Stray Echo

Lost in Thought

POV: Echo

I hadn’t realized I’d disappeared into my own head until Atlas cleared his throat quietly, making me jump slightly as I turned towards him.

“Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts!” He turned his head at me a bit, as though he was debating something.

“What were you thinking about?” He finally asked, speaking in a way that made me wonder if he was worried that I may not wish to answer. I smiled at him and explained how different the pack values seem compared to where I was before, and how happy it made me. Atlas listens to me so intently, nodding and telling me how hard he has strived to make the Blood Moon pack strong and lively. He tells me how he believes that a pack that enjoys where they live is more likely to want to defend it.

When he began asking me about which flowers in the garden I liked best, smiling when I replied and told me which were his favourite, I realized just how little positive social interaction I have experienced.

I felt like I was waiting for the other shoe to drop as we sat there. There was no way I could go from hated pack slave to beloved Luna and Alpha’s mate just like that. There had to be something coming. This must just be a taste of a fairy tale life before it’s snatched away, and I am living some horror-filled life again with nothing but the distant memories of this day to haunt me.

Would it be better if I’d never known the kindness and love I was experiencing now? I couldn’t miss what I didn’t have. But if that was true, I wouldn’t have been so unhappy in Red Stone. Maybe this time will give me something to hold onto. Memories of times worth living for may give me the strength to live when it seems there is nothing else left to live for.

A warm hand on mine made me jump so high my chair tipped back, making me shriek with shock as it was caught and righted before it could fall with me in it. It took a moment before I could hear the words and feel the mate bond tingle over the beating of my racing heart.

It wasn’t until I was pulled into a tight hug against a warm chest with a steady heartbeat that I could make out the words and feel the tingles erupting everywhere our skin touched.

“Echo! Echo, are you okay, Little Mate?” Atlas’s head was pulled back, and he looked down at me in concern. I blinked my eyes hard a few times, trying to clear my head of confusion. “Little Mate?” the concern in his voice was clear, and I forced my eyes to move and make eye contact with him.

“I-I-I’m o-kay.” I stuttered out, frowning slightly as I tried to figure out what happened. He pulled me against him tightly for a moment before slowly releasing me and sitting back to assess me.

“You were off in your own little world there for a bit,” he explained. “When I reached out to touch your hand, you reacted so strongly you nearly knocked your chair over. You went completely unresponsive for a moment there. I’m not sure what happened!” He looked down at me in worry.

“I’m sorry. I was in my thoughts again.” I paused for a moment before I confided in him. “I can’t help but feel like this is too good. As though I’m waiting for whatever horrible thing is coming for me to abruptly rip me away from here, from you.”

“Oh, Little Warrior,” he whispered, looking deep into my eyes. “I will fight to the death to keep you by my side. You are my mate, my Luna, my Little Warrior who has survived things most would not have had the strength to push through. You are the most beautiful she-wolf I have ever set eyes on; I love you, Echo, all of you, and I will protect you.” I couldn’t help but smile and blush a little at how he saw me, as he brushed a kiss against a scar on the back of my hand.

“I love you too, Atlas!” I whispered and leaned forward to gently press my lips to his. He pulled away to smile at me, before leaning down and covering my lips with his and drawing me into a kiss that sent tingles down my spine.

His tongue slowly trailed my bottom lip, and I willingly parted my lips to grant him access. He explored my mouth with his tongue as he won the battle for dominance before it even began. Tala kept me in the moment and tingles shot directly from our lips to my core, where a heat was steadily building, making me want to hold him even closer.

I felt my underwear become damp suddenly, and he scooped me out of my seat, making me squeal and giggle before he swallowed them with his mouth. I could feel his body moving, but soon forgot as one of his hands trailed down to my butt and gripped my cheek under my dress.

Our kisses were hungry as we devoured each others’ mouths, and I couldn’t believe kissing a man like this could ever make me feel so good. I gasped and pulled back as I was laid down on the bed and glanced around to realize we were in our room. I was a bit shocked as I realized I hadn’t even noticed we’d been moving; I was so enthralled by the sensation of his lips on mine.

He shifted slightly, and his member pressed against my underwear through his pants as a moan slipped out of my mouth. I unconsciously ground against him, my body craving the pressure it created in all the right places. Realizing what I was doing, I stopped, blushing, and pulled back a bit. I was embarrassed by how I was acting and confused by how good it felt to do something like that. Never mind the noise I’d made as I’d done so.

I inhaled sharply as my mind rapidly filled with the image of Brady lying on top of me with his member out and pressed against me. I could smell his choking cedar and vanilla scent and hear his voice as he taunted me.

“No, no, no, no, no, no, no…” I whispered, tears streaming down my cheeks. I pushed away from him abruptly and was surprised when I fell. Warm arms catch me before I hit the floor, and the zaps running through me tell me it’s Atlas who caught me.

Shaking my head to clear away the last dredges of the flashback, I gasped for air as though I’d run a marathon. Atlas consoles me, never once looking at me with judgment or looking upset at what happened.

“I’m sorry!” I squeaked once I calmed down enough to speak again. Sighing, I pushed my ear against his chest to listen to his steady heart. He rubbed my back and kissed the top of my head.

“You never, and I mean never, have to apologize for your trauma, Little Mate!” He gently whispered, tucking a stray hair behind my ear. I snuggled into him, exhausted, enjoying the warmth and comfort he provided.