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.

1/6

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.”

her seat, dropping her array 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

hundred?” I pushed a couple of

packaging in the trash beside her. A comfortable silence fell between us, minus the crinkling of wrappers. My muscles relaxed into the cool leather, taking away the

from home, on the

with guests. Building new alliances. Spending time with one another far from our families.

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

theil her 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 throats of those who’ll commit the sin of looking at her

a part of, solely because my instincts are too powerful to ignore. I love this woman and I’m already imagining scenarios of

goddamnit, I

of my nose. Goddess,

“Neron?”

“Yes, Kiya?”

2/6

Chapter 18 Checking In

breath, blinking slowly. “You’ll keep

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

it if I’m being honest.” She tossed a couple more wrappers in the trash,

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

“Unmarked.” I finished.

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 avatar, I don’t want a situation to arise where I’m exposed to hundreds of alphas and lunas for

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

you,

don’t have to go that far…” I didn’t miss the rising 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

put a limit on my protection, Kiya.

want her to forget

in her jaw or twitch in her eye to tell me she’s

in my

and breached a boundary I didn’t know existed. Even ell me she’s

show potential suitors that Kiya was off-limits. Controlling my innate instincts had raged an internal

plan to pass with

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 my veins from her touch, pushing

a whisper. “I

“No harm done, angel.”

as it came, it disappeared. Kiya expelled a sigh carrying unspoken thoughts and emotions before turning her head to

was more that wanted to be

3/6

18 – Checking

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

have arrived,

I’ve ever seen. This hotel was the space the richest of the rich would lie down and relax. Breathing in the air of this

“Holy s**it,” Kiya muttered.

laughed. “Holy **t,

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

lobby was bathed in the hues of luxury, a story told in strong golds and austere whites. “This is way too extravagant for me.

cost more than your college tuition.” I joked. In minutes, many more guests arrived in the lobby. Instinctively, I wrapped my arm around Kiya’s waist as I checked us in, receiving copies of electronic keys to our hotel room. The bellhop with our luggage

hallway, Kiya suddenly jolted beside me,

you okay?” I asked,

She sighed, nodding. “I-I am. Just had a weird rush of power there, I

How odd.

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

a click echoed, our door nudging open. When we entered our

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