Stray Echo

Consent

POV: Echo

Before I could shrink into myself in fear, Tala’s melodic voice soothed me. ‘Mate is not mad at us. Mate feels terribly for what that other Alpha has done to us. Zev and Atlas are fighting together to calm down.’

‘The idea of us not knowing that word makes them want to shift and tear this pack limb from limb. However, they know we need them, and that getting us out of this pack and safely away from Alpha Brady is more important right now.’ I felt an intense pressure behind my eyes and the growling cut off instantaneously. We look at Atlas and his eyes go dark before he rumbles,

“Mate! Tala!” his voice deeper and rougher than before. I feel my head nod on its own and realize that Tala is in control. ‘Sorry Echo, I normally wouldn’t do this without permission, but Zev needs me!’

“Mate! Zev!” My voice was different, no longer delicate, but deeper, more dangerous. I heard the bedroom door click shut as the healer stepped out to give us privacy. Both wolves took deep breaths, scenting each other the best they could without shifting. Tala sighed contentedly before speaking.

“Echo struggles. She is scared this is too good to be true. I told her you love us, but she has never felt love in her memory.”

“We love our Little Mate,” Zev whined, rubbing his cheek against ours. “We never want to hurt her. Plans to leave are being made now. We are taking you home today.” He crooned, and Tala smiled as a purr bubbled up from deep within us.

“We love mate too! But I am tired now. I must rest.” Tala’s voice faded as she pulled back, and I was suddenly thrust back into control. Zev grinned at me, pecking me messily on the cheek quickly before handing the reins back to Atlas. A small grin of embarrassment crosses his face as Tala yips happily in my head.

“Apparently, he had to kiss you, too.” He shrugged, rubbing the back of his neck in a way that made me think he may be embarrassed about it.

“We didn’t mind,” I said shyly, listening to Zev had made me see how they felt about me. Wolves speak their mind and have no use for lying about their thoughts and feelings. Especially with their mates. His smile widens before a dark look sweeps over him. He frowns before speaking again.

“Consent means to agree to something. It’s like saying yes. When it comes to mates and mating,” He pauses as his cheeks flame red, trying to explain so I will understand. “It means saying that you are saying it is okay and that you want someone to touch you in that way. If you don’t consent, it means you are saying no, and you do not want them to touch you.” He put special emphasis on the words want and do not want. I frowned as I thought about why anyone would want to be touched like that.

“It can be used for any kind of touching, even non-s****l, but given the situation, I think sticking to one will make it easier.” I nodded, listening intently. “Consent can be given, and it can be taken away, even in the middle of mating.” He is looking into my eyes now, willing me to understand.

“If you give consent and something changes for any reason, and it’s not okay and you don’t like what’s happening or don’t want to be touched anymore,” he paused, putting even more emphasis on the next part. “You can say no. That means that you no longer consent, and the person needs to stop.” My eyes widened in shock. His next words absolutely obliterate everything I’ve experienced about a man wanting a woman, about a man taking what he wants from a woman.

“Men and women are supposed to ask for consent every single time they want to touch you and they are supposed to listen if you say no. If they do not listen, we call that assault or abuse, or… or r**e. It is against the law, and one of the most despicable things a wolf can do to another.” His voice was deep with anger at the very idea of it.

My jaw dropped as I tried to process everything he was saying. He waited patiently, giving me time to think. It makes sense. I have seen mated and unmated wolves around the pack house turn down each other’s advances regularly; it was only Brady who forced himself on me even when I said no. But one thing still bothered me.

“Why… why would anyone want someone to do those kinds of things to them?” I asked, blushing, dropping my gaze to the floor again. I couldn’t understand why anyone would consent to that kind of pain. Atlas was silent for long enough that I looked up into his anguish-filled eyes.

“Oh, my Little Warrior,” his voice cracked as he tried to speak. “The mating process is nothing like what you’ve experienced. Being with a wolf in that way should feel good.”

“Only a sadistic wolf would take pleasure in forcing himself onto another wolf, especially with the goal of causing pain.” He buried his face in my marking spot, calming himself so he could continue.

“Mating and s****l touching should bring you pleasure, like this.” I tensed for half a second, as he brought his mouth to my neck, stopping just above it. His breath alone sent waves of pleasant tingles throughout my entire body.

“May I?” He rasped, and I nodded, my body craving the feeling of his lips against my skin. “I need to hear you say it, Little Warrior.” His voice was rougher, needier, as he refused to touch me without my consent.

“Please!” I gasped, and he immediately pressed the lightest of kisses up and down my neck. I couldn’t help but moan as warm tingles ran through me straight to my lower abdomen. He pulled away, giving me a chance to breathe before going on.

“We share a mate bond. That means the pleasure my touch gives you will be tenfold, so long as you consent.” His throaty whisper against my ear sends sparks straight between my legs.

Suddenly filled with a need to touch him, to rub my hands up and down the thick muscles of his chest and back, I settled for running a single fingertip across his chest. His purr as he pulled away and looked at me with desire only strengthened the warmth pooling between my legs.

“Not yet, Little Warrior,” he groaned, inhaling the scent of it as it overflowed onto my underwear. “The scent of your arousal makes me want to lock the door and stay here forever, but now is not the time.”

Blood rushed to my cheeks as I understood what he meant, what the heat between my legs meant. I’ve never felt this… as I rack my mind for a word, Tala steps in. ‘Desire, Echo, we desire him. We want his touch, there and everywhere.’

I am certain my face was tomato red, and Atlas smirked before he pressed a light kiss to my forehead, moving to call Cordelia back into the room.