Untouchable

Chapter 13 – Hair Care 

“You don’t stop loving someone just because you hate them.”–Hanif Kureish 

Kiya 

“Put that pizza slice down! That’s your third box!” 

“No.” In my defiance, I stuff the rest in my mouth. 

“Your metabolism is ridiculous.” Jackie scoffs as she presses the ‘Blend‘ on the blender, mashing the avocados and various ingredients into a smooth mixture. 

“But it’s so good!” I know it is, and I’m reaping its benefits until it somehow stops! Who can resist cheese pizza? 

All the trainees have the day off, adults and pups. The victory pizza party Neron and I promised is in full swing in the dining room. And the dastardly thief in me swiped five boxes of pizza! 

This day off is for us trainers as well! And like the family we are, it meant that we get to spend some time together. 

And that’s how this day of pampering was born! 

But it wasn’t all fun. Earlier, we stole the kitchen from the Omegas after they’ve finished serving breakfast. The monster in the badly designed white apron reared its ugly head when Lead Omega Cassandra began snapping at me for having my ass on the counter. Just me and no one else. And for being in the kitchen. And for making the invisible mess I’ve yet to identify. 

Sometimes, I wish my stomach acid could melt faces. It disgusts me how that woman and her lackeys haven’t truly changed from their past horrific actions. Old habits die hard, I guess. 

This time, however, I have the power to fight back. And it was only with Jackie’s threatening growl did she back off and leave us alone. I was a pinch close to grabbing a spoon and smacking the dentures out of her mouth. Monsters are still among us; it took that Omega two months to show her true colors. I guess the crying and begging act finally tired out. 

Whatever. I won’t be here for much longer. 

“Just be sure to wash your hands before you put this deep conditioner in your hair,” Jackie replies as she pours the lime–green mixture into multiple bowls. Avocados work well to revitalize my hair’s strength and shine. Since the Seals family made and sold natural hair and skin products for a living, it’s only fair for Jacqueline to bring her expertise. I’ve witnessed her give some products to Zircon’s she–wolves with tips to maintain optimal hair health.. 

Before I could take another slice from the fourth pizza box, Raina slams it closed. I should be mad, but the sight of her with double shower caps over her hair made me chuckle. She has the deep conditioner setting in. “Sis, you’ve eaten enough! You have enough carbs in your stomach to last a month!” 

“No, I don’t! Gimme!” 

“No way!” She places the pizza box out of my reach before laughing. “I thought Jacqueline was joking when 

Chapter 13 – Hair Care 

she said you can eat three pizzas by yourself.” 

“I can make it four,” I grumble. Abigail came over and took the T–shirt off my head, letting my freshly washed mane wilt to my shoulders and back. “Hey!” 

“The longer you wait, the longer it’ll take you to get back to your precious pizza slices! Now, get to deep conditioning!” 

My relationship with my older sister is slowly recovering. I’m not as grossed out by her presence anymore. I haven’t forgiven her yet for the harm she caused me, if I’ll ever, but it felt nice to have a smidgen of 

my old family back. I cannot say the same for Steven and Ashley. They hardly talk to me, and I prefer it that way. 

“I thought I smelled avocados in here! That boisterous voice never ceases to make me smile. Galen scampers in with a grin, snatching a bowl for himself. Mikhail, his mate, trailed behind him proudly displaying the fresh hickeys on his pale skin. 

They stink of sex. 

“Take it.” Jackie insists, cutting up more avocados. “I’ve made plenty! I know how much you love them, dude.” 

“They are the holy grail that keeps these luscious tresses soft.” Galen made a dramatic show by flicking his hair around while his mate plucked the bowl from his hand. 

“Avocados in hair? I didn’t know people do this. I smell other things in this, too.” 

“There’s water, shea butter, black castor oil for growth, and much more. You can try it too! A little goes a long way, Mikhail!” Just then, both Isaiah and Sapphire walk in with shower caps on their hair and empty bowls in their hands. A beep resounds in the air from the microwave that prompt Sapphire to run over and pull out two, dark–blue, deep conditioning caps. 

“Babe, they’re ready!” Isaiah plucks one and placed it over his shower cap, and Sapphire did the same. “It’s a shame we rarely get days like this.” 

“We better live it up while it lasts. And I intend to take full advantage of it.” Isaiah growls seductively before swooping his mate in his arms. In the blink of an eye, he bolts out like a roadrunner followed by Sapphire’s squealing. 

My chest tightens. My mood suddenly fell. I turn to see Mikhail smoothening the mixture in Galen’s hair as he purred in pleasure from his touch. Front of me is Abigail and Jackie working to store more of the mixture in tupperware. Lorelai came to drag Raina out, also wearing shower caps. I didn’t miss the small pregnant bump poking from her dress. 

Goddamnit. I’m surrounded by love. By affectionate mates and it poked the internal, brewing green–eyed monster. Third–wheeling is never fun, but in this case, I’m the lost tire trying to keep up with the moving truck but failing. 

Yes, I long for love like what my friends‘ have. That genuine love. But it’s not like I’m going to get it, and the angry hornet of the realization stings my heart. 

With a huff, I washed my hands clean of pizza grease and grabbed a bowl. I need a distraction to keep my jealousy in check. There’s no use for longing for what I can’t have. Grabbing alligator clips, I separate my hair into four sections and clip the bundles in place. 

2/5 

Suddenly, I feel a pair of eyes on my back. It wasn’t evil ones like Osiris, but more curious. Longing. Wanting. Turning around, I spot Neron’s head peeking from behind the kitchen doors, his bright orbs on my form. 1 didn’t miss the flashing of blue to black to blue in rapid succession. 

That’s when I realize I’m wearing a semi–revealing blue lounge robe with my collarbone and some of my chest exposed. Oops. 

“Hi, Neron.” I smiled small. “You know you can come in, right?” This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

Like a timid child, the Alpha swung the doors open and shimmied inside. He’s shirtless again. Neron’s nose. crinkled from the pungent aroma of avocado. And his glance moves to each couple before me. “What’s going 

on here?” 

“It’s a pampering day, so we’re taking care of our hair,” I explained chipperly. “We haven’t had time to treat ourselves given our busy schedules.” 

“I’m also making face masks, too,” Jackie mentions while mixing turmeric and honey in a bowl. “You’re more than welcome to try some for yourself, Neron.” 

“I shouldn’t.” He shakes his head. “It’s your day. I won’t impose. Besides, I need to finish some paperwork in my office.” 

Something didn’t sit right with me as I peer into Neron’s face. He looks like he’s been through hell. His eyes are slightly bloodshot, and his face lost its handsome luster. Plus, minor vocal cracks are present in his normally strong and velvet–smooth voice. Like he was crying recently. My heart thudded to the tempo of pain upon this realization. 

And I’m going to do something about it.. 

“Nonsense,” I spoke, walking to him. Gently taking his large hands into my smaller ones, I pull him towards the island where I took my seat on the surface behind him. “You need to relax too. My brother always says relaxation is as important as working. Your body needs to recharge.” 

“That’s probably how he ended up with Ximey.” Galen chortled whilst I rolled my eyes. 

“I don’t kn 

know, Kiya. Are you sure you want me here?” Neron asked curiously, his eyes meeting mine. 

Do I want him here? Well…yes. I do. I want him here to reap the benefits of this lovely day. Alphas deserve to pamper themselves, right? It’s not every day one sees their leader in the kitchen surrounded by avocado hair goop. After all, I want Neron to relax. And to have fun like yesterday. And like when we were kids. 

I like that Neron better. 

“Yeah, I do,” I answer quickly, pulling him closer to get a better view of his mellifluous hair. His earthy scent is incredibly strong, sending my mind spinning. And his sweat strengthened it. Artemis growls deeply in approval. “When was the last time you washed your hair?” 

“Yesterday.” He answered. “It needs a trim. What are you going to do?” 

“Well, have you ever deep conditioned your hair before?” 

“I haven’t.” 

JUS 

“Time to change that today! I’m going to wash your hair, condition, and deep condition it. It’ll take a little time, but I think you’ll like it.” I ran my fingertips through his dark strands, relishing in the smoothness of silk, “Your hair is very nice. I like it.” 

I 

“Your hair is better and more beautiful.” I hear the proud smile in his voice. “It’s so versatile. You can do whatever you want with it. 

“Thank you. Is there a reason you keep your hair long?” 

“My mom was Norwegian, and she’d tell me stories about how everyone in her family treasured their long hair. It’s their prized possession, and most men in Norway keep their hair long. I like my hair like this. It’s freeing. It roots me to my culture and my mother.” 

“That’s…really beautiful, Neron.” To hear the reasoning behind his decision elated my heart. It’s surrounded by warmth and ticklish feelings. I welcomed it. I didn’t know that his hair length was important to him. Even as a child, it was never short. 

I want to take extra care of it. “Can I…um…wash it? Deep conditioning usually works best when the hair is freshly washed and-” 

“Go ahead. I…I’d like that, Kiya. As long as they’re yours, I know I’m in excellent hands.” 

I didn’t hesitate. Quickly grabbing the mild–scented shampoo and conditioner bottles from my room, I work his hair over the kitchen sink. I never knew why hair–washing is considered an intimate activity, but now I see why. It made me happy. I couldn’t stop smiling, I massage the shampoo in his scalp, not missing his deep growls of pleasure. He’s enjoying himself. 

I won’t talk about how those growls made me feel. 

When I applied the conditioner, Neron groans out “Your hands feel so nice…” 

I blush. “T–Thank you…” 

“He’s probably imagining your hands on something else.” Galen laughs through the mind–link. I gave him at be–quiet–before–I–maim–you look as he sat in his dumb shower cap. 

I apply the deep–conditioner in his hair after drying and separating it into four sections like mine. It was easy, and we finished quickly. My hair is a different story. I place the shower cap on his head as the deep conditioning caps warm up in the microwave. 

“Okay! I just need to condition mine.” 

“Allow me.” He takes the bowl from my hand with a pleasant smile that made my heart pound to the rhythm of African drums. “It’s only fair that I pay you back.” 

“Um…” I shrug lightly, not wanting to put up a fight. “Sure.” Neron’s hands are magic to my strands and scalp. With every section, he took care not to apply too much product and to smooth his fingers through my strands to prevent tugging and tangling. 

It felt good. It made me feel cared for. Artemis purrs happily with me. 

It took about five minutes until Neron finishes, placing the shower caps over my hair. The deep conditioning caps were done three minutes before, I only had pink and purple ones, so for the sake of his masculinity, I 

Chapter 13 Hau Care 

place the purple over his cap and the pink over mine. 

“There! Now you look ready for the spa!” I laughed, patting his cap. Neron looks drowsy, like he’s on the verge of sleep. Warmth to the head can do that to you. 

What I didn’t expect is for him to hug my body close and for his head to rest on my chest. 

“Uh…Neron?” 

He mumbles tiredly, begging to let him sleep. He’s so out of it! I tried to hop off the island, but I miscalculate Neron’s weight and my height and we tumble down to the kitchen floor. 

That didn’t stop him from holding me like a body pillow as he drifts into a deep sleep. 

I can’t believe it! 

This fool fell asleep on me!