Scum (Book 1)

31. Hurt

Chey’s POV

I feel anxious, but Royce keeps assuring me that Alpha Liam can handle himself against Riker. Still, I can’t shake the feeling that I should be by his side right now, especially since I could’ve gotten away from Riker and gone back to brunch without causing trouble.

“Look Chey, they are right there… Now can you please stop pacing?” I didn’t realize that I was walking back and forth, but seeing my alpha safe and smiling has set my mind at ease.

The men don’t look like there is any bad blood between them, but I can’t help but to be worried.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have left without permission, and I-”

“Chey…” Alpha Liam interjects, reminding me that we’re still acting as a couple. “You’re fine, Riker is the one in the wrong.” I look toward the other alpha who shrugs and walks away from us, seemingly unfazed by Liam’s words.

With nothing left to talk about, we free ourselves of sand and climb into the car, but back in the hotel room, Liam corners me, so I fold my shoulders in submission.

“I was wrong earlier.” I peek up at the man's face, looking away when I start to feel uncomfortable. “Do you know how scared I was when I couldn’t find you?”

“I-”

“Chey… You are like a sister to me, and we’re in unfamiliar territory.”

“I wasn’t thinking. I just needed to clear my mind.”

“Why is the bond so important to you?” I’ve never given anyone an honest answer to this question, but right now, I feel as though I owe Liam an explanation.

“I-I just want someone to make all my hard work feel like it was worth it.” Liam steps back, and the sounds of his chuckling confuse me. “Am I in trouble?”

“No Chey, you aren’t in trouble, but please don’t walk away from me like that again. If I lose you out here, my father will kill me.”

Liam’s POV

Chey doesn’t understand the danger she could have been in, but it’s my fault for chasing her away by being rude. Fortunately, she was ‘safe’ with Riker, who I’m so conflicted about that his words about Chey are mockingly replaying in my mind.

He seems serious about her, and if by, whatever stroke of bad luck, he’s not just lusting and is fated to her, I know that Chey will be miserable.

Riker’s father will never approve of the girl, not even with her gamma bloodline, and because the man is stuck up his father’s ass, he’ll reject Chey, who I know won’t take the heartbreak well. More than that, I can’t imagine the man outright getting rid of her, so she’ll end up used and tossed to the side like a toy, while Riker will likely mark someone ‘better.’

As soon as we enter our room, my mind is so flooded with negative thoughts that I find myself pressing Chey into a corner, still not quite over the situation. The woman folds her shoulders, letting me know that she’s submitting to me, and for whatever reason, that only makes me feel worse.

“Why is the bond so important to you?” There is no reason why any young woman should put herself in danger over the threat of something that wouldn’t even matter to a fated partner.

“I-I just want someone to make all my hard work feel like it was worth it.” I know exactly what Chey means because it’s the same reason I haven’t marked anyone.

Choosing a mate comes with its issues for an alpha, but a fated partner is unexpecting. If she chooses to accept you, it’s typically because she’s a believer in the bond, but just like with humans and money, titles can influence the way people respond to you, and that can be frustrating.

I start laughing at the situation, finding that where Chey and I have the same desire, we’re going about our lives in in a completely different way, showing me that not only am I a hypocrite, but I’m also an as*hole.

I say that I don’t want a woman to like me because of my title, but with a reputation like mine, my title might be the only thing that would stop someone from rejecting me.

“Am I in trouble?” Chey’s clearly misunderstanding my reaction, but I won’t allow her to stew in uncertainty.

“No Chey, you aren’t in trouble, but please don’t walk away from me like that again. If I lose you out here, my father will kill me.” I plop on the mattress, and after a long silence, my phone rings. “It’s for you.” Chey is still standing in the corner, but she comes forward to take the device from me.

Her face goes pensive, and she looks at me in confusion, so I sit up and mouth for the woman to put the phone on speaker mode.

“No one mentioned it to me.”

“What? All female guests at this event got an invitation.”

“Oh, but I wasn’t invited. I’m Alpha Liam’s plus one.”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously.” Phoebe doesn’t know Chey’s rank, and Chey doesn’t know that her rank was hidden, but before I get to interject, she blurts it out. “I’m just a pack helper.”

“Bullsh*t Chey. If you don't want to be bothered by me, just say that. I’m a big girl, I can take rejection.” The woman hangs up, and the look on Chey’s face is so confused that I feel for her.

“Did she just break up with me?” I was afraid that Chey would be offended, but instead she stated exactly what was confusing her.

“You can do better.” Chey hands my phone back, seemingly unfazed by Phoebe’s outburst. “By the way, you ARE going to that event.”

“With whom?” Only a second goes by before Chey realizes that she’s going with Jenna. “Oh…”

Chey’s POV

Alpha Liam looks so sad that I don’t know what to do, so I just stand there waiting for instruction, but then his phone rings, I get ‘broken up’ with, and I suddenly find out that I have dinner plans.

“Do I have to?”

“No, but it’s a good opportunity to experience the hostility between strong women.”

“What’s the point if I can’t hit anyone?”

“I thought you said you wanted to be a Luna’s escort. This event is perfect practice on how to exercise patience.” That uplifts my entire mood, but then… my stomach becomes tight with worry. “What’s wrong?”

“You looked sad earlier. Will you be okay alone?” Liam flashes a smile that’s laced with the same sadness I saw in him earlier. “Nora says that I’m a very good listener.” I play with my fingers, feeling somewhat embarrassed by my words, but Alpha Liam pats the bed, indicating that he wants me to sit next to him.

“Chey, what if you don’t have a fated mate?” My heart drops into my stomach, and I begin to shake, literally terrified by the thought. “Hey, it’s just a hypothetical.”

Alpha Liam may not have meant to frighten me, but I’m tortured by his words because, in my mind, finding my mate means that I’ll have someone to share my burdens with.

Dallas being fated to Nora also helped in that way, because we not only got two additional incomes into the home, but it also gave my brother something to look forward to.

Working all the time without any reward for your efforts is draining, but when my brother comes back to his mate, who usually makes sure that he has nothing to do except sleep, I can physically see the tension in his shoulders release.

He needed that, and I need that too, so finding my mate is a must.

“It’s not that bad,” Liam whispers.

I’d forgotten that he was next to me, but I’m glad that he snapped me out of my daze.

“You can say that because you have Porsha…” Liam tenses then stands, making me bite my lip as I remember that he doesn’t have the woman, but he desperately wants her back. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have-”

“It’s cool,” he interjects, but based on the fact that he’s leaving, it’s anything but.

Liam’s POV

I know that Chey didn’t mean to hurt my feelings, but she did, so in order to preserve the small slice of my heart that wasn’t shredded, I make my way into the gym, not even caring that I’m wearing sandals.

I get on the treadmill and run until I build up a sweat, but I’m interrupted by a mind-link from Royce.

Just like Jenna and Chey have a women's conference, Royce and I have a men’s event, and apparently, it’s time to start getting ready.

Chey’s POV

I don’t know how I can make alpha Liam feel better, so I call Nora, asking for advice on how to proceed.

“Chey, you’re thinking too much.” I’m surprised that my brother is home, and that makes me question everyone’s safety. “I was going to wait until you got back to tell you but… You’re talking to the new physical training director for the pack.” That’s a huge promotion my brother, and I’m so happy for him that I could almost cry.

Not only does that mean he’ll be making more money, but he’ll also have more time to spend at home because his workday will end earlier.

“Anyway Chey. This is Liam’s first heartbreak, so he’s a little bit more sensitive right now, but it’s important for you not to treat him like he’s weak.” I hear my brother, but I think that’s part of the problem. “Okay sis, Nora’s ‘busy’ She has to go now, love ya, bye!” I cringe, not needing the pauses my brother put in his sentence, but I remind myself that I should be texting before calling to avoid interrupting the couple again.

I glance around the room, looking for subtle ways to cheer my alpha up, and seeing that the place is a mess, I carefully gather his things, separating the clean from the dirty, organizing the shoes, and finally, I steam the man’s suits, wanting to save him the trouble.

Still, I don’t feel like I’ve done enough, but Alpha Liam arrived before I could think of anything else, and out of ideas, I pull the man into a hug.

“I’m sorry that I was insensitive, but I promise to do everything I can to help you win her back.” Liam’s hands come up and wrap around me, surprising me because I thought he’d find my impromptu hug insulting. “If she’s smart, she’ll realize what she lost in you.” I stay silent, waiting for my alpha to say something back.

“Thank you Chey,” the man finally whispers.