Stray Echo

You Are My Luna

POV: Echo

Thankfully, Cordelia had finished with my face and moved on to my ribs. Atlas took her place in front of me, kneeling to meet me eye to eye, reminding me just how small I was. He was a giant of a man and towered over even the tallest members of Brady’s pack.

I marvelled at how someone so large can also be so incredibly tender with me, as he leaned his forehead to touch mine. His expression looked firm, and I watched him warily, confused.

“Echo, my Little Warrior, certain members of our pack may call you by your name in private. However, in public, they and the rest of the pack will call you Luna, or Luna Echo. It is your title as my mate, as the other half of my soul, and it is a sign of their respect for you and me.” He explained, and his expression left no room for negotiation.

“It will be a great pride for those in the pack to use your title when conversing with you. It is a reminder to everyone that you are my mate, very much wanted and taken by your Alpha.” His deep, husky voice sent several kinds of shivers down my spine. “Do you understand?”

An internal war is being waged in my head, as I desperately try to understand how he could want a weak slave like me as his mate and Luna. All the while, my core heated and my body leaned toward his warmth of its own accord, craving his nearness.

Fear abruptly slammed into me, causing me to pull away as I grappled with just what his wanting and taking me would entail. The first and last man who used those kinds of words for me was Alpha Brady, and I knew I didn't ever want to be wanted or taken like that by anyone ever again. My thoughts swirled in despair, and I could feel him waiting for my response. I swallowed hard before nodding hesitantly, wanting to please him even as I spiralled into the deepest, darkest depths of my memories, places I avoided at all costs.

Sensing my fear and conflicted emotions, he slowly brought his lips to mine, watching my response. His lips were soft as he tenderly pressed them to mine, feather light as they moved smoothly against mine, pulling me out of the darkness and into the present and into the feel of his lips against mine as he seared the sensation into my memories forever.

My body responded to his immediately, my lips quickly learning to keep pace. He pulled away slowly, both of us panting slightly, tingles shooting across every nerve of our bodies as the mate bond grew. Resting his forehead against mine again, he stared into my eyes as though he could see my soul.

“You are mine, Little Warrior, and I am yours. Know that I want you more than anyone or anything else in this world.” I looked deep into his eyes; they shined with adoration and pride. He loves me, and he is proud to have me as his mate. My heart swelled with joy as Tala pranced around like a pup.

Feeling as though a bucket of ice water had been dumped on me, the words ‘mine’ and ‘want’ played in a loop through my head. Memories of Alpha Brady calling me his while being forced to fulfil his disgusting wants and demands flood my mind. I stiffen as my breath turns into gasps, wanting nothing more than to disappear.

“Little Warrior?” Atlas’s voice was uncertain, having sensed the inner turmoil that was suffocating me. “Echo, are you okay?” I can hear the concern in his voice, but I was completely frozen in pure terror, repulsion, and shame. I could even smell the change in my scent as I rocked myself, trying to calm the panic bubbling through every cell in my body. I could still hear everything happening around me, but I was no longer in charge of my actions.

“Move back, Alpha. Give her some space. She has been through things that we can’t even imagine, at the hands of someone who sees her as his plaything. This must be extremely overwhelming for her, and just as triggering,” Cordelia explained. I feel her ever so slightly shift to sit next to me on the bed.

“While the mate bond seems to grow stronger, and it’s obvious that being around you and your pack members is providing her with some sense of comfort, she has no memory of anyone showing her kindness. In her life, it seems kindness comes at a price, one she is often unwillingly forced to pay. Being wanted, claimed, taken… I doubt she ever had a choice about such things when it came to Alpha Brady’s actions. He took her choices, his want for her becoming his claim on her, and he took what he wanted at will, forcing her to comply.” Her voice was hard, sharp, and angry, but as she slowly moved even closer, sitting just inches away from me, I listened to her intently, still finding comfort in her voice.

“Oh, Goddess! But I’m her mate! Surely, she at least knows that I am incapable of causing her harm?” Atlas’s voice is filled with agony and despair. My chest burned, knowing that I was the one causing him to feel this way.

My body subtly shifted, so that my arm and leg were just touching Cordelia’s now. Her motherly presence slowly beginning to push the memories back to where they belong, the depth of her understanding soothing the anguish of years’ worth of memories.

“Alpha, she may not fully understand the mate bond. It’s obvious she understands the basics, as she hoped to be saved by her mate. However, we don’t know how much she has been taught about mates, the mating process, and…” She paused, “well, consent and how things are supposed to feel.”

I knew they were talking about me, and that I would feel upset or bothered or something. But I clung to this conversation as though it was my lifeline. I stopped rocking, and Cordelia wrapped me in her arms, swaying slightly from side to side. Her lavender and sandalwood scent slowly returned my breathing to a more reasonable pace. Cautiously opening my eyes, I find Atlas kneeling on the floor with his head in his hands. He sighed before whispering almost inaudibly,

“I just wish I knew how to explain things to her. I never, ever want to cause her pain. She has been so strong for so long, alone and in pain. She deserved so much more. I’d die tomorrow if it meant it would all disappear, and her life would have been filled with joy.” He lamented.

The thought of Atlas dying made my heart throb so painfully, my body moved before my mind could react. A growl ripped through my chest as Tala launched us into his chest. He wrapped his arms around me instantly, and I was filled with a deep sense of belonging and calm. He chuckles lightly, happy to have me in his arms again.

“I take it Tala doesn’t approve of the thought of me dying?” I frowned at him, shaking my head no as a light pink blush crept across his cheeks. “You were listening to us the whole time?”

“Yes,” I said, staring unabashedly at his beauty.

“I am so sor-” He began, and I placed my finger over his lips to stop him.

“You have absolutely nothing to apologize for,” I whispered. “I am… new to all of this. As Cordelia said, for the last five years, kindness has always come at a cost. Every part of me is telling me you are… safe, that you are… home.” I searched his eyes while trying to find the words to explain how he made me feel.

“But she’s right, I don’t know much about the mate bond, or mating,” I felt a deep blush creep across my face as I continued, “I know the basics, but… my only experience with a man wanting and… taking… a woman ends in pain. My pain.” My voice quavered as it faded away. Atlas pulled me against him tightly.

“I will always ask for your consent, Little Warrior, and I will never hurt you that way.” He says gruffly, scenting my neck deeply as Zev flashed through his eyes. I pulled back slightly, biting my bottom lip as I debated asking my question. He watched me for a moment, eyes widening in understanding.

“Do you know what that word means, Little Mate, what consent means?” He asks. A deep growl exploded from within him when I shook my head no.