Stray Echo

It Was Planned

POV: Atlas

I can’t believe these idiots are literally fighting in the dining room when they are supposed to be making sure everything is ready to go immediately. I launch myself into the middle of the fray, where most of the wolves are fighting.

“ENOUGH!” I roared, and every wolf in the room stopped dead. “WHAT IN THE ACTUAL f**k DO YOU ALL THINK YOU ARE DOING?! This does NOT look like preparing everything to leave.”

Every Blood Moon wolf in the room and at least seventy percent of the Red Stone wolves extend their necks in submission. My wolves shift back to their human forms, and Blaze looks like a busted little kid. I glared at him, waiting for a reply.

“I was doing just that,” he says, “and then some ugly-looking bastard from Red Stone comes in here with his gang of goons and starts spouting off about why you would have any interest in Alpha Brady’s s*x toy!” I growl, just as I hear another wolf from Red Stone, one those that didn’t submit, start speaking.

“I didn’t know Alphas were interested in other Alpha’s used whores,” Immediately the entire room explodes into chaos again, as Zev takes over and I see red.

I watch from the back seat as Zev hands the Red Stone wolves their asses, and Travis comes in with the rest of the warriors from the border. Once that’s settled, I head back to the basement to let Echo know it’s time to go.

When I got to the basement door, it was closed, and I could smell his scent all over it. I grab the handle and it’s locked. ‘She’s locked in the basement, and I can f*****g smell him down here with her!’ I roared through the mind link to my Beta and Delta.

Travis, Blaze, John, and who I can only assume is Seth, John’s father, all rush down to the basement door as I try to break it down. They add their weight to it, and it isn’t until I feel a complete and utter wave of desperation and terror slam into me through the barely formed mate bond that Zev shoves forward, shifting, and we burst through the door.

The sight of him on her, and then pulling his pants up, sends us into a murderous rage. The only thing keeping him alive is the fact that he is using her as a shield. I immediately reign in my aura, and feel the others do the same when Echo collapses against him, neck bowed in full submission to us.

I am overwhelmed with an extreme sense of protective need, as he jerks on her arm to make her stand again. I can feel it flow through my aura and I see her calm slightly. I don’t even need to link my Beta or Delta on what to say. They already know exactly how this will go down.

I watch helplessly as he threatens and chokes her, moving aside with the rest so he will let her breath again. I stalked behind them. Every whimper and cry as he dragged her up the stairs was a dagger straight through my heart.

My heart stops when he chucks her down the stairs and I don’t even think before I am catching her, Zev shifting and slamming me into control, so my arms are ready to catch her. I can tell she is hurt, badly, and I move into the basement to give Travis and Blaze access to the top door so we can get out of here.

I breathe in my mate’s calming scent, trying to keep from thinking about how far he got before we showed up, when she opens her eyes and flips out, leaping from my arms. I yelled for them to hurry and get that door open.

Having seen her do this before, I realize she is not seeing me, but him. I quickly cover myself the best I can, approaching her slowly, trying not to scare her. I explain we are leaving soon, and get ready to pick her up again, but I can sense that she is still terrified.

I watch as she is torn between the pull of the mate bond and the memories of her experiences. Sitting back to think, I realize she isn’t understanding a thing I’ve said to her as she tries to drag herself toward the door. I suddenly feel like an i***t and get John and Seth to bring us clothes.

A naked Alpha in the basement where she was just attacked, and Goddess knows what, by an Alpha who had his pants down and was lying on top of her when we finally broke down the door… f**k, could I be any denser?!

I quickly yank my pants and shirt on and look at the torn front of my shirt she’s wearing, her chest completely exposed and bruised. She calms considerably now that I’m covered, and I ask her if I can change her shirt. She looks down and seems surprised before she looks back up at me.

I literally watch as her mind slams her back into the present and out of whatever horror story she was living in. It breaks my heart when she apologizes, and I only hope that she knows she has nothing to apologize for, as I give her a small smile and dry her tears.

I know her wrist is broken as I try so hard to be gentle as I take off the ripped shirt, sighing in relief when I see her still intact underwear. No matter how gentle I try to be, each movement causes her to whimper as I help her get dressed.

As soon as Travis says the door is open, and Brady has fled, I hold my arms towards my mate. I am glad when she raises her good arm in response as I scoop her up and take her out of her personal hell.

POV: Echo

I was startled by the absolute destruction of the kitchen as we exited the stairs and headed to the dining room. Someone, probably Brady or one of his pack members, shoved the fridge in front of the basement door to give him time to escape.

The dining room isn’t much better, with smashed chairs and benches littering the floor, and one of the long tables completely collapsed. There are only a handful of warriors left in the room, all from Blood Moon.

“Alpha, Luna,” a brown-haired man kneels before us, “I am sorry, but he’s escaped. Before we could come to assist you in the basement, we were jumped by more of the Red Stone wolves. They lured us away from the kitchen, and by the time we caught them, he was gone, and a fridge was in front of the door.” The rest of the warriors kneel beside him, all murmuring apologies for their failure to assist us and catch Alpha Brady. Atlas sighs, his jaw tightening before he speaks.

“This was clearly a planned attack, James. I suspect he was responsible for setting up the fight in the first place, and had a plan to escape should we have caught him down there.” James nods, and the warriors stand. “Please ensure that everything is ready for our departure the moment my mate has been cleared for travel by Cordelia. I want to get our Luna home.” Atlas gives them their orders before walking to the nearest standing bench and setting me on it.

I shook violently as Atlas’s words sunk in. Brady had planned it… all of it. Atlas cups my cheeks in his hands lightly so as not to push against the bruises left by Brady. He tips my head up, forcing me to meet his eyes.

“You are safe. He is not here. We are surrounded by Blood Moon warriors. The men and women from the borders came immediately upon the start of the fight. Cordelia is going to check your injuries, and then we are going home.” He says in a soothing voice.

“It’s okay, nothing I haven’t dealt with before,” I said in a strained voice, remembering all the various injuries and broken bones I’ve had. I can see this has only made him more upset than before, as he stared at me in shock. Thankfully, I am saved from his reply by Healer Cordelia as she comes rushing inside.

“Luna Echo,” she says, stopping before me and taking in the fresh injuries she can see. I gave her a little smile and nodded.

Eyes wide, she sets to work, starting with my broken wrist. The moment she feels along to the bone to assess where it’s broken, I sag against Atlas, black spots flickering across my vision.

“Rest now, Little Warrior,” he whispers in my ear. “You’ve earned it. You are safe now, and I promise I will not leave your side.” I sigh as he presses a kiss on my temple. The mate bond tingles finally allowing my body to relax as I let the darkness take me.