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

that thing in here

not a thing; she’s Kiya’s pet.” I corrected, fondly poking her beak. “And I’m sure she misses her

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

the right path. Not only that, the actions of the Alpha also reflect on them as an individual. If a pack

pack has proven to be unreliable, thus making you untrustworthy by extension. No one has learned from the mistakes they’ve made and are easily swayed by extraneous forces, so it seems. If we were to Join again to save Kiya, I cannot say with confidence that your pack will

worry about them.”

eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

Moon was a symbol of pride. My pride. I’ve held my home to the greatest regard and couldn’t say enough good things about it. Now, as I open my

It’s disgraceful.

people to go to battle for

trust?”

as I spoke. I don’t know if I should call it pride, but its warmth

He nods.

you regret sending Kiya to

of breath. His expression contorted as his hazel eyes hardened like steel, regarding me with a look full of scrutiny. On the desk, his

To Help Dr

hiding away under the cherry wood. I waited for his answer while Diana shuffled in

your lands was never for your benefit. My family promised to protect her from harm, always. As the years went on, I’ve watched Kiya blossom into a force to be reckoned with. But there 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 she can

shoulders, permeating sadness, and the loss of light in his eyes gave way to how he’s truly feels. Guilt. Anthony holds the look of a remorseful man with the weight of the world trapping him between a rock and a

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 in her eyes to disappear.

with mine, despite being so different. “You did what you thought was best

and a crazed psychopath nearly killed. my family

presence had a

that because

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 she’s also a lesson I needed to be taught a long

still are kind of.” Onyx quipped. I’ve never

Anthony. Miss Phoebe walked in with a grim look on her face.

is the only one, I believe, can

news?”

smarter this time. I’ve conjured up all the spells and rituals from my book to locate Kiya, but I’m met with metaphysical blocks time after time. Imagine running and suddenly crashing into an unexpected tree. If my sentiments are correct, he is using the magic of corrupt witches to insure their location is untraceable. He is not letting

To Help Or

witches?” I asked her. “What do

a select few who stray from the rules. Phoebe began. “Motivated by greed, lust, and who knows what else, they’ll do whatever it takes to get what they want. Here, witches who use corrupt magic are the ones who will ally themselves 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 don’t care about

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

an option, nor will it

won’t stop until I find her.

resting his chin on his fist. “Your friend, Endo, used a special locator spell last time to uncover

without the blocks to take into consideration. The blocks these witches used 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 barriers put in place, I will not take that risk on her life. There is a lot at stake now;