Stray Echo

Like a Luna

POV: Echo

I glanced at John before looking up at Atlas and gently nodding my head toward where he was kneeling on the floor. “Are you sure, Little Warrior? You owe him nothing, and we can leave without looking back.” He asks, hesitating.

Worried that my silent request is upsetting him, I bow my head before replying, “Yes, Alpha Atlas, I am sure.” I hear him sigh as he gently tilts my head up so that I am looking at him.

“Echo, please, you are my Luna. You never have to address me by my title. I am Atlas to you, my Little Warrior.” He says quietly, gazing into my eyes and practically begging to hear me say his name.

“Please, Atlas,” I whispered, a small smile creeping over my lips at the pure joy resonating from his face. “I need to speak with him.” He nodded, turning serious again as he helped me hop toward the man on the floor.

“Beta John,” I called to the kneeling man softly once I stood in front of him. His untamed, light brown hair hung across his face.

He raised his eyes to mine. “Just John, Luna Echo. My title has been stripped of me and I am soon to become a rogue with my father.” He states, shrugging and looking away, trying and failing to appear nonchalant at the news.

I frown, looking at the man whose father saved my life, and who helped his father try to keep me alive in a pack that wanted me dead. I turned to Atlas, biting my bottom lip and begging him with my eyes, hoping he would know what I wanted.

He stares at me for a long moment, eyes narrowing as he realizes what I’m thinking. His eyes darken for a second while he gazes at my lips before returning to their normal green. I watch him internally debate about it. Just as I had started to fear that I’d finally gone too far, he sighs before he turns back to me with a serious expression on his face.

“I need you to think carefully about this, Little Warrior. Are you sure you want that kind of reminder with you once we leave?”

“Al-Atlas,” I corrected myself, earning a grumble of delight from Zev. “I owe my life to Beta Seth! He was the only one who didn’t want me dead. His son, Beta John,” I motioned my hand towards the still kneeling Beta, “is the only person in the last five years to show me even a shred of decency.”

Still seeing his hesitancy, I continued. “Atlas, without Beta John and Beta Seth, I would not be alive right now. If Alpha Brady and his father didn’t kill me, I would have done it myself if I hadn’t known there was at least one person in the world who didn’t hate me. One person who didn’t want to hurt me or for me to be dead.”

I hear Atlas suck in a breath as what I’ve said hits him like a brick wall. He stares at me, eyes flickering between his and Zev’s, emotions showing plainly as they flickered across his face.

His rage, sorrow, devastation, love, pride, desperation, and need all create an aura of pure turmoil that rolls across the room. John bows on his hands and knees, neck extended in submission, as Atlas and Zev battle for control.

“Atlas?” I called gently, and his eyes met mine, still flickering, the dark showing through more than green now. “Zev?” I tried instead, desperate to soothe my mate, as his turmoil rose and fell in waves. Dark eyes met mine.

“Zev, I am here. Right here in front of you. I made it through all of it. And I owe a lot of that to this man and his father. Please don’t make me watch them become rogues.”

He turns to look at the Beta on the floor before he nods. He moves to me quickly and sweeps me into a hug while scenting my neck. The tumultuous aura dissipates as he slowly sets me on my foot and looks down at me, green eyes shining.

“The Blood Moon Pack is always looking for strong warriors and pack members with a strong sense of good values,” he stated, turning to look at John. “We would be honoured if you and your father joined our pack.” John’s eyes widened, whatever he was expecting, this was not it.

“You will always be Beta John to me, just as your father will always be Beta Seth. It is your birthright, and your title, even if…” I paused, taking a deep breath to give me strength.

“Even if B-Brady has exiled you, you are both still the kind of men that can be trusted to do the right thing. I would be honoured to see you and your father come with us.” I purposely left off Brady’s title of Alpha. He hasn’t earned it.

I feel the potent emotions of my Alpha behind me as he pulls me gently against him, resting his chin on my shoulder. John’s eyes crinkled as a smile lit up his face.

“Of course, Luna. If I may take my leave, I will collect my things from my quarters and have my father do the same. Will we meet in the dining room?” Atlas nods to confirm, and John stands before he makes his way to his rooms.

“Thank you,” I whispered, turning, and pressing a tender kiss on his lips. His eyes widen in shock, and he smiles.

“Asking to take in Seth and John to keep them from becoming rogues, as well as acknowledging their importance in your life, even though they are from a pack that tried to kill you… those are the actions of a kind and loyal Luna.” He says, eyes twinkling as he watches me.

I stare at him, frowning as I try to figure out how protecting the men who did the same for me makes me Luna material.

Sensing my confusion, he explains, “Many wolves would want to burn the entire pack to the ground in retaliation if they did such things to them. Hell, Zev wants to burn this entire pack to the ground for what they did to you.” I thought for a moment before speaking.

“I don’t wish them any ill will. Except maybe Brady, Embry, and his father. Everyone else was just following their Alpha.” I mumbled with a shudder. “Brady and Embry did it because they liked it. There is something wrong with the pair of them. His father did it out of misplaced hatred in his grief. As an Alpha, it is his responsibility to rise above such things, or step down and allow someone else to lead if he can’t. It was also his job to see that a son like his didn’t take his place when he stepped down. He failed on both fronts as an Alpha.”

“Spoken like a true Luna!” He states matter-of-factly, pressing his lips to my forehead. “Now, shall we collect your things from your room?” He asks, scooping me up off the floor again.

“Yes, please!” I said, grinning. I am ready to leave this place far, far behind.