Scum (Book 1)

7. Meeting

Liam’s POV

My relationship with Porsha has gotten pretty serious, and she’s asked to meet my parents, which I gladly agreed to. We don’t have anything going on this weekend, so we made the arrangements to have lunch with my family on pack territory.

“Where’s the ghost?” Royce asks, referring to my girlfriend’s constant ‘breaking up’ with me.

He always feels like she has a hidden agenda, but I think he’s judging her based on her father’s cruel actions as an alpha. However, if she were anything like the man, she would never have even looked at me.

There are alphas with more territory who would be a better catch, and the way I feel about her is rooted in the fact that she isn’t focused on what I have or will have because she likes me for who I am.

Porsha has been able to overlook all my past flaws, and I strongly believe that she’s different. Other women I tried dating would accuse me so much that I’d just cheat to actually be guilty of it, but my girlfriend is secure enough in herself not to be worried; a major turn on to me.

“She left something in her room and went to get it. Why?”

“I’m just wondering how your parents are going to react to meeting her. You know how Porsha is and how your parents aren’t. It’ll be interesting.”

Royce has a point, but my chosen is who I choose, and right now, Porsha is the only woman who has managed to keep me all to herself. I’ve never cheated on her, and I don't want to. She understands me at a fundamental level, and because she has her own rank, she isn’t interested in mine.

“My parents have no say in my love life, and besides, Porsha is just meeting them. I have no intention of marking her right now.”

“Whatever you say.” My beta’s dislike for my girlfriend kind of bothers me, but I understand his worry.

“Ready to go baby?” I turn to see Porsha looking perfect as usual.

“You didn’t have to dress up. It’s just my parents.”

“First impressions matter,” she replies with a smile that I reward with a kiss.

Royce clears his throat, and points to his watch, indicating that it’s time to go. I really hope he can drop his disdain for my relationship because if I don’t find a mate within the next two years, she will become my Luna and his.

Cheyenne’s POV

I woke late and had to run to the kitchen to grab breakfast because mom was at work and dad didn’t cook. I found out yesterday that Alpha Liam is bringing a girl home, so there is a lot of fuss happening.

I just turned seventeen, which means that he’s about to be twenty-one. He hasn’t found his mate yet, so it makes sense that he would be looking to choose someone soon.

From what Dallas told me, most wolves have mates, but the older someone gets, the lesser the chance. Mates aren’t ‘rare’ per se, but only about seventy percent of us will be blessed enough to have a fated partner.

No one knows how bonds develop or why, but there are all sorts of theories. My favorite is the one that says that bonds are formed when two souls resonate with one another so perfectly that they can’t properly function without each other.

It reminds me of Dallas and Nora, who, although different, are like two pieces to the same puzzle. I’ve never seen my brother allow himself to be vulnerable or even talk about his feelings, but since meeting his mate, that has changed.

They marked one another shortly after she formally joined the pack, which our parents weirdly celebrated with slightly suggestive cupcakes.

Immediately following, Dallas Challenged the pack's top warrior and won. That means he’s closer than ever to his birthright, and not that I would wish ill on the future gamma, but if something happens to him, Dallas can step up to fill the rank.

Aside from that, Nora is still my best friend, but because of work and Dallas, we don’t spend as much time together, and once she starts having pups, I’ll be nothing more than an afterthought.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the fact that she’s with my brother, and because of their union, we’ve moved into a larger cabin, which for whatever reason, only has a single step leading into the property, making a wheelchair ramp affordable to our family for the first time ever.

My father can now freely leave our home without assistance, and since then, he’s been happier, albeit I’ve been eating in the cafeteria a lot more because he’s too distracted by his new ‘sun soaking’ hobby to cook.

The only downside to our move is that I have to work more hours. I’m only responsible for one fourth of the rent, but pretty soon, I’ll be able to cover the whole thing if Dallas doesn’t beat me to it.

“Anything left for me?” I pant, staring at the empty buffet trays in the cafeteria.

“Just this bagel.” I smile brightly, knowing that Ms. Andrea saved it for me because, at this time of day, the kitchen is usually bare.

“I’ve got rotations!” I shout, running away from the kitchen as I shove the bread into my mouth, but I quickly hide it in my pocket when I spot alpha Liam and who I’m guessing will eventually become his chosen Luna. They are hand and hand, and I’m awed by her beauty.

“Wow!” I say, walking up to the couple with wide eyes. “Alpha Liam you…” I pause looking back at the woman, who’s blonde hair is so pretty and straight that it makes me resent my own.

My hair is a weird shade of brown that sometimes looks red in the sunlight, and instead of being straight and easy to comb, I took after my father with curls that I’m still learning to maintain, but since Liam asked me to make time for myself, I have been.

“Cheyenne, I see you’re taken with my son’s friend.”

“Yes, alpha,” I say looking back at the man and bowing in respect. “She’s gorgeous.”

“Thank you.” The woman says, and now I find her even more beautiful. Her voice is so feminine that I wonder if it's fake or if mine is just deep.

Lately I’ve been worried about my physical appearance more than usual, afraid that I’ll scare my mate away before he gets to know me, but Nora has been helping me, and now, the woman in front of me has just given me inspiration to do better.

“Miss Porsha, please be honest. Is alpha Liam forcing you into this?” The woman chuckles while Liam swats me away like a bug. “Nice meeting you!” I shout, running away from the trio before I miss my duty post.

Liam’s POV

My father doesn’t like Porsha, but I’m not sure why. After arguing in his office for hours, I emerged to discover that she went home without me, proving my father right in the process. He told me that she wasn’t Luna material, but my father is slightly sexist, and so I don’t think he appreciates strong women.

“No Luna should abandon their alpha, even if they are ‘uncomfortable.’”

“You just don’t like women who can take care of themselves.”

“Tell that to your mother, your sister and any other woman in this pack.” I roll my eyes at my father, because the strongest willed woman on this entire territory is Cheyenne.

“Whatever, I’m going to find my girlfriend.”

“If you turn your back on this pack for that woman, don’t bother looking to inherit the title. See how long she will stay with you when she finds out that you have nothing.”

“Are you seriously threatening me?”

“I am. You’ve changed, son, and not in a good way.”

“Because I found someone who makes me happy.”

“No, it’s because you can’t even tell me what it is about that person that makes you happy. I’m worried about your mindset. Just because you haven’t found your fated partner doesn’t mean you should rush to settle.”

“Like I told Royce, Porsha won’t get a mark from me for at least another two years. She’s just holding the place for my real Luna, assuming I have one.”

“Listen to yourself,” my father says. “Do you not understand how cruel that is?”

“So, because I care less about others' feelings, it’s Porsha’s fault?”

“No, but you’ve never been taught that there are lesser wolves, yet you’re suddenly calling people omegas. I know that girl’s father; so, I don’t have to ask where that term came from.”

“Isn’t that what they are? Rankless wolves are omegas.”

“In that case, what’s Dallas?”

“He’s delta…”

“That isn’t a recognized title. He’s simply the top male fighter, making him, by your own words, rankless.” I feel like I just got punched in the brain, but before I can respond, my father holds my shoulders. “Look son, I was where you are now. It’s important for women to have strong role models, but Porsha may not be the person for you.”

“But I really like her.”

“And I understand that. All I’m asking is that you slow things down with her and consider how her leaving without notice makes you look to the rest of this pack. Respect is mutual, and I’m not sure that woman has any for you.”

“And if she changes?”

“Then I’ll welcome her with open arms.” That makes me feel a little better, and I agree to stay, knowing that if I leave early my mother will be heartbroken.

Cheyenne’s POV

There’s some sort of party tonight, and Nora is helping me get ready. Last year, my patrol partner's girlfriend gave me all of her old clothes, but this is the first time I’ve had the courage to wear any of them.

Seeing Porsha, who I know from gossip is a skilled fighter, look so effortlessly flawless has made me realize that I can have both worlds, and I will.

I was always afraid to appear too girly, thinking that people would treat me differently, but I feel like I’ve proven myself enough not to care anymore, and if anyone tries to make fun of me, I’ll just knock them out.

“You look amazing,” Nora says, stepping away from me with a smile that’s too old for her face.

“Thanks mom.”

“Not yet, but soon,” the girl says with a wink. I shudder, but only because I know how babies are made, and Dallas is my brother.

“We should go before the food is gone,” I say, trying to change the topic.