Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 42 – Final Goodbyes

“I exist in two places, here and where you are.“– Margaret Atwood

Kiya

This has to be dealt with. It’s a simple parting conversation, right? Nothing more, nothing less.

Even though this is the last time we’ll see each other.

Upon my approach, Neron’s eyes glittered in glee but dimmed quickly after. Pretending to not see the sudden shift in emotion, I stuff my hands in my pockets and smiled awkwardly, closing the distance between us.

“Hi.

“Hi.” He responded. “Do you have everything? If not, I can send the rest of your stuff to California.”

I shake my head. “It’s fine, Neron. I have everything.” Another shaky sigh from me, more awkwardness from both of us. And silence.

We aren’t good at this.

“How are you feeling?” I ask after the silence became torture. “With all of this? You said little about it this morning.” Or in wolf–form. After breakfast and before packing, Neron and I let our wolves out. Artemis and Onyx went on their last run together, racing through the dense oak trees. Without being the one in control, I could feel Onyx’s sadness roll off his fur in tsunami waves as he pumped his legs faster through the forest.

It hurt. And Artemis knew it too. After the run, she said nothing. She didn’t respond to my attempts to talk to her. I figured she needed time for the finality of the situation to marinate.

“I’m…” Neron hesitated, averting his eyes to the side. “Honestly? It’s not what I want, but it has to be done.” The Alpha sighed sharply, rubbing the back of his head. “I don’t want you to leave, Kiya. Onyx doesn’t either. Like the selfish pricks we are, we want you and Artemis at our side. However, the thought of you being miserable next to me hurts more than the inevitable distance between us.”

I said nothing. I don’t know what I could say. His sorrow is as sharp as a knife, piercing through the defenses I built around me. Maybe there’s a part of me that didn’t want to leave him–a tiny part, but I’m losing my mind and have to go.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I caused a lot of trouble here, did I?”

“We needed it.” Neron chuckles, gazing at me longingly. “It made me more aware of the shit you have to deal with. And what we put you through. Your arrival opened my eyes and I know it did the same for others like your sister. But, it’s my fault for not providing a safe enough space for you for your entire stay.”

“Things happen that are beyond our control.” I retort. “You did your best, Neron. It’s not like we could’ve predicted Odessa going insane, or Tristan’s bullshit, or even Osiris. Trauma won this round, I suppose.”

“I agree. Zircon Moon has nothing to offer you but madness. You deserve so much better, Kiya.” Blue eyes glistened with wonder when he noticed something. His large hand went to my collarbone, fingers gently caressing the silver pendant hanging from my neck. The touch of his fingers was soft, cautious. “You’re wearing it.”

Chapter 42–Final Goodbyes

I’m wearing the full moon necklace Neron gifted me on our date to the amusement park. Our first date. The gold star charm with my first initial sang quietly when it clinked against the pendant. I never told him, but whenever I wore it, it made me happy. Because he gave the gift a lot of thought, especially engraving it with my birthday. And it’s beautiful. It made sense to wear it.

“Yeah.” I smile small. “Thank you for it. It…means a lot.”

Suddenly, Diana flew in like a rocket, resting her talons on my shoulder. Her wings fluttered, picking wind up along with strands of my hair. Ah, I couldn’t forget about my little friend! She followed me here to Zirco Moon, and I know she’ll follow me back to Garnet Moon. Wherever I go, she’ll follow.

However, there is a level of fondness in her golden eyes when she gazes at Neron. Molten yellow held words and emotions she couldn’t express through her beak. Fluttering off my shoulder to his. The owl nuzzled her head into Neron’s cheek, making the grown man chuckle in delight.

“I’ll miss you too, Diana. Watch over Kiya for me, okay?”

“Hoo!”

watched the affection between man and owl, the shrill of a car horn startled me. Dad is driving us back home, and he wants me in so we can make it in time for

it. My final

sadness permeated off of him again. Diana gently pressed her beak to his cheek and flew away

just

“Well, I’m flattered!”

feelings back to him. He continues to give while I

go, I want to give

You know how much I don’t like

but not light either. The edges were hard when I tried to cop a feel of the mysterious item. Before I could rip it open, his

“Why?”

me.” He said

but didn’t question his intentions, even though I should. “Okay. It’s not

puts

Chapter 42–Final Goodbyes

blushing. Thank Goddess for dark skin. Leave it to Neron to make me flush before I leave. Firmly nodding, I hug the package to my chest. “Can you also do me another favor?”

Neron didn’t. Not wanting things to be awkward again, I

enjoy out of everything here, is how embarrassed the Alpha looks. Pink

regarded Neron with a look for a minute, pondering on my thoughts. Then, I reached into my

in me once I set Neron’s number in my phone. Excitement is ever so present on his face as well. It feels wrong to do, but also right. How confusing does

“I’ll call you.”

it wasn’t. All I had to

so hard now?

“Kiya…”

Oh, f*ck it.

head rests on his hard chest and my arms are around his waist. I didn’t know what I was feeling from this, but I felt it. Strange, yet satisfied. Without hesitation, Neron hugged me back just as tight, pressing firm kisses on my forehead and hair. If a normal human were to look at us, we’d be a couple saying their goodbyes before being separated.

to see the saddened look on his face? The sparks of our mate bond are so faint–barely hanging on the thread of life. They’re

“I know you’ll never say it back, but I’ll never stop saying it to you. Please, for the

me.”

“Neron…”

in pain anymore.” He confesses. Hot tears rain on

the best way you can. Whatever trouble comes your

up, Neron.”

softly. “You’re hurting.

love

Chapter 42–Final Goodbyes

realizing it. You’re strong, dedicated to your cause, stubborn, and pure–hearted. You can change the world, Kiya. I’ve been my happiest when you were here, and now you need to be

Pain is his best friend, but he’s shoving it aside for me. Because he wants the best

him.

like it. It doesn’t

is waiting for you.” The Alpha whispers.

me away. The longer I stayed, the more it hurt him. My body felt like lead, but my legs moved on their own accord. My family is waiting for me. Waiting to take me home. To my

I’ll be around people who cherish me. It’s a moment I should be grateful to leave a place that caused me too much pain. So why the f*ck does it hurt?

I hopped into my seat, with Neron’s gift still hugged to my chest. The car door closed with a loud and deep click separating me from the land.