Scum (Book 1)

32. Invaluable

Liam’s POV

Being greeted by a hug that wants for nothing is something I have never experienced from anyone other than my mother.

Porsha would hug me when we’d make up after an argument, my sister would hug me when she wanted something from me, my father would hug me after kicking my ass during training, and finally Royce would hug me anytime I gave up on a girl that he liked.

This… feels… different, and when I return the gesture, I feel my sadness melting away.

People think that because I’m an alpha male, I’m not affected by life’s troubles the same way everyone else is, but it’s not true. There’s a reason why alphas typically don’t have friends outside of their beta and gamma, but I have Dallas, and now more than ever, I realize that I have Chey too.

“Thank you,” I whisper, still enjoying the girl’s warm hug.

She’s not aroused, so she’s not trying to seduce me, she isn’t interested in anyone other than her fated partner, who she hasn’t met yet, and right now, she’s just showing me true kindness, which I greatly appreciate.

Chey releases me and looks up at my face with a smile so sweet that it makes me smile.

“I’m here for you.” Those words are like pure sugar to me, and I never knew how badly I needed to hear them.

“I know that now.” Chey is staring at my face lovingly, but in the next second, she punches my arm roughly.

“That’s for hurting my feelings earlier.” I want to be angry with the girl, but all I can do is shake my head and apologize through a smile.

I feel so much better that I’m no longer tired, and after admiring the outfits Chey put together, I pick up something and ask for her opinion.

“Black or white shirt.”

“White looks the best on you. It accentuates your natural tan and makes you look more-”

“Golden?” I finish the woman's sentence in a slightly mocking tone, and she cringes a little, likely because that was an inside insult that she used to describe me, Kelvin, and Royce.

“Well… I mean… Look, I'm not going to lie to you.” Chey turns her back on me, trying to pretend not to feel bad, but she’s not doing much of anything, so I know she’s waiting for me to say something.

“I’ll wear the white, and Chey…” The girl looks over her shoulder at me, seemingly bracing for me to scold her. “Thank you for always being yourself.”

Chey’s POV

I love my outfit because it’s one of the few that I picked out myself. As for my hair and make-up, I also handled that, glossing my lips, and styling my hair in a low messy bun.

I feel like a movie character, and the fact that I’m wearing pants is extremely refreshing.

“CHEY HURRY UP!”

I jump, startled because I’ve been taking secret selfies for the past ten minutes, but Jenna’s been ready to go.

“Sorry! I was taking pictures.”

“With Liam’s phone?” I shrug, putting the device in my purse. I only borrowed it from the man for the sake of picture quality, and I promised to bring it to him once I was done.

“He said that it was okay.” Jenna and I make our way out of the room and climb into the car. We’re late, but she claims that it’s fashionable.

“We’ll be in the conference room right next door. When you ladies are done, wait for us in the lobby.” Jenna leans forward to kiss her mate after he finishes speaking, making me smile because they are really perfect for each other.

Beta Royce was a playboy, but he was always very levelheaded, while Jenna tends to act on her emotions. Lately, she’s been a lot calmer, and she takes corrections much more easily than she used to.

The Jenna of the past would simply state why she didn’t and shouldn’t have to listen or care about someone else’s opinion, but now she at least tries. She and her mate were at the very cusp of a rejection, and my hope is that, if it ever gets that far for me, we’ll be able to recover from our differences.

Walking into the venue, I immediately notice that everyone has used this time to set themselves apart by their style of dressing.

As for me, I’ve chosen a high-waisted burnt orange pantsuit, and I’ve paired it with a lace, corset style crop top. It showcases the best part of my abs, and if I must say so, my cleavage looks rather good as well.

“Everyone looks great,” I whisper, but I’m hushed by Jenna, who shakes her head at me as though I’ve said something bad.

“Keep your compliments to yourself. Even if you genuinely mean what you're saying, it’ll create tension.”

“What? Why?” Jenna explains to me that alpha females tend to speak in sarcasm.

I’ll take her word for it, but once I see Phoebe, I can’t help but to stare. She looks amazing, and I’m guessing based on the fact that she goes straight to the back that she’s the speaker for tonight’s event.

The woman saw me, I know that she did, but she didn’t even smile at me, making me wonder: If my mate is an alpha male, will he give me the cold shoulder because I’m unranked, or will he accept me for who I am.

Before she found out that I was a pack helper, she was all over me, and now, I’m invisible to her.

“Something happen between you two?”

“I told her that I’m a pack helper.”

“WHAT?!” That reaction didn’t come from Jenna, it came from Morgan who just so happened to be passing by. “Are you saying that you’re rankless?” Jenna goes to speak up for me, but I don’t want to hide who I am, and it’s becoming obvious that people here are unaware of my status.

“I’m saying that I am a diligent member of my pack. I take care of the things that help keep it functioning and safe, and I am an invaluable part of the pack as a whole.”

“You're a maid.”

“Yes, and I’m a warrior, a chef, and a future nurse.” I glare at the woman, sizing her up because if she tries me, I’ll try her right back.

“What’s going on?!” I glance toward the voice of the new arrival and roll my eyes. “This is my first year scheduled to speak at this event, and none of you b*tches are going to ruin that for me. I know that Phoebe used the term traditionally, but even among our kind, that word is demeaning.

“Good evening, Phoebe. Did you know that you were infatuated with a mongrel?” I posture aggressively, but Phoebe steps in front of me, probably thinking that she’s protecting me right now.

“Morgan sweety, a Mongrel is a mutt or a fool, and considering that Cheyenne knows exactly what she is, and that she’s a seventeen-year-old registered nurse, she can be none of those things. You on the other hand…” Phoebe pauses to look at her perfectly manicured hands. “How’s your father doing?” Morgan grits her teeth in anger, but she does nothing except walk away.

I can now see what Jenna meant because the entire altercation was just ended by a few words, albeit I don’t understand why.

Phoebe quickly turns to me, and cups my face, leaning her forehead against mine as though she’s in severe pain.

“I’m sorry that I reacted so harshly. I should have believed you, and if you’re lying to me, I forgive you.” I’m so confused that I just glance over to Jenna, who waves her hands in front of her as though she’s not getting involved.

“Phoebe, umm… I have a boyfriend.”

“F*ck him…” The woman’s eyes shoot open, and she pulls her face away in a panic. “Not literally though.” I chuckle, but before I can say anything else, Jenna pulls me away.

“Phoebe, please be respectful of my brother.”

“Understood.” The woman leaves, and I carefully listen as Jenna explains that Morgan’s mother was in a serious relationship before she met her fated mate.

She literally went from one man’s bed to another, and shortly after, she found out that she was carrying twins. Her entire pregnancy was shrouded in doubt, and even after paternity was established, people still questioned if the woman’s fated partner wanted her too badly to admit that the babies weren’t his.

“Why would Phoebe use something so foul? Morgan is innocent.” Jenna looks at me like I’m crazy, so I return the look right back at her.

I don’t like the story she just told me, and because my conscience won’t allow me to ignore the issue, I pretend to go to the restroom, when really, I’m looking for Morgan.

I find her hiding in the same place I would have gone, and just like I expected, she’s sniffling.

“Here to gloat?”

“I’m here to apologize.” The woman huffs, so I know she doesn’t believe me. “This is my first time away from the pack. I don’t know anyone’s backstory, but if I had, I wouldn’t have allowed Phoebe to talk to you that way.”

“Allowed? What could a pack helper possibly do?”

“Did I not just tell you that I’m a warrior too? And not just any warrior, I’m the top female fighter.”

“You?”

“YUP!” I’m proud of myself, so bragging a little isn’t beneath me. “Did you get the eyelash out of your eye?” I knowingly question, extending a hand to the woman who’s sitting on the floor.

“You gonna tell everyone that you consoled me?”

“Will it earn me any money?”

“Possibly.”

“Then yeah, I might be tempted.” The woman lets out an amused snort, and without waiting I grab her arm and pull her to the standing position. “By the way, how did you hold back? I would have punched Phoebe in the face if I were you.”

“Her pack annexes mine. We pay them taxes, and I don’t want to mess anything up for my brother.” The woman and I are walking arm and arm back into the main hall, but before we can be seen by anyone, I release her.

“Clean slate?” I question, looking at the woman expectantly.

“What does being nice to me get you?” I can tell that Morgan is used to being used, but I want nothing.

“It helps me sleep at night,” I truthfully reply, walking away from the woman, who probably doesn’t believe me.

I spot Jenna at a nearby table, but when I try to approach, I’m rudely stopped by an event organizer.