Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 44 She’s Gone

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“Times will change for the better when you change.“–Maxwell Maltz

Neron

Seconds turn to minutes, minutes turn to hours, and hours turn to a lifetime. It is like two lifetimes had passed since Kiya and her family left my land. Her absence is noticeable, especially with the change in temperature. The sun shines, warming my territory, but it can’t compare to the warmth my mate held. She is the sun.

I don’t know how long I sat on these stairs, staring out into the dense woodlands. A miniscule speck of hope dances in me, thinking that Kiya would emerge from the trees with her beautiful smile. I long to see her again, but it’s false hope clinging onto my side of the mate bond.

I shouldn’t have hope of any kind. She’s gone and I can’t wish for her to come back for me. As much as I miss her, I don’t want her back on my lands.

This experience got me thinking about this pack’s long–standing history. Or the parts I know of. Zircon Moon is an old name, existing for nearly two hundred years according to Dad. Five generations had passed since its birth, marking me as the sixth. The honor and pride of my predecessors‘ rest on my shoulders–to bring our pack to a bright future and to bring an heir to carry on our legacy.

I didn’t want that burden. Not after the shit we’ve done.

I heard a shuffle beside me. Both Raina and Valerian took their seats on the stone stairs, keeping my lonely. self company for the millionth time. My Beta offered a bottle of soda, which I took. But I have no desire to

drink.

“How are you holding up, dude?” He asked. Raina looked at me as her fingers fiddling in her nap. My fingers rapped against the bottle as 1 try to come up with the right words.

“I’ll be fine, all things considering.” I offered them a small smile. “It’s a feeling I must get used to.”

“Don’t beat around the bush, Neron. I wish she was still here, too.” Raina spoke up with a twinge of sadness in her tone. Tears threaten to spill from her eyes. Jeez, I’m wallowing in my misery–Raina is feeling worse than me. “She’s in a better place now.”

“You’re making it sound like she’s dead.” Valerian chuckled, sipping his drink. “In a few short months, Kiya knew how to turn this place upside–down.” I glared at him. “In a good way.”

“It was a wake–up call we all needed.” I pondered, resting my chin on my fist. “Kiya’s arrival was a good thing. Garnet Moon did a fantastic job at helping her blossom.”

“They are her family.” Raina spoke with a pained smile. “While she was here, I kept thinking of ways to bring my family together again. We share the same blood, but this experience taught me two things: blood doesn’t make a family, the bonds do. And I’ve been selfish.”

Kiya was at her happiest with her friends. Her smile shined the brightest and her laughter was at its purest form. Her bonds with her friends are the strongest. With her parents, it was incredible and, I admit, I was a little jealous. Lyra and Nikolai fiercely protected their pup. They’ve earned Kiya’s trust without trying.

Chapter 44–She’s Gone

The old me would’ve hated this. Goddess, how did I stomach hurting her back then? We grew up side–by–side and I let my father’s lies get to my head. Everything he said about her, I believed. I had to, even if it meant. going against Onyx. That shame will never disappear. It shouldn’t. I need this reminder to help me realize how much of a shitty person I was and, probably, still am.

No one can hide from their past. I can run as fast as I can from it, but it’ll still snatch me up like a cheetah to a gazelle.

“Do you still wish her to be your Luna, Neron?” Raina asked me, curious. “I mean…an Alpha always needs their Luna, right? And you love her.”

enough to know I don’t want her to be my

weight of my words stopped my Betas‘ breathing in their tracks. Valerian stared at me as if I’ve grown three heads and Raina’s jaw dropped in which her husband helped

wanted to protect her. Despite the horrible pranks, the groundings and overall

Beta Female smiled, reminiscing on old memories, “He was like a, no offense, but a dumb puppy around her–that tail

made since our talk in Kiya’s room. He remembers. It was strange for a wolf to be fascinated with my sister’s friend, but now I see why. Snapping the bottle cap off my soda bottle, I took a sip before walking down the stairs to

one. I wouldn’t say I hated the

honest with me, you two.” I spoke, seizing their attention. “Do you believe

Raina spared glances, confused. With more time on my hands and Kiya gone, there was time to contemplate on where I want to go with

a sign. “It’s not because of your leadership, Neron, it’s the wolves themselves. It’s because of their unwillingness to change and the constant shift in morality. You saw how many of them switched sides at

I hate that f*cking name. But Valerian is right; whatever fits their personal agenda, they’ll latch on like leeches to flesh. They cling onto my father’s every word. He poisoned my head about Kiya’s involvement and

would’ve happened if she stayed.

how you cut the dead leaves off plants to help new ones to grow?” Raina added. “That’s

burn it all down and start over.” Kwame walked up with Lorelal at his side, holding hands. “I apologize

do you mean?”

I don’t talk, but I see all. If Zircon Moon were to go anywhere or to “prosper” as it did before, things need to change. That’s the benefit you have as Alpha, Neron, The ball is in your court, so you can determine this pack’s future–if

I wanted or believed didn’t matter. My destiny was to be an Alpha with an iron fist, no matter how much I tried to run from it. Instead, my father violently pulled me back until I gave up accepted his twisted wisdom. Everything I

didn’t do a f*cking thing. Dad was wrong and I cannot

won’t listen to

may not have been ours to choose, but we sure as hell can change H. Kiya’s words from our trip to

Kwam. I know what to do, but I can’t do it alone, I need you four to support me, because

Valerian stood, helping Raina to her

inherited from my father

ask for a

I’ve been

On his paws, he spun in circles with panic and fear oozing from his fur, growling, and whimpering. “Mate! Kiya! Artemis! Something’s happened!”

are you

it out, Alpha Anthony’s caller ID flashed on the

It was.

shattered into a million

a knot, restricting my breathing. My hands became so clammy that my phone slipped from my palms to the ground. Tears burned my eyes like acid, my heart thudded to the beat of unadulterated terror and lightheadedness crawled into my mind. Alpha Anthony’s reveal sent me on a downward spiral. I couldn’t concentrate; my fear spiked higher than my

worryingly. “What’s

made it home.” I

in shock. “My sister is gone?!”

“Find mate, now!”

Chapter 44–She’s Gone

giving me the boost needed to focus. Kiya disappearing is something I couldn’t fathom.

any of you are coming with me, high–tail your asses to my car!” The harshness of my tone was unintended, but I couldn’t waste any time. Alpha Anthony wouldn’t lie to me, but by the tone of his voice, he’s just as

found my car and got it started. Raina and Kwame hopped into the backseat, buckling in their seatbelts. Their mates spoke to me, through mind–link, that they’ll stay behind to watch over in my absence. I noticed Dad’s car is missing, but I couldn’t care less. Once I rolled off the territory, I stomped on the gas and sped down the

be gone!

Goddess, please tell me

half an hour. The foul stench in the air burned my nostrils, taking my mind back to when the undead rogues trespassed on my land. Littering the ground are their rotting, dismembered body