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.”

from my mind. And she was going to

you

continuing to play the waiting game? What the

I shrugged my shoulders. “Alphas take what they want, leave no prisoners, blah blah blah. Given it’s a path

being. One–of–a–kind. She belongs to you. Yet, you allow her to parade on this land unmarked and unclaimed. You’re sending an obvious message to the

But she can handle herself. Kiya doesn’t need a knight–in–shining- armor to rescue her whenever a man gets too close. I’ll not hesitate to rip the throats out of those who think they can

Kiya for her power. We’ve been over this! I don’t know how many times I have to repeat myself for

mind, boy. You watch what you say to me.

for an unhappy union,” I growl. “I don’t care about 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 and see

for what is yours? Think about the blessings and prosperity, Neron. You’d be one step closer to our beloved Moon Goddess. With Kiya’s power in your blood, you’d be the most powerful Alpha with

rhetoric that I needed to be powerful. Strong. Feared. Only when Mom died, you pushed harder. How

my desk, formally his, with

mother up! Bless her beautiful soul, 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 thing, and

out of my seat. “Now, I know you’re hiding more

his chest, sending chills down my spine. Powerful enough to make me buckle. “You truly don’t know the history of your bloodline. I’d

bloodline have to do with any of this?

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Chapter 11 E

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

now. Just because you want true power under the Prince name doesn’t mean I want to!” I’m 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 if he forces me to

not. Kiya

for their selfish benefit. The warning Luna Lyra gave me echoed in my mind. “Keep your father

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

Be rational! You’ll put her silly grudge above your pack? Without a Luna, Zircon Moon will fall into chaos.

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 it up your ass. Besides, having

was taken aback by my words, but recovered with a prominent scowl on his face. “You will regret this, Neron. I will not sit and watch you push this great pack on the path of destruction over the selfish desires of that

my office in a blaze of

me behind in ash.

End Flashback

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

special. Beautifully crafted with howling wolves; one with a small one and the other with a bigger one. Pictures encased in a protective sphere stared back at me with their bright

tombstone read simple, yet important messages that made Onyx

Celeste “Essie” Johansen–Prince

and