isn’t right. I’ve been noticing him hanging out with Odessa more than usual, and their PDA is becoming almost excessive. Speaking of Odessa, her surrounding air changed. The way she carries herself changed. It’s almost like she got a power boost out of nowhere. She walks like she owns the world and can crush it with her palms. I’m all for female empowerment and I’m curious about her change, too. And Darien treats her like his queen. She relishes in the attention he gives her because it’s given to her with a simple flick of the finger.

I get it. They’re mates. It’s normal for mates to be affectionate with each other, but that’s not the problem. My problem is one of my best friends is ignoring me and treating me like I’m unworthy of his time when he treats the rest of our group normally.

Did I do something wrong? Am I on the verge of losing my friendship with Darien?

“Gah…” I growled internally, shaking my head from this disastrous all–or–nothing thinking. It only leads to trouble and heightened anxiety. After all, I have bigger things I need to focus on.

Like this obstacle course the pack is building for the pup trainees!

Walking to the back of the pack house, I hear the echoing symphony of the hammer against wood and plastic, chainsaws, and drills. Clouds of sawdust dusted the air and landed on my unfortunate self. After my mental breakdown, the ranked wolves and Garnet Moon warriors convened in Neron’s office to discuss ways to test the pups after two months of training.

Valerian suggested an obstacle course, and we thought it was a good idea. The ideas spurred from human television programs where the contestants compete in front of a crowd battling through different obstacles. As they progress, so does the difficulty in passing through before reaching the end. Time matters too if they

want to advance into the next round.

It’s interesting.

I’m excited! Wolves of all shapes, sizes, colors, and sexes worked swimmingly together to make the obstacle course happen. Neron and Kwame imported supplies needed for construction from wood to rubber tarps and plastic. Spotting Jackie, Sapphire, and Abigail carrying gymnastic mats, I trotted over as the three women dropped them. Dust and dirt picked up in the air, invoking coughing and spitting.

“Hey, Little Bit!” Jackie announced with her award–winning smile. She pulled me into a tight hug. “Finally

Chapter 5–Face Full of Fluff

coming to help us, eh?”

“Yeah, there’s no way I’m going to miss this.” I nodded. “Do you guys need help with anything?”

“Nope. We got it handled.” Abigail replied, stretching her right arm out. During the whole kidnapping madness with that brute Cerberus, she broke it. Now, it’s almost healed. Dr. Jackson said she must wear an arm sling for another week so the fracture can fully heal. “I heard Kwame and the others need help with the climbing wall.”

“Cool! I’ll go check it out.” Bidding my friends farewell, I walked to where the ranked wolves of Zircon Moon are, and immediately, I’m met with shirtless men and women glistening under the blistering sun from sweat. Whoever is in charge of the sun made it a show to glitter their colorful flesh with their primal beauty.

And Goddess, my heart is weak. Being attracted to both sexes is a pain in the ass because I have the communication skills of an over–baked potato.

And it’s made worse when Neron jogs up to me. Goddamnit, would it kill him to put on a shirt?!

with a smile in her voice.

you aren’t helping! We’re supposed to hate his

him and admire his beauty at the same time. No rule against that.”

“Good grief.”

around the Alpha’s exquisite form. Sometimes, I wish I were taller because 1, unfortunately, have a face full of chiseled

by human standards! Just werewolf

a

you

He chuckled, brushing his black hair back. “Let me guess: I’m distracting

“Yes.”

good thing. You

cheeks. “Don’t

Your squeaky

to deflate a bit, I walk around him to get a better look at the construction. “What do you need help with?

“We jus

Some wolves are taking a break, but we aim to have this course done before tomorrow evening.”

|Chapter

full of colorful climbing holds, I grabbed it and a power drill.

knitting his eyebrows. “You can slip off and fall. I don’t want you to get

for me to walk. If I can move

pups.

know that, Kiya. But even

be fine.” With that, I climbed to the top of the paneling. Drilling in the remaining pieces was easy. Dots marked the placements on the grey plywood. As I was busy drilling, owl sounds echoed near me. I jerked my head to the side to spot

sight of a combined effort to make something for the next generation of warriors warmed my heart. It warmed me to know that I’ve taken part in this journey to help wolves reach their full

cannot wait to see what they’re made of once the obstacle course is

full of white feathers and chortling hooting. This fucking bird and her personality! It caught me so off guard that I stumbled backward over the

to the face

a fractured skull. I expected something to let me know that I’ve fallen and might not get up, but it didn’t come. Because I didn’t land on

warmth is unmistakable. And his pleasant

Diana off my face, sputtering from feather strands. that got in my

my fault!” I shot

“Who’s Diana?”

my disapproving face and Neron’s confused expression. In an attempt

weakness with

I introduced, smoothing the feathers on her back. “Also the cause of my

near–death.”

her around, perched on various trees around the territory. Hmm.

same when we first met.” Diana hooted again, this time craning her neck to look up at the Alpha. I watched Neron’s face contort from confusion into more confusion.

on Neron’s shoulder with what I think is a smile on its beak before nuzzling into his cheek. At first, he’s apprehensive; an owl is nuzzling into the cheek of its natural predator. But after a minute, I see a smile crack on the Alpha’s face as Diana’s cuteness sunk into his heart. “Okay, she’s very cute up–close.”

know.” Reaching up, my fingers gently graze Diana’s colorless feathers, earning a hoot and other sounds in happiness and pleasure. This scene of Neron and I sharing a

these moments? These sweet moments where we just pet owls and pretend the

interrupting

suspects something’s going on, Abigail looks like she’s witnessing a monumental moment between couples, Sapphire is rubbing her chin in deep thought, and Galen is probably mapping out the timeline of when Neron and I accept each other and give him nieces and nephews. Which will never happen! Goddess, didn’t this four hate this

disgust impaled me constantly in the heart with each second. Pure, heated hatred from his blue eyes made me want to shrivel in the corner and hide. What is this? Why does he

depart

if I don’t want

“Neron!”