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

+109

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 pieces, but never the full

story.”

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

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 side

strong all the times difficult. reminded of why this

for

got gems, but it’s enough. They be her lat off the hook. It isn’t fair. Art. None

thinking, Kiki.” Artemis warmed. 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 have. You’re better

“I know…”

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

me, delighted at my viciousness. If I wasn’t interced, I 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 he shouldn’t escape it. Not

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

goddamnit, I

for the rest of the day Facing the world

han

pulling cinderblock. I ignored

31–A Choice to Kill

I blocked

to

+10

-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 head with my blanket, hoping the person

It’s Isabella!”

Great, I can’t ignore my favorite student! Sighing, I kick the covers off me and trudged to the

“Yes?”

you okay? You canceled training

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 away. Thank you for checking on

okay…” This sweetheart and I developed a bond and I’m happy to see Bella come out of her shell. Although, it’s normal for younglings

there anything else, Bell?”

Alpha Neron is

he wants to talk about what happened on the cliff, but I’m

of my internal protests, I followed Isabella to the kitchen where Neron was waiting for me. 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 I know these two heard me, Neron shot

like hell.”

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 a pitcher and handed it to me. Muttering my thanks, I grabbed my

Savory flavors danced around my tongue, making me smile. “This is good. Cassandra

make

“Who did?”

“Me.”

Choice to

4+10 1.Bonu:

of positions, but as a cook wasn’t one of them! But when I look at his face, there’s no hint of

It’s a necessity that shouldn’t be based on gender.

a special occasion?” I asked, taking another bite of the savory salmon. Goddess, I wanted to eat this for the rest of

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

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