Stray Echo

What Kind Of Punishment?

POV: Echo

Even though I had just spent the last four days unconscious, I was completely overcome with pure exhaustion after having woken up and met Noira. She seemed to notice and politely excused herself from the room, leaving Atlas and I alone.

He watched me closely, as though I’d disappear if he blinked too long. Looking him over, I realized he was still wearing the same black shirt and jeans he’d put on before we left the Red Stone pack. The outfit is crumpled and wrinkled, and his dishevelled hair and stubbly chin complete the look. I can tell he has been sleeping in the chair beside my bed, waiting for me to wake up.

I place a shaky hand on his cheek, and he leans into it, the tension leaving his body. “I’m here, Atlas, and I’m not going anywhere!” I whisper, leaning forward to kiss his forehead before releasing him.

Chuckling, he smiles at me, eyes sparkling in amusement. “You’re the one in the hospital bed, and yet you’re comforting me!” I can feel my cheeks turn pink a bit at that. I hadn’t even thought twice about it.

Before I can come up with a reply, a massive yawn overcomes me, grabbing his attention instantly. Raising a single eyebrow at me, he gave a firm look that sent warm tingles straight to my core.

“You need rest, Little Warrior! Why are you sitting here comforting me when you can barely stay awake?” His voice is as firm as his look, adding to the building sensation in the lower depths of my abdomen.

Unfortunately, between the look and his tone of voice, another sensation started building in my chest, overcoming my desire. Instinctively, I dropped my gaze to my lap, fiddling with my fingers in fear of having disappointed him.

I don’t know what punishments this Alpha may have for disappointing him, and I certainly don’t want to find out.

POV: Atlas

It had been a painful, long four days waiting for my mate to wake up. Even though Cordelia had assured me that her body and wolf just needed the extra time to heal, I couldn’t help but worry that she may never wake up.

Thankfully, my father, the previous Alpha before I took over, could run things here while I had left for the Red Stone pack. Between him, Travis, and Blaze, the pack was still running smoothly, even though their Alpha had been preoccupied for nearly a week now.

My true lifesaver at the moment was Healer Cordelia, who took the time to console me and answer all of my questions whenever I became too worried. My Deltas were also miracle workers. Blaze was doing a fantastic job helping to pick up my slack. Noira, his mate, was doing even more so, checking in on us regularly and bringing me food and drinks. She also made sure I was sleeping, although she couldn’t convince me to find a bed or to go take a shower.

Without her, this would have been even more difficult, and I probably would have sat next to Echo, starving and sleep-deprived for the entire time she was passed out. I know I am going to have to find a way to make this up to everyone, although they have already told me that seeing me happy with my mate in my arms was going to be more than enough to repay them.

I was ecstatic when Echo’s lips tilted up into the tiniest of smiles, and she was finally able to open her eyes. Surprisingly, she didn’t react at all to the fact that her mate was in her room with another she-wolf, something most she-wolfs would react to with growls and snarls, as they are extremely territorial over their mates.

Echo, however, seemed to have forgotten the other wolf existed entirely the moment she saw me. As expected, she was confused by how long she had been asleep, and I tried to comfort her the best I could. I was so completely focused on her I did not even think about Noira until she cleared her throat and stepped forward to be introduced.

Upon introducing them, I could see Noira bursting with joy at the idea of having another female around. With Travis and I having been mate-free until this point, she was the only she-wolf living on the top floor, and I’m pretty sure she was desperate for some female company.

Echo’s response to her was similar. I could feel her happiness bubbling through the mate bond as she smiled at Noira. She seemed to be at ease with her instantly, which wasn’t something that I had seen from Echo.

I’m a bit surprised when Noira abruptly excuses herself, and I find myself alone with my fully conscious mate for the first time since we got dressed four days ago. I can’t take my eyes off her, not trusting that this isn’t a dream.

My gorgeous, selfless Luna actually starts to comfort me after she takes in my appearance. I realize I haven’t showered, shaved, or even changed my clothes the entire time, and I must look a right sight.

When she yawns, I know she has been pushing back her exhaustion to fuss over me, and I can’t help but give her a firm look. It takes everything I have not to smirk at the scent of arousal she emits, and I scold her gently, but firmly, for consoling me while she is so exhausted.

Her arousal increased before it was suddenly taken over by the sharp scent of fear. She drops her head, staring at her hands in her lap, nervously fidgeting in silence. I internally cursed myself. I had unintentionally scared her and shoved her mind back into her life with him. Into her nightmare.

I stand up, and she flinches as I move into position to pick her up. Changing tactics, I reach an inch at a time, slowly enough to gauge her reaction and give her time to pull away if she needed to. I slipped an arm under her knees and behind her back, scooping her up off the bed while her entire body shook.

Making sure not to jostle her, I climb into her bed, adjust the head of it so I am only slightly leaning back, and gently position her onto the bed between my legs. She sits there stiff as a board, so I oh so gently pull her until she is leaning against me.

The entire time, the scent of her fear burns my nostrils, and her breathing comes faster until she is gasping for breath. I rest my chin on the top of her head and trace my fingertips up and down her bare arms. I waited for a moment, giving her time to pull away before continuing.

I make sure to take slow, even breaths, in through my nose, out through my mouth, before saying in a voice just loud enough for her to hear.

“Breathe, Little Warrior, feel my chest moving, match your breaths to mine. Breath in, 1, 2, 3, hold, 1, 2, 3, breath out, 1, 2, 3.” I repeat it in a loop and eventually feel her begin to breathe with me. When her breaths even out, and I know she is no longer hyperventilating, I kissed the top of her head, whispering, “Well done, Echo, well done, keep breathing for me, Little Warrior, you are safe here.” Her body had relaxed into mine, so I asked the question in my mind.

“Echo, can you tell me what just happened?” I felt a shiver run down her spine as she fought to keep her breaths even. We sat for a moment, and just as I thought she would not answer me, she did.

“I… I thought I had disappointed you.” She said, her voice only just louder than a whisper. Then, almost inaudibly, her body trembling slightly, “I don’t know how you will punish me if I disappoint you.”

Flabbergasted, my jaw literally dropped. As my chin had been resting on her head, she noticed right away and cowered on the bed in front of me.

“Oh, Echo,” I gasped, tenderly pulling her back to my chest. I shift her slightly and use my finger to tilt her face towards mine so that I am looking into her hazel eyes. I can feel the terror coursing through her as she trembles in my arms.

“I will never, ever hurt you. What that man did to you was wrong, and I would kill anyone in my pack who treated anyone that way. It isn’t the wolf way, Little Warrior, you are my Luna, my equal, and you will never be punished by anyone ever again! Do you understand?” I said fiercely.

Gazing deep into her eyes, I held her eyes with my own and she seemed unable to look away. It isn’t until her body relaxes, and she nods at me that I release her from my gaze. She sinks into my chest and falls asleep while I resume tracing her arms with my fingertips once more.