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,

couple hundred?” I pushed a

trash beside her. A comfortable silence fell between us,

far from home, on the east coast of

one another far from our families. Now that

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

theil her den

possessive and entitled alphas was akin to a newborn bunny

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 have any claim

I can’t help

my nose. Goddess, I’m

“Neron?”

“Yes, Kiya?”

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Chapter 18 Checking In

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

from the headrest, my heart singing the hymn of angels. “That’s

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

in your ability to protect me. Plus, I’m more…” Kiya paused, waving her hands exaggeratedly. “… liable

“Unmarked.” I finished.

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

kisses on the back of her palm. “Rest assured, Kiya, I’ll do everything in my power to

anyone hurts you, I will

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

on my protection, Kiya. You’re

didn’t want her to

in her jaw or twitch

my body

breached a boundary I didn’t know

that Kiya was off-limits. Controlling my innate instincts had raged an internal war, and

I plan to pass with flying

to remove her 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

you.” Her voice lowered to a

“No harm done, angel.”

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

was more that wanted to

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18 – Checking

will tell me what

arrived, Alpha

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. More limos rolled in

“Holy s**it,” Kiya muttered.

laughed. “Holy **t,

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

in the hues of luxury, a story told in strong

the lobby. Instinctively, I wrapped my arm around Kiya’s waist as I checked

walked down the hallway, Kiya

okay?” I asked,

had a weird rush of

How odd.

card for access. Dinner will be served in the ballroom at eight PM, so

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

her palms against the window. “Neron, the view is amazing! I can see the beach from here! This entire room puts the presidential suites