Opposites Attract

Chapter Twenty Eight

Sunna's POV.

The next day moved along slowly. Those who were injured or wounded in battle were treated and many have mostly or fully healed. Some who were injured badly are still healing, but their process is speeding up. Tarkik and I walked around each individual wolf and checked their condition. Many of the wolves had questions about the pack link to the werewolves. I answered them honestly. While their emotions varied from wolf to wolf, luckily, they all responded with understanding and respect.

When we had finished checking in with all of the wolves, I decided to see how Chase was doing. I shifted and clothed myself before nearing him. He was talking to his pack members, but turned away from them as he noticed me. "Hey." Pain lurked behind his sunken eyes. He seemed to try to smile, but failed.

"Hey," I replied with similar enthusiasm. "How's your pack?"

He gave me a look. "Our pack is ok. Lots of injured, but they're healing." He looked down at his feet and shoved his hands in his pockets. "They're wondering what's going on..."

I sighed. "Honestly, I don't even know."

"I can't be Alpha, Sunna. I'm not that much of a leader and I'm not mature enough to do it."

"Chase, I don't need your excuses. I never wanted to be an alpha either, but here I am, leading a pack of wolves. Just because you don't believe you are ready, doesn't mean you weren't meant for it," I snapped back at him.

He kept his eyes to the ground. "Sunna, I won't accept it," he told me quietly.

Anger blossomed in my blood. "You can't just say no to your duties. You can't just turn your back on your pack. That's just selfish."

I looked at him skeptically and noticed tears were falling from his eyes, but I made no move to comfort him. "If I can't even treat my sister with respect or care, how could I lead a pack?"

I frowned at him. "What are you talking about, Chase?"

He continued to keep his eyes down. "When I used my voice on you, I ignored your pain and hurt for my own curiosity. I was careless, ignorant, and... selfish. How could I lead a pack who needs someone less like me and more like you?"

Any words I had clogged my throat and my mind couldn't come up with anything to say, yet I continued to argue. "Chase, we all make mistakes. You can't just dwell on one mistake all your life."

"I know that, but mistakes define us. My mistakes show that I'm too careless for an entire pack to rely on me."

I sighed and looked down as I felt Tarkik enter my mind. Are you ok? He asked him through a mind link.

Are you listening to Chase and I's conversation?

Yes. I have been listening for most of the time. What are you going to do?

His question seemed to linger in my mind and I wasn't sure how to answer, mostly because I didn't really have an answer. Come here. If we were going to coordinate with him, then he has to accept that you are my mate. And I think the pack bond might enable him to understand you.

Tarkik hesitated to answer. If you think that is the right thing to do...

I looked back up at Chase who was looking down and fidgeting with his hands. His head snapped up when he noticed Tarkik approaching. Tarkik stopped beside me and looked at Chase with his head held high. To my surprise, Chase bowed his head to my mate. "Uh... It's nice to meet you... I'm Chase, your mate's cousin."

I smiled at Chase, then looked at Tarkik, signaling him to respond. "You can call me Tarkik, if you would like."

Chase's mouth dropped and he stood there stunned. "Chase, I think because there is a pack bond connecting all of us, we are all able to understand each other."