Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Untouchable (The Moonlight Avatar Series Collection)

Chapter 18 Checking In

“I can’t protect you without holding a sword. I can’t embrace you while holding a sword.”-Tite Kubo

Neron

“It’s hotter than Satan’s armpits.”

“It’s Florida. What did you expect?”

Kiya’s lips twitched in a smirk when she grabbed her luggage off the conveyer belt. Perspiration rolled down her temples from both the many humans surroundin

us and the thick humidity. The Florida heat was definitely not for the faint of heart. We’ve arrived at Miami International Airport shortly after two in the afternoon. After we grabbed our suitcases, we weaved through the hurried crowds to the airport terminals for our designated ride to the Alpha

Erik’s hotel.

“Anthony texted me.” She said, pointing to her phone screen. “He and Alesia are at the hotel already. Only he would book a seven AM flight to wherever.”

“And your sister?”

“Lyria hasn’t replied to my messages in a while, so I think she’s still on her flight.” Kiya shone an ecstatic smile, hopping on her heels. “This is so exciting! Are we waiting for a taxi?”

I scoffed, shaking my head. “Oh, we aren’t taking a taxi.”

“A Lyft?”

“Nope.”

“An Uber?”

“No way.”

“… What are we taking, then?”

Right on cue, our designated driver rolled up to the curb in a white luxury limousine with tinted windows, seating at least six people. Kiya’s jaw dropped so quick that I had to put a muzzle on my laughter.

“A limo?!” She exclaimed.

“A limo.”

“Sheesh!”

The driver hopped out of his seat, showed his pack mark on the right side of his neck to verify his identity, and helped

admiring the polished exterior of a sugar rush carry our bags in the trunk. Kiya fan around the vehicle like a child in the vehicle, her eyes shining with wonder. After a minute of exploration, she threw her door open and hopped into her seat, bouncing against the leather seat.

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Chapter 18 Checking In

“Now, this I can get used to!” She grinned, soaking in the interior of our ride, squealing when she spotted the mini fridge. Michael, our driver, drove from the curbside pickup, into the long road toward our destination. I watched Kiya with a smile on my face as she dug into the mini fridge, adding to her growing pile of snacks beside her legs.

“Is this your first time being in a limo?” I asked, folding my legs.

“Did I make it too obvious?” She asked, twisting open her glass soda bottle. “Alpha Erik sure went all out, huh?”

“The Moon Valley Pack is the richest pack in all of Florida. Erik would take any and every chance to flaunt his wealth, especially since he volunteered to host the summer Alpha Gathering.”

seat, dropping her array of treats on her lap. I answered her with a nod. It was safe to expect the hotel would be

don’t know, a couple hundred?” I pushed a

of her cheese stick, discarding the packaging in the trash beside her. A comfortable silence fell between us, minus the crinkling of

from home, on the east

room. Mingling with guests. Building new alliances. Spending time with one another far from our families. Now that I think about

fingers toyed with my bracelet, flicking the onyx beads through the elastic band. The dynamics have shifted. While I knew fully that Kiya can and will take care of herself, it was my responsibility to ensure that she’s both safe and protected the entire trip. I wasn’t kidding about the alphas we’ll encounter. Every

theil her den

into a den of possessive and entitled alphas was akin to a newborn bunny tossed in a den of hungry coyotes. I tightened my grip on the armrests, my teeth aching to tear the

my instincts are too powerful to ignore. I love this woman and I’m already imagining scenarios of myself fighting against unmated alphas for the trophy of Kiya’s

goddamnit, I can’t help

bridge of my nose. Goddess, I’m

“Neron?”

“Yes, Kiya?”

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Chapter 18 Checking In

slowly. “You’ll keep me beside you at all

from the headrest, my heart singing the hymn of angels. “That’s what

it if I’m being honest.” She tossed a

ability to protect me. Plus, I’m

“Unmarked.” I finished.

rather endearing. “But I’m not insinuating that I wanted to totally depend on your protection; I can

kisses on the back of her palm. “Rest assured, Kiya, I’ll do everything in my power to protect you both when you’re awake

anyone hurts you, I

brown skin. Kiya emitted a squeak so small it could be mistaken for a mouse when I kissed each of

a limit on my

want her to

tick in her jaw or twitch in her

in my

a step too far and breached a boundary

arms. A need to show potential suitors that Kiya was off-limits. Controlling my innate instincts had raged an internal war, and each day it has become harder. Now,

I plan to

a statue as the limo rolled quietly down the road. I waited and waited until she moved. Her lips curved into a smile, her delicate digits curling around my own. Fated sparks zipped and zoomed through

lowered to a whisper. “I didn’t mean

“No harm done, angel.”

into a frown, but as quickly as it came, it disappeared. Kiya expelled a sigh carrying unspoken thoughts and emotions before turning

to be said.

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18 – Checking

me what goes on in that little noggin

have arrived,

the rich would lie down and relax. Breathing in the air

“Holy s**it,” Kiya muttered.

“Holy

many bellhops burst out with luggage carts, settling our suitcases inside. Kiya scurried to my

hues of luxury, a story told in

around Kiya’s waist as I checked us in, receiving copies of electronic keys to our hotel room. The bellhop with

walked down the hallway, Kiya suddenly jolted beside me, whimpering softly.

okay?” I asked,

had a weird rush of power there,

How odd.

the cart. “Swipe your card for access. Dinner will be served

echoed, our door nudging open. When we entered

**” She exclaimed, pressing her palms against the window. “Neron, the view is amazing! I can see the beach from here! This entire room puts the presidential