Scum (Book 2)

99. Appealing

Chey’s POV

There are many handsome men around, but I don’t like the circumstances in which we’re meeting, so I'm annoyed by anything they do, even when they’re just being nice.

“I thought this dinner was supposed to be a show of strength or something. Why are we just eating?”

“Sh*t. You’re like a real bumpkin, aren't you?” A bumpkin isn’t a slur, but it’s close enough, so…

“You can leave now.”

“Wha-”

“I said leave,” I growl, shocking the man whose face has gone pale.

“Alpha Lively, play nice dear. Everyone here is acting as a witness to your competency and fitness to fight. I admit that I don’t agree with what Mateo did to the seating arrangements, but you can handle a little pressure, can’t you?” So that’s what this dinner is about.

I honestly didn’t know, but it makes sense because if I were sick in some way, a true rogue as the term applies, it would be unwise to allow me to lead a pack even if I’m physically stronger than Cornell, the i***t who's stuffing his face right now.

“Also, it’s safe to eat. I’m personally sponsoring this meal as a thank you to you both.” Tickets to tomorrow’s fight have already been sold out, likely because it was promoted by Alpha Mateo specifically with me in mind.

“If I meet your mate, I'll tell her that you called me beautiful,” I say to no one, knowing that, despite the distance, everyone can hear everything, ‘tis the curse of werewolf hearing, but no one knows who I’m talking to except the ‘offender.’

I, however, am now happy enough to actually pick up my fork and knife.

It's been a long time since I've had this cut of steak because it’s expensive, and the only reason I even know what it tastes like is because Liam's mother had it specially ordered for her last anniversary, and I remember a specialist being called in to properly cook it.

There was only enough for the upper-leadership and their families, but with Jenna gone, there was an extra, which Alpha Lucas gave to me.

Since then, I haven't been able to eat steak the same, but tonight might change that for me.

"Alpha Chey, I’m sorry to bother you, but we're still outside," Jett mind-links just as my fork touches my lips.

"Why?" I'm pretending not to have gone on high alert because this night was supposed to be a date night for the couple, and there's no reason for them to wait on me.

"We’re being followed, and I don’t want to go too far."

"Keep circling the restaurant. Don't worry about the gas. I'll be out shortly." Looking up, I glare at Alphas Franchelle and Mateo, feeling like they're up to something, but I can't just accuse them, so I pretend to be looking at the handsome man who came to my defense not long ago.

"Is something on my face?"

"No, I'm just wondering why you're here." I figure that the man isn't interested in me, thus, he'll have less of an issue hurting my feelings with the truth.

"When unmarked alpha females pop out of the woods, you can count on Uncle Mateo to make sure that I meet them."

"Why not say no?"

"Because waiting for my mate is becoming difficult. At least coming to events like this makes me feel like I'm looking for her." It's been a long time since I've met a believer in the bond who's choosing to wait, and I feel oddly encouraged.

"You shouldn't give up. My pack members were twenty-four when they met and they were both planning to settle down with someone else, which later became an issue. You just need to remember that you and your mate will be the ones to suffer if you make the wrong decision."

"You're the first person to tell me something like that in years."

"I have experience with regret when it comes to the bond; might as well share what I learned." I know I'm not the best with emotions, but I swear the man blushed when I finished speaking.

"Thank you, alpha. By the way, my name is Bruno." I suddenly feel sick, remembering all the times Liam encouraged me.

For whatever reason, Bruno's reaction reminds me of myself, and I wonder if it has something to do with me being an alpha.

Maybe there's something that draws werewolves to us in a sense other than what we're taught, and maybe that's why I didn't stop Liam from kissing me.

Besides that, I know that Liam is obsessed with Porsha, so it's possible that, after emergence, people like us have some sort of charming effect on others, and if so, I should probably keep my distance from members of the opposite s*x.

The last thing I would ever want to do is use someone the way Liam used me, and now, I don't even want to continue talking to Noah by text. That was how things started with Liam and I, but I foolishly thought he was being my friend.

"For the record, I didn't say any of that to flatter you."

"That's what makes you more appealing." My eyes snap to the man I asked to leave a minute ago, and while he's speaking, he's smart enough to not look at me. "You've been real with us this whole time. It's… refreshing." Eww…

I don't like this uncomfortable feeling, and since I need to leave early anyway, I stand.

"Alpha Cheyenne, are you leaving?"

"My pack members are being followed right now. I can't just sit back and do nothing knowing that."

"What a weak woman…" That's the first thing Cornell has said all night. "Imagine someone like you leading a pack. You'd die of worry and stress if you have to personally address every small issue. I move to stay the challenge until the young alpha is mature enough to understand what leadership is about." That was smart.

All this time I've been thinking that Cornell is a dumb criminal, but he's a crafty man, and his words just made me look unfit.

It's likely that he set this entire thing up, but I'm not even bothered.

"You are right. I have no experience in pack leadership, but I know that the people who follow me don't have to steal food." I hope that struck the nerve I wanted it to hit, because that's how this whole thing started.

"That situation had nothing to do with me."

"But didn't it?" I ask, knowing from Noah that the shoulder bump aimed at Marissa was ordered. "How did everything taste?" I continue, making the man narrow his eyes. "I mean, it was taken for you, wasn't it?" To me, fitness to lead is based on several things.

One, the willingness to protect, two, the ability to lead, and three, the desire to aid.

No alpha should want to see any of their members stagnant, but I know that Cornell preys on the less fortunate, also thanks to Noah.

"I didn't know where that food came from."

"So, you mean to tell me that your pack members act that recklessly on their own accord? How dangerous for our species." I'm done speaking, and the smirk Franchelle is wearing lets me know that I've done all I need to do. "Alpha Franchelle, Alpha Mateo, I trust that the fight is still on for tomorrow night?"

"We'll see you there." I go to step away, but several men stand before I can.

"What now?" I know that my tone was rude and exasperated, but I really can't help but feel annoyed.

I don't think any of these men like me, they're either feeling some weird desire to have me because I'm an alpha, or they’re after my genetics, but either way, I'm not interested.

"Alpha Chey, please allow them to walk you to your car. I've confirmed from a few of my people standing out front that it's indeed ‘unsafe.’”

"Alpha Cornell?" I ask, looking over at the man who’s so red in the face that I know he's struggling not to lash out at my implied accusation.

"That I’m not too sure of, but I want to make this clear. If anything happens to either of you before tomorrow's fight, the council will get involved, and the culprit will be sentenced to death."

"Fair." Picking up my plate, I start walking toward the door, uncaring of how tacky it may be.

The steak is good. I know Marissa hasn't eaten, and she doesn't mind leftovers either.

"Are you really taking that?"

"Well, thanks to the council's meddling, I don't know when I'll next be able to safely leave my apartment." I’m only half joking because I'm fairly confident that I can get Dyson and Miguel to help, but I still have to work.

"I can just ask the kitchen to package something for you to take home,” the woman offers.

“Wait a minute Franchelle, what does she mean by meddling? Cheyenne, are you suggesting that the council would hurt you?” I say nothing, but some of the people around us are whispering, not that it stops us from hearing. “Everyone, stop that. All I did was promote a friend's event. How does that equate to maliciousness?”

“Your actions put an innocent, young girl at risk.” I’m just repeating things Marissa is mind-linking me, but it’s having the desired effect.

“Are you kidding me?”

“I’m not. The council has gone on an intimidation campaign against me, and I fear for my life.” Alpha Franchelle is just holding her head, knowing that I’m mimicking, but Cornell messes up my entire plan to seem pitiful by speaking.

“Thus, if something happens, how can we guarantee the threat came from me?”

“Go ahead and try it. Let’s see how far it gets you.”

“It doesn’t sound like she’s that scared if you ask me.”

“No comment.” My food comes out, and while I don’t want six unmarked men following me out, I don’t want to die by ambush either, so I allow it.

“Alpha Chey, I want to apologize for going along with this dinner. I’ve heard rumors, but I didn’t realize how far gone the council is.” I don’t know what the man talking is trying to say, but it sounds scary. “If you ever need help, call this number. I’ll follow you in my car for added safety.” The man hands me a card, but I can’t tell if he’s flirting, or being serious, and now I feel lost.

I don’t want to become an enemy of the council. I was just talking to talk, but I may have said too much, and I’m not sure if it'll have consequences.