Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Halloween Special - Memories of a Friend (Part 2) "When you have a friend by your side that helps you to find the beauty of all when you'll open your heart and believe in the gift of a friend." - "Gift of a Friend by Demi Lovato Kiya Alesia's thumb went to wipe the traitorous tears from my cheeks, catching them before they continued to rain on her mate's thigh. "I hate remembering. It hurts all the time." "Remembering can be a good thing, Little Bit." Anthony's fingers caressed my curls mindful of the silvered circlet resting underneath the layers. "It means you haven't forgotten. And it shows just how much Nuria meant to you. I can tell that you loved her, and she loved you." Through my tears, another small smile surface on my face as another memory of Nuria's presence plays; her small form in a halo. "She was always decked out in gold and orange. I remember her wings were a translucent yellow that always went crooked in the breeze because she ran too much. She was a trailblazer on Halloween. night, hitting people with her fairy wand whenever they were disrespectful to anyone. Somehow, that always kept the peace." "Well, no one can go against the word of the Alpha's daughter." Alesia chuckled, rubbing her stomach lovingly. "Ximena would be the same. I can feel it." "I can too." My hand went to her pregnant belly, my smile widening when I felt a little kick. I'm going to love that baby more than life itself. “Nuria was the pack angel, and now she's a real one. Lost too soon." "Is that why you're dressed as a Moon Fairy?" Anthony suddenly asked. "To honor her?" My breath trapped itself at the base of my throat. Am I that easy to figure out? “Yes. I did. To deviate from our little tradition didn't feel right. But...I didn't know how hard it would be without my partner-in-crime." "Little Bit..." "I should've hidden in my room as usual." My hands balled into fists, shaking in the essence of failure. My failure. "Goddess, I'm so pathetic." "Hey!" Both our heads shot to Alesia, who's glaring atwith the force of a million suns. The Alpha's glare has nothing on his Luna. "Don't talk that way about my favorite person in the world." "I thought I was your favorite person." Anthony mocked hurt, his bottom lip quivering for emphasis. Jeez, what a goofball.

"You are, but you're in a separate category." Alesia shot him a wink before looking at me. "Anyway, back to you, young lady." "Great." "You're not pathetic. Far from it. You've grown so much since you've been here, and I couldn't be any prouder. Your parents would be so proud of you. This night stirs up a lot of emotion in you, and that's okay. The fact that you've cout of your room and tried to enjoy this night is a testament to your bravery. You wanted to have fun and be happy not just for yourself, but for your late friend." Special-Memones of a Friend (Part 2) "Few people dare to do that, you know?" Anthony added. "You cout, wear the costthat meant so much to you, and walked into our party. If Nuria was alive, she'd be proud of you." "You think so?" "Yep." My brother nodded in pride. "You never forgot about her. Maybe she's celebrating Halloween in the heavens in her special way." Oddly, that thought broughtcomfort. My best friend is an angel alongside Angelika celebrating in heaven. I expected tears, but all I got are bubbles of happiness. "Knowing her, she's probably zipping through the clouds bonking people on the head." The couple chuckled along with me.

"How are you feeling now?" Alesia asked, playing with my hair, mindful of the silver circlet underneath the layers. "If you want to go back to your room, I understand." "No, no...it's fine.” I insisted. “I.....I want to go back to the party." "Are you sure?" Anthony questioned.

"Yeah. Halloween happens once a year, right? I want to enjoy tonight, for myself and Nuria." My brother and sister-in-law shared a look that expressed joy and warmth. In the middle between the trapped heat, I fell into a deep sense of comfort. I felt loved and cared for. Memories of Nuria still hurt. I still carry the guilt of her death deep in my heart. No matter how many times people tell me, I still feel that I played a part in her passing.

ill ever po I don't think away.

But I want to have fun tonight. Ease the burden of the agony her memory brings.

Tonight, I want to party for her as if she were still alive with me.

Anthony and Alesia helpedup on my feet, although it turned to us helping Alesia up with her belly. I can't imagine how hard it must be to carry children. I don't think I'll ever have children, although I love them a lot.

"Alright then." My brother smiled. "Let's go back." "What about the bottles?" I asked, pointing to the litter of black at our feet.

"Oh, don't worry. You'll be carrying your mess back home." I should've expected that.

The two of them went ahead while I picked up the empty bottles off the ground. Perched on a branch is Diana, my beloved owl. Her golden eyes look uponwith affection. I swear, there has to be a person underneath that ruffle of feathers.

"Hi. Enjoying this Halloween night?" I asked her, expecting an answer. Diana merely stared atbefore fluttering over, pressing her beak to my cheek, and fluttering back to her branch.

Did... Did she just kiss me? I swear, there's more to that nocturnal cotton-ball than meets the eye. Halloween Special emories of a Friend (Part 2) As I made my way back to the pack house, I tossed the empty bottles in the available trash bin. I never got that alcoholic buzz, but that didn't matter to me. I wanted to remember this night. Walking the path to the back of the house, the party is in full swing.

All members: young and old, light and dark, tall and short, are all dressed in various costumes. Frankenstein, deities, movie characters, cartoon characters, and more filled in the color on this night. Music boomed to a heavy beat that thumped with the rhythm of my heart, drawinginto its magic. Pack members moved their bodies to the music as the children played with one another in between the spaces. It's a night for everyone to be themselves and truly fall in love with what this annual night offered.

Despite the music drawingin, the food table had a stronger pull.

Scampering over in my sandals, I immediately grabbed a plate and filled with deviled eggs, warm sliders, chocolate cake, and a candied apple. Had to add the last one in there for health reasons. It's an apple! "BAWK!" "Goddamnit!" I whip my head to my side to see Galen, dressed in a bright yellow chicken costume, servinga shit-eating grin. "You're lucky I like you or else I'd sock you in the face." "Aww, she likes me! She really likes me!" Galen blubbered, fake wiping his tears. "Glad to see you back at the party. Got worried for a sec there that you wouldn't cback." "Yeah, I needed a pep talk," I admitted with a small smile. "Any plans for after the party?" I got a date with a handsyoung man." He waggles his eyebrows suggestively. "This chicken costworks like magic, Kiki. Just as chickens pick up seeds, I picked up a good-looking one myself." "... You might pick up more seeds later tonight, though." "The saltier the better. I like them sa "You're so filthy." Darien, dressed as Leon Kennedy from Resident Evil, walked over with a grimace. "Don't you have any decency, Gal?" *Decency is overrated," Galen smirked, wiggling a finger. "In my night of debauchery, such a term is dead until the morning of November First. Spot any women you like? You might get lucky tonight!" "Fat chance. I'm saving myself for my mate; you know this." I wonder what Darien's mate will be like. He deserves nothing but the best. From the corner of my eye, a tof women walked over in a gaggle of laughter. Jackie is dressed as Wonder Woman, Abigail is dressed as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, and Sapphire is dressed as Lola Bunny. Waving them over, they practically skipped toand our bickering friends.

"Hey, fancy seeing you again!" Sapphire pulledinto a hug. "How are you feeling?" "I'm feeling better. Thank you." I looked at the couple. "I see you both have been having fun." "Is it showing through my sweat?" Jackie asked with a smug smile.

"No. Abi's lipstick is all over your cheek." "Oops." Abigail giggled 'innocently' as Jackle averted her eyes in embarrassment. I can't tell if she's blushing. but I'm sure she is. "Wantto get a napkin and wipe it off, my love?" "No way!" The Beta rejected, protecting her cheek. "There's no way I'd wipe away the lips from my mate!" "Are you going to eat all of that?" Sapphire suddenly asked, pointing to my plate full of various Halloween food. My answer was stuffing my mouth with three deviled eggs. “Why did I even bother to ask?" I can't help that I love food. Is that such a crime? Chuckling, the six of us delved into conversation whilst I ate my food, Grabbing a bottled juice and chugging it, I felt a renewed sense of energy. It's boundless and overflowing. I never felt happier and greater.

Oddly enough, I know Nuria is with me. Watchingfrom the heavens. Part ofwishes that I could have seen her when I was in the Realm of the Moon Goddess. If I had, what would our meeting have been like? She has her wolf, so I assshe grew up. Then again, I don't think she would've been happy to see how much my body had taken damage since she died. It was for the best. One day, when my tis up on this earth, we'd be together again.

She's my ride-or-die. Even in heaven.

The booming music of the 'Spooky Scary Skeletons' remix knockedhack into reality, filling my body up with the rhythm of fun and craziness. My friends and Epulled each other into the crowd where we bumped and grooved to the fast-paced beat of the music, laughing at our silliness. The full moon shone overhead, bright as a diamond-flame. Moonlight danced across the worn-out grass as Selene, I'm sure, is watching us with a smile on her face. Her children are happy. Her children are having fun.

I'm having fun.

Π After the party, I walked into a clearing in the woods where the moon shone the brightest. In my palm rested a monarch butterfly with wings fluttering gently in the breeze. It must have stopped by on its migrating journey down south. Its wings and orange color remindedof Nuria in rsun fairy costume. Brigh beautiful, and adventurous. My gaze landed on the full moon with its glow cast above me.

Silver magic warmedfrom head to toe. It madesmile.

"Hey, Nuria," I whispered into the silent air. "I know you couldn't jointoday and I miss I did it though.

Every single began "Years day. welling up in my eyes. "I partied for you. I had fun for you. If you were here today, with me, I'm sure you'd be the life of the party. Would we still be our fairies? I'd like to think so." 1 heaved a deep sigh. "I hope you're resting easy up there. I hope you and your mother are doing alright. I miss her too. One day, we will meet again. I'm sure of it." Lifting my hand, I watched as the monarch butterfly in my palms flew towards the sky. Its tiny, fluttering body had the halo of silver around it, flapping into the heavens.

"Happy Halloween, Nuria. I love you."