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.”

why didn’t you let me know what happened: You gave me bits and

story.”

together when our walls are down. I couldn’t let you feel what he was doing to me. You try take over to stop him, but he’d force himself on

apologize. Even when brutalized. you thought about 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

my ch*eks. Being strong all the times difficult. reminded of why this pack is despicable and deserves to burn to the ground for what they did i

eye for an

They be her lat off the hook. It isn’t fair. Art. None of them

hiss in pain. “It’s unfair,

“I know…”

for the touch of their creator. Since disfiguring Tristan, the call to 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 blackened security. I didn’t want to leave it. I wanted

because he deserved more hurt. Death is too

can’t give Chins what he wants–me becoming a ruthless monster. Becoming someone ke him

goddamnit, I wanted

Facing the world

han

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 out with them and told them they can eat my share of breakfast and lunch let their

31–A Choice to Kill

but I blocked them

wanted to

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-Bonu:

02:30

my millionth nap, a soft knock rapped 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

It’s Isabella!”

I can’t ignore my favorite student! Sighing, I kick the covers

“Yes?”

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

to muster up a smile, kneeling to her level.

happy to see Bella come out of her shell. Although, it’s normal for younglings to worry about the adults they care about; I

there anything else,

is asking for you.”

about what happened on the cliff, but I’m dreading the awkwardness. Plus, there’s no way I’d avoid everyone for a day without him noticing

On the island were two plates of honey garlic salmon. My stomach thought it was a perfect moment to imitate a bear’s roar, and

look like hell.” He

a decent meal. Neron filled a cup with water from a pitcher and handed it to me. Muttering my

me smile. “This is good. Cassandra outdid herself.” Yikes, that left a bitter taste in my

make this.”

“Who did?”

“Me.”

31 Choice

4+10 1.Bonu:

when I look at his face, there’s no hint of deceit. His sapphires are twinkling with delight–a drag23 change from

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

another bite of the savory salmon. Goddess, I wanted to eat this for the rest of my

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

felt the weight of the world on me again. Crawling