Mated ✓

04

Chapter Four

The part where Echo plans an escape.

Echo Blithe’s Point of View

It took me a moment to look around the house.

    My eyes needed to make sure that there are no demons inside the house, and by demons I mean the very man who rules the pack. He was not bad, per se, he just really detects evil from a person and for someone who had just commit an act of sin from the pack. I am nothing but a jingling bell that screams nothing but guilty.

    I may or may not get out of this packhouse alive.

    My mind is still not sure, but I am hoping that I still have the chance to live.

    I would not have done this if I was not out of attire to wear. Not only am I struggling, but I know for sure that the woman who was the reason why I look like a damn thief in my own house has nothing but her one piece of designer clothing. Rean has nothing of any sort of clothing that was packed when I saw her, and she could not wear the only article of clothing that I have in Zico’s place—which is what I wore years ago when I camped in his house.

    “Laurence?” I tried to call out, wanting to know if the man who breathes fire is inside the house. Blinking, my feet were light and careful to my steps, as I needed to make sure that I would not die before reaching my room. A small squeak ensued, having me to look around as I called again. “Laurence?”

    There was no answer.

    Nice!

    My ass is saved! 

    I smiled, reaching room with a triumph grin knowing that I had visited when they were all stuck doing what they needed to do in their job. It was why she could never accept the role of the Luna or the leader of the pack. For there is no way that I am able to do half of the things that Laurence ever do for the pack.

    My eyes see him basically lose sleep because he needed papers done. Like damn, I could never—for the life of me do a job that is not in the range of sleeping, eating, and shopping.

    I stilled, seeing that I am basically doing a chore that was not in that range.  

    For Rean.

    This is for that girl.

    She is an exception. 

    By this point, I am not sure why I wanted to help her, maybe it’s the fact that my sister had been in a situation where she was lost and all the stories that she has with being alone and feeling like that made her apologetic.

    Then again, maybe I am just a soft person who can never say no.

    Either way, I am helping Rean.

    The woman needed all the help by how her body is formed. I hope that she was still resting by the time that I arrive for I do not think that I have told her not to wander around. People will actually talk and I did not want to be on the other end of Laurence’s anger.

    “Echo.”

    I jumped, surprised by the sudden voice and the presence of my father. How can people not act really guilty when they did something wrong? I really need to learn that trick and just live my life without having to look over my shoulder. Due to my thinking, I did not even notice that he was close—why did I not smell him? That was weird. He was looking at me all confused, probably wondering why I have a suitcase laying around my floor and packing my things.

    He frowned, looking around my room with nothing but confusion. “What are you doing, pumpkin?”

    “I am… just... you know” I stopped, chuckling before I shrugged. “…packing my stuff?”

    “And why are you packing your stuff?” He questioned, c*****g a brow. “You are not leaving the pack house, you live here.”

    I know!

    Father had always been very strict about me leaving the house and staying overnight since I have always been dense to a situation—according to them—in which should be something that I will notice red flags in. Seriously.

    “I... uhm... found my mate?” I squeaked.

    Father only stayed immovable. “I don’t give two seconds of f**k. He is moving here, you are not going anywhere.”

    By now, I am confused about what to say.

    There is no way that I could tell him that I found a woman who I needed to help—or I have helped by giving him the space that was available in Zico’s room. Father is one of the people who had implemented the “no humans” rules in the pack. Frankly, I do agree with the concept but Rean is nice.

    Therefore, I am not giving her up.

    “But he is shy—”

    He frowned. “Are we still playing the bit in where you claim you have a mate? For someone who has found her mate, you are really doing a good job by not being close to him.”

    “Fine.” She breathes out, puffing a breath as frustration started to corrupt her. “I… wanted to live in Zico’s place for some days.”

    “Why would you do that?”

    “Zico is really lonely these days,” I whispered, wanting to sound authentic. This is a trick that I have been experimenting for a while and it seemed to have work from the number of times that I have tried it. My lips pursed into a pout. “I… he well. You know that Henry is really a good friend of him and I sometimes see him look into the sky and talk to the moon for him.”

    My father frowned, nodding his head. It was a topic that was really sensitive to all. Henry was still not willing to return until he completes his training and everyone was nothing but understanding on where he was coming from. Henry was not meant to be the beta, the man only wanted to be a soldier—but accepted the job since he was someone that Laurence can trust in the pack.

    Father sighed at my words, making me feel really guilty for putting him in this kind of situation. “Just remember to come back home when your sister visits, you know how she would react when she had realized that you’re living with a man.”

    “Didn’t she slept with Maddox when she was only 19?” I blinked.

    Maddox had told me the story of when they had first meant and my sister was really someone who would flirt for her life. Not that it was a surprise; I heard that mates make people crazy. To know that even at the age of 21, I still not have found the man for me still scares me.

    Looking at my father, I blinked. “Why do you think that I still have not found my mate?”

    “You will meet him when you needed to—or he needed you.” He only tells me as he patted my head. “Most people are not granted to see them when they had reached 18. Only people who are lucky can have that privilege.”

    A smile slipped into my face. “Didn’t you found mother when you were only 17?”

    “And I know that I have loved her since then,” Father answered.

    “That’s so sweet. Please tell me more things about mum.” I murmured.

    My time got lost into talking about mum that I did not even notice that the talk that we had been doing was stalling me. As my eyes moved to where the suitcase was placed and without a single article of clothing inside, I jumped.

    “Dad! You are stalling me!” I accused.

    He looked affronted, frowning at her. “Stalling? Are you running from someone?”

    Oh no!

    My eyes blinked, wanting to seem innocent. “No, but I wanted to prepare and surprise Zico! Therefore I needed to prepare and really get there before he does.”

    “Is that so?” He questioned, making me nod as I only make it seem like I was serious. Dad, as gentle and kind as he was, only kneel to where my suitcase is. “Then, I’ll help you.”

    “Thank you!”

    Hurrying into packing, I made it little to no time and rushed down. Father was so confused as to why I was hurrying but if there’s someone who had never been conned by my pouting—it would be Laurence and I didn’t want to get caught.

    As the door opened with the man that I had been hiding for being vomited on the other side, I quickly squeaked before climbing back up to the room. He will not see me. He will not see—

    “Echo Blithe.” He muttered, clearly with an emotion that was not happy.

    I stilled, pushing my suitcase away as I looked at him. “Alpha. You are looking dashing today.”

    Father frowned, already knowing that I was acting silly for someone who only wanted to live in Zico’s home. “Did you do something bad?”

    “No,” I muttered, shaking my head.

    Laurence climbed to where I was, as I continued to shield him from the suitcase, which does not really help, as that thing was bright and pink. If that would pass from his eyes, I was sure that the pack would be nothing but in smithereens by this point.

    “Where are you going?” He asked me and based on how he was crossing his arms below his chest, it seemed like he was still keeping his emotions guarded.

    I chuckled, scratching the back of my head. “I am going to live with Zico for some time… maybe days.”

    “Why?” He added.

    “Well….”

    Laurence frowned. “Come to my office.”

    I made a sound of annoyance before dragging my suitcase inside his office. How can I possibly dodge a bullet that is Laurence Pierce? While my father still has compassion about me and would be damaged by my emotions—this man does not. Even if he had been a very caring brother, the man detests lies more than most.

    “Did you do something?” Father asked as he was walking near me.

    I shook my head. “No…”

    “Then why does Laurence seem annoyed?”

    “He does?” I asked, stopping in my tracks, as I looked at my father. “Do you think he’s going to kill me for what I have done?”

    “What have you done?” He asked.

    I should really keep my mouth shut at times. When my relatives told me that I am a mess, they really mean it as a whole thing. Not wanting to answer my dad, I had walked into the lion’s dean. Seeing Laurence standing on the other side of his desk and pointing to my seat, I am not entirely sure what is happening.

    “There’s a new scent in the pack.” He muttered.

    I faked a gasp, looking around. “Really? I didn’t even notice!”

    Laurence did not seem to believe that. He had sat on his desk, leaning on the table as he looked at me dead in the eyes. I had fought all the guilty conscience in my mind to not fight back to him while staring at his eyes. This man could detect a lie from a mile away—I am sure not fooling anyone.

    “So you don’t know that someone had slipped inside the pack?” He asked.

    Another gasp escaped my lips, even holding my mouth as I looked around. “What? Is that why you guys were out all day? Oh, my heavens above!”

    Laurence hold his forehead, clearly not buying my fake gasps. “Echo. Admit to what you’ve done.”

    “I didn’t do anything!” I said, acting affronted to his allegations, which was nothing but right. “To how you are pinning this to me is very not you! You should give people the chance to defend themselves!”

    He nodded, leaning on his chair. “Okay. Defend yourself.”

    What?

    How can I do that!

    I was clearly guilty!

    There was a challenge in his eyes, challenging me to sputter another lie. Laurence had always been an older brother in our friend group. That’s why I wanted him to lead the pack more than me. He has a great sense of responsibility and he was strong.

    The man is crazily strong in both the physical and instinct regions.

    I grimaced, not wanting to be belittled by this asshole—which only wanted the best for the pack but I hated being grilled, ok! “Hey. I am still the daughter of the Alpha of this pack!”

    He frowned, c*****g a brow. “I was not aware that I have a daughter.”

    “Laurence!” I whined.

    A guttered sigh escaped from his lips. “Tell me what you’ve done, Echo.”

    “I didn’t do anything!” I pressed.

    “Then why did I see a human girl entering Zico’s home?” He asked.

    Another fake gasped escaped my lips as I looked at Zico who had been standing behind me the whole time. This is why this asshole was silent! He should have told me that the plan had gone downhill so I can save myself!

    If that’s what you want—I am dragging you with me!

    “Zico!” I screamed, clearly accusing him. “How could you bring a human girl in the pack when you know it’s against the rules!”

    His eyes met mine. “You bought her there!”

    “Oh my heavens, you asshole!” I screamed, throwing him my bag. “I almost fooled me but you ratted me out, how dare you!”

    “Echo Blithe,” Laurence muttered, testing my name.

    I frowned, looking at him with my eyes all guilt—now being genuine. “I’m sorry, Laurence. I know that it was against the rules but I could not leave her in the sidewalks when it was about to rain!”

    He frowned. “Side walk?”

    “Yes!” I screamed, jumping to my feet so I can lean into his desk and tell him the tale of how I had met Rean—he needed to know so he would not kick her out! “She was so scared and holding herself while she was shaking! Shaking! Do you know how f*****g cold it was outside last night? I could not leave her there alone!”

    “Echo—”

    “No!” I muttered, holding a hand in Zico’s direction before whipping back to face Laurence. “And then, I only plan on giving her one night to stay but when I made her wear my clothes from years ago, it was loose on her! She seemed to be very abused and was deprived of food.”

    I jumped back when Laurence had growled, thinking that he was really angry about my decisions, I could not help but cry. Laurence frowned, calming his cool upon seeing me upset. He took a second to compose himself.

    “I’m sorry. Continue.” He muttered.

    I faced him and muttered in a sniffle, “Thank you.” I needed to continue telling so he would understand why she needed to stay. “So… she was like abnormally lose and so we had dragged Zandee—”

    Father sighed. “Zandee was in on this?”

    “Yes!” I nodded, frowning at them now. “Now pay attention. So! I made her check her body and we found these bruises and—hmp!”

    I glared into Zico who had to hold my tongue. My plan was to make Laurence feel bad for the woman, as he had been very soft to female humans who wanted to stay a day in the pack whenever they get stranded and they had free pass. If he knew that the woman was battered—he would be more than willing to make her stay!

    “Shut up.” He muttered.

    I only bite his hand before I looked at Laurence. “Please let her stay, Laurence! She is very nice and sooo lovely! She told me that my food is delicious! And my wolf will probably fight you if you ever let her off the pack.”

    Zico dragged me off the table so I had only struggled in his hold. “Calm the f**k down, she’s staying in the pack!”

    I digress, looking back at him as I smiled. “Wait, really?”

    “She is the Luna, after all.” He replied.

    My eyes grew wide as I look at Laurence who was fighting his wolf to all the things I have said about her being abused. I chuckled softly, taking my seat as I had made more trouble than I wanted to help. I was not aware that she was the Luna, what was I suppose to do?

    I mumbled. “I’m sorry.”

    “What did you see in her body?” He asked, his voice different from normal.

    I jumped, knowing that I was now talking to his wolf. My head bowed, clearly scared. Laurence was a good man—but his wolf is a different story. He never did anything wrong but he is just really scary to me.

    “I… I’m sorry, Alpha,” I mumbled.

    “Look up and face me, Echo.” He muttered.

    My lips quivered, looking at him with my eyes close to shedding tears. A sigh escaped in his lips, leaning on his seat as he fights to have his human in control. Alpha Laurence is someone I could not face. 

    “You are such a baby.” He breathes while gathering his human.

    I frowned. “I am sorry, please bring the human back. You’re scaryyyy.”

    Zico chuckled as he patted me on the head, comforting me into seeing the scary version of Laurence. I looked at him and pouted, clearly acting like I normally do and they would all address me as a baby.

    It’s not my fault they’re all scary and old.

    “You’re twenty one years old but you’re acting like you are three years old.” He muttered.

    I frowned. “Shut up, you did not tell me that he knows.”

    “He told me not to,” Zico replied.

    Laurence leaned on the table, making me jump thinking that he was his wolf. Upon seeing his green eyes, I smiled and grabbed his cheeks to pinch it. The man only sighed as he nodded, pushing me back.

    “What were you saying about her body?” He asked, growing quite serious.

    “Oh,” I muttered, frowning at the memory. “She was really thin—dangerously thin. You can see bones on her body and hardly any fat were inside her. I thought she seemed healthy but it was nothing but make-up.”

    Laurence struggled to hear the words but he nodded. “And the bruises?”

    “She…” I trailed, knowing that his wolf will show to my words. “There are stab wounds on her skins, some were rough bruises formed by someone punching her—her body is a complete canvas of her abuse.”

    His eyes grew black and for the first time, I came to understand how he was reacting. Seeing how Rean looked when she had shown her body had broke me and it was only a part of me that was worried about her. 

    Laurence was her mate.

    That means that he would react negatively in that scenario.

    Wanting to calm the wolf, I offered a smile. “She never loses her kindness, though. We are working on healing her and making her come back to a regular weight. Zandee said that she only needed a little time since she had never lost her appetite and seemed very healthy with the idea of eating.”

    “She is very strong, Alpha,” Zico added with conviction.

    Laurence nodded his head. “Of course she is. She’s my mate.”

    A small smile slipped my lips as I saw how his wolf had seemed soft with the idea of it. To know that Rean had gone through something without him being able to help her must be something that he had struggled to accept. Not that I do not understand why he was reacting in that way. The woman was clearly a warrior for standing through all that abuse.

    I would cry when someone would inject something in me.

    Imagine being stabbed or punched into the stomach and expected that you would be the one who needed to tend to that wound? I could never!

    “She will be staying in the pack house.” He muttered, looking at me as if I have any questions. I only shook my head, wanting him to be aware that I hold no questions. “Zandee will be the one tending her and I am in need to know all the details about her health, am I understood?”

    I nodded. “Of course, Laurence. I will be very careful with your mate.”

    “Good.” He replied as he looked to Zico. “You are staying here too.”

    “What?” He screamed way too loud and for someone who just basically commits a sin inside the pack, he was sure acting like someone tough.

    As a response, Laurence only glared back at him with such intensity that even I have to step back. Zico caught himself in a cough as he nodded his head.

    “Do you have something to say, delta?” He asked.

    Zico shook his head. “I… I needed to pack, Alpha.”

    My lips released a snicker, releasing the need to say that he was a p***y.