Scum (Book 2)

97. Spokesperson

Chey’s POV

I don’t know why I didn’t think about registering my own pack, but now, it’s the only thing Jett and Marissa can talk about.

Sometimes, their dedication to me is scary, but I wouldn’t trade the loyalty I have in them for anything in this world, so I never discourage them, even when they're being ridiculous.

“And then, with the money we earn from that, we can buy a plot of land somewhere, and Dyson can run the pack's kitchen, while Miguel focuses on his clothing line.” I don’t know how two innocent and happy men who belong to a fairly decent pack always get roped into these conversations, but they do.

It doesn’t help that Dyson pretty much offered to do anything in exchange for my cookie and biscuit recipe, and while I’m willing to part with one, I won’t give up the other because it’s special to me.

I remember the first time I made those biscuits, and how many people literally sought me out to tell me how good they were. After that, making small batches to sell helped keep my family afloat, and while I don’t foresee ever needing a back-up to my current plan, I don’t want to regret not having one later.

"You both remember that Miguel and Dyson are content with life in the city, right?"

"But being content and being happy aren't the same. It won't hurt to ask." Marissa is not a makeup artist, but she just finished helping me get my face ready for dinner, and Miguel will come to take pictures soon.

He wants to post me on his social media before the fight. Otherwise, I may become ‘too busy’ to take time out for him.

I don’t get any of this because, where I’m from, people fight, the loser yields, and everyone else goes about their day.

I’ve never witnessed a title challenge, but I know that it goes along the same lines as a rank challenge, which I’ve taken part in; it’s just not the same for city wolves.

For them, being an alpha is something much different, and to better help me understand, Dyson and Miguel made me watch a movie titled ‘Mean Girls.’

I honestly hated everything about it, not the movie itself, but the use of fake compliments as a form of manipulation made me think about Liam.

"Okay, but don’t get mad if they say no."

"Babe… did you hear that? Alpha Chey said yes!" I now understand why illegitimate children of alphas can lead to bigger issues.

I don't know who I inherited the alpha gene from, but it's clear that Marissa wants to see me in a higher seat of authority.

She isn’t sick, or inbred, and the same goes for Jett, so it’s just instinctual, but if they were rogues in the actual sense of where the term came from, I’m sure I could convince them to do anything.

The bell rings, but a quick whiff tells me that it's not Miguel, Dyson, or someone we know.

"Who's there?" I call through the door, unwilling to put my pack in danger by just pulling it open.

"Miss Lively, look through the peephole. You'll see that you know who I am." The voice sounds familiar, but I don't want to chance it.

"No. You can leave and come back after properly introducing yourself in a public setting."

"Miss Lively, I've liked you from the moment we met, and you're right, showing up here was out of line, but it's very important."

"I'll kill you if you try anything."

"You have experience in killing council members, so I don't doubt it." Not a lot of people know about that, and curiosity forces me to actually look through the peephole.

However, I don't immediately swing the door open because I have no business with the council, and I'm not sure why the man is here.

“I’ve broken no laws, and Alpha Franchelle Clark sanctioned my challenge. Also, you know that I’m not adopted, so I’m not a threat.”

“Only one of those things is in question.”

“What?!” I mind-link Marissa to hide in her bedroom before opening the door to the man, who's completely alone. “What have I been accused of?” The man hands me his phone, but I don’t feel comfortable taking it and becoming distracted with my door open. “Come inside first.” The man enters, and I lock the door behind him, almost expecting him to harshly react, but he doesn’t. “I’m sorry, but I never got your name.”

“Oh, well, that’s not shocking considering that you're on your own now.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing really. I just found it odd how you were left out of the meeting regarding your safety is all. But anyway, I’m Alpha Mateo De Luca.” I know the man is probably referring to the meeting Liam's father attended on my behalf, but I won’t let him know how bothered I am by his statement just yet. "Alpha Franchelle is a good friend of mine. She told me she caught you accidentally marking her territory, and it made me wonder how a girl like you ended up on the streets.”

“I’m not on the streets.”

“But you aren’t home either.” I don’t say anything as the man looks around my embarrassingly bare apartment in pity. “Anyway, I looked up your name and found this.” Again, Alpha Mateo hands me his phone, and this time I take it.

“Why?” The image I submitted with my transfer request when I was at Alpine, and my basic information is listed on what I recognize as the rogue database. “I’m not a rogue. I wasn’t even an official member of my old pack, and what exactly are they saying I’ve done?”

“That's the suspicious part. There was nothing listed in the section about crimes committed.”

“How do I get off this list? If the wrong people see this, they might-” I suddenly wonder if Miguel and Dyson are ‘the wrong people,’ because it doesn’t escape my eye that a 5k reward is being offered for my capture and return.

“And that’s why I’m here. My mate found it suspicious that a girl who she watched almost die fighting for the honor of her pack would suddenly be ousted for no apparent reason, and it got us thinking about your past relationship with your former future alpha.” I guess my response is written all over my face because the man makes an affirmative noise. “I thought so.”

“What does this mean for me?”

“I’ll go ahead and remove your name from the list for now, but I will have to do some more digging, and if I find out that you belong on it, I’ll tell the leaders of Alpine where to find you.”

“So, you came here to threaten me?”

“Not just that. I need to personally update you on an important matter regarding your future.”

“If this is about me missing classes, you know that I can’t finish my education unless I belong to a pack.”

“Precisely why I’m here. I need to get your group formally registered, and you need to continue your studies.”

“Why?” I’m highly suspicious because this conversation seems odd.

“A council member has wronged you twice, and one of those incidents was an attack that cost the man his life and called all other council members into question.”

“What does that have to do with me?” Jett is mind-linking me that he’s becoming suspicious of Alpha Mateo, and I can tell that he’s agitated.

“First, order your guard to check his rage. I’m a lenient man, but only to a certain point, and believe me when I say that I’m nothing like Arlon.” I get that, but I’m not about to back down from a clear challenge.

“You are the one who needs to be checked. That ‘guard’ is my friend, and like me, he doesn’t understand why you’re here.” I expected another push back, but Alpha Mateo only sighs.

“I knew I should have brought Leo. I’m terrible at this kind of thing.”

“Who’s Leo?” The atmosphere has calmed, so right now, I’m a little less irritated, but I’m not completely calm.

“The one of us you hugged. He couldn’t come because his mate wouldn’t allow it.” I remember that, and now I feel guilty. “Listen, I’m here because really bad people are gaining attention for the wrong reasons. There are some who want to see the council’s end, and more alphas are beginning to buy into the claim that the council is all that stops our species from ‘world domination.’”

“And you need my help to stop that?”

“You’re kind of famous.”

“For killing someone who attacked me?”

“In brutal terms, yes, but in a more civil aspect, people see you as the girl who took change into her own hands as an aspiring council member.” My jaw drops, unsure if I believe this.

“Are you trying to say that the council is looking to use my alpha as its spokesperson?” Jett is looking at me like this is the first time he’s ever seen me, likely because I never told him that I playfully asked to join the werewolf council before.

It was a joke back then; something I said to ease the tension, but apparently, I was taken seriously.

“I’m confused.” This is the first time in a long time that I’ve felt this way, and I don’t like it.

Just yesterday I had a game plan.

I knew what I was going to do, and I knew at least part of how I was going to get there, but this is another option. One that could change the course of my life, and potentially stop me from getting revenge.

“You really ought to have been at the meeting, but let me explain. Arlon broke the law and paid the ultimate price. However, the legacy he left behind can only be erased by you. Whether you join the council or not, you're young, beautiful, and you made an excellent impression on many of our members.”

“Will it stop me from issuing challenges?”

“Absolutely not. As long as you don’t stage an attack on an innocent pack because you have issues with one person within it.”

“Then I’ll pass.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“I absolutely am. I have things I need to do, and no one is going to get in my way.”

“How long do you need?”

“I can’t tell you that, but I know that I’m not about to align myself with anyone who started their ‘offer’ with a threat.”

“Wise words,” the man says. “If you change your mind, contact Franchelle. In the meantime, it’ll be smart to stay out of the council's way.”