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.

Artemis. It’s okay to feel a little selfish, sometimes. Thank you for respecting my boundaries.

best friend. We’ve been together since you first shifted. Nothing can separate us. I was afraid that

tone as I shut off the shower and wrap myself in a towel over my breasts. “Never compare yourself to that monster. What

But-”

body too. We just swap consciousness here and there like wigs.” Artemis will never be like the guard. 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 armored devil is dead and buried. I haven’t seen familiar hair of his since I’ve been here, and I’m grateful for

Buried and forgotten. No one will know of my

paws from her eyes. “Okay. Thank you for taking away this burden from my heart. I don’t know what I’d do if

as you protect my heart, I’ll protect

ruined the fuzzy moment with that

wrong with

so undignified for a wolf like

for my pajamas. Deciding to go with the red bottoms that hugged my hips and a matching tank top. I trudge my tired body to my bed

about Osiris.” And like that, my mood Eaterske a pancake. “T told Onyx that we’ll speak to them tomorrow about it.

you’re right. I have to tell them. I just thought

– The imbustion

“It’ll be okay.”

time in a billow of black smoke. Red eyes pierce mine with blades full of disappointment and rage,

must you be to k*ss that mutt like a needy whore?” Osiris snarls at me. “Have you learned nothing

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 my own, forcing

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 thralls of that mongrel is disgusting.

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

open, I nearly made it over the threshold when Osiris violently jerks me backward. A scream tore

someone’s heard

stance 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

I snarl at

leans in and whispers in my ear. “We’re more

into a

He’s bluffing!

Neron’s voice on the other side call out for me. I cannot see my enemy’s mouth, but his red eyes

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

the fuck is this?!” He demands, holding me tighter.

in “where’s your hospitality? After all,

3/5

“It’ll be okay.”

a billow of black smoke. Red eyes pierce mine with blades

must you be to k*ss that mutt like a needy whore?” Osiris snarls at me. “Have you learned

summon a ball of moonlight to attack, but immediately the beast clamps his harsh hands

you’re enamored 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 your beautiful, young flesh and you let him touch

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

made it over the threshold when Osiris violently

someone’s heard me…

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

I snarl at

my ear. “We’re more

into a pit

He’s bluffing! That can’t be-!