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.”

safe to expect the hotel would be

I pushed a couple of strands of my hair behind

discarding the 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

on the east coast

time with one another far from our families. Now that I think about

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

theil her den

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

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 of Kiya’s heart. I’m thinking Kiya as mine when I know damn well I don’t

I

of my nose. Goddess, I’m such

“Neron?”

“Yes, Kiya?”

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Chapter 18 Checking In

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

my heart singing the hymn

I’m being honest.” She tossed a couple more wrappers

this trip if I didn’t believe in your ability

“Unmarked.” I finished.

on your protection; I can protect myself. Since I’m

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

anyone hurts you, 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

on my protection,

her

tick in her jaw or twitch in

my body

might’ve taken a step too far and breached a boundary I didn’t know existed. Even

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,

plan to

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,

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

“No harm done, angel.”

came, it disappeared. Kiya expelled a sigh carrying unspoken

more that wanted to be

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18 –

I hoped, Kiya will tell me what goes

have arrived,

was the space the richest of the rich would lie down and relax. Breathing in the 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.

“Holy s**it,” Kiya muttered.

laughed. “Holy **t,

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 limbs. Her hand found refuge

under-dressed.” She muttered as we walked through the front doors. The lobby was bathed in the hues of luxury, a story told in strong golds and austere whites. “This is way too extravagant for me. I bet the curtains cost more

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

we walked down the hallway, Kiya suddenly

okay?” I asked,

Just had a weird rush of power there, I

How odd.

pulling our luggage from the cart. “Swipe your card for access. Dinner will be served in the ballroom at

We both said. Swiping my card through the electronic key, a click echoed, our door nudging open. When we entered our room, Kiya dropped

I can see the beach from here! This entire room puts the