Stray Echo

Lunch Plans

POV: Atlas

Looking down at the beautiful she-wolf in my arms, I can’t help but feel like the Moon Goddess has truly blessed me. Today has been huge already, the first day that she has been awake and able to be in my pack, our pack.

I think back to what Travis and James said this morning, and I realize they are one hundred percent correct. I only saw a glimpse of the life Echo lived before we met, and that one day of her life would have been enough to traumatize some of my best warriors. Yet somehow this little she-wolf lived like that, all on her own, for ten years!

The mate bond has been driving me to distraction as of late, but I know she is not ready. She surprised me with our little hot and heavy make-out session, which, of course, triggered something within her. The look of terror, her tears, and the way her voice sounded as she launched herself off the bed away from me made my chest ache.

As a werewolf, I have a deep desire and need to protect and provide for my mate with everything that I am. Being an Alpha, this feeling is intensified, and seeing her look at me with fear while she sees someone else in my place is crushing.

Thinking back on this morning, I remember how she flinched when Travis moved unexpectedly. He’d immediately mind-linked me in panic, and I told him to wait for her to process. It only took a couple of moments for her to transition from her instinctive defence to the realization that she was safe.

James had witnessed it as well, and I knew how hard it had hit him. His sister had a chosen mate, and by the time she could finally escape him, she was just as timid and reflexive as Echo. I knew watching her hit close to home for him, which is why I allowed him to approach, and then remain while she worked through it.

Running my fingers through Echo’s hair, I slowly shift until we are lying down on the bed, with her curled into my side and covered with a blanket. Cordelia had warned me she may experience volatile emotional outbursts and vivid flashbacks. She wasn’t wrong. The only thing I can do is to be there and comfort her when it happens.

Cordelia had also suggested that it might be helpful for Echo to see the Beta wolves from her pack that came back with us, but she also said it may do the opposite and to tread with caution. Beta John and Beta Seth had shown nothing but loyalty to Echo since I’d met them, and I must say, they were exceptional warriors, considering where they came from.

‘Beta, Delta!’ I called through the mind link, having a bit of an idea. ‘Yes, Alpha?’ They both responded almost immediately. I smile to myself at these two and their antics.

‘I’d like to plan a small lunch around 1 this afternoon. Echo and I, ex-betas John and Seth, yourselves, and Noira if you’d like, and maybe warrior James. Nothing major, I just think it might be good for Echo to see them and spend some time with members of our pack she is comfortable with.’ I replied, having thought of how to help Echo feel most comfortable.

‘Of course… Alpha!’ Travis replied while Blaze linked. ‘Noira’s in! She is most excited to see Echo!’ I thanked them and chuckled, ‘And knock off the formal s**t, you two!’ I groaned, before shutting down the link and watching my beautiful mate.

I have learned many things about her since our trip home, but most of all, I have learned that she has been deprived of nearly every form of pleasure known to us as wolves. Nature, music, entertainment, food, love, friends, family, affection, anything, and everything that we wolves crave and need to survive, they withheld from her for ten long years. It truly is a wonder she managed to survive for so long.

I swallow my anger as Zev pushes forward a bit, raging about the condition we found her in, and just what that pathetic Alpha, Brady, and his father were doing. I don’t want to know just what he had planned for her in his twisted mind. What I saw was more than enough to tell me it would have destroyed her.

Sighing, I reached over and put on a phone alarm for 12:30, curled around my mate, and breathed in her scent. It calms us immediately and I allow myself to drift off to sleep.

POV: Echo

An irritating beeping noise jolts me awake, and I sit up disoriented while looking around for what is obviously not the basement. The alarm shut off and I hear a soft hum as arms wrap their way around my waist and gently tug me back to a lying position, reminding me I am not there anymore.

Sighing, I snuggled into Atlas and sniffed his neck deeply to slow my racing heart. The sound of an alarm beeping was something I was only familiar with on mornings of major events when I was expected to be up extra early to prepare for the day.

Atlas was trailing his fingertips up and down my arm in a calming way, and I allowed myself to truly relax for a moment, as nothing bad had happened to me in this room, or in his arms as of yet. I open my eyes and Atlas is smiling at me again.

Feeling shy, knowing that I’d had a bit of a mental breakdown amid our intense kissing session earlier, I blushed and looked away. I only look back when he gently kisses my lips in a way that makes me feel completely safe and loved.

I give my own contented hum, and we rest our foreheads together for a moment before Atlas sighs.

“As much as I would love to just snuggle all day, Little Mate,” he says, looking into my eyes again, “We have a lunch to attend!”

I stared at him, wide-eyed and worried. Who would we possibly be having lunch with already? I feel anxious and uncomfortable at the idea of being in a room full of people or at a table filled with strange, ranked wolves.

“It is a small lunch, just us, Travis, Blaze, and Noira, and the ex-betas from your pack. Warrior James may join us as well. If it’s too much, we can cancel, Little Warrior. I just thought you might like to…” Sensing my discomfort, Atlas immediately relieved my worries.

I stopped him with a finger to his lips and smiled at him. I gasp when he slowly opens his mouth and nibbles on the tip of my finger before sucking on it lightly and releasing it. He smirked as I am sure I turned all shades of red and pink at the sensations he just sent shooting through my body.

“I- uh, lunch, lunch is good! I am a-a little nervous as I have never really sat and eaten lunch in a group like that before, but I am excited to see everyone!” I stumbled, trying not to give him the satisfaction of rendering me completely speechless with his teasing. He chuckles at my stubbornness before frowning.

“Wait, you’ve never eaten with a group of people?” He observed me as I shook my head. His frown deepening, so I explained.

“No, I always ate alone, either in the kitchen while tidying up, or in the basement during punishment. Except… well, except when he was… rewarding me for… good behavior. He sat with me the one time, and then I sat at the kitchen island the other time.” I finish with a whisper, swallowing bile at the memories of what he thought was good behavior.

Atlas leaned into the crook of my neck to inhale my scent, and I inhaled his. I feel him relax at the same time I do, and he presses a kiss against my neck before pulling away.

“Let’s get ready for lunch then, shall we?” He asks with a twinkle in his eyes, and I smile and nod before we get up and get ready to head to the dining room.