Scum (Book 1)

38. Problem

Chey’s POV

I woke up completely alone and with more energy than I’ve ever had in my life. I feel different, and most importantly, I’m not in any pain.

I flip the sheets off my legs, wanting to inspect my injury. It’s really a miracle because the skin just looks like I have some really bad mat burn now.

On top of that, the dull ache that I’ve always felt in my shoulder, and the tension in my back are also gone. Simply put, I feel amazing!

Hopping out of bed, I notice a letter taped to the door and approach, sucking my teeth at the warning written on it.

[CHEY! Stay in the damn room! There’s food in the minifridge, and Riker got security to guard the door. I had to attend a meeting, but I’ll be back. Text me if you need me. – Liam.]

I crack open the door, and just like Liam wrote, there are four guards outside of it.

“Do you need anything, Miss?”

“Nope. Just wanted to see who I’d have to kill to get out of here.” The man snorts with his laughter, then pats the top of my head like I’m a puppy.

“I saw your fight little warrior, so if you want to leave, I won’t try to stop you.” He winks, making me smile cheekily.

“I’ll be good for now.” I’m given a thumbs up, and satisfied with the conversation, I close the door.

Like Liam wrote, the minifridge is filled with food, reminding me that I’m starving, so I help myself, eating until I’m full.

Sadly, the process of digestion isn’t enough to curb my energy, so I start cleaning, bringing the room back to livable because it really got messy in the time that I was out.

Still, I’m bored, so I start doing push-ups in the room, but even then, it’s not enough to make me feel better, so I put on some random clothes and open the door, fully intending to visit the gym.

“I don’t think we’ll be able to convince you to stay in that room if we tried, so at least allow us to follow you wherever you’re going.”

“NO PROBLEM!”

We get to the gym, and despite running on the treadmill for what must've been hours, I don’t feel any fatigue.

“Little girl, I’m no doctor, but don't you think you should slow it down?”

“Nope!” I cheerily reply, still running because I feel like I have to.

The man continues to beg me, but I swear that I’m not trying to be difficult. I’m just really energized, and I feel like I need to be doing something.

“Chey what the f*ck?” I get snatched off the treadmill, and only just realize that I’m sweating profusely. “What were you thinking?”

“I-I don’t know.” I’m shocked to see Liam, but I have so much energy that I begin to squirm in his arms. “Who tattled?” I indignantly whine, scowling at the guards.

“Someone contacted Riker; his father says that it’s a side effect of the healing potion, but the excess energy isn’t meant for you to workout, it’s what your body’s using to fix itself.”

“But Liam… I can’t do nothing. Please don’t make me go back to the room.”

“Okay, I won’t. Let’s do something fun. I have nothing left to do today.” I nod vigorously, following the man back to our room, where I shower, then patiently wait for him to tell me where we’re going.

“Want to visit the beach?” He cautiously asks, almost as if he’s afraid that I’ll say no, but I would love that.

Liam’s POV

Council members questioned me earlier today, and I’m afraid that something bad is about to happen.

Taking Chey out is as much for me as it is for her, but I don’t know what the girl would like to do, so I invite her to the beach. Jenna and Royce are already there, trying to make up for their lost day.

They were supposed to go to Disney today, but they didn’t want to go without knowing what’s going on with me first.

That makes me feel horrible, but I hope that seeing Chey all better makes up for the date they wanted to have.

Royce and Jenna have a plan for their future, so they have a checklist of things they want to do before my sister starts having children, and this trip was supposed to help facilitate one of those goals.

While I’m waiting to hear from my sister about if they need me to bring anything, Chey changes into something more appropriate for sand and saltwater, giving me another glimpse of her leg.

It’s practically a sunburn by now, and I’m so thankful that I didn’t kill Morgan, the reason I think I was questioned this morning.

“Royce asks that we bring ice, water, and fruit.” Chey simply smiles in response, and my eyes get drawn to her lips.

I may be crazy, but I think the healing potion made her prettier, not that she needed any help in the looks department, but she’s definitely glowing right now.

“Do I have something on my face?”

“No, no, I was just noticing how much better you look.”

“Maybe one day one of our pack members will be fated to a wiccan and stay, then we could have our own healing potions.” There's a hint of sadness in Chey’s tone, and I know it’s because of her father.

He was severely injured protecting my father, but the pack wasn’t in a financial position to buy a healing potion for him, so his injury was left to heal naturally, costing him the ability to walk.

I feel bad about the past, and so does my father, which is why he dotes on Chey the way he does, and also why I plan to continue doting on her, even after she finds a mate.

“What store are we stopping at? I want to get gauze to wrap around my leg.”

Chey and I are only just stepping out of the elevator when we’re semi surrounded by some of the very people I was summoned to meet with this morning.

“Miss Lively?” Chey assumes a defensive position, so I step in front of her to stop her from doing something stupid.

“Is there a problem sir?”

“There’s a huge problem. Miss Lively, if you’d allow it, we’d like to speak with you in private.”

“My alpha is welcome anywhere I am.” Chey’s never made me feel prouder, and after a moment’s discussion, we’re escorted into some sort of boardroom within the hotel.

“Miss Lively, if you haven’t already guessed, we are members of the Werewolf Council.”

“Have I done something wrong?”

“No, in fact, the council is in your debt.”

“I don’t understand.” Chey looks wary, and the way she’s glancing between me and the door tells me that this situation is extremely uncomfortable to her.

“Miss Lively, a council member sanctioned your fight, then violated the rules of combat by interfering. We cannot allow his actions to go unpunished, nor can we allow you to go unrewarded for your patience.”

“What does that mean?” I’m trying hard not to interfere, but I’m confused, and Chey is getting testy.

“Miss Lively, Young Alpha, please calm down. This isn’t a trap or a test. The council takes matters concerning its reputation very seriously, and we’d like to compensate you for your suffering.”

“I won the fight.” The men begin to laugh, realizing that Cheyenne isn’t exactly following them.

“We want to know what you want.”

“Nothing,” the woman says, arching a brow at me as though she’s looking for my approval.

“Nothing?” I question, shocked because I feel like this is Chey’s opportunity to save herself and her family from its struggle.

“Alpha Liam, taking money from the council for something that’s already passed isn’t good for its reputation. It’ll look like they’re buying my silence, and I would prefer to just have it officially known that Alpha Arlon was punished for his deeds. Compensation isn’t necessary.”

“Words of wisdom,” one of the men says, but I don’t think they plan to listen to Chey at all.

She’s speaking very diplomatically, in fact, her suggestion is honorable, but she’s forgetting that she’s rankless, and they’re not going to publicly punish a man who ranks far above either of us.

“Chey, just ask for money.” The girl frowns, making me wish that I could mind-link her and explain. “You can use it for school.”

“Ah, perhaps we can come in there. Where do you plan to attend?”

“I’ve already gained admission to the were-nursing program, but I can’t start until I turn eighteen or present with a wolf.”

“We can waive that requirement for you and cover all your expenses during your studies. Will that work?” Chey’s face beams, and before I can stop her, she’s hugging the man who spoke.

“Sorry,” she says, scooting backward because she knows she just messed up. “You kind of remind me of my brother.”

“I accept your apology, but if my mate accuses me, you better be prepared to defend us young lady.”

“Absolutely sir!” Chey bows, folding in her shoulders to show her submission to the man, earning her a smile that so many people seem unable to resist rewarding her with, especially when they aren’t rankists.

“Miss Lively, are you sure there’s nothing else we can do for you? We understand from Alpha Tyler that Morgan Donovan already gifted you a healing potion, but are you positive that you want for nothing?”

“Can you save me a seat on the werewolf council?” Chey must really want nothing, which is shocking because I thought she was always out to earn more money.

“In ten or fifteen years, we may elevate your application, assuming that you meet the requirements to join.” Chey’s eyes go big, clearly shocked because she was joking.

“How bad did Alpha Arlon mess up?” She openly questions, and again, she makes the men chuckle.

“The council doesn’t exist just for ranked officials. What he did may have set a precedent that many of us, especially those of us who’ve taken omega mates, do not want to become the norm.”

“Then… there is something that I want.” Chey looks innocent and cute right now, and I’m a little jealous that her puppy dog eyes aren’t fixed on me, but on three grown adult strangers, two of whom are unmarked.

“Name it.”

“I want you to extend our stay by two nights so I can go to Disney with my alpha, beta, and beta female, but I don’t want us to pay for anything.”

“That’s all?” Chey nods happily and extends a hand. “Consider it done.”