Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 17 The Intrusion

“Is evil something you are? Or is it something you do?“– Bret Easton Ellis

Kiya

Well.

This is one hell of a hickey!

My fingers graze on top of the blotch of broken blood vessels on the junction of my neck and shoulder, exposed proudly against my dark skin. I didn’t know what to think as I stare at it from my bathroom mirror. I prefer the hickey to the other red bruise on my neck. At least it’ll heal overnight.

Around me, I feel the lingering presence of Neron–or rather, Onyx. His scent is mind–numbing, and I embarrassingly feel the powerful tingles on my lips and the moist heat between my legs.

In my mind, Artemis hides her eyes shamefully behind her paws, whimpering in sadness. “I’m sorry, Kiya! I

went too far!”

I didn’t respond. The fear in Artemis‘ voice is palpable; she thinks I’m angry with her. She continues to apologize for her actions in weighty remorse, her voice breaking away for her tears. Sighing, I grip the rim of the sink and started giggling.

Artemis growls in confusion. “Why are you laughing?”

“You thought I’ll be mad?”

“You aren’t?!” My wolf yells, aghast. It saddens a part of me because she thought I’d be angry. I mean, I can see why she thinks so. “But…I used your body selfishly, Kiya. The arousal you’re feeling is mine, not

yours.”

“I admit, it feels weird. It’s like an ocean between my thighs.” Stripping out of my clothes, I hop into the shower and lowered the temperature. “But Artemis, we share a body. I share yours as a wolf and you share mine as a human. We work together as a solid unit. I’m not mad at you. I’m happy for you!”

“You are? Why?”

“Because you’re happy. And if you’re happy, I’m happy.” I grab my loofa, squirt some body wash, and started. scrubbing. “So, tell me about the run and the k*ss!”

“O–Oh.” Never in my life have I heared Artemis stutter. We’re two sides of the same coin; she’s calm and collected and I’m the walking disaster. “Honestly? It felt amazing. I don’t know what it is, but running with Onyx…I never felt more like myself. Around him I was playful. Mischievous. And it felt great. If I can describe the run in a color, it’d be true blue.”

My heart warms. In her voice, I can sense the honesty and endearment she felt. This was more than a run to her. It was a night where she channeled the raw truth of her identity. For so long, she had to hold herself back and I blame myself for it. Artemis always put me first and herself on the back–burner. She’s not only my best. friend; she’s my guardian angel. That burden was lifted tonight. For the first time in her life, Artemis was in tune with her beastly instincts.

1/5

“And the k*ss…I don’t know how to describe it. I felt like I was on fire, but in a good way. So many sensations rolled into me and I was falling. Fast. I felt…”

“Felt…?”

“Desired. Sexy, even. Like someone wanted me for much more. But I got scared. Onyx almost marked me, and I could’ve ruined things for both of us. The worst part of it all was that I didn’t want it to stop. Goddess, I wanted to continue. The passion and lust! I wanted to surrender.”

I ponder on what Artemis revealed as the water hit me. Judging by her voice, she’s feeling a plethora of emotions, not just for herself, but for me. There are so many things she wanted tonight, but not even the haze of lust was enough for her to ignore the boundaries I’ve set. I’m elated that she felt wanted by someone for the first time. She deserves to be coveted because she’s a beautiful soul.

respecting my boundaries. You didn’t cross them even when the passion demanded you to. You’re always thinking.

friend. We’ve been together since you first shifted. Nothing can separate us.

my breasts. “Never compare yourself to that monster. What you did tonight will never compare to what that

But-”

Ever. That bastard abused me in the most heinous of ways. He’s evil. Artemis is pure. My hope rests on the prayers that the

story should be. Buried and forgotten. No

away this burden from my heart. I don’t know what I’d

protect my heart, I’ll protect yours. You’re my ride–or–die. Amy.”

the fuzzy moment with

wrong with

so undignified for a wolf like me!”

that hugged my hips and a matching tank top. I trudge

a pancake. “T told Onyx that we’ll speak to them tomorrow about

no problem. And you’re right. I have to tell them. I just thought I could

– The

“It’ll be okay.”

devil arrives on time in a

Osiris snarls at me. “Have you learned nothing from your experience under the hell this place put

lights of my lamps are cloaked in thickening black. Without thinking, I summon a ball of moonlight to attack, but immediately the beast clamps his harsh hands on

fail miserably to understand, Little Moon?” He teases. “The more you’re enamored by this Alpha, the closer you trudge to disaster. Watching you surrender to the seductive

Leave me alone!” I hate how his words tickle the darker side of me. The rising fury in the hybrid’s voice brought forth a new sensation of terror. One I haven’t felt before since my dark days. The body is amazing at adapting to high–pressure situations because my sympathetic system is on overdrive. I don’t know what Osiris is about to do, and I’m not staying to find out!

I nearly made it over the threshold when Osiris violently jerks me backward. A scream tore through my throat right before the door seals

heard me…

threatening to split skin. “You should rethink your stance before you send yourself back into hell, Little Moon. It takes a single word to sway the weak heart of

you?” I snarl at

and whispers in my ear. “We’re more alike than you know. We are avatars after

into a pit

avatar? No! He’s bluffing! That

doorknob rattled madly as I hear Neron’s voice on the other side call out for me. I cannot

I crumble onto the ground, cradling my body in his arms. The door closes again, and I knew for a fact, Neron can see what I see: my darkened bedroom with an even darker billow hovering over the both of us. I’m too much in shock

fuck is this?!” He

need to be rude, stupid dog.” Osiris in “where’s your hospitality? After all,

3/5

“It’ll be okay.”

arrives on time in a billow of black smoke. Red eyes pierce mine with blades full of disappointment

at me. “Have you learned nothing from your experience under the hell this

in thickening black. Without thinking. I summon a ball

by this Alpha, the closer you trudge to disaster. Watching you surrender to the seductive thralls of that mongrel is disgusting. He’s the same mongrel who marred

in the hybrid’s voice brought forth a new sensation of terror. One I haven’t felt before since my dark days. The body

chose flight. Swinging the door open, I nearly made it over the threshold when Osiris violently jerks me backward. A scream tore through my throat right

heard me…

before you send yourself back into hell, Little Moon. It takes a single word to sway the weak heart of a rejected woman to make her think she’s truly loved. Do you think the

snarl at his face.

I’m no man.” He leans in and whispers in my

a pit

an avatar? No! He’s bluffing! That can’t