Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 31 – A Choice to Kill

“Your future will be determined more by choice than by chance.“–Frank Sonnenberg

Kiya

The weight of the world is on my shoulders again. This time, I cannot see a way out.

Bonus

02:41

From my tender scalp to my toes, my body suffers from throbbing aches. The morning sun begins a new day, but it couldn’t shine a light through the darkness. Unending tears fell from my eyes and my heavy body is trapped in bed. I didn’t want to do anything except stay in my room.

After my episode last night, I woke up to find my friends surrounding me in my bed. No doubt feeling my distress through the mind–link. Jackie spooned me from behind, Abigail to my front, Sapphire and Galen cuddled into my legs. I don’t know how my bed fit five grown werewolves, but they made it work. Heat painted my ch*eks from the closeness and their warmth is always welcome, but I feel awful for separating them from their mates. Mates sleep together, and they forgo that to comfort their broken and drunken friend.

I don’t deserve them.

Sometimes, I felt like a burden. How many times have they put themselves on hold to help me? How many times have they risked themselves for me? They shouldn’t have to do any of this. They have their rich lives to take care of, not a woman who can’t get a grip on her emotions.

My mess is mine to clean up; they have lives to tend to and shouldn’t bother themselves with my problems.

Although, I wish Darien was part of our nest. Our team is incomplete without him, and I miss him terribly. His brunette disaster, however, is determined to ruin me with a knife to the heart. But I know I’ll get him back.

F*ck vodka. I should’ve known it won’t make me forget about the guard. Now, I don’t have the strength to fight against this additional weight.

I’m strong, right? I’m a survivor, right? Then why do I feel so weak? Being strong day–in and day–out is so hard. It’s a full–time job; a brutal full–time job.

Yet, I turned in the pink–slip the moment my eyes landed on him. I come to learn his name as Tristan. A generic name for a detestable man.

Everything came back–the memories, sensations, pain, and more. And I couldn’t protect Artemis from the experience because I put up a wall too late after the assault. She knew that Tristan hurt me but didn’t know how brutal the hurt was. Anytime he’d come into my cell to do his dirty business, protecting A

Artemis from the horrific experience became a priority. Reinforcing the mental wall so she couldn’t see, feel, or hear Tristan’s assault became routine. I was physically weak, but I willed myself mentally to protect my wolf from the evil cast on my body.

I knew I could protect Artemis, no matter how much I suffered. My wolf holds a special place in my heart, and I’d be damned if anyone hurt her. She’s too pure to experience hell.

Even now, as she tries to help me out of my rut. Artemis is too good for me. How did a mighty wolf like herself get stuck with someone like me?

“Don’t you dare go down that line of thinking, young lady!” Artemis bellowed suddenly like a mother st

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corning their child. “You aren’t a burden to me. Never will be. You’re relapsing into depression

and I’m here to remind you that I love you and will always be at your side no ma what

Bonu

02:35

“I let him get to me. Artemis,” I reply as tears dripped on my pillow.“As soon as I saw his face and smelled scent, everything came back–everything I felt as a slave. I don’t feel like myself ammore. Looking in his eyes was like he was raping me all over again.”

let me know what happened: You gave me

story.”

me. You try take over to stop him, but he’d force himself on you. I couldn’t let you live with that pain too I’m sorry Artemis.

my well–being If Artemis was next to me I’d feel her snout nuzzle into my side. A pooling of warmth appeared on the right side of my body. “You protected me.

Being strong all the times difficult. reminded of why this pack is despicable and deserves to burn to

eye for an

here got punished for what they d Sure, they got gems, but it’s enough. They be her lat off the hook. It isn’t fair. Art. None of them truly suffered.”

Right on cue Osins munk pulsated, making me hiss in pain. “It’s unfair, but you aren’t like them. You won’t stoop as low as they

“I know…”

darkness strengthened. It’s like a trend impeting me into a world of infinite possibilities. Beating the shit out of my rapist brought buppiness beyond comprehension–it was only a fraction of the burning rage I felt I dipped me in a sea of red, but couted in a blanket of

would’ve killed Tristan. I didn’t want him to die yet because he deserved more hurt. Death is too gred for him. Waking into the afterlife meant he’s free of pain and responsibility of this world and

right. This line of thinking is dangerous. I can’t give Chins what he wants–me becoming a ruthless monster. Becoming someone ke him is not an option. I can’t give in to

I wanted doll

Facing the world

han

it ben’t turned. Taking a shower was hell because my body felt as heavy as lead. Dragging it to the bathtub was ke pulling cinderblock. I ignored my friend’s requests to hang

Choice

I blocked

wanted to

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-Bonu:

02:30

on my door. I grouchily snatched my phone off the lamp table and checked the time. It’s past 7 PM. I tossed my phone back and covered my head with my blanket, hoping the person on the

It’s

head shot out of the blanket. Great, I can’t ignore my favorite student! Sighing, I kick the covers off me and

“Yes?”

disturb you, but…are you okay? You canceled training and I haven’t seen you all day.”

worried about me. Blinking back the tears that threatened to fall again, I did my best to muster up a smile, kneeling to her level. “I’m sorry for worrying you, dear. I’m…dealing with some things and needed time

and I’m happy to see Bella come out of her shell. Although, it’s

there anything else,

Neron is asking for you.”

to bash my head into a wall, it’d be now. I know he wants to talk about what happened on the cliff, but I’m dreading the awkwardness. Plus, there’s no way I’d avoid everyone for

moment to imitate a bear’s roar, and I know these two heard me, Neron shot me a smirk, and I blushed. His dish had less food than what I assume is mine. Isabella departed with a smile, leaving us

hell.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.” Gesturing to the seat on the opposite side of him, I begrudgingly obliged, only because I’ve yet to have a decent meal. Neron filled a cup with water from

me smile. “This is good. Cassandra outdid herself.” Yikes, that left

make

“Who did?”

“Me.”

Choice to

4+10 1.Bonu:

fork. That’s impossible! I imagined Neron in a lot of positions, but as a cook wasn’t one of them! But when I look at his face, there’s no hint of deceit. His sapphires are twinkling with delight–a drag23 change from yesterday. “Since

how to cook. It’s a necessity that shouldn’t be based on gender. She showed me how, and it stuck with

this is a special occasion?” I asked, taking another bite of the savory

see how you’re doing.” He admitted, poking at his fish with his fork. “And there’s something we need to talk about.”

and savagely murdered my appetite. I dropped my fork down next to my plate and felt the weight of the world on me again. Crawling into a dark hole never seemed so appealing. I’m too overwhelmed and wanted to hide until