Scum (Book 2)

100. Future

Chey’s POV

I don’t doubt for one minute that the men who followed us didn’t already know where I live, but I now know that I'm not in danger because Alpha Franchelle just sent me a text saying that the people tailing my pack members were sent by the council.

They were hoping to approach the pair and bribe them to abandon me, a very sinister plot that makes me rethink what Alpha Mateo told me, and if I should 'help.'

Too many people have accused the council of being corrupt, and now I’m starting to believe it.

“First they tried to make my mate reject me, then they ruined my date night, and now they proposition grown men to follow my little alpha?” I ignore the use of 'my little alpha' because something is happening to Marissa on a hormonal level that I can’t understand, and she’s become more like a mother than a sister to me.

The woman is literally eating the steak I brought with her hands, and truthfully, I’m mildly concerned about her mental state.

I once read that pregnant werewolves can ‘devolve’ into more feral creatures if they don’t have proper socialization, something I can say with utmost confidence the woman doesn’t have.

She’s at home alone for most of the day, but I may have to find something for her to do, otherwise, she may become hyper aggressive.

“I think they were supposed to be a peace offering.” I’m only just realizing that most of the men invited to dinner had similar features to Liam, except Bruno, who looked more like a male Phoebe.

I guess Alpha Mateo thought that I would be swayed by one of them, but I’ve sent word through Alpha Franchelle that he’s more likely to get someone killed.

“That is so horrible. How old were they? Nineteen? Twenty? They’re babies.”

“Eighteen is an adult.”

“But far too young to be match made, and it’s cruel to even facilitate it.” It is cruel but…

“I don’t think any of them cared. When I was at Alpine, I was ‘chosen’ by a Rocky who was worried about his family bloodline growing weak.” I don’t have to explain what a Rocky is because Marissa knows it's a city wolf. “They could be looking for a breeder. Having a child doesn’t mean you’ve stopped looking for your mate.”

“And that’s the drawback. If the council keeps encouraging this kind of behavior, it may lead to more rogues.” In the past, inbreeding was a problem because there was no council and no laws to protect, but now it mostly happens because we have modern transportation.

For example, if I'd gotten pregnant by Liam, I wouldn't have told him. I would have just gone on with my life as a single mother, and let's just say that, later on, my child meets one of his children, they wouldn't necessarily know that they were siblings, and that's usually how the problems start.

This line of thought makes me wonder if my future mate already has kids, and how I’ll react if he does.

I wouldn’t want to reject him, but at the same time, I wouldn’t want to tear a family apart, so it may be the only option.

“Alpha?”

“I’m fine,” I say, already knowing that Jett is about to ask me if I’m okay. “But let’s talk about all of this another day. I want to-” My phone chirps, but instead of smiling at Noah's ‘goodnight’ text, I feel like my chest is being compressed.

I like him because he’s really sweet, but I felt the same way about Liam, who ended up being a user.

My old patrol partner once tried to warn me, but his words went right over my head at the time. Not only that, but my mother also kept dropping hints that used to confuse me until Liam himself explained it.

With those thoughts in mind, I ignore the text and instruct Jett to block the front door with the couch.

It’s not enough to stop an intruder, but it will give us an extra second to react if someone breaks down the door.

Before I left the restaurant, Alpha Cornell tried to have the challenge rescinded twice, and despite being warned, I can't guarantee he wouldn't try something.

Sleep didn't come quickly, but it came, and I’m awoken by the sound of my phone ringing.

It’s time for me to wake up anyway, so I don’t ignore the caller the way I typically would.

"I’m entering the elevator now," Miguel curtly says.

“How did you get this number?” That’s my only concern, because I'll be mad if it's available to the public.

“Marissa didn’t want to wake you up, so I begged her for it, but I promise I won’t share it with anyone. I’m just really excited about all this.”

“You don’t even know if I’ll win.”

“That's a risk I’m willing to take. Have you seen how many likes the picture I posted of you has already gotten?” I don’t go on social media because it hurts when I see that no one has reached out to me, so…

“I haven’t.”

“Open the door, I’ll show you on my phone.” Marissa and Jett are already awake because he works the morning shift today, and not too long after hanging up, someone starts tapping my bedroom door.

“Open.”

“You’re still in pajamas? Are you sick?” Miguel practically whines.

“I’m not, but I'm thinking about withdrawing from the fight.” I just want to see the man's reaction because, since last night, I've been worried about being used again.

“Okay, that’s perfectly understandable and there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Let's have breakfast, and I’ll help you deliver the message to the fight’s host.”

“You aren’t upset?”

“Cheyenne, I don’t know where you came from, or who made you think that your worth is in your fists, but don’t group me into that category. I’m a mess in many ways, but not when it comes to doing the right thing.” Smiling, I sit up, making the man pout because he just realized that I wasn’t being serious. “I don’t think I like these little tests you keep giving me,” he says, throwing clothes on my bed as he speaks.

“What tests?”

“All you alphas are the same when it comes to trust; you set up little traps, or you make unreasonable requests to see the reaction you get.”

“I have never…” Suddenly the clothes on my bed draw my attention, making me cringe. “It was an accident.”

“I know. Marissa told us that you meant it to be a kind gesture. Now, hurry and get up, we have something important to tell you.” I like having friends who don’t mince words around me because bluntness is never confusing.

Thinking back, if my mother just outright told me that Liam was a lying, using, manipulating jerk, I think I would have stayed away from him, but she didn’t, and now look where I am.

It's too early to get dressed, so I make my way into the living room just in time to hear Dyson offering to walk Jett to the car.

I like that they look out for each other despite not being in the same pack, but I can tell that Marissa and Miguel aren’t feeling the same.

“You guys might want to consider your mates before becoming too friendly." I point to the jealous-looking pair, who make no move to even pretend.

They talk about it a little, feelings are mended, so the problem is solved all within a few seconds, and somehow, I got thanked for it.

“All I did was state the obvious.”

“Before it became an issue, which is why Dyson and I will be joining your pack, as soon as you register it that is.” Marissa is so excited that she starts rambling, and as though he wasn’t just jealous, Miguel suggests for Dyson to drive Jett to work and stay with him.

I really like this feeling of togetherness, and I can’t wait to acquire Cornell’s pack because, from what I’ve heard, they could use a sense of familiarity.

My plan is to meet with each of them individually, but I have to win the fight first.

A few hours later and I’m wearing the outfit Miguel made for me while standing across from a man who I can now see is more fit than I originally thought.

Cornell isn’t muscular in the way that a person who works out is, but he’s naturally fit, and based on the way he’s stretching his arms, he at least knows how to throw decent punches. Although he’s probably not trained the way I am.

“What’s this?” The referee is asking me to inspect what looks like a collar with a small camera and designs on it.

“It's connected to the screens, and it will prevent you from shifting. We're in mixed company, so your opponent will wear one too.” I allow the man to put the collar on me, and immediately I feel weaker.

I didn’t realize how much I’ve been depending on my wolf, but I have years’ worth of experience fighting while exhausted, so I'm not afraid.

Someone makes a bell chime and Cornell is already swinging full strength, telling me that he's going for a knockout victory.

It's not a bad strategy, especially since he doesn't know anything about my fighting style or ability.

Eventually, he's open enough for me to hit him one good time on the ear, throwing off his balance, and that's all I needed to end the fight.

I originally wanted to beat the man into a bloody pulp, but it just doesn't feel right to hurt someone so much weaker than me, so I stop mid-beating and throw up my hands.

The sound of a large crowd is almost like white noise to me, but I can hear loud booing coming from different pockets, likely because it’s been less than three minutes, yet the fight is already over.

“Alpha, I don’t like the atmosphere. People are saying Cornell threw the fight for you.” Jett wouldn’t have mind-linked me if he weren’t actually worried, but before I can give him an order, the ref asks me if I can handle another round.

“Will it stop the crowd?”

“It might,” he admits, clearly taking orders from someone else. “But it would be a random match-up.”

“Same rules apply?” I ask, slightly worried about the possibility of defeat.

“Yes,” the ref says. “But you’ll only be paid 1k if you lose, 14k if you win.” I need that money, so although I’m wary, I agree.

“Alpha Chey… What’re you doing?” Marissa Mind-links.

“Trying to secure our future,” I reply.