Page 32 of Echo and the Homicidal Sea Panda

“Incompatible or not, should we ignore the bonds of fate? Mael and I both feel it,” Echo said. “It’s going to be hard enough facing the pod with this. I don’t need it coming from you, too.”

Diego grew silent. He turned his head and eyed Mael. “Your name ismale?As in M-A-L-E?”

“Mael… as in Maelstrom,” Echo murmured.

Diego’s eyes grew even wider. “The orca that butchered his own brother?That’swho you’re mated to?”

Mael’s gaze shot to Echo, who didn’t respond. How could he? Mael had never explained himself the night before. He’d known it would ruin their night if he had, and he hadn’t been in the mood to relive that horror and welcome the darkness back into his mind. While he cared less what Diego thought about him, Echo deserved to hear his side of the story, not the rumors that had spread.

Echo turned his gaze to look at Mael, a sense of anticipation and dread mixed there.

“I told you… it’s not what you said it was,” Mael whispered to Echo.

“You don’t—” Echo shook his head. “You don’t have to explain it now.”

He hadn’t had to tell the tale in a long, long time. Silence hung heavily in the kitchen as he gathered the courage to tell his mate about that horrible night. His heartbeat raced, thundering in his ears. Mouth dry, he sipped his coffee before spilling his guts.

What if Echo didn’t understand why he’d done what he’d done?

“My older brother was an addict,” Mael murmured, watching his mate closely. Echo slowly spun in Mael’s direction, unease in his expression. “Mom tried getting him help for years. Therapy… rehab, but nothing ever seemed to work. At least, not for long.” Mael swallowed the lump in his throat, his chest tightening. He drew in a strangled breath. “For some reason, our mother became his punching bag—the one he blamed for all of his life’s troubles when all she’s ever done is give. To us. To our community.” He paused, memories assailing him. “One night, he was high as hell, shifted, and went after her. When I found them fighting… it soon became clear that he was trying to kill her.”

Echo’s eyes widened as Mael fought the sting of tears.

“I h—” He paused, his voice cracking. “I had no plans of harming him, but Ihadto defend her. And myself.” Mael let out a slow breath, rubbing his wrist. “I don’t know if it was the drugs or what, but he was… crazed. Strong.Vicious.I narrowly avoided his bite multiple times—and he was pulling no punches with me, either. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to stop him from killing us both.” Mael drew in a shaky breath. “By the end, I was exhausted. I had nothing left. Instead of killing me like I thought he would, he spun and lunged toward Mom again. In a moment of panic, I bit him, terrified he’d get to her. I bit too hard. There was blood… so much blood…” He winced, trying to prevent the sob that threatened to come out. “I was only sixteen. I’d grown up idolizing him. I didn’twantto kill my brother. Iwantedto save my mother.”

Echo was silent.

Cold chills washed over Mael as he counted the seconds that dragged between them. He wanted to vomit. He wanted to scream. He wanted to cry for the loss of the brother he’d known before the drugs had warped everything and shattered all of their lives.

He couldn’t breathe, the prospect that Echo would turn away from him a terrorizing thought. One night had already robbed him of so much. Would it continue to take every bit of joy out of his life?

Echo marched across the kitchen and flung himself into Mael’s arms. Mael caught him, squeezing his eyes closed tight and trying to rid himself of the ugly memories retelling that story brought back to the surface. Echo wrapped both arms around Mael’s waist and squeezed tight, lending his warmth.

“I’m so sorry, Mael.”

Mael tucked Echo’s head under his chin, holding his omega close and allowing Echo to chase away some of the cold. Hopefully, he’d never have to tell that story again. Eighteen years later and it was still a raw ache inside, never fully forgotten. Rehashing it only ripped the wound open again.

“It sounds like you were put in an impossible situation and made a decision no boy should have to make,” Echo murmured. “You did what you had to do to save your mother.”

Logically, Mael knew that. Emotionally? He could never fully forgive himself.

“I’m sure that was difficult to face,” Diego murmured.

Mael had forgotten Diego was there. He looked up at Echo’s friend, wishing theywerealone. Part of him was ready to kick Diego out, yet after reliving that night, perhaps it was better that he be the one to go. He wasn’t in the right headspace to be aroundanyone. “I think I’m going to head out.”

Echo leaned back and lifted his chin. “You don’t have to go.”

“I don’t have to—but I need to clear my head.” He pressed a kiss to Echo’s forehead. “Plus I need to gather the gear for our investigation.”

“When will I see you again?” Echo asked.

Mael caressed his omega’s neck, running his thumb along Echo’s cheek. “Tomorrow afternoon?” He forced a grin. “Meet me at our spot around two?”

Echo smiled softly. “Okay.”

“I need to grab my clothes. I’ll just be a minute,” Mael said.

“I’ll come up and return your sweater.”

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