POV: Echo The jolt of being tossed onto the soft mattress brought me back to my senses, just in time for him to move to the edge of the bed in front of me. Before I can react, he grabs me by my ankles and drags me until my legs hang off the bed and I’m lying on my back in front of him. Trying to control my emotions, I attempt to force my fear back, and replace it with calm. Repeating in a loop in my head, I tell myself that someone is going to interrupt him. Either his Luna coming home or a mind-linking pack member needing his help. Someone is going to stop this. Despite my best efforts, even I could smell the waves of complete panic rolling off me the moment he dragged a fingertip down my thigh. He sucks in a deep breath, smirking, and I can smell his arousal instantly. My wholebody trembles as he takes my hands and gently pulls me into a sitting position. Running his hands over my hair, smoothing it down, he slowly shifts it to the side so he can access my neck better. Aware that
POV: Echo The harsh sound of the dryers buzzing, signalling the end of their cycles, startles me awake. My joints scream in protest as I slowly dragged myself to a sitting position. I’d passed out in the same crumpled heap I’d been tossed in, and my whole body was stiff and sore. Sitting for a minute, I waited for the aching to fade away. Attempting to take stock of my injuries, new and old, I frowned, raised my shirt, and gingerly touched my ribs, before cautiously stretching. My ribs don’t even so much as ache, which is odd given how many were broken prior to my tumble down the stairs. Curious, I inspect my other injuries and find they are also absent. Undoing my finger splint and pulling it off, I see my finger has also healed entirely, which surprised me because its healing had been slowed considerably before. Jumping up off the floor, I rush towards the bathroom, pulling off my shirt as I go. Quickly removing the bandages from my back and letting the gauze flutter to the floor
POV: Echo I rarely I allow myself to take a trip down memory lane. It’s even less often that I think back on that day. After passing out, I had woken up in the basement and that’s where I stayed. No one ever explained what happened other than that my parents were killed trying to escape as they were responsible for their Luna’s death, and that I was to be punished in their stead. Apparently, their deaths weren’t punishment enough. I wished nothing more than to have ignored my stomach and turned in the other direction. If I had, I may have been fortunate enough to find myself in a neighbouring pack, one who didn’t hate my very existence. Or I may have just died from exposure. Anything would have been better than my life right now. Sighing, I gave the pants I just picked up an extra vigorous shake. All the hopes in the world wouldn’t take me back to make a different choice. I needed to focus on the giant piles of laundry around me, and on having my wolf. My parents made their choices
POV: Echo I made it to my spot by the door just as it swung open. Immediately assuming a servant’s stance, hoping to the Goddess that he doesn’t notice how hard I’m breathing, I focus on calming my pounding heart. I watched his feet move forward a few steps as he took in the sight of all the folded laundry on the table and in labelled baskets on the floor. “Hmm…” he hums, his feet turning back towards me and stopping just in front of me. He watches me try to and fail at containing my panting breath. I don’t think I have ever moved that fast in my life. I owe my speed and ability to mostly complete an impossible task to my wolf. She lent me what little energy she had to spare. I know I am screwed when he stiffens, raising his hand to my damp hair. I’d done my best to give it a solid rinse with the water I was provided through the single cold tap to my trough tub. However, I didn’t have time to wash it with soap, as I’d literally had two minutes to bathe, dress, and be on my spot.
POV: Echo Having finished stripping rooms, I quickly ducked into the basement to swap the laundry again and quickly freshen up before making my way over to wait in the dining room. Standing in a corner of the room, I was glad that I’d been able to keep my new dress clean for serving. My nerves were jittery, making me anxious as I waited for them to arrive. Hearing the front doors open, Alpha Brady’s voice drifts into the dining hall as many footsteps approach. The smell of something mouth-watering wafted through the door as warriors from both packs filed in. I closed my eyes and discreetly sniffed the air, taking in the scent of a forest after a rainstorm mixed with a strongly brewed coffee. Stiffening slightly as Tala chanted, ‘Mate! Mate is here, Echo!’. Her excitement flooded through me, and I couldn’t help but glance around the room quickly. There are men, mostly warriors, who are moving to sit at the table, filling their plates with mountains of eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, and
POV: Echo “Yes, I would like to know your name.” Alpha Atlas confirmed, his voice so gentle I couldn’t stop my wide-eyed gaze from meeting his. His eyes and aura match the gentleness in his voice and touch. I found myself lost in his eyes, drowning in their green depths, never wanting to surface. ‘Tell him!’ Tala barked in my mind. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to speak. “M-my n-name is E…” A low hissing noise from the table caused me to shoot a quick glance at Alpha Brady, showing me the spark of intense rage that I could now feel pouring through his aura. I trailed off, trying and failing to stop the shudder that ran through me. I’d unknowingly entered dangerous waters and would pay heavily for it later. “The name of my Little Doll is not important, Alpha.” Brady spit, standing up and moving to my side. “Please release her and allow her to return to her duties.” He grabbed me by my elbow and jerked me roughly to his side. Sucking in a strangled breath as excruciating pain
POV: Alpha Atlas I’m not terribly interested in this visit to the Red Stone Pack. Their Alpha and Luna are known for being incredibly vain and self-involved. In fact, the pack had been going downhill for the last decade. Apparently, the previous Alpha went mad with grief after the death of his Luna, and never truly recovered. He spent five years driving the pack straight into the ground before his son took over, and things haven’t improved. Their defenses are weak, the land is unkept, and the pack is going into bankruptcy. Alpha Brady requested I come to discuss a potential deal that would keep his pack from going completely under. Unfortunately for him, I know he has absolutely nothing to offer me. I am of half a mind to challenge him and take his pack to merge with my own. At least then the pack might have a better chance of staying afloat. Even a weak Alpha like him should know better than to irritate the Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack. The rumours came from somewhere. I was not kn
POV: Alpha Atlas My stomach turned as I remembered the possessive name that he called her. His Little Doll, as though she was less than, as though she was something to be owned. I feel my Beta and Delta scrutinizing my every movement as I work through what just happened and force Zev back where he belongs. “Of course, Alpha Brady, as you wish,” I replied after a moment, my voice carefully devoid of any emotion, keeping Zev at bay as he demanded I tear this pitiful Alpha to pieces. I force myself to sit calmly as I watch her stand on one leg and try to serve my breakfast. Unfortunately, I can’t control the wrathful aura pouring from me as I feel Alpha Brady’s murderous intent aimed directly at my mate. I know my aura is making her uncomfortable, but if I focus on reining it in, Zev may use that distraction to take control, and then all hell would break loose. Travis and Blaze are also enraged, and I can feel their indignation at the Alpha’s behavior. She suddenly stiffened and I see