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.”

of treats on her lap. 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 album of my phone, pulling up the information about our reserved suite. “How many Alphas

a couple hundred?” I pushed a couple of strands of

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

the east coast of the country,

time with one another far

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

theil her den

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 throats of those who’ll commit the

fight I refuse to be a part of, solely because 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

I can’t help

bridge of my

“Neron?”

“Yes, Kiya?”

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Chapter 18 Checking In

“You’ll keep me beside you at all times,

headrest, my heart singing the hymn of angels. “That’s what I intend to do. Are you comfortable with

if I’m being honest.” She tossed a

on this trip if I didn’t believe in your ability to protect me. Plus, I’m more…” Kiya paused, waving her hands exaggeratedly. “… liable to be snatched

“Unmarked.” I finished.

wanted to totally depend on your protection; I can protect myself. Since I’m Selene’s avatar, I don’t want a situation to arise where I’m exposed to hundreds of alphas and

understand.” I grasped 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 when

hurts you, I will

red 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 fingers

a limit on my protection, Kiya.

didn’t want her

carefully, looking for that tick in her

in my body

I might’ve taken a step too far and breached a boundary

her body in my 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, with Kiya and I together on this

I plan to

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.

a whisper. “I

“No harm done, angel.”

fell into a frown, but as quickly as it 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, stretching

was more that wanted to be said. Needed to be

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18 – Checking

day, I hoped, Kiya will tell me what goes on in that little noggin of

have arrived, Alpha

air of this hostel would be like breathing in gold. Kiya’s eyes widened like plates, gasping in shock when she took in the palace’s magnificence. More

“Holy s**it,” Kiya muttered.

“Holy **t,

bellhops burst out with luggage carts, settling our suitcases inside. Kiya scurried to my side, pressing her body into my arm as

luxury, a story told in strong golds and austere whites. “This is

around Kiya’s waist as I checked us in, receiving copies of electronic keys to our hotel room. The bellhop with our luggage cart led the way to the elevator. Our room was

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

okay?”

had

How odd.

the cart. “Swipe your card for access. Dinner will be served in the ballroom at eight PM, so feel

both said. Swiping my card through the electronic key, a click echoed, our door nudging open. When we entered our room, Kiya dropped her luggage and ran toward the window with the biggest grin on her

pressing her palms against the window. “Neron, the view is amazing! I can see the beach from here! This entire