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

and you always will be, Kiya, and you

guess not.” She smiled, glancing up at the sky. “It’s getting late, so why don’t we let Artemis and

+ for sure.”

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

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

be faster than that, puppy.” Artemis

my

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

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

16–New Beginnings

your pack yet?” Kiya asked Neron as they sat on the top steps of the 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

After some trial and error, I think I found a name that’ll

“Well, let’s hear it.”

“Onyx Moon.”

went slack while Onyx released a confused bark in his human’s mind. Neron resisted the urge to laugh when Onyx became a blubbering mess,

you decide to name

A smile tugged 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

my name means

new moon means new

but not before sniffling. “Damn fool.

You’re welcome!”

was

almost forgot!” He dug a grey velvet box from his pockets and handed

Are you

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 a jewelry store to get it repaired, and it was like

Like their date at the amusement park, Kiya held her hair up while Neron took the necklace from

“Right where it belongs.”

you again, Neron. I don’t know how

Beginnings

can do so with

fingers against her soda can like an excited child.

Nuria.” Neron reprimanded, earning a small pout from

have to be on the lips! Maybe on the cheek, or if you’re daring enough,

Nuri.” Kiya poked her friend on

two to end up as friends!” Nuria grumbled, shaking her arm. “But

up, crossing her arms. “What if Neron didn’t catch me, huh?

her friend

Nuria.” Neron

can’t believe it took you so

be fair, my mind was preoccupied. And you

when I

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

drink too much. It’ll

You can’t tell me

joy of 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

you coming?” Galen shouted, waving

She shouted back, patting her thighs. “Well, it’s been real you two, but it’s time for me to head

Nuria pulled Ki

her face in the crook of her neck. “I don’t want you to go. I just got

me, Nuria, or drop by

Neron, you need to buy Mom and I cell phones, like the fancy one I’ve

LX Long

land, but in you and Mom.” Neron chuckled, rising to his feet.

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 her forehead and two hands holding either

and I will arrange for days where we can come and visit, granted if we aren’t too

any

corrected, pinching Kiya’s nose with a chortle. “Don’t

me.”

Kiya blink

“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

Kwame remarked with a

to not be.”

of her eyes, pulling her attention to the lit window on the third floor of the Zircon Moon pack house. Her biological mother

or some gesture to see if the miniscule speck of hope at the

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

better

the window. Neron’s eyes found that window, and Kiya

am

family is waiting for

to Celeste and Nuria behind him. The revival of her traumas filled her initial departure from Zircon Moon, but now her departure was full of comfort and joy. Her heart thudded against

96–New Beginnings (Long

Neron. Keep

on your Doo

be the first thing on my to–do

to say.” Kiya rocked back and forth on her heels, scrambling to find something to say to break

the same with you, Kiya. Once I establish Onyx Moon officially, you’re

and his family again. Comfort nestled in Neron’s chest, knowing that the love of his life will be alright without him, as she always was. He had a lot of work to do, but Kiya’s

hug shared between them solidified the pathways both were about to walk on. Separate direction, 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

proud, Kiya.” Neron vowed, “just you

“You already have.”

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

Moon territory for the last time, the black vehicle disappearing amongst the shadowy oak trees. The Betas and Gammas retired into the pack

his shoulder.

fine, Nuri.” Neron sighed, relishing

down his back. “Let us focus on the

in the

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

I can. There are a couple of dresses I was

about that. You’re more… fuller,