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.”

I answered her with a nod. It was safe to expect the hotel would be as luxurious as our ride, since I hadn’t seen the building up close. I scrolled through the photo

pushed a

silence fell between us, minus the crinkling of wrappers. My muscles relaxed into the cool leather, taking away

from home, on the east coast of the

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

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 man and woman stretched across the spectrum of kindness and morality. Some are benevolent,

theil her den

An unmated woman walking 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,

and I’m already imagining scenarios of myself fighting against unmated alphas for

goddamnit, I

pinched the bridge of my nose. Goddess, I’m such

“Neron?”

“Yes, Kiya?”

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Chapter 18 Checking In

blinking slowly. “You’ll keep

my head up from the headrest, my heart singing the hymn of

a couple more wrappers in the trash,

agreed to co with you on this trip if I didn’t believe in your ability to

“Unmarked.” I finished.

out her chest, trying to look more confident in my eyes. It was rather endearing. “But I’m not insinuating that I wanted to totally depend on your protection; I can protect myself. Since I’m Selene’s

her hand in my own, raised it to my lips, and planted tender kisses on the back of her palm. “Rest assured, Kiya, I’ll do everything in my power to protect you both

if anyone hurts you, I will kill

on her cheeks, betraying her rich brown skin. Kiya emitted a squeak so small it could be mistaken for a mouse when I kissed each of her

put a limit on my protection,

her

looking for that tick in her jaw or twitch in

in my body

taken a step too far and breached a boundary I didn’t

show potential suitors that Kiya was off-limits. Controlling my innate instincts had raged an internal war, and each day it has

plan to pass with

from mine, stilling like 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

Her voice lowered to a whisper.

“No harm done, angel.”

came, it disappeared. Kiya expelled a sigh carrying unspoken thoughts and emotions before turning her head to the window, watching the cars pass by. The sun peeked through the window,

to be said. Needed

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18 – Checking

tell me what goes on in that little

arrived,

the richest of the rich would lie down and relax. Breathing in the air of this hostel would be like breathing

“Holy s**it,” Kiya muttered.

“Holy

carts, settling our suitcases inside. Kiya scurried to my side, pressing her body into my arm as a gentle tremor shook her limbs. Her hand found refuge in

The lobby was bathed in the hues of luxury, a story told in strong

arm around Kiya’s waist as I checked

the hallway, Kiya suddenly jolted

okay?” I asked,

nodding. “I-I am. Just had a weird rush of

How odd.

here.” The bellhop announced, pulling our luggage from the cart. “Swipe your card for access. Dinner will be served in the ballroom at eight PM, so feel

our door nudging open. When we entered our room, Kiya dropped her luggage and ran toward the window with the biggest grin

the view is amazing! I can see the beach from here! This entire room puts the presidential suites to