Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Kiya.

Oh Kiya, I hope you’re alright. We all miss you so much.

As we drew closer, screaming perforated my eardrums, steadily growing in volume and intensity. Innocent men and women grabbed their loved ones and retreated to safety when I arrived on the mainland. My hands clasped around my throat as the air thickened with disorder. Omar and Amani guided children and our pack’s most vulnerable to the underground bunkers; a frequented place that they all are very familiar with, mellowing the panic.

A horrid scent assaulted my nose, and my heart dropped in a sea of despair. Blood mingling with death, coming in at all directions. Whoever or whatever is attacking has gotten their hands on my people!

“Alpha!” Omar yelled, leaving his wife’s side. His dark, aged face contorted in dread. His eyes met with Lorelai’s, panic increasing. “Lori-”

“I know.” She and Kwame shared a brief kiss before she and her pregnant belly were guided to safety. Worry perspired out of my Gamma, his heart at ease knowing his wife and unborn child are safe.

“The attack happened no less than fifteen minutes ago.” Omar explained. “Our enemy blends seamlessly in the shadows, slaughtering anyone in their way. We’ve lost patrols and warriors. Some older men and women, sadly, fell victim as well. There is no definitive number on our casualties.”

I grit my teeth, feeling the anger bubble at my core. Already, the bonds between those members and their life snapped like weak twigs. “Thank you, Omar.”

“I apologize for not sounding the alarm earlier.”

“You’ve done all you can, Dad.” Kwame spoke, patting his old man’s arm. “Now, you and Mom need to get to

safety.” The couple retreated without hesitation.

“We can’t see the enemy, eh?” Sapphire asked, arching a knowing eyebrow. “Not for long.”

Knowing well what she meant, I allowed Onyx to take over. With a keen eye and superior night vision, he homes in on the enemies blending in the dark. Multiple enemies. Growls erupted from most of the Garnet Moon team, including my wolves as their eyes shined like diamonds. Their wolves are out.

We’re used to rogues attacking, but rarely full–bodied enemies.

And it made the hairs on the back of my neck rise.

Running isn’t an option. I don’t know what they want, but their lives are on the chopping block and I have the hatchet. My warriors who helped guide the pack members to safety bristled and spreading about, prepared to face the onslaught head on. Shuffling echoed widely in the forest, the enemy getting in formation. No longer will they harm the innocent because they’re facing the big, bad wolves aching to drench their claws in maroon–coated revenge.

Before anyone could react, a deep, loud, rumbling cackle knifed through the blackened air, gripping at our spines. Dripping with venom and malice. The laughter belonged to a madman high on illicit drugs, yet a simple sound revealed the owner’s true intention. It mocked us.

Mocked me.

I was a comedy act, and it was the spectator. Onyx was ready to pounce, but I peeled back his control and took the driver’s seat. The monster in charge was here while his army waited for his signal, hidden behind obscurity and oak barks.

“Show yourself!” I roared, hands balling up into fists at my sides.

“My, my, aren’t you eager to meet me, Alpha?” The familiar voice chuckled. “How does it feel to watch one miracle happen only to land yourself in hell?”

team took a couple steps back, vigilant of what is about to appear in front of us. Valerian pushed Raina behind him, and Kwame watched

would walk out of the dancing shadows, but what emerged was worse. The humans say that the worst of the world’s beast takes on human form. A man walked out of the mystifying shadows like he owned the world, dressed more like a regal dark prince than a wild beast. Hair as white as snow and mouth lined with pearls glowed

as red as

smile that would make the devil weep, his eyes scoped the

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my posture stiffened. I’ve never seen this man before in my life, but he knew of me? I fought every instinct firing in my body to attack, but I needed answers.

members through mind–link, smelling the anticipation and anger rolling off their flesh in waves. “Who the hell

barbarism of a true Alpha alludes you. So damn demanding.” The man sighed mockingly, flipping his colorless tresses behind his ear. “Allow me to introduce

of my land and tormented the mind of my mate. The beast in human skin. A devil

us!

hadn’t held me back by the arms. My men know me and my instincts too well. Even Raina bristled, her delicate face contorting in her own anger. “Where the f*ck is Kiya?! What have you done to

skins. Beta Jacqueline is lucky to have Beta Female

afraid to attack me?” His rubies found me again. “My Little Moon is…doing well. Very well. But the weakling you knew no longer exists. And you have no chance

head, my jaw dropped to the ground. All pack members, minus children, young teenagers, and pregnant women marched out of hiding like organized zombies, row after row. My soldiers fell into the same state, slackening their stances and dropping weapons. They formed rows and columns behind my team and Garnet, eyes hollow and bodies stiff as if they’re waiting for an order

you doing, Osiris?!” I demanded, feeling Onyx claw at my

a dark hand over his heart. “Why, I have done nothing, Alpha.

bone- chilling, and fear–inducing. A frigid chill swam down my spine, and Onyx broke his stance as my fear touched his soul. The laughter was familiar, and it

Then it happened.

colossal weight landed in front of us in a mighty crash, picking up dust and debris from the darkened ground. The force propelled us back on our

You’re such

dropped like a bomb. Obliterating in a fiery explosion with no hopes

voice. It couldn’t be! It can’t be!

Raina whimper behind me.

she sat with her arms around his thick neck. Osiris walked over and took her hand into his, helping her as she landed on her black heels that raised her stature a few inches. Stained with splatters of blood, her black dress blended into the night, exposing almost every scar that ever marred her

The rich, dark browns I love so much are gone; replaced by menacing red full

and hatred..

Kiya. My Kiya!

scanned the crowd until she said the one word that broke my focus. “Kneel.”

her single command. Some shook while some cried silent tears. I couldn’t believe what I’m

living shit out of me. Especially since that mischievous smile on her face shows she

enthusiastic over the outcome.

is more

did he do to her?!” Onyx bellowed, his voice taking on an unnatural soprano braided with shock. When Osiris raised Kiya’s hand to his lips and planted a kiss on her pliant flesh,

claws out and jaw frothing. He wanted his head. I wanted his head! His grimy hands

into this!

we were thrown back on our back after Kiya drop–kicked

the chest.

pain. “Better yet, the rest of you should kneel as well. It’s only

pulsating energy suddenly flooded my body, clouding all my senses under an impenetrable haze. Onyx whimpered, bowing and tilting his head to the side to show his surrender. He never surrenders–not even to me or my father! Unable to control my body, I followed suit with one knee bent and head lowered. From my peripherals, everybody else, including the