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.

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

that thing in

pet.” I corrected, fondly poking her beak. “And I’m sure she misses her immensely. You wouldn’t push her out, would you?”

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 actions reflect on their

that, the actions of the Alpha also reflect on 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 that have fallen to ruin have their name tarnished and their Alpha

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 give their best

don’t worry

arches an eyebrow. “Excuse

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 my home to the greatest regard and couldn’t say enough good things about it. Now, as I open my eyes more to what I’ve

It’s disgraceful.

thing, Neron. If you can’t trust your people to go to battle for you, then who

trust?”

I don’t know if I should call it pride, but its warmth rushed through my body. “Can I ask

He nods.

you regret sending Kiya to my lands?”

eyebrows arch at the unexpected question with a sharp intake of breath. His expression contorted as his hazel eyes

To Help

waited for his answer while

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

the look of a remorseful man with the weight of the world trapping him between a rock and a hard place. His palm brushed his hair back, revealing more of

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 in her eyes to disappear. But you

feeling his guilt twinning with mine, despite

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

it counts for something, Kiya’s presence had

that because she is your mate.”

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

I’ve never

conversation. With a blunt ‘Come in‘ from Anthony. Miss Phoebe walked in with a grim look on her face. An air of mystery trails her in the

is the only one, I believe, can locate Kiya with

news?”

gave made my fear spike. “Osiris got 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.

47 – To Help Or

her. “What do they have to do

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

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 cannot let it

an option, nor will it

until I find her.

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

perilous ritual, even 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