Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 4 – Peace, Disturbed

“The sea always filled her with longing, though for what she was never sure.“–Cornelia Funke

Kiya

Ivory and Ebony followed the water droplets dripping from my hair underneath the cotton shirt as we walked down the stairs toward the kitchen. The felines campered to their feeding bowls, eating to their heart’s content once I set them down on the floor. Poor Ebony was still partly wet from the bath incident. My wild child wanted attention so much that her little brain concocted the idea to leap into the soapy bathwater.

Her nails… ended up in a place where they shouldn’t be.

Needless to say, bath time came to a swift end.

I rummaged through the kitchen cupboards for a mug, wanting a drink of water, when I heard the refrigerator door open from behind me. Turning, 1 spotted a very pregnant Sapphire digging through the stuffed fridge, pushing aside the bundles of vegetables and juice bottles for the renowned container of Nutella and celery sticks. She tore open the container with and dipped her sticks, moaning loudly when she began eating.

I stared in silence. Pregnancy looked like a nightmare.

“Hey, Kiki!” Sapphire greeted, waving a stick. “What’s up?”

“I thought food cravings were supposed to disappear after the first bimester.”

“Jokes on you; I’m always hungry.”

Well, I understand that, Isaiah strolled into the kitchen, the sunlight bouncing off his eyes as he found his wife. His hands went to her swollen belly, rubbing loving circles over her shirt. “Sapphy, we’re going to be late for your appointment if we don’t get going. You can have your jar of chocolate afterward.”

“Hazelnut.” She corrected. “We’ll go after I finish my snack.”

“The last time you said that we were an hour late to your last appointment! You’re lucky Dr. Nava loves you so

much.”

“I can’t help it. I’m eating for two.”

“These last five months flew by, huh?” I commented, filling my mug with water. Unlike human pregnancies that last nine months, werewolf pregnancies lasted six. The first month of a werewolf pregnancy equated to the third month of a human pregnancy, according to the size of the fetus. Sapphire was at the last stretch of her pregnancy. In the next few weeks to a month, we’ll have a brand–new pack member!

“Indeed, it has. I still can’t believe I’ll be meeting my son soon.” Isaiah murmured, pressing loving kisses on Sapphire’s cheek, who giggled in response. “I still think you overdid it on the blue baby clothes.”

“Blue is royalty, and Micah will come into the world as a handsome prince!” My blond friend vowed, finishing up the last of her celery sticks before setting the jar down on the counter. “Alright, I’m ready. How do I look? Please, tell me my shoes match this time.”

“Uh, no.” Sapphire scowled at her sheepish–looking husband, laughing nervously. “I tried to tell you, but you wanted your chocolate jar so bad!”

“Hazelnut!”

I looked down to see Sapphire wearing a black slip–on shoe on one foot and a neon–pink croc on the other. I blame her enormous belly for her inability to bend down like she used to. That position got her pregnant in the first place.

Both left for the hospital with the winds of excitement following them. My fingers rapped against my mug as I soaked in the kitchen’s silence. However, it was broken through when the excited chatter of children echoed through the kitchen window.

Children of all shapes, sizes and colors zipped past the window chasing each other or a worn–out soccer ball they loved to kick around. Ximena sat on a rock, showing Alessandro how to play on the Nintendo Switch. Aisha mended to a garden of flowers with Mara at her side, grinning as she showed them a blossoming daisy. Dwayne swung around his son Kane, while Olivia watched with a smile. Darien and Galen were training with Jackie, as usual, while Mikhail and Abigail sat off to the side, cleaning training weapons

My home was blessed.

Everyone was happy, and so was I.

But I couldn’t ignore the sting of loneliness that hit my heart from time to time. I settled my mug to the side, inhaling a stream of air as I watched the happiness of my family bloom wildly as the flowers of the garden. There wasn’t a reason to pay attention to the ache, because there was none. Ebony and Ivory are children. I have my peace.

Nothing was going to ruin it for me.

“Kiya?” I felt a tap on my shoulder. Startled, I spun around to meet a pair of purple eyes, waiting expectantly for me. My heart throbbed underneath my palm as I breathed in relief.

“You’re way too quiet for your own good, Phoebe.”

“I apologize. I didn’t mean to scare you.” A soft meow echoed below us. Phoebe’s smile grew when Ivory rubbed her head against her ankles, her tail pointed up. “Hello, little one. You look good today.” Phoebe leaned down and Ivory purred and butted her head against her palm.

“What brings you by?” I asked, leaning against the counter. “Are you worried about something?”

better at feeling emotions, I see.” Phoebe stood erect, stuffing her hands in the pockets of her maroon summer dress. “I am worried.

“I believe there is something terrible on the horizon. I contacted Violetta about it yesterday, and she said she felt something was wrong as well. What

I expelled a short, audible sigh as the memories of the last few days replayed in my head. From my selenite acting

Chapter 4–Pace Disturbed

that something is fucked up in the air. “How long have you

“A few days now.”

up with what

what happened?

reiterated everything to Phoebe, from the pull to the Egyptian exhibit to the literal attack. Her fear and pallid skin told me she, too, knew something was up. I bit my lip, the anxiety in my

I wanted to scream.

crossing her arms under her chest. “And since Violetta could feel the shift too, I believe it would be best for us to meet up and talk to get to the bottom

she is in California. I thought about contacting Selene about it,

for being cryptic and leaving us to figure some things. out. Hekate had nudged me in the right direction but

A nudge is what we need–maybe two nudges. I pulled my cell phone from my pocket. “I’ll text Violetta to see if she

to meet?”

“Tonight, if possible.”

friend,

let this drag on,

“Good point.”

notification sound pinged. A preview text from Nuria appeared on the screen. When I read her message, both my throat and

eyes widened, her cheeks blossoming a mellow pink. “H–how is she doing? Is

inviting me to Aunt

The downtrodden tone of her voice sparked my curiosity but disappeared when Phoebe’s lips rose into a smile. “You

“I…” I couldn’t sto

party meant I get to see some familiar faces and see Onyx Moon for the first time. On the other, I was nervous about seeing Neron again. We haven’t seen each other in three years. Texting and occasional video calls

Chapter 4–Peace, Disturbed

I miss him?

and my healing without distractions. Hell, I spoke to Neron more than I spoke to Raina. Aunt Essie and Nuria would drop by the pack from time to time, but Neron was always

but maybe I’m looking too deep into it. I’m. concerned

to see Neron.” Damn Phoebe and her psychic abilities. “This would be a wonderful opportunity to reunite with your family

at my heart. “I guess. you’re right. Seeing the new pack has been long

maybe you can figure

the growing smile on my face made all the noise. Phoebe’s pinkening cheeks graduated to red as she shot me a haunting glare. Her attempt at intimidation made me

answer

shame in liking Nuria.” I grinned. “She is a very beautiful

messages you back,” Phoebe said quickly, stomping out of the kitchen with her strawberry–blond hair flying behind her. I’m no Cupid, but if fate played their cards right, there could be something in for those two… but I don’t want to get my hopes up. Pulling the cotton shirt from my head, I texted Nuria about my attendance and

tonight’s meetup was

reached the petite abode, I swung the door open because it was unlocked. However, I sincerely wished they remembered to lock the door because what

fuck didn’t

in front of me. Mom and

tango in the privacy of their home, but lock the goddamn door before that! They shrieked, hopping off each other and smoothening out their clothes and hair, but never

nice color on

her hair. “W–what are you doing

huffed, crossing my arms. “I have my fair share of interrupting loving couples in the middle of their loving, but this

laughter when he turned his head away like a grumpy old man. Mom poked at his side, slowly but surely bringing a smile back

brings you by?”

wondering if you have any suggestions on gifts I

sitting

answered, placing her arm on the armrest. “Anything custom made she’ll

sent her jewelry last

can never have enough

know. I spent thousands in jewelry since we got married.” Dad chuckled when Mom punched him in the arm. “Think about what she means

did you

bombs, skincare stuff–the usual,”

towels on our wedding anniversary, so

answered.

so I should have the present wrapped and