He was different, compared to the last time she’d spoken with him at length. The Chan she’d known was gone, replaced by.. whatever this was. A feeling she could relate to. And it was to be expected, the ghost knew that, but something about it made her uncomfortable in a way she couldn’t quite put a paw on. An uncertain sounding
I guess was not quite the response Cole had been anticipating, though.
”I would be, were I any of them. They all like you. Respect you.” It didn’t feel right for her to be the one telling him that. Trying to provide some small measure of assurance, her gaze softened. She didn’t know all of it, but Chan had been the one to bring most of these wolves together - or at least had played a significant role in it.
Was it all she’d wanted to know, though, he asked?
Tentatively, her nose dipped down in a nod.
”It is. I’ve got choices to make, too.” There was no spite or malice. It was what it would be. Trading her for Chan was an exchange Cole believed the entire pack would accept in a heartbeat.
There was one topic, though, that she wasn’t sure what was left of her heart would ever let her forget if she didn’t bring it up.
”I never got to tell you, before. I’m sorry, Chan. About what happened.” The ghost struggled to keep her voice from breaking, for her company, and Flair. She didn’t suppose she could ever quite comprehend the pain of losing one’s own child, but she’d seen and contributed to enough evil to be wholly aware of how all-consuming the guilt could feel. Though it was not possible, Cole desperately wished she could shoulder that feeling for them too. It wasn’t fair that the fates would commit such an atrocity against an undeserving couple.