Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 33 – Am I Crazy Now?

“God damn right, you should be scared of me.” Control‘ by Halsey

Kiya

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02:13

Blinking back my tears, I backed away from Tristan. Shaking my head, I handed the blade to Neron.

Like clockwork, the crowd whispers behind me at the sudden revelation. They whisper why I’m hesitating or granting mercy. I scoffed silently. Gossip is a treasured hobby because they love to make wild assumptions.

“I’m sorry, Neron,” I whispered shamefully, “I thought I could do it, but I can’t.”

“It’s okay, Kiya.” A comforting smile rests on his face. He took the blade and used his free hand to smoothen my hair. He k*ssed the top of my curls, “I’ve asked too much of you in a short time. Executing someone is a hefty responsibility, and I’m glad you backed out. You stayed true to yourself. I’m proud of you.”

Onyx growled softly in him, making his presence known to me. Standing on my moral ground awakened a dissimilar sensation. I’m proud, but I feel ashamed. The crowd expected to watch me murder my assaulter, but things changed.

How many think I’m weak? How many haven’t changed their thinking from the dark days? Many faces in the crowd are the same faces back then. It’s been five years since my suicide and my arrival, and I foolishly hoped some had the heart to change.

But one thing’s for certain: I can count on my friends. Zircon Moon? I’m still hesitant on trusting anyone except for the Gammas, including Neron and Raina. I’m watching for changes but I’m also watching for slipups.

Neither has slipped up yet.

Relieved, I can retreat to my safety net and watch the execution. Neron has the blade, so he’ll kill Tristan for

1. me.

“Stop this, immediately.” A voice echoed. “No crime has occurred; thus this execution is to be null and void for lack of evidence and misconduct.”

Everyone’s heads shot to the right to see Jonathan Prince marching toward us with an older man in robes beside him. His aging face contorted in what I think to be…satisfaction? My eyes widened at his proclamation and commotion erupted again, but not as much as the anger from Neron.

“Dad, Elder Sage, what the f*ck is this?!” Neron demanded as they cut through the crowd. “You have no right

to stop these proceedings!”

“I do when I recognize a gross miscarriage of justice.” Jonathan glowered at his son. “While I’m not acting as Alpha, I have senior authority. You’re preparing to execute an innocent man over wild accusations–and

without a trial!”

“Under his own volition. Tristan confessed to me and Raina!” Neron yelled. “He’s forfeited his right to a trial because of it. He harmed the Alpha’s mate, punishable by death! I told you last night that you won’t stop me!”

Wait, I remember this! Last night, I was heading to my room for the evening when I heard yelling from the

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fourth floor. Two separate voices battled out with hints of glass breaking. Werewolf senses can pick up on the smallest noises, but I couldn’t make out what they spoke about. It came from the Alpha Office, so I knew 02:11 Neron was arguing with someone. His Dad!

“There are many errors to your declaration, Alpha Neron.” Elder Sage spoke emotionlessly. I recognize him as one of the pack elders. Every pack has one or two. Where the f*ck was he five years ago?! “No rape took place.”

disgust. “He raped me for years! How can you stand there

acting crazy, dumb child. By law, you can’t rape a

that bomb. No! He cannot take this away from me! The crowd silenced, sucked into the conflict between us four. Is there a level above fury? Because Neron’s face is turning as red

Jonathan couldn’t hide his smug smile. Neron is about to rip his head off! But he’s looking at me with a look that says, “I always

people–the perpetrator and the victim. Applying this to your context, you claim that Tristan Dudley raped you when you were a slave. You were merely an object, and one cannot rape an object. Whether or not you consented, isn’t the issue. You’ve misinterpreted your entire

“Tristan brutalized me! You cannot tell me my rapes didn’t exist because Jonathan forced me

“It’s the law.”

is obsolete!” Neron shouted, his fists trembling with his fury. Many pack members cowered under the might of his voice.

way of ensuring a friend doesn’t die.” Jonathan shrugged calmly, unfazed by his son’s anger. “And don’t act high and mighty, Neron. At the time of the alleged ‘rapes“, she wasn’t recognized as your mate. You didn’t know until your ceremony. Are you killing Tristan for her sake or to ease your guilt? Because,

on and tearing Jonathan apart. Her eyes, formerly emerald green, are coal black.

can’t do this to my sister,

me but soured when facing Raina, “You brutalized the stupid bitch as much as anyone

your f*cking mouth, Odessa,” Raina

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love you have now. Where was it back then? Your crazy sister is an attention whorer Abusing a slave doesn’t exist, so no one did anything wrong. She’s the abusive one! She’s hit me and 02:0 threatened me countless times, but guess you didn’t know that,

from her parents and tackled Odessa to the ground, savagely punching her in the face and throat. Darien tried to stop her, but because of the differences between his rank and strength, it was hard. Nothing will stop her

backed away while some tossed insults and degradation my way until Neron’s lethal glare

shit!” Jackie shouted in her rage, still restrained. “A sick man! I’ll tear you apart

lies and hysteria, you almost got a man killed. And you have a history of assaulting pack members, not just Tristan. That violates the deal between your

and I’ll kill

chest. My world crumbled. The justice I wanted is taken by the same man who ruined my life.

me,

as f*cking try,

execution, and you dare to talk back to me? I raised an Alpha, not a weak man! You’re a failure, Neron, and you’re taking this glorious pack down with you!”

a failure if it meant

warmth. I became so cold, not even Neron’s arms can warm me up. No matter what

eyes scan the crowd, spotting many angry faces aimed at me. It seared into my flesh, sinking deep into nerves. I’ve ruined their peace. Daggers from their eyes

hinges preventing me from going insane are becoming loose.

and made out to be an attention–seeking whore. This pack never fails to disgust me. Why did I come out here? Why did I agree to train the pups? Above all, am I stupid for setting foot upon a land that held pain for me

a

my

this was what I’m repaid for my work–repugnance, and lack of justice–I should’ve stayed my ass at home.

I Crazy

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102:02

could only hear a singular voice in the deafening silence. “See how quickly they turned against you? No one truly cares about you, Little Moon. All of them are little monsters waiting to hurt you again, and they did! They sided with the abusers! Didn’t I tell you

me, but his arms did nothing to dispel the chill from Osiris‘ ghostly touch on my shoulders. How could I be blind to the

that you’ll get retribution from this hellscape. It’ll never come. Zircon Moon has been very lucky to avoid punishment for your torment. One

but many still live. Cut one head off, three more appear. That’s how everything works with Zircon. Tristan is a single man in a sea of hatred. They’ve hidden behind an outdated law that permitted my abuse.

my

get justice. No one will ever be held responsible for

I HATE IT!

You can be the striking gavel of retribution. The right way no longer applies, so why

and wrong. Righteousness always prevails, right? But it’s not always fair. I’ve walked down that path–and karma still

I’m done.

disregarded for the sake of love and forgiveness. I’m tired of having to be the better person and hold back my anger for some nonexistent moral ground. This pack won’t suffer on

broken, smug smile on his face. Jonathan will bail him out. I shouldn’t expect anything less–they’re

what he’s thinking?” Osiris‘ saccharine voice asked

vile thoughts he has about me

thing. Coming all this way just to lose.”