Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 47 To Help Or Not

“The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.“–Ernest Hemingway

Neron

“I do not understand, Alpha Anthony. Our packs teamed up before when Kiya and Phoebe were first kidnapped, and our mission was successful. Now, why you’re turning down my help?”

“Things have changed, Alpha Neron,” His cold baritone voice induced fresh bouts of concern from me. Nonchalantly, Anthony leans back in his chair, staring me down with sharp scrutiny as if I’ve insulted his family. We’ve been cordial with one another for a while, and this is the first he’s rejected my offer of aid. “Garnet Moon has the jurisdiction over this investigation. Kiya is my pack member, therefore making it my responsibility to find her.”

“My member and I wish to aid in the investigation as well.” I retort, gripping the arms of my seat. Onyx listens, yet is unruly at the absence of our mate. It knocks me out of focus, sporadically. “We have an alliance and I feel it is beneficial for us to team up once again, since we have a common goal; to recover Kiya safely. I mean no insult, but you don’t know what you’re up against.”

“I do. Don’t underestimate me.” He advised. “However, I am questioning whether our alliance is worth the

trouble.”

The moon peeks from the corner of the window, a sliver of light splicing through the office. It is now nighttime. Kwame, Raina, and I have resided on Anthony’s lands since our departure from the crash site.. Kiya’s disappearance has created an ocean of immense shock, not just with her friends, but with her pack. I’m worried sick about her. Based on the rumblings I’ve heard within these walls; she’s admired by everyone. Even

the children.

Garnet Moon is a family. If one hurts, they all hurt. That made the impact of the abduction that much harder on those expecting her return. Her friends have become closed off and her parents are an absolute mess.

The last thing they’d want are my comforting words..

In my hands, I held onto the portrait I made for her. It is as perfect as when I packaged it. By the miracle of my Moon Goddess, it survived the crash. My heart did a flutter when I found it nestled in a bush against a rock. The undead rogues never found it and apparently, neither did her friends. Part of me danced with joy to see my gift to her intact, but knowing I cannot see her reaction made the ache in my heart throb harder.

Settling it next to my seat now, I face another dilemma. Alpha Anthony is rejecting our help for reasons unknown to me. As his persistence raged on, Onyx grows infuriated from being barred from helping to find his other half. He wanted to jump out and give Anthony a piece of his mind, so keeping his anger in check tested my willpower.

And I share some of his anger, but not enough to attack.

“This sudden questioning of our alliance is quite abrupt, don’t you think?” I probed, eyeing my fellow Alpha carefully. An idea of why buzzes in my head, but I needed confirmation. “Why?”

“Simple. I don’t trust you, Neron. Or rather, I’m not sure if I can.” Sitting up, he folded his hands on his desk. “As more and more of your packs barbarities against my sister come to light, I’m questioning if I made the right choice forming this alliance.”

1/5

“But, there’s more you aren’t telling me.”

“Hoo!”

I almost forgot about the bundle of feathers shuffling in my lap. Diana hadn’t left my side since I’ve left the crash site. She’s like a cute, feathery boomerang. I scratch her tiny head, relishing in her soft hoots of pleasure. Even now, as the tension is thick as butter in Anthony’s office, she continues to support me.

arched an eyebrow, his close–set hazel eyes landing on the unusual addition

that thing

pet.” I corrected, fondly poking her beak. “And

alone an owl. How peculiar for it to be comfortable around its natural predators, but that’s besides the point.” He sighs, rubbing his temple to soothe an incoming headache. “I’ve spoken with Jacqueline and the others, and they’ve filled me in on what had happened. I know you’re aware that a pack’s

them as an individual. If a pack flourishes, the Alpha is praised for being the one to bring them to that state. Outstanding leaders produce greater people. A strong pack equals a strong leader. Sadly, the packs

untrustworthy by extension. No one has learned from the mistakes they’ve made and are easily swayed by extraneous forces, so it seems. If

worry about

an eyebrow.

to admit that he or she doesn’t trust the very people they’ve sworn to protect. Growing up, Zircon Moon was a symbol of pride. My pride. I’ve held

It’s disgraceful.

trust your people to go to battle for you, then who can you

trust?”

Gammas.” A foreign feeling bubbled in my chest as I spoke. I don’t know if I

He nods.

you regret sending Kiya to my lands?”

hazel eyes hardened like steel, regarding me with a look

To Help Dr

away under the cherry wood. I waited for his

was constantly something holding her back from her true potential. Mom, Dad, and I believed a time will come for her to confront her demons in order for her to heal well because no matter what we do, Zircon Moon continued to hover over her like a dark cloud. Kiya is a warrior, but she is always fighting. Sometimes, even the mightiest of all fighters grow weary. While her primary purpose was to train your warriors, it was also so

look of a remorseful man with the weight of the world trapping him between a rock and a hard place. His palm brushed

regret sending her. If I hadn’t, she’d still be here. I acted selfishly; in my desire for her to break loose from her demons, I’ve chained her tighter to them. And now, she’s gone.” His sorrowful eyes gazed at the shining moon through his window as if he’s praying for our goddess‘ forgiveness. “I just wanted the pain

wrong with what you did, Anthony.” I reassured, feeling his guilt twinning with mine, despite being so different. “You

got her. Your ex–girlfriend tried to kill her twice, and a crazed psychopath nearly killed. my

Kiya’s presence had a good effect

that because she

I shook my head. “She was the karma we all needed. For too long, we’ve alluded ourselves to think nothing would harm us; that our actions won’t affect our future. We’ve buried that part of our history for so long, and it is only now that we’re forced to open our eyes and confront it. To own up to what we did. I admit, some of us need more work than others. Kiya is my mate, but

I’ve never put a mental block up

a grim look on her face. An air of mystery trails her in the office, pricking at my skin. It’s not bothersome, but it still gives me the child.

laid with her as she is the only one, I believe, can locate Kiya with magic.

Any news?” Anthony asked.

book to locate Kiya, but I’m met with metaphysical blocks time after time. Imagine running

To

her. “What do they have

with darkness. While Osiris is not a witch, it’s most likely he promised them something in return of their servitude. Unfortunately, when Kiya and I were kidnapped, I’ve witnessed their immorality with my own eyes. They

through my body at the idea of Osiris gaining unlikely allies to keep Kiya hidden away like possession. Witches, Cerberus; who the hell else is there?! My faith slowly deflates, but I

nor will it

stop until I

thought, resting his chin on his fist. “Your friend, Endo, used a special locator spell last time to uncover your location. Could we try that again since

to cloud Kiya’s location are incredibly strong, and it most likely came from the effort of multiple corrupt witches. Using that ritual again will put Raina’s life in danger again. Given the