Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 25 – Destiny Isn’t Always Right

“Does the walker choose the path, or the path the walker?“–Garth Nix

Neron

“You’re not wearing the ring.”

“Huh?”

“Your Alpha Ring.” Kiya gestured to my bare ring finger. “I’ve never seen you wear it.”

Ah, the Alpha Ring; the physical, symbolic item passed from each generation of Alphas in my family. My grandfather passed it to my father, him to me, and I am to pass it to my firstborn child. A thick golden band with the zircon stone displayed proudly at the center–a shimmering blue diamond holding the honor as the king of my pack.

I haven’t worn that thing in years.

Flexing my fingers, I noted the lightweight feeling of not having that ring confined on my finger. Whenever I wore it, a crushing sense of heaviness came about. It’s supposed to make me happy, but it made me miserable. Unworthy. Like this thing isn’t meant for me, nor did I deserve it.

I received the ring a day after Kiya’s ‘death“, ignoring the chaos of the Betas to receive the last memento to solidify my Alpha status. The prestige was seductive, and wearing it made me feel like a king–one blind with arrogance. I couldn’t be that man again.

“I don’t mind it,” I confess, swirling my drink with its straw. “It’s freeing. I keep it in my office in a drawer below my desk. Why are you so curious about it?”

Kiya shrugs, popping a fry into her mouth. “Because Dad always wore it. Anthony wears it. He never takes it off. Some Alphas who visited Garnet Moon had theirs. I was just wondering.”

“Alphas wear their pride on their sleeve.” My eyes wandered to the crowd of humans passing by, carrying bags or snacks in their arms. I spot a few affectionate couples on distant benches, planting k*sses on each other’s ch*eks. For a moment, I dreamed for Kiya and I to be that couple. “The ring is just that. Generational pride. But, it’s not something I want or feel like I should carry. It’s a reminder of the man I used to be. I don’t think I’ll ever look at it again without feeling disgusted.”

My mate was silent. The shuffling of food wrappers and drinks stilled. Her breathing is even, and her sweet scent is as strong as ever. I turn to her to see her eyes had that faraway look, debating if to say something.

“You never wanted to be Alpha.”

“Nope.”

“Do you still feel that way now?”

“A little.” I shrug nonchalantly. “I had dreams. But when high school ended, I prepared to take over. There wasn’t time for fun and games because protecting and securing the pack came first. I’m responsible for hundreds of wolves, young and old. It got easier over time, though.”

Chapter 25–Destiny hint Always Right

“Hmm.” Kiya tapped her fingers rhythmically against the table. “Hypothetically, let’s say you never became Alpha. What would you do?”

“Hmm. I’d travel to Norway, maybe stay for a couple of weeks with my mom’s family. We haven’t talked in a while.”

She nods enthusiastically with a grin. “What else?”

“I’d also travel around the world and taste different foods. That sounds like fun.”

“That’s awesome!”

“I would try crickets.”

Kiya gagged and I bust out laughing. “Neron, what the hell?!”

stop laughing, not even when my mate tossed a used napkin at me. “Hey, don’t hate!

but there are some things I’ll never put in my mouth. Bugs being the main thing. You can do that by

sources of protein!”

me again and tossed another

that eats stuff that

to bring me here!

stop criticizing

held her hands up in surrender before laughing with me. This is how it should be. No pain, not pressure–just fun between us. “Anything else you’d do if you weren’t Alpha?”

to college. I don’t know what I’d

her recalling that long–forgotten talent of mine. “You used to draw landscapes, like the forest and mountains. I remember you drew a picture of your mom and gave it

sugar–sweet k*sses. “Yeah. She loved it so much that she started crying. I don’t think

and Adolescent Development,” Kiya answered with a small smile. “I want to

to her like a magnet; they know she’s a source of protection. I’ve watched young boys and girls come to her for help or to chat. The pup trainees hang onto her every word and work hard to make her proud. The connection she has with

before gazing at me with wide eyes. “You

lint Atenes

You’re intelligent and dedicated. You’d be very

you?” Despite her complexion, I can see the blush rising to her ch*eks as her eyes dart to the side nervously. “Thank you. It means a lot. Just two more years of undergrad and

to

with hope, but my brain sparks with disappointment. As much as I’d love to, I couldn’t. “Being Alpha is a

not saying do it now, I’m just saying…think about it. It isn’t going anywhere and if you don’t want to go, it’s your choice.” Kiya sips her drink, soaking in

a distraction now. I can’t afford distractions as Alpha.”

hammer that bullshit to your head?” Kiya arches an eyebrow, daring me to answer. But I didn’t have to. She already knew. “Your Dad sucks ass, Neron. He needs to

my birthright, my responsibility, and it’s written in stone by destiny.” And it’s a birthright I wish I never had. Being Alpha is rewarding, but it’s suffocating. That power is easily misused, and it shouldn’t be such

their leader.

Kiya replies with an edge to her voice, her expression hard. “Our fates may not have been

And my contempt for him grows each day. The attitude in Kiya takes a dark turn whenever the subject of my father came up and

a “Kiya?” We both turned to see a woman with jet–black ringlets and deep blue–green eyes dressed in black and fishnets lingering with a smile. Kiya’s eyes immediately sparkled like

leaped like a rabbit into the taller woman’s arms in a bone–crushing hug. “It’s been so

it?”

giggled, patting her back softly. “Things

Her eyes turned to me, squinting like she was trying to remember my name. “I’ve seen

Neron. He was the one who helped

hands. “It’s a pleasure to meet you again, Neron.”

glad to

With a smile, she turns back

the women were catching up, a blinding chill swam down my back so fast that I stopped breathing.

their prey–and I’m the prey. All the

Kiya said earlier about being watched.

F*ck.

my breath

my eyes, I hoped that Kiya understood and like the smart she did. Reluctantly, she turned

twoman she is;

back to the guys, anyway. It was nice meeting you again, Kiya, and you too Neron!” Once Violetta was out of sight, we both began

trash like clockwork.

need to run to the bathroom before we

that’s a good idea?” I ask her worryingly. The longer we stayed, the louder the alarm bells went off in my head. Even Onyx