Untouchable (The Moonlight Avatar Series Collection)

Chapter 59 – The Rivalry 

“Love has its own dark morality when rivalry enters in.“–Thomas Hardy 

Kiya – One and a Half Weeks Later 

What do you call it when two people were awkward with one another? 

Because that encompassed almost 100% of my interactions with Neron. 

After my heat, I understood what a steak feels like on a grill. It wasn’t a fun time. 

02:18 

Neron had been nothing but attentive during those torturous three days. I was impressed. He kept his promises and took care of me. Even my friends were shocked when I told them. None of them had faith in Neron, so this moment might change their view on him. Known by werewolf kind, Alphas, despite their strength, were notorious for their impulsivity and animalistic instincts. They were the kings of the pack and denying them wasn’t heard of. Faced with fighting his true nature, I admire Neron’s abnormal self–restraint.. 

He kept me safe and secure. Deep within me, foreign happiness stirred. 

It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, however, I continued to keep my distance from him since then. Unfortunately, because of the heat, I needed him at my side. I was desperate and on the brink of insanity. He was the sole person who could quell the heat that was killing me from the inside out. Without him, who knows what would have happened? 

The moments we shared the past three days were intimate. We were close, almost inseparable. The Alpha kept me near him and held me when the pain became unbearable. For a human, we could have been mistaken as an affectionate couple. A couple that couldn’t keep their hands off each other. 

After the madness ended, I pushed him away. I had to clarify immediately that those days meant nothing. 

Neron accepted my words more gracefully than I expected as he left me in the solitude of my room. That conclusion hurt me more than I thought it would. A sliver of doubt swam through my heart, tugging at the heartstrings. I don’t love Neron, but I couldn’t say I hate him either. He proved through his actions that he could keep his word, so he became tolerable. Still not fond of his presence around me, but at least I don’t have the instinct to vomit yesterday’s lunch upon sight of him. Do I trust him? 

Of course, not. 

The pup trainees were on their hour–long break from training, spending time with their families, or socializing. I was grateful for Jackie and Galen stepping up in their sessions in my absence. I could always count on my friends to have my back, especially since I’ve been getting a whole slew of problems lately. 

I have 99 problems, and Odessa was most of them.. 

She took back her rejection and it made Darien happy. Whenever I’d speak to him, there was this light in his eyes unmatched by any star in the twilight. He was sincerely happy that Odessa accepted him and was already dreaming of a future with them together: moving into their future home, having a litter of puppies, the whole nine yards. My friends and I would spot him kissing Odessa’s cheek lovingly, holding her body during pack bonfires, and more. Darien was bending over backward to make her happy. My best friend was enamored with his mate. 

Chapter 59- The Rivalry 

But this was where the confusion settles in. 

+10 

Bonus 

02:14 

If the mate bond is strengthening, then why was Odessa incessantly pining after Neron? Since my heat ended, she amped up her game. Some I had the unfortunate luck of witnessing. 

Two Hours Earlier 

In my hands, I had the trainees‘ progress reports. I was proud to say that most of the pups were coming along nicely while a few needed a little more support. As for the adult trainees, I have already delivered their progress reports to Kwame. The manilla folders in my hand, each labeled with the names of each pup trainee, some reports poking out from the holds. As I approached the Alpha’s office, I heard a soft, feminine giggle from the other side. I arched an eyebrow as my cars picked up the errant conversation. 

“You know you want me, Neron. You’ve always wanted me.” 

“Odessa, you and I are through. There’s nothing between us.” 

“Your little friend says differently. Why deny your instincts, my love? Your body knows what it wants. Only I could make you feel this way, my dearest Alpha.” 

“Odess…” 

“Let me take care of you, baby.” 

I threw open the door. Why? I wish I knew, but I had to. I wasn’t prepared for the soft porn scene in front me. Odessa sat in Neron’s lap with her fingers tangled in his black tresses, breasts sprung free from their fabric cages, and a skirt so short I could see her bare ass. It was obvious Neron liked the attention, based on his hands gripping her hips and the forbidden tent in his pants. 

I said nothing about it. I didn’t have to. A slash of pain entered my heart upon sight. The brunette woman looked at me with a smirk of a champion, winning the prize she hungered for. I slammed the files down in the chair next to me, turning my back. “These are the pups‘ progress reports. Look over them when you’re 

finished.” 

The calls to my name rang deaf in my ears. Because I was focused on the pain twisting my heartstrings. I shouldn’t feel anything, but I do. Why? I ran out of the house and into the forest, setting Artemis free. 

Water trickles down my face, droplets raining in the sink. My eyes were hollow, expressionless as I reach for my towel. What am I supposed to do? Watching Odessa play the part of the loyal, loving mate sickened me. She was playing with my best friend’s heart while pursuing another man! But why didn’t Neron stop her? Does he still love her like he originally claimed? There was no reason for me to feel hurt about this, but I was for many reasons, but one topped them all. 

Darien doesn’t deserve this. 

So many questions, but so few answers. It was infuriating. With a growl, I threw my towel in the hamper and walked out of my room, wanting to clear my head. Yet, Odessa was intent on taking away my mental peace as she stood on the other side of the hallway, arms crossed under her cleavage. 

Chapter 59 – The Rivalry 

+10 

Bonu 

“What the hell do you want?” I asked. “I’m not in the mood for your shit today.” 

02:11 

“I know you don’t want any problems, Halima.” She sneered. “All you have to do is stay the hell away from my men.” Her men? The amount of disrespect this woman had for me was astounding. And she was the daughter of two warriors? 

I wanted to laugh. “You’re joking.” 

“I’m not. Stay out of my way and you won’t get hurt.” 

“You should be more worried about me hurting you,” I snapped. Odessa towered over me by a couple of inches, but I refused to stand down. “Now, about “your‘ men, don’t think what you’re doing escapes my eyes. You’re a sick, twisted woman for leading on my best friend in your fucked–up game.” 

Odessa winced, her eyes dulling in sadness momentarily before melting into smugness. “Darien doesn’t have a problem with it. He loves me. You can’t get in between the love mates have for each other.” 

“Yet, you’re treating him like a side piece while you hunt for a man who doesn’t belong to you.” 

“Neron was mine way before you were born, Halima.” She stepped closer to me. “No matter what the Moon Goddess says, Neron belongs to me. Don’t forget that he broke your pathetic mate bond for me. Everything he ever did was and always will be for me. You are but a mere afterthought, sloppy seconds from a shriveling bond. You’ll never mount up to me and deep down, you know it.” 

“You got one more time to call me Halima before I break your face. My name is Kiya, you fool.” 

“You’ll always be Halima, the crying, sniffling slave covered in ugly scars. Who would want a scarred, useless woman when they could have someone as flawless as me?” She gestures to her body for emphasis, wiggling her hips. “You have no power here. I do. I may be unmarked, but Neron had proclaimed me as Luna. And, from my knowledge, he hasn’t taken it back! So, if you know what’s good for you, you’d respect me as the queen of this pack. Feel lucky that I’m not ordering your sorry ass back to the dungeons. 

My eyes slammed shut, forcing away the horrific memories back into the trenches of my mind. “I don’t care what you do to me. I don’t care if you’re going after Neron. I care about Darien. He is a good man, and your intrinsic selfishness makes you blind to his purity. Break his heart and I would take the utmost pleasure of breaking your spine. Messing with something the Moon Goddess holds sacred only leads to trouble.” 

Odessa released a cackle comparable to the stereotypical witches in children’s cartoons. There was underlying evil in that sound, which did its duty of sending chills down my spine. “As if I’m going to fear the word of a weak dog. Without that muscle, you’re still a scrawny mutt. Tell me, how long did you cry after the guards got done playing with you?” 

My fingers itched to wrap themselves around her throat. They itched to squeeze the life out of her body for poking fun at my ordeal. She’ll never understand what happened to me in that hellscape prison. No one can and no one will. 

Swallowing my anger, I gave her a deep, warning snarl. “Heed my warnings, Odessa. If you screw up, you only have yourself to blame.” With that, I walked away from her without an intimidating shoulder shove she gave 

1. me. 

I wish I could do something. I wish I could make Darien see the ugly truth behind Odessa’s sweet facade. But it was my word against hers. As much as I hate to admit it, he would side with his mate. He was so deep into 

Chapter 59–The Rivalry 

her abyss I was afraid he won’t see the light until it smacks him in the face. 

+10 

Bonus 

02:00 

The world darkened around me at a sudden realization. Trouble always found its way to me, no matter how far I ran from it. My head pounds at the plethora of difficulties surrounding me from this pack. One problem piled on another, bow–wrapped in recollections that made their humble abode in my mind. Barely a month into this mission and I was already feeling so overwhelmed. 

When Adonis came in, emerald twinkling upon sight, everything changed. Children have this bright aura around them that brings the brightest days in the darkest nights. “Miss Kiya!” He scuttled towards my legs, looping his arms around my thighs. Trailing behind him was his mother, lovingly observing her baby boy. 

“Hello to you too, handsome.” I smiled, patting his head. 

“Kiya, I have something to ask you.” Raina fiddled with her fingers; eyes focused on her child rather than me. I arched an eyebrow, waiting. “Will you join us for dinner tonight?” 

“Us?” 

“Me, Adonis, Val, and…Mom and Dad.” 

“No.” 

“But–1” 

“Not going to happen.” Swallowing liquid cyanide was better than dinner with Ashley and Steven. 

“Kiya, why don’t you wanna eat with my grandpa and grandma?” Adonis asked me, head cocked to the side. “They are friendly! And we’re having spaghetti tonight!” 

“Adonis, go play with your friends.” Raina butted in, patting his back. The little boy took off like a rocket, leaving the two of us behind. “Kiya, please. They want to formally apologize to you.” 

I scoffed. “I don’t want to hear what they have to say. Nothing they say would erase what they did, let alone a 

pasta dinner.” 

“Aren’t you at least curious to hear what they have to say?” If she means them justifying their past actions, then yes, I was curious. Curious to see what excuses they’ll cook up to get me to forgive them. “Please, just this once and you’ll never have to do this again.” 

I groaned, rolling my eyes. “This is stupid.” 

“So, you’ll come.” 

“Maybe.” I sighed. Raina smiled, leaning in to hug me, but I violently recoiled. I still didn’t want her to touch me. She acknowledges it and nods in understanding, pulling back. Silently, I walked away from her on my way into the woods. 

Well, this would be a fun thing to talk about with my friends tonight. 

Chapter 59 – The Rivalry