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,

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

+ for sure.”

gave a lopsided grin, nodding. “You

pair walked into the dense cak forest, separating toward two trees to strip out of their clothes and shift. The dissonance 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

than that, puppy.” Artemis

day, I’ll catch you, my angel.” Onyx laughed in his

There was no need to show

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

16–New Beginnings

pack 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 and joy hadn’t stopped. Instead, it moved to the front lawn as they watched Celeste and Nuria dive

trial and error, I think

“Well, let’s hear it.”

“Onyx Moon.”

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

made you decide to name it after

at his lips. “He is my brother and has stuck with me through thick and thin. He never let me give up, even when I wanted to. We fight a lot, but

Onyx stammered. “Dummy, my name means black! You can’t see a new

moon means

felt silent after that, but not before sniffling. “Damn fool.

You’re welcome!”

It rolls off the tongue well.” Neron’s attention was drawn

remembered something. “Oh, I almost forgot!” He dug

Are you

Kiya burst into laughter when she watched Neron’s 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 out the item and held it up to the moon. “My necklace! You

store to get it repaired, and it was like it had never

hair up while Neron took the necklace from her hand and hooked it around. her neck. Once it was secure, Kiya let her hair down

“Right where it belongs.”

I don’t

Beginnings (Long

can do so with

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 sighed with a headshake while her best friend rolled her eyes in amusement. “Oh,

kissing, Nuria.” Neron reprimanded, earning a small pout from

have to be on the lips! Maybe on the cheek, or

Kiya poked her friend on

can catch you for you two to end up as friends!” Nuria grumbled, shaking her

Neron didn’t catch me, huh? My

her friend a puppy–dog look. “I

Nuria.” Neron rolled his

middle name.” She shot a wink at Neron, who scoffed in response. “And I can’t believe it took

my mind was preoccupied. And you didn’t make it clear enough

was clear when I

picture! Goddess, you’re clueless.” Nuria shook her head before taking a sip of her soda.

too much.

can’t tell me what

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

Bit, are you coming?” Galen shouted,

it’s been real you two, but it’s time for me to

Nuria pulled Ki

in the crook of her neck. “I don’t want you to

call me, Nuria, or drop by

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

LX Long Chapter

is not in the new land, but in you and Mom.” Neron chuckled,

trio walked from the stairs to the crowd near the piling van. Celeste’s blue eyes brightened up at her favorite children, embracing Kiya into a tight hug. Kiya’s eyes fluttered close when she took in Celeste’s sweet scent, her childhood memories of her bubbling to the surface. She felt a tender kiss on

good, kjære.” Celeste whispered, caressing her cheeks. “Call anytime you want to talk. Your mother and I will arrange for days where

any time,

nose with

me.”

Kiya blink

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

stranger.” Kwame remarked

my best to not

Kiya walked toward the family van, pale light hit the corner of her eyes, pulling her attention to the lit window on the

locked momentarily, the world freezing around them. Kiya waited for a response; a wave or some gesture to see if the miniscule speck of hope at the bottom of

the older woman pulled the curtains closed, walking away from her view. Kiya simply shrugged, content with Ashley and Steven, never rising to the occasion as

was better

turning her away from the window. Neron’s eyes found that window, and Kiya couldn’t help but smirk

am now.”

is waiting for

her traumas filled her initial departure from Zircon Moon, but now her departure was full of comfort and joy. Her heart

Beginnings

keep in touch, Neron. Keep me

on your Doo

first thing on my

rocked back and forth on her heels, scrambling to find something to say to break the silence. “You’re going to do

Once I establish

his family again. Comfort nestled in Neron’s chest, knowing that the love of his life will be alright without him, as she always

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

proud, Kiya.”

“You already have.”

raised her hand and curled a finger, gesturing Neron to come closer. Arching an eyebrow, the 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

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

patting his shoulder. “She won’t

sighed, relishing in the night

walking up to her son, and smoothed the hair cascading down his back. “Let us focus on the now.

should be in the

as she and her family walked toward the front entrance. “It isn’t like we can fit into those

dresses I was fond of that I think I can fit into again.”

know about