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.”

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

a couple of strands of

her cheese stick, discarding the packaging in the trash beside her. A comfortable silence fell between us,

the east

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

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.

theil her den

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

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

I can’t

bridge of my nose. Goddess,

“Neron?”

“Yes, Kiya?”

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Chapter 18 Checking In

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

my head up from the headrest, my heart singing the hymn of

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

agreed to co with you on this trip if I didn’t believe in your ability to protect me. Plus, I’m

“Unmarked.” I finished.

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

on the back of her palm. “Rest assured, Kiya, I’ll do everything in my power to protect you both when you’re awake and

if anyone hurts you, I

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

put a limit on my protection,

want her to

her expressions carefully, looking for that tick in her jaw or twitch in her eye to tell me

in my body

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

body in my arms. A need to show potential suitors that Kiya was off-limits. Controlling my innate instincts had raged an internal

plan to pass with flying

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, overpowering the air- conditioned

to a whisper. “I didn’t

“No harm done, angel.”

settling hers on the armrest before removing mine. Her smile 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

more that wanted to be

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day, I hoped, Kiya will tell me what goes

arrived,

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

“Holy s**it,” Kiya muttered.

“Holy **t,

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

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.

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

the hallway, Kiya

you okay?” I

had a

How odd.

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

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

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