Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 11 – Blind Love

“Love is not blind but it leads to blindness.“–Auliq Ice

Neron

Clink! Clank! Clank!

Metal against ceramic. These sounds made for a sour tune in the kitchen air as I sat alone at the island. Coming back from my early morning run, I watch as the golden sun steadily rises over the horizon. It’s a lovely view to eat cereal to. Frosted Flakes–Valerian and Kwame will never let me live it down if they see me eating this.

I can’t help it. They’re great!

Moments like this are scarce as Alpha. There’s hardly any time for peace and leisure because of the responsibilities of running a pack. Everything pulls at my attention; from the other Alphas‘ I’m in an alliance with, to the children who need their thirst for my attention quenched. Yesterday, with the obstacle course test, it was a fantastic day. The air of competitiveness and fun nicked at the cloud of tension hovering above me, the light of freedom making daybreak.

And I got to see Kiya in her prime. I didn’t miss the bout where she encouraged Isabella to finish despite her wishes to give up. The flames of determination and care burned brightly in those mocha–brown orbs, plunging me deep in a sea of love. She cares for the trainees like they’re her children.

No wonder the children of this pack speak highly of her. Not because she’s my mate, but because she is a genuine and loving person. And goddamnit, she’s an amazing competitor. Kiya can go toe–to–toe with me, yet she remains humble. She doesn’t boast about her strength or tenacity, but is in it for the fun.

Once again, we ended at a stalemate.

My mate has all the power in the world. Literally. Sometimes, I forget that she’s my moon goddess‘ avatar; given with abilities beyond my wildest comprehensions. Kiya’s a normal wolf to me.

But the looming words of my father reminded me she’s far from normal. She never was normal. With each.

office passing day, my father continues to fall deeper into the pit of madness. That day when he entered my reminded me just how far he’s from reach.

Flashback

“That girl has no respect for her superlors.” My father spat out as soon as Kiya left my office, telling him to kiss his ass. “If that girl has one thing, It’s the audacity.”

“Dad, she’s a woman, not a girl. Second, she shouldn’t have respect for anyone who condemned her to a life of suffering. I huffed, taking my seat behind the desk. My eyes are trained squarely on my father’s aging face, remarking the wrinkles and ridges as they crinkled with emotion.

“Yet, she respects you.”

“Toleration and respect are two separate entities. She’s far from respecting me, and I don’t blame her. Can’t hold it against her. Now, is there something you need?”

“Already getting back to business, I see.” He takes a seat in the chair that Kiya formally sat at. “Are you any closer to marking her? You two seemed pretty close when I came in.”

farthest thing from my mind. And she was going to tell me something important before Interrupted

you

to play the waiting game? What the hell have I’ve told you about staking

taught me a lot.” I shrugged my shoulders. “Alphas take what they want, leave no prisoners, blah blah blah. Given it’s a path I refuse to walk on, I’ve elected to ignore it.”

parade on this land unmarked and unclaimed. You’re sending an obvious message to the mated males that they’re free to stake their claim on their future Luna because you’re too

she can handle herself. Kiya doesn’t need a knight–in–shining- armor to rescue her whenever a man

not mate with Kiya for her power. We’ve been over this! I don’t know how many times

you say to me. I’m no

Kiya’s powers or that she’s the most powerful werewolf in existence. I love her for her. If you’d take off your rose–tinted glasses

closer to our beloved Moon Goddess. With Kiya’s power in your blood, you’d be the most powerful Alpha with equally

powerful enough to incinerate me, but I won’t waver. “You’d always push this rhetoric that I needed to be powerful. Strong. Feared. Only when Mom died, you pushed harder. How do you think she’d feel if she sees you the way you are

seat, slamming his palms on my desk, formally his, with venom

but she knew the potential you have. You’re a pureblood Alpha with the moon’s avatar as your mate! You’re throwing away a good

I know you’re hiding

buckle. “You truly don’t know the history of your

bloodline have to do with any of

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Chapter 11 E

close to the point our noses almost touch. “Do you want to be viewed as a weak Alpha? Too weak that he won’t claim what belongs to him? You think Kiya is your redemption ticket, but she’s your ticket to security and power. Thank Goddess the little wench Odessa found her mate; she’d be disastrous as our Luna. No poise or dignity. Your weakness to mark her saved you; because now, you can mark your true mate. I won’t stand to have our bloodline end

beyond angry. My claws throb at the base of my fingertips, ready to slash my father’s face. He’s a lot of things, but I’ll be damned

fuck not. Kiya

she can provide for their selfish benefit. The warning Luna Lyra gave me echoed in my mind. “Keep your father away from Kiya“.

is, I don’t want it. Kiya deserves freedom of choice, even if it means sacrificing the Prince

stupid fool! You’re so lovesick like a puppy you don’t see the disaster in front of you! Be rational! You’ll put her silly grudge above your pack? Without a Luna, Zircon Moon

“I’m a fool, but a fool in love with Kiya just as you love Mom. I won’t cause her suffering. Not again. Never again. Take this power talk and, kindly, shove

sit and watch you push this great pack on the path of destruction over the selfish desires of that disrespectful bitch. Your blind

another word, he left my office in a blaze of fury.

me behind in

End Flashback

here. It’s painful. It’s debilitating. Occasionally peaceful. I’m sitting cross–legged on the ground, staring at a pair of

back at me with their bright blue eyes and pearly white smiles. I avoid coming here, sometimes.

words on each tombstone read simple, yet important messages

Celeste “Essie” Johansen–Prince

and Mother