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.”

assume the hotel is just as nice?” Kiya shuffled back to 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 the building up close. I scrolled through the photo album of my

pushed a couple

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

I were far from home, on the east

another far from our families. Now that I think about this, this is the first trip we’ve taken

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 man and woman stretched across the spectrum of kindness and morality. Some are benevolent, while some thrived on chaos. Some will use this opportunity to boost their ego and will leave the state with more than just alliances on their

theil her den

is just one of many who she’ll capture the interest of. 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, my

to ignore. I love this woman and I’m already imagining scenarios

I

my nose. Goddess, I’m such a

“Neron?”

“Yes, Kiya?”

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Chapter 18 Checking In

inhaled a deep breath, blinking slowly. “You’ll keep me beside

from the headrest, my heart singing the hymn of

honest.” She tossed a couple more wrappers in the trash,

co with 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. “… liable to

“Unmarked.” I finished.

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

understand.” I grasped her hand in my own, raised it to my lips, and planted tender kisses on the back of her

you,

so small it could be mistaken for a mouse when I kissed each

put a limit on my

her to forget

her expressions carefully, looking for that tick in her jaw or twitch

my body

a boundary I didn’t know existed. Even ell me

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

I plan to

soft hand 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 own. Fated sparks zipped and zoomed through my veins from her touch, pushing me into a pool of heat,

Her voice lowered to a

“No harm done, angel.”

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 over her

to be said. Needed to

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–

what goes on

arrived, Alpha

in the air of this hostel

“Holy s**it,” Kiya muttered.

laughed. “Holy

to my side, pressing her body into my arm as

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

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 cart led the

down the hallway, Kiya suddenly jolted beside me, whimpering

okay?” I asked,

“I-I am. Just had a weird rush of

How odd.

pulling our luggage from the cart. “Swipe your card for access. Dinner will be served in the ballroom at eight PM, so feel free to

a click echoed, our door nudging open. When we entered our room, Kiya dropped her luggage and ran

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