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.”

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

pushed a couple

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

I were far from home, on the east coast

days of us sharing a hotel room. Mingling with guests. Building new alliances. Spending time with one another far from our families. Now that I think

fingers toyed with my bracelet, flicking the onyx beads 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

theil her den

landed on Kiya’s neck, unblemished and bare, except for the silver chain of her necklace. Unmarked. Wystan 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

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

bridge of my

“Neron?”

“Yes, Kiya?”

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Chapter 18 Checking In

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

up from the headrest, my heart singing the hymn

tossed a couple more wrappers in the trash, including her

this trip if I didn’t believe in your ability to protect me. Plus, I’m more…” Kiya paused, waving her hands exaggeratedly. “…

“Unmarked.” I finished.

rather 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,

raised it to my lips, and planted tender kisses on the back of her palm.

hurts you, I will

a squeak so small it could be mistaken for a mouse when I kissed each of her fingers before lingering on her ring finger. Her hand trembled, but when

on my protection, Kiya.

want her to

looking for that tick in her jaw or twitch in her eye

in my

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

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

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 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.”

hand, 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

was more that wanted to be said. Needed to

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–

Kiya will tell me what goes on in that little

have arrived, Alpha

grandest and most opulent hotel I’ve ever seen. This hotel 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.

“Holy

scurried to my side, pressing her body into my arm 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

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 room. The bellhop with our luggage cart

down the hallway, Kiya suddenly jolted beside me,

you okay?”

nodding. “I-I am. Just had a weird rush of power there,

How odd.

here.” The bellhop announced, pulling our luggage from the cart. “Swipe your card for access. Dinner will be served in the ballroom at eight PM, so

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

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