Scum (Book 2)

94. Sold

Chey's POV

Alpha Franchelle is with the Council's Gambling Authority, but it never really occurred to me that there could be relatives among council members or its representatives.

“I know that look, but believe me when I say that there was no love lost. Arlon and I descended from the same alpha two generations ago, but we first met as adults, and not under favorable conditions.” My mind was definitely painting the picture that Arlon got Franchelle the job she has now, and I’m still not completely convinced that it wasn’t a factor. “And for the record, I have two degrees; one in business and administration, the other in fiscal planning. I earned my place. It wasn’t given to me.”

“Sorry,” I whisper, feeling bad because I can tell the woman is used to people assuming she’s unqualified.

“Being able to apologize when wrong is a good quality for an alpha to have, and because of that, I’ll ignore the fact that you stink.” I flash a toothy grin at the woman, silently thanking her for her ‘leniency.’

She can’t beat me, I can somehow sense it, but for the sake of her pride, I’ll allow her to put on this show since it means nothing.

I don’t have to prove that I’m the strongest anymore. I know what I’m capable of, and so does the woman I’m speaking to.

"Are you here alone?"

"No, my pack members are waiting in the car. I didn't know what to expect, so I asked them to stay behind."

"You weren't invited?"

"Nope. We just heard about it and showed up." Now, Alpha Franchelle looks a little skeptical of me, but I don't want to get Dyson in trouble, which gets me to thinking… "Are you the alpha of the 'bad' people who run the restaurant row area in Glennville?"

"Goddess no, but regrettably, tonight's fights are hosted by that pack."

"Can I-" I pause because I'm not sure how this alpha-to-alpha thing works, and I don't want to be disrespectful. "I don't want to come off as rude or anything, but do you think you can invite me inside? I need the exposure." By exposure, I mean, I need to meet new people and, perhaps, maybe, hurt someone.

“That depends on what you plan to do if I say yes.”

“I can’t make any promises. I never learned how to back down from a challenge.” I’m not about to lie to someone being nice to me, which reminds me of Morgan.

She told me that her father taught her to appreciate people who are kind without reason, so my admission is my attempt not to embarrass Alpha Franchelle if she vouches for me.

In the past, I probably would have begged the woman for entry, but since I left Alpine, things have been different, and I wonder if it's because my past behavior was somehow conditioned.

“Just remember that you don’t have anything to prove to anyone.” Again, I find myself wondering why things are so different for wolves from the city, but I’m distracted when the security guard clears his throat to get my attention.

“Your phone number, young alpha?” After rattling off the digits, I mind-link Marrissa and Jett, who must have already been on their way to me, or they sprinted, which I doubt.

“This is Jett, and his mate, Marrisa.” I have never officially given my pack members titles, but I suddenly feel like I have to soon.

I know Jett is capable of being a beta, but he’s probably best suited to act as a gamma, his mate included.

I guess I could just skip having a beta altogether, but I’ll talk to him about how he feels before I make anything official.

“I’ll need their contact details as well. Just in case they come without you.” The pair also recite their numbers, and shortly after, we each receive a text with private event tickets.

"Miss Lively, anything you do in there tonight will be seen as a glimpse into the legacy you want to leave behind as an alpha. I don't know what happened, but I'm fairly certain you belonged to another pack not too long ago. Don’t let pride ruin you.”

"I was ousted out of jealousy."

"Or you were a threat that needed to be humbled." I've had those thoughts before, and the sad part is that I can’t confidently deny that’s what happened. “Anyway, you can enter before me, and remember not to stink up the place.”

Immediately after entering, my nose is pulled in the direction of a concession stand. Both Marrisa and Jett look equally as tantalized as I am, so we stand on the line and order without caution, definitely a financial mistake that we’ll regret later.

We ordered anything that even mildly sounded tasty, and for fun, we threw in something called a brownie burger, because what’s a meal without dessert?

I’m excited about this, and truthfully, even if I don’t get to fight anyone, I would still consider the trip worth it.

“I’ll go find us a good seat,” Jett says, leaving Marissa and I to wait on our food without him.

We should be able to manage carrying the trays ourselves, but if not, I can make double trips.

“107?”

“That’s me!” I probably shouldn’t have sung out like a child on Christmas morning because people are laughing at my reaction, including the staff.

“Condiments and utensils are over there.” The woman points, and Marissa darts toward the area, definitely more eager than I am to taste everything.

For now, I’m good with carrying both trays, but as soon as Marrisa loads up on napkins and forks, she takes the lighter one from me.

“This is going to be great,” she whispers, walking toward where Jett mind-linked he would be.

We were almost there when someone, in my opinion, deliberately bumped into Marrissa’s arm, making her lose her balance and spill everything, not just all over the floor, but on herself as well.

I immediately put my food down to check on the woman. She’s embarrassed but otherwise okay. However, I’m livid.

“You’re going to pay for that.” I’ve barely looked at the man who’s acting as though he doesn’t understand what I’m saying.

“I don’t know what backward ass pack you came from, but you can’t make me pay for a mistake.” I didn’t use a command on the man because instinct was telling me not to, but I feel unsettled in a way that’s making my heart hammer in my chest. “You seem to have money to blow. Why don’t you go to the apparel stand and buy her something to wear.” So that’s the man’s problem.

In his mind, Marrissa and I were showing off, but in reality, we just spent our grocery money for the week on the mess that’s now covering the floors.

“Or maybe you should do it?”

“I can’t afford it,” the man nonchalantly quips.

“Okay.” This situation is far from over, especially since the food I put down was taken while I ‘wasn’t paying attention.’

I saw who took it, but Marrissa is more important than fighting over concession snacks.

“Who are you, and who’s your alpha?” I whisper, struggling not to react violently right away.

“He’s the host of tonight's fight. Why do you want to know? You gonna tell?”

“I just want to give him the name of the person responsible for costing him his title.” The man’s smug smirk falls, but I’m no longer concerned with him.

I know Marrissa wants to cry, and Jett has been bombarding my mind with links, wanting to know why I’ve ordered him to stay put.

Finally, we walk away, and immediately Jett is ready to hit someone, but I simply raise my hand and promise that I will not disappoint.

“Let’s go buy her a change of clothes.” I’m speaking softly, but the anger I feel can’t be compared to anything I’ve ever felt in my entire life.

Fortunately, nothing happened between the time it took to buy the overpriced clothing, and waiting for Marissa to change, but we did have to find new seats.

“I was really looking forward to tasting those chili cheese fries.”

“I’ll get us another order.” Because of where we’re sitting, I have to pass the same people we walked by before, but the food that was spilled has been fully cleaned, and the only evidence that something happened is the number of stares I’m getting.

The fights have already started, so the concession line isn’t as long as it was, but I won’t splurge again because I will be driven to outright murder if someone ‘accidentally’ knocks over my food again, and even now, I can confidently say that I won’t kill.

When I return to the table, my pack members look depressed, but they won’t be for long.

“I should have been paying more attention to my surroundings.”

“Marissa, you’ve done nothing wrong. In fact, you’ve actually helped me jumpstart my Alphegiate career.

“Is that a real word?”

“Nope, but I plan to make it one.”

Sadly, we can no longer enjoy the night like we planned, but when the host of the evening takes center ring and introduces himself, I shoot to my feet.

“I, Alpha Cheyenne Lively, challenge Alpha Cornell Hayes for the right to lead his pack.” I’m not an i***t.

I know the man I’m looking at doesn’t own restaurant row, he just claimed it.

That said, I hope I got my phrasing right because he could decline based on the fact that he doesn’t own the land or lead a pack, but it’s clear from the man’s expression that he, not only wasn’t expecting a challenge, but he's unable to find a way to back down.

“Challenge accepted, although you will have to wait until the end of the event.”

“Don’t want others to see you lose?” I know what I’m doing, and I hope that it’s working.

“Do you and I know one another, girl?”

“No, but one of your pack members decided to target one of mine. I took that as a declaration of sorts, unless, of course, you’re willing to trade his life in exchange for me to rescind my challenge.” As an alpha male, whether he’s weak or strong, the choices I just presented Cornell with are both losing options.

All the man’s credibility as an alpha is in jeopardy, but just before he can accept, Alpha Franchelle makes her presence known.

“This type of challenge requires more formality. Alpha Chey, I kindly ask you to agree to a later date and time. If you do, sixty percent of admission and sales will go to the night's winner.” On that note… I’m sold.