Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 10 Team Alpha vs. Team Delta

“Be a star in someone’s dark sky.“–Matshona Dhliwayo

Third Person POV

Curious whispers from the thirty pup trainees echoed as they stand in a single row. Each trainee represented their families, their hopes, and their dreams of becoming warriors. Many itch to perform well on their test while some tend to the rock of anxiety sitting in their bellies.

“We will place you all into two different teams at random.” Kiya’s voice demanded the younglings‘ attention, ceasing all conversation. With Neron behind her, they took extra care to remain focus and attentive to the commands of their trainer. In her hands is a brown, woven basket with small scrolls of white paper. “You will pick a scroll and hold it in your hand. Returns or exchanges are prohibited. Once everyone has their scroll, I will instruct you to open it. Inside lays the name of the team you will be on for this test.”

Adamah raised his hand. “Delta Kiya, can I ask why we are being placed into teams?”

“Well. To add a twist to the test, I, along with your Alpha, turned it into a competition. The prize for the winning team has yet to be determined, but we’ll see just how far you’ve all come.”

“Who will be our team leaders?” Another pup trainee asked.

“You’ll see,” Kiya replied with a wink. She passed the basket to the first trainee in the row. Each picked and passed the basket until all had a scroll. Gasps of wonder and confusion ricochet as they opened their scroll simultaneously under their trainer’s command.

“If your slip is labeled ‘Alpha‘, you are on Alpha Neron’s team. If your slip is labeled ‘Delta‘, you’re on mine.”

The pup trainees wasted no time gathering near their respective team leaders. With space between them, both leaders spoke about what is coming within the next few hours. As seconds go by, the excitement between the opposing teams grew. Their newly born wolves itched to compete against their peers and claim glorious victory. Howls echoed within each trainee in excitement, some loud enough for their leaders to hear.

When they broke away for their hour of preparation, Neron walked over to his mate to hand her thick blue armbands. “Here. For your team.”

“Armbands! Excellent idea.” Kiya remarked, taking the stash into her arms. “They seem pretty excited. Hopefully, glory won’t go straight to their heads.”

“I think it’s healthy. They are naturally competitive; it’s in their nature as werewolves. They won’t stop until they hold the imaginary trophy in their hands.” The Alpha chuckled softly. “Hence why the dodgeball games at school always end ugly.”

Kiya couldn’t help but laugh. A distant memory awoke about her time in elementary school during one of those dodgeball tournaments. She and Nuria were on opposite teams, and the young Alpha accidentally hit her best friend in the face with a red rubber ball. The chaos that ensured after the assault made the young Delta smile warmly. Until a lance of pain penetrated her heart forced a frown.

Another memory. Elementary school was so long ago, and it saddened her that she never got to finish it traditionally.

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ugly as the pelting of rubber balls.

Yeah.” She nodded curtly. Let’s hope this competition doesn’t end as ugly still haven’t figured out what the winning team’s prize should be.”

“Kids love food.”

“So do L”

Neron s

smiled widely. “That’s good to know.” Reaching into his back pocket, he pulled out a blue bandana while he held a red one for himself. “Here. So everyone will know who you’re leading.”

“Thanks.” As an expert in hidden emotions, Kiya hid her worry underneath a stoic mask. Her fingers brushed up against Neron’s palm when retrieving the bandana, but the larger–than–life sparks of their mate bond were unfelt. It’s as if they never existed. And she didn’t like it.

She doesn’t recall changing anything regarding the bond. Kiya didn’t reject Neron, so the sensations should remain. It’s shocking how the sparks have died. And she doesn’t know if the same is on Neron’s side.

Maybe. Maybe not.

feeling rested in the pit

know how to put

swatted Kiya’s hand as she adjusted the bright blue rag on her hair, considering her wild curls. It took a minute, but the result left her satisfied. “There!”

and the trainees spent a few moments to stretch. Those

as Valerian and her parents surrounded her. While they’re excited to see the action, most of the attention was on the training leader with her blue crown. The big sister is proud of her younger sibling, whereas the

in the pack is something he valued, and it’s tangible enough for him to grasp. However, for Kiya, it was mind–boggling.

and suffering praised her as a trainer and their future Luna. Many look

Talk about pressure.

her team surrounded her. Neron had done the same with his team for last–minute preparations. All the pup trainees proudly displayed their colored armbands, ready to fight. To fight

they all must do it drenched with water. They must fight through the impact of wet clothes, the scorching sun, and fatigue reach the ton of the climbing wall to blow the horns of their triumnh

Content

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Alpha vs

they must use their upper–body strength to maneuver. Relying on their legs, they must get past the large teeter- totter. Finally, the trainees must climb the rock–climbing wall to the top to retrieve the horn and be

to blow.

have trained extensively since mid–May and must show that they’ve improved since then.

time to fight.

met up before the start of the event. They shook hands in sportsmanship. The woman didn’t miss the slight

“Yes.”

It did not matter their gender, age, or other differing characteristics–they were competitors. After Sapphire showed how to get past each obstacle, it was the trainees‘

cheer enclosed the area like a wild stadium. The team leaders were on either side of the obstacle course, cheering on their players with their heart and soul. Jacqueline and Galen stood at the sidelines with clipboards, marking

off spending time with Odessa, which has rubbed Galen the wrong

the sun, evil marks its territory under the cloak of black. Osiris lurks and slithers through the shadows of the pack house like a cobra on the search for its next victim. His devilish schemes

self–control, the dastardly

will break loose.

won’t take long before he has the moon’s avatar in his arms. And the destruction of all he hates will soon begin.

but stumbles on the floating tiles suspended by metal and springs. Kiya notices it and

her short stature struggled to get out from between the

tell me you’re going to give up

a hammer to a thick nail. The tone reminded much of her

vs. Team Delta

that sadness lurking in the back of her mind; she’ll be damned if one of her

head to meet her green eyes. “I know it’s hard. The pressure is great; your family is watching;

pretzels now! But there is one thing I know: warriors don’t give up. Isabella, you are one. Even if you don’t see it. I see

“No…”

of the crowd, blanketing Isabella in comfort. “The former Luna of Garnet Moon, her wolf is named Isabella. And I see her in you. You have potential. Now, are you going to walk

Her green eyes cast down. “I

That means we’ll continue training together. It can’t be a

shined a bright smile. “I

gently. “You can show me your appreciation by completing the course. Just focus on me and drown out the noise; that helps me

young pup needed to complete the second half of the course. Coupled with Kiya’s encouragement and the boost of power she gained from her wolf, Isabella proved to her

someone to believe in her.

the most. trainees finishing first, thus crowning them with the victory. Both teams shook hands in a job well done. It took strength and tenacity, and both teams did

a smile at the trainees surrounding their leader.