Eleven

Chase hadn't had that much fun in a long time. The time he spent with Tali and the pup, whose name is Cameron, was the best few hours of his whole adult life. He'd learned a lot about Cameron. He's 4 years old and an orphan. He wasn't abandoned by his parents like the rest of the pups. No.

His parents wanted him but were taken away by the alpha, who obviously went power crazed the more Chase heard of Todd. The bastard killed Cam's parents for being supposed spies. Tali had explained that there was no evidence against them, yet their lives were taken. She secretly believed it was do to Cameron's father having the alpha gene and that made Todd believe he was a threat.

The pain was evident in her tone as she explained the incident to him. Chase wished he was there back then to put a stop to all the wrongs Todd had forced on this pack back then. Cameron would have had a brighter future if he was there to stop it all.

Wrongly convicting innocent people to death, and in the process, leaving behind a child, was wrong. There's not justification for such actions. Chase knew in his heart that things would be different now. Not only for the abandoned wolves, but for himself as well. He had a soft spot in his heart for Cameron now that he knew the truth of how he became abandoned with the rest.

When Tali fell asleep that night, he texted the ladies in charge of the daycare. They would send him the paperwork tomorrow. And, hopefully, Tali would be okay with his decision. But first he wanted to look over Cameron's medical records. He could tell the pup had a lisp, but he wasn't sure the extent of his mental capability.

If Chase were to adopt him, like he wanted too, he needed to know the pup was mentally stable enough to undergo the alpha training courses. They start their training at a young age so that they're prepared in the future in case something happens to their father.

Of course, Cameron wasn't blood, but if he also inherited the alpha gene, he could easily take over when it was time. Chase just wanted the boy to have a clear future. He didn't expect him to forget his real parents by any means. He just wanted him to be successful and to overpass himself. If Cameron could have a better childhood than Chase did, he'd be happy.

In the short amount of time that they'd spent together, Chase formed a strong bond to the pup that he hadn't expected. Tali teased him saying that Cameron stole his heart, but the truth was, he had. Not from her. The love he felt for Tali wasn't one that could be challenged. But Cameron? He saw himself in the boys eyes.

Chase believed if he had grown up in a loving family, he wouldn't be so serious today. His pack wouldn't be so scared of him. Instead, he was raised by his fathers beta, his current beta. And Cal was not the loving father figure a child needed. He was strict. It was always training and no play.

"Work hard or fail harder" was Cal's motto. It was awful for a young pup to live like that, but had Chase not been void of fatherly love, he probably wouldn't have the soft spot he had for Cameron. His Cameron. His son. Hopefully.

Getting his mates approval might prove to be the tricky part of this whole plan. But he really didn't think Tali would object. Still, his nerves were in knots. What if she decided she didn't want pups? Even adopted ones? They hadn't even discussed her role as luna.

Chase knew it wasn't do to her lack of wanting to talk it out. It was because he was scared of her decision. When it came to Tali, she was damn near impossible to read. She loved him. He could feel it through their bond. That doesn't mean she'll accept the position of luna though.

Just like he knew she loved those pups. But that didn't necessarily mean she would be willing to give them a loving home with a mother and father. If he decided to go through with the adoption of Cameron without talking it out with her, there was a chance he'd be raising the pup alone.

He just needed to grow the balls to talk about these subjects with her. Scared or not, it was her life too. She had a say. As much as he was scared of her say, he needed her to know that her decision was important to him.

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"Chase, will you please sit down and just talk to me? What's going on? You're freakin' me out," Tali felt her anxiety spike the more he paced in front of her. Through the bond, she felt his emotions too. Fear, hope, panic. None of which were helping her keep her own emotions in check.

On the plus side, she finally got to see his office. Unfortunately, not in a good way with the way he was acting right now. She clapped her hands at him to gain his attention. "Hello. Hi, yeah. I'm here. Please, sit and talk to me."

Chase sat and ran his hand through his hair in silence for a while. Meeting her gaze, he blurted, "Be my luna." His eyebrows scrunched together as if his own words shocked him as well. Shaking his head, and a deep breath, he began again. "I meant to say, and keep in mind, I'm letting it be your decision. I'd like to discuss the possibility of you becoming luna to the pack."

Tali nodded. She was hoping he'd be willing to have this discussion for a while now. "I understand that you're the alpha. And I wouldn't ask you to step down from that position. But I'm not sure I'm the right person to be luna. I feel as though my world has been crumbling around me lately. Although, I do appreciate all you've done for me, I'm concerned I won't be good enough as pack mother."

Chase sighed and looked at the ground. "Can I ask what makes you feel that way?" Tali wasn't expecting a follow up question, let alone this conversation at all.

"Well, I have insecurities. And, to be honest, many of your pack don't approve of me. I hear them whisper about me. I'm not deaf. I just don't give them the satisfaction of my reaction. If I had more supporters, I would consider it. But as of now, I don't really have a position of power to back me up." Tali walked over to Chase and sat on his lap. "This doesn't mean that I'm rejecting our bond though. I need you to know that."

Chase rested his cheek against her chest as her arms wrapped around his neck. "No, I understand your concerns. But I didn't show you something." He waited a few seconds before meeting her gaze. "Follow me back to our room?" She nodded, feeling a little worried since she couldn't sense his emotions at that moment.

Entering the room behind him, she closed the door and waited near the bed as he opened a drawer on the end table. He turned to face her slowly, looking at the small yellow envelope. "This was brought up by Nash the day you confronted Shaeleigh. It's a card from the pack. Majority of them, that is." Chase handed it to her and watched her eyes well up with her emotions as she opened it.

Inside was a card that was signed and filled with many wishing her get better soon, some asking for dinner or lunch dates when she was up for it, and all of them acknowledging her as the pack mother. Tali knew the position of luna was a tough job, but this little bit of proof was enough to calm her nerves. They wanted her. They believed in her. And they accepted her as their leader.

Chase caught a tear as it streaked down her face and pulled her into his side. "I know it's a lot to think about, and I don't expect an answer right away. But I would like you to really think about it. I love you, and I'm not going anywhere, no matter your decision."

Tali rested her head against him. "I love you too. Is this all that had you worked up all day?" She looked at him and watched as he chewed his bottom lip anxiously.

"Ya know what, I'm just going to throw this out there too." Chase rose and walked back to the same drawer. Pulling out a stack of papers, he inhaled deeply and handed them to her as well.

Tali took the stack and flipped through them. "Is this," she trailed off. Chase knew she'd be a little skeptical to say the least. He didn't realize she'd be so upset that she couldn't even form a coherent sentence.

"Adoption papers, yes. You were right. Cameron did steal my heart. I felt a deep connection with him that I never felt with anyone else. I feel protective of him and I want to offer him a better future. So, I'm going to adopt him. You don't have to step up at all. I'm doing this for me as much as I'm doing it for him. I hope you understand that there's no pressure on you to do anything motherly here. This is one male making a giant decision for the good of a pack."

Tali's hand landed on her mouth as she sobbed softly. She clutched the stack of papers to her chest and shook her head in disbelief. "I want too. If you're doing this, I want to be a part of his life too, Chase. He's as much my son as he is yours. When do the papers need to be handed in? When can we bring him home?"

Tali's questions and concerns rushed out of her. Chase hugged her tightly and cooed her to calm her nerves. "It's okay, love. I want to talk it over with the pack before I make such a big decision. We have time. But while I handle them, please, I want you to take Cameron and hunt down Jonah and Jax. You guys need to do some shopping for him."

Tali's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, Jax and Jonah knew before I did?" She wasn't sure if she should be happy or feel betrayed. But either way, she was granted permission to leave pack territory with her pup. Her son.

The happiness was almost overwhelming, but life was a cruel fucker. For every boulder it threw at Tali, she flipped over it and carried on. But for every jump she made, it seemed life wanted to throw more boulders, faster and harder than before.

This afternoon was proof of that.

As she walked about the mall with Cameron at her side, Jonah and Jax following close behind, Tali enjoyed herself. At least, until she ran into Todd and his mate, Helena.

She knew it was them before seeing their faces. Helena was wearing her usual giant white bow on her head that looked elegant against her bright amethyst hair. Her toned calves were pronounced in the heel she wore with the black leather skirt. If she bent over, anyone would be able to see her perfect peach shaped ass that the fabric barely hid.

Tali, grabbing Cameron's hand, pulled them into the nearest store. Jax followed close behind, carrying multiple bags from various stores. And Jonah, texting away at his phone, was behind him.

"I don't think this is a store for boys, Tal. I can wait outside with Cam if you want to go find something for Chase," Jax offered with a smirk plastered on his face.

Looking around, Tali froze. She'd drug them into Victoria's Secret without even realizing it. The smell, that of a french whore house with the various different scents, should have given it away, but she was focused on watching the couple through the display windows.

"No," she barked unintentionally. "Todd and his mate are out there. Let's just lay low for a minute in here." She instructed the guys to stand guard, with Cameron, near the door as she walked around to look at this seasons selection.

Tali found a few different lingerie sets that she thought looked beautiful. Although, she and Chase weren't at the place in their relationship, she decided it wouldn't hurt to be prepared for it. She bought a few different sets, in various colors that looked good with her skin tone.

When she approached the guys, they told her that Todd had left the mall so it was clear. They walked back to the car, Cameron holding onto her hand tightly as they walked through the parking lot.

"Are you hungry, little man," Jonah asked him on the way. Cameron's face lit up at the mention of food. "What would you like? My treat." He sent Tali a wink and smiled down at the pup who was now skipping alongside her.

"Burgers," he squealed in excitement. Tali giggled at his enthusiasm. Oh, to be young again.

She buckled Cameron into the booster seat in the back of Jonah's SUV and began walking around to the other side of the vehicle. Someone grabbed hold of her pony tail and jerked her head back viciously.

"The fuck do you think you're goin', Princess," the woman's voice was like venom coursing through her. "Can't show respect to your luna now?" Tali's face slammed into the trunk of the SUV, gaining the attention of her own wolves.

Jonah grabbed Helena by the back of the neck and pried her off Tali. "Who the-," the woman began to squeal in protest.

"You caused my luna pain. You must die now," Jax sneered at the female as he stalked towards her. Jonah brought his fist down on the back of her head with a loud 'crack'. Helena's body went limp in his arms and he gestured for Jax to open the trunk.

Once placed inside, Jonah bound her wrists and feet together. "Now she can't hurt us if she wakes up," he explained. Tali smiled at the guys who just protected her. She felt blessed to have such loyal pack mates.

"Are we going to kill her," she asked them, unsure if she actually wanted to know the answer.

Jonah placed a hand on her back, guiding her to her seat next to Cameron. "That's up to Chase. We need to report this. An attack on our luna is an attack on our pack. He needs to know." Tali nodded, understanding the position they were in.

Chase wouldn't be happy about it though. And, chances of him letting her leave pack territory again in the future, were now slim.

"Fuckin' Todd," she mumbled under her breath as Jonah shut her door and began the drive back home.