Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 96 – New Beginnings (A Long Chapter A)

Third Person POV

“Neron, I forgive you.”

The excited commotion from the pack house billowed through the open windows, carried by the waning summer air. Kiya drummed her fingers against her thigh while Neron looked heavenward at the sunset sky, fixated on the beauty of the lavender clouds. They waited for the response of the other, wondering who’d be the first to break the silence. Anxiety nipped at Kiya’s throat while Neron tried to find the words to speak. Both Onyx and Artemis sat tight in their minds, listening and watching in bated breaths at this much–needed

conversation.

The anticipation was palpable.

Neron inhaled an audible breath through his mouth and exhaled, clearing his throat as he stood straight off the wall he was leaning against. He turned his head to face the woman he loved, blinking once before asking a breathless, but forlorn “Why?”

“To heal. To let go. I’m not forgiving you for you, Neron. I’m doing this for myself. Kiya turned her body to face Neron, putting her back to the sun. “In the last five years of my life, I held onto so much hatred toward you, Raina, and so many others. It was exhausting. Now, I don’t feel it as much, at least toward you, How I look at it is that me forgiving you destroys any possibility of that hatred controlling me again. I don’t want to hate you anymore, Neron, nor have the chance to again.”

“You had every reason to, not that I blame you.” Neron stuffed his hand in his pocket, fiddling with an object he had yet to take out. “I understand where you’re coming from, but I’m still unsure how forgiving me would help you.”

“Acceptance.” Kiya watched Neron’s eyebrows lift, his confusion settling on his face. “I’m accepting that the past happened. No amount of prayer, or wishes, or avatar magic can change that. I was a victim of abuse; that’s it, that’s all. But, I’m not a victim anymore. We can’t change what happened yesterday or the day before that, but I’m changing my attitude toward the future.”

Neron shook his head. “I feel weird about it. I don’t know if I could put that feeling into words, but…”

Kiya reached her hand toward Neron’s and grasped it in her own, holding it like a delicate vase. “I’m not saying that you do or don’t deserve my forgiveness. But I’m doing this for myself because I need peace from all of this. I deserve peace. I’m kicking this ball out of my court because I don’t want it

anymore.”

Neron’s mouth fell open, but he swiftly closed it. His eyes dropped to their connected hands, unable to ignore the warmth radiating from Kiya’s palm. Orange sunshine hit the side of his face, and it also flooded the space In his heart as his fingers traced circles on her brown skin. “I’m sorry.” He muttered. “I’m just having a hard time accepting this.”

“I think it is because you have a lot of guilt to work through, Neron. Take it from someone with experience.” Kiya responded. “Some days can and will be harder than others, but would it make you feel a little better knowing that I’m not holding the past against you, anymore?”

“It feels like a drop of cool water in a sea of boiling water, but it is still something.” A mirthless smile tugged

at the corner of Neron’s lips. Kiya couldn’t find a reason to smile back, because she could feel his self–loathing from their touch. “I’m sorry that I’ve been such a downer, but, I’m so, so happy that you’re going to be better with your healing. That’s all I ask for that when you leave here; knowing that you’re going to be okay.”

Now, Kiya found a reason to smile back. “Thank you, Neron. I also want you to extend that same grace to me. I want to know that you’ll be okay too.”

“I will be, because Mom and Nuria will be at my side. My family is back, and I don’t feel as empty as I did. before.”

“I don’t know if Nuria still has that pranking streak in her again, but keep an eye on her for me, will you?”

Neron’s face brightened with his smile. I

f course! Given how Lyra and Nikolai acted when they saw Mom, don’t have any doubts that they’re welcomed at Garnet Moon. They do have to get used to this new world, however. Life is different now than it was thirteen years ago.”

“They’ll be fine. Your mom and sister are tough cookies.” Kiya grinned at the thought of the women. She fell into an abrupt silence, brushing her hair behind her ear and clearing her throat. “You know I care about you a lot, right?”

“Yes, I do.”

“And you know you muddle with my mind a lot too, right?”

“I didn’t know that. That was not my intention.” A flush crept up the Alpha’s cheeks. “But I think I know where this conversation is heading to, if my intuition is correct.”

Kiya’s expression softened, pressing her lips together. She crossed her arms under her bosom, exhaling a soft sigh as she soaked in Neron’s presence. This decision didn’t come lightly when she conversed with Artemis about it in her comatose state. Part of her reeled in shame, while the other stood in confidence.

“Kiya, it’s okay.” Artemis reassured her. “Tell him. He needs to know.”

“I just feel like I’m constantly in the way of you getting what you deserve, Artemis. You always have to wait for me.”

“And I’ll continue waiting until you’re ready, Kiki. Go on.”

Just like that, the shame dissipated into nothing. Reeling herself back into reality, Kiya blinked before speaking. “I know you’re my mate, and I’m aware of the bond we have with each other, despite it going through hell and back. And I know you love me, Neron, but…”

“You’re not ready for us to be mates.” Neron finished, his expression dulling.

Kiya nodded, nibbling at her bottom lip. “So much has happened between us and there is so much work I need to do for my own mental and emotional wellbeing. I’m not ready to jump into any sort of romantic relationship with anyone, especially not one as intense as a mate relationship.”

The words stung Neron’s heart, but he kept poker–face to mask the pain in his chest. “Believe it or not, Kiya, I’m on the same boat.” Neron chuckled softly when Kiya widened her eyes. “I don’t think I’m ready for a romantic relationship either, especially so soon after…”

“You didn’t deserve to get hurt like that by Odessa.” Kiya frowned. “I’m sorry you had to find out her betrayal

Chapter 9–New Beginnings Long Chapter

like that.”

Neron winced, scratching his upper arm. “Thank you for understanding, Kiya.”

“And I know how much Onyx loves Artemis.”

“Oh, I’m aware.” He winked. “But the puppy will have to wait just a little longer until I’m ready for that type of commitment.”

Onyx huffed in his mind. “Artemis is the only one for me, you know. I refuse to settle for less!”

“I know that, puppy.”

“And only she can call me puppy. It’s cute and endearing. You’re just condescending.”

“Perhaps, but you love me all the same.”

“Unfortunately.”

Neron shook his head in amusement, shutting down his mind–link before diverting his attention back to Kiya. “Whether or not you and I happen, I won’t stop loving you, Kiya. My vows to our Moon Goddess are absolute and I don’t plan on breaking them.”

Moon

“I don’t think I ever thanked you for all you’ve done for me.” Kiya fiddled with her fingers. “Zircon

for being my voice in situations where I

would listen to you before they would listen to me, so thank you

be. I’m not deserving

be, Kiya, and you won’t change my mind

smiled, glancing up at the sky. “It’s getting late, so why don’t we

+ for sure.”

“You read my

emerged from it shortly after. Onyx trotted up to Artemis and nuzzled her snout into his face, earning a quiet huff from the white wolf, Artemis reciprocated with a nuzzle on her own, extending her tongue and licking his face as payback from the first time they ran together. Onyx growled and

than that, puppy.” Artemis chuckled in her

my angel.”

was a shared moment of peace and longing between them. There was no need to

mind. “I’m sure we will find our way back to each other. Whether it

Beginnings

house. The diamond–studded night sky stretched across Nevada without the company of the moon, but the comfort remained the same. It was almost time for Kiya and her family to depart back to Garnet Moon, but the mingling

After some trial and error, I think

“Well, let’s hear it.”

“Onyx Moon.”

his human’s mind. Neron resisted the urge to laugh when Onyx became a blubbering

made you decide to name it

when I wanted to. We fight a lot, but Onyx has been a source of strength for me, even when you were kidnapped. It felt fitting to name my

my name means black!

new moon means

sniffling. “Damn fool. Here you are, making

You’re welcome!”

like it. It rolls off the tongue well.” Neron’s attention was drawn back to the woman beside

“Oh, I almost forgot!” He dug a grey velvet box from his pockets and handed it to Kiya. “This is for

Are you

fell into delighted shock. She quickly took out the item and held it up to the

to a jewelry store to get it repaired, and it was like it had never been broken. Think of it as an early birthday

amusement park, Kiya held her hair up while Neron took the necklace from her hand and hooked it around.

“Right where it belongs.”

don’t

Beginnings (Long

so with a

against her soda can

Nuria.” Neron reprimanded, earning a

on the lips! Maybe on the cheek, or if

happening, Nuri.” Kiya poked her friend

can catch you for you two to end up as friends!” Nuria grumbled, shaking her arm. “But I understand why you’ve

yeah, speaking of.” Kiya suddenly stood up, crossing her arms. “What if Neron didn’t

Nuria gave her friend a puppy–dog look. “I knew he

Nuria.”

at Neron, who scoffed in response. “And I can’t believe

my mind was preoccupied. And you didn’t

I was tapping my beak

taking a sip of her soda. “The cola is much sweeter than what I last remember.

drink too much. It’ll

Mom. You can’t tell me what

having siblings.” Kiya giggled at their interaction, warmth filling in her chest. The three of them were much older, but the spirit of their youth remained. Suddenly, honking filled the air, pulling their attention to the Garnet Moon crew preparing to pile into

Bit, are you coming?” Galen shouted, waving her

there!” She shouted back, patting her thighs. “Well, it’s been real you two,

Nuria pulled Ki

speed, burying her face in the crook of her neck. “I don’t want you

me, Nuria,

up at the possibilities before grinning. “Oh yeah. Neron, you need to buy Mom and I cell phones, like the fancy one I’ve seen

LX Long

I’ll make is not in the new land, but in you and Mom.” Neron chuckled,

close when she took in Celeste’s sweet scent, her childhood memories of her bubbling to the surface. She felt a tender kiss on her forehead and two hands holding either side of her face, cradling her like a mother to her

talk. Your mother and I will arrange for days where we

at any

Kiya’s nose with a chortle. “Don’t you dare

me.”

Kiya blink

in shock before nodding, her mouth twitching to a smile. “Okay, Auntie Essie.” The Alpha family watched with smiles as Kiya said her goodbyes to the Betas and Gammas, having the misfortune of prying a clingy Adonis off her legs. Raina promised to send pictures of her daughter once she was born, and Valerian remained cordial with simple nods and curt responses. Kiya had the niggling feeling that he still held some dislike for her after the Lady Sanguine fiasco, but decided not to hold it against him. Lorelai delivered the same promise of pictures after her child is born, as she was reaching the end of her pregnancy, Kwame wished the avatar luck as she embarks on her journey wherever it

stranger.” Kwame remarked with a

to not

the family van, pale light hit the corner of her eyes, pulling her attention to the lit window on the third floor of the

wave or some gesture to see if the miniscule speck of hope at the bottom of her heart rejoices at the possibility of

closed, walking away from her view. Kiya simply shrugged, content

was better

away from the window. Neron’s eyes found that window, and

am

family is waiting

her departure

96–New Beginnings

in touch, Neron. Keep me updated with

on your Doo

the first thing

isn’t much else left to say.” Kiya rocked back and forth on her heels, scrambling to find something to say to break

Kiya. Once I establish Onyx Moon officially, you’re always

knew she’ll see him and his family again. Comfort nestled in Neron’s chest, knowing that the love of his life

different obstacles they must overcome, but if fate allows their paths to cross, it will happen. Neron pressed a sweet kiss on Kiya’s forehead, inhaling her scent for the last time while Kiya sighed with content, committing his sandalwood scent to memory. Beneath the surface of their flesh, the

Kiya.” Neron

“You already have.”

Red exploded on his cheeks when Kiya rose on the tips

seat. A consonance of farewells from both packs followed the van as it rolled off Zircon Moon territory for the last time, the black vehicle disappearing amongst the shadowy oak trees. The Betas and

his shoulder. “She won’t

I’ll be fine, Nuri.” Neron sighed, relishing in the night

down his back. “Let us focus

in the closet in

and her family walked toward the

a couple of dresses I was fond of that

know about