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.”

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

don’t know, a couple hundred?” I pushed a couple of strands of my hair behind

the packaging in the trash beside her. A comfortable silence fell between

from home, on the

with one another far from our families. Now that I think about this, this is the

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

theil her den

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

I

my nose. Goddess, I’m such

“Neron?”

“Yes, Kiya?”

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Chapter 18 Checking In

breath, blinking slowly. “You’ll keep me beside you at all times,

my heart singing the hymn

She tossed a

if I didn’t believe in your ability to protect me. Plus,

“Unmarked.” I finished.

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

the back of her palm. “Rest assured, Kiya, I’ll

anyone hurts you,

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 her fingers before lingering on her

a limit on my

didn’t want her

that tick in her jaw

my

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

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

I plan to

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

Her voice lowered to a whisper. “I didn’t

“No harm done, angel.”

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

was more that wanted to be said. Needed to be

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–

Kiya will tell me what goes

arrived,

of the rich would lie down and relax. Breathing in the air of this hostel would

“Holy s**it,” Kiya muttered.

laughed. “Holy

helped us with our bags and the many bellhops burst out with luggage carts, settling our suitcases inside. Kiya scurried to my side, pressing her body into my arm as a gentle tremor shook her

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

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 cart led the way to the elevator. Our room

Kiya suddenly jolted beside me, whimpering softly.

okay?” I

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

the electronic key, a click echoed, our door nudging open. When we

palms against the window. “Neron, the view is amazing! I can see the beach from