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

I’m not deserving

will be, Kiya, and you won’t

at the sky. “It’s getting late, so why don’t we let Artemis and Onyx have one last

+ for sure.”

lopsided grin, nodding. “You read my mind. They

of bones breaking filled the air, and two huge wolves 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

faster than that, puppy.”

my angel.” Onyx laughed in

two took off deep into the woods, swerving and hopping over logs side by side. It wasn’t a race or a competition; it was a shared moment of peace and longing between them. There was no need to show off superiority of any kind, but to enjoy one another’s company. Orange light peeked through the canopy and illuminated their path on the forest floor, marking their way to the distant

will find our way back to each other. Whether it

Beginnings

remained the same. It was almost time

error, I think I found a name that’ll

“Well, let’s hear it.”

“Onyx Moon.”

slack while Onyx released a confused bark in his human’s mind. Neron resisted the urge to laugh when Onyx became a blubbering mess, never hearing his wolf so

to

even 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

means black!

moon means new

not before sniffling. “Damn fool. Here you are,

You’re welcome!”

attention was drawn back to the woman

“Oh, I almost forgot!” He dug a grey velvet box from his

Are you

entire face flush red. “I’m joking! Anyway, what’s in here?” Once she opened the box, her mirth fell into delighted shock. She quickly took

to rough–handling, but I went to a jewelry store to get it repaired, and

jewelry to her heart. “Can you put it on me?” Like their date at the amusement park, Kiya held her hair up while Neron took the necklace from her hand

“Right where it belongs.”

I don’t

95–New Beginnings (Long Chapter

so with a

the newest addition to their conversation, which was Nuria grinning expectedly at the two, rapping her fingers against her soda can like an excited child. Her brother

reprimanded, earning a small

lips! Maybe on the cheek, or if

her friend on the

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

crossing her arms. “What if Neron didn’t catch

friend

reckless, Nuria.”

I can’t believe it took you so

preoccupied. And you didn’t make

was clear when I was tapping my

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

drink too much. It’ll

Mom. You can’t tell me what

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

are you coming?” Galen

be right there!” She shouted back, patting her thighs. “Well, it’s

Nuria pulled Ki

at lightning speed, burying her face in the crook of her neck. “I don’t want you to go. I just

text or call me, Nuria, or drop

perked up at the possibilities before grinning. “Oh yeah. Neron, you need to buy Mom

Long

is not in the new land, but in you and Mom.” Neron chuckled, rising to his feet. “I will soon,

in Celeste’s sweet scent, her

to talk. Your mother and I

welcome at any time,

Essie.” Celeste corrected, pinching Kiya’s nose with a chortle. “Don’t you dare act formal

me.”

Kiya blink

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

be a stranger.” Kwame remarked with a

to not

attention to the

miniscule speck of hope at

the older woman pulled the curtains closed, walking away from her view. Kiya

better off without

from the window. Neron’s eyes found that window, and Kiya couldn’t help

I am now.” She

family is

now her departure was full of comfort and joy. Her heart thudded against her ribcage to the beat of hope for the future, and her hands held the key to

Beginnings (Long

in touch, Neron. Keep me updated with the new

on your Doo

the first thing

her heels, scrambling to find something to say to break

I establish Onyx

his family again. Comfort nestled in Neron’s chest, knowing that the love of his life will be

inhaling her scent for the last time while Kiya sighed with content, committing his sandalwood

you proud, Kiya.” Neron vowed, “just you

“You already have.”

Alpha bent down, lowering himself to her height. Red exploded on his cheeks when Kiya rose on the tips of her toes and planted a gentle kiss on his forehead, reciprocating. She stifled a

opening the side door of the van and hopping into her 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 Gammas retired

his shoulder.

relishing

back. “Let

they should be in the closet in

she and her family walked toward the front entrance. “It isn’t like we

dresses I was fond of that I think I

know about