Scum (Book 2)

118. Situation

Chey’s POV

I don’t have a large pack, but I understand Alpha Franchelle’s plight well enough to offer my help in any way she may need it.

I was not, however, expecting her to send some of her more vulnerable pack members to me, much to the delight of Mr. David, who rarely has to lift a finger.

He now has zero vacancies, which is a little frustrating because I was hoping to get my own place, but the last three apartments have been converted to general housing, and there are four people per room.

Nevertheless, my pack members are happy, they’re healthy, and our kids are thriving.

“Yay! Alpha Chey’s here!” I’m off today, so I’m helping Dyson with snack preparation.

Some of our kids just walked into the apartment with their escorts, and they’ve just crushed me in a group hug.

Like other werewolves without a pack, children of our species smell overly sweet, but instead of it being sickly, it’s more comforting, which, for me, triggers a response to protect.

“Okay. Okay. Enough hugs. Put your shoes on the rack, wash your hands, and get your trays.” Because Miguel and Dyson’s home has become more of a daycare, they have little in terms of furniture, but each child has their own floor pad and T.V. table.

A lot of people feel guilty about it because it’s like the couple doesn’t have a place to unwind, but they love having the kids around, specifically because they get to live as parents without the use of a surrogate.

“Where is Jerome?” Miguel whines while rummaging through the overcrowded fridge. “He was supposed to bring baby carrots.” As if sensing his name being called, the man rushes into the apartment covered in sweat. “You did not run all the way back here…”

“I didn’t want to be late.” Because of his terrible work history, the man hasn’t been able to find a job, but I’m not entirely sure that’s all there is to it.

Sadly, he learned that he was not his son’s biological father, and he’s slowly working through those emotions.

It doesn’t help that his mate doesn’t seem to care if their relationship works or not.

She feels as though he could have saved her nearly two years of suffering had he taken a DNA test when she asked him to, but he foolishly believed that his ex-girlfriend wouldn’t have cheated on him.

If I didn’t have all the facts, I would have sided with Jerome, but the relationship with the human was off and on again, and she’d already given birth when she finally contacted him; oddly enough, that was after he posted images of him and his newly found mate on social media.

Before then, Jerome stupidly depended on the child’s mixed scent as proof of paternity.

The sad part about this whole situation is that I’ve had to report the boy’s existence, and through some sort of manipulation, the council plans to have him taken away from his human mother.

My wish is that Miguel and Dyson will be able to ‘foster’ him. That way, it’s not so much of a shock to the toddler, but his mother submitted two additional names to the court system, so until those DNA results come back, we can only hope for the best.

“You look better.” I say to Jerome, hoping to boost his spirits a little. “Still miss him.”

“Of course you do. Love doesn’t just disappear overnight.” Jerome smirks, probably because that statement is true in two ways.

He has always maintained that he loves his mate, but I think living away from him has given the woman the impression that she’s better off alone.

I’m not going to get involved in their personal issues, but on the bright side, she hasn’t mentioned a rejection again.

I want to believe that she’s just waiting for him to get and keep a job, but I could be wrong.

“Can I help with anything?”

“Serving,” Dyson says, pushing the man toward the sink. “Wash your hands first. If they don’t eat by 4PM it’ll ruin dinner.” I love that my pack has come together in this way, and despite saying that I wouldn't get involved, I mind-link Marrissa, wanting her to set up a meeting between Liza and me.

She shouldn't keep her mate in limbo as a means of petty revenge because it could ultimately work against her.

He’s not that old, he’s fairly handsome, he’s kind, loving, a little slow, but otherwise, a good catch.

If I’m being honest, he reminds me of my father in some ways, so it’s hard for me to remain neutral.

“Is this about Jerome?” Marissa asks, likely because she needs the information in order to anticipate the duration of the meeting.

“I think his mate is going too far.”

“I agree, but we can’t keep filling your schedule with family issues. You need a Dawn…” That’s funny, especially since Noah’s face comes to mind.

He’s submissive enough to actually fill the role of a male luna, but I don’t plan on choosing anyone anytime soon.

“By the way, you need to get some rest.”

“Let me finish up with the kids first.” I trust Miguel and Dyson, but I don’t believe they tell me the truth about everything they need.

My logic is that if I’m around, I’ll be able to pinpoint things they’re lacking without asking them, but as of right now, it seems like they just need an extra set of hands.

“Okay. Let me know what you find so I can put it on the budget. Also, do you need anything for class tonight?”

“A meal and some blankets would be good.”

“You are not planning on sleeping in your car again tonight.” I am, so I ignore the woman, who shows up with a sleeping Sophia strapped to her chest.

“Mari!” Some of the younger children squeal, disrupting the relative calm Miguel was able to create.

She may not have had experience with infants, but she’s amazing with children, so she quickly passes her daughter to Miguel so that she can undo the damage she just caused.

“Everyone, shh.” Marissa is talking as though she’s going to tell the kids a secret, but I know better than to think that she’s not here for me. “Did you guys know that your alpha isn’t planning on coming home tonight?”

“Is she moving?” All eyes are on me, including the other adults in the room.

“She’s not. She’s so tired that she’s going to sleep in her car after school.”

“But Miss Cora said that being out after dark was dangerous.” Cora is Alpha Franchelle’s daughter, and part of the curriculum she’s provided is wolf education.

“It may be dangerous for you…” I sing, trying to make the situation funny.

“But they aren’t the ones who keep getting into trouble,” Dyson replies, matching my high-pitched tone.

“Fine. I’ll come back, but someone is going to have to drive with me.”

“I can do it,” Jerome offers, raising his hand to volunteer.

Some battles just aren’t worth fighting, and since Marissa seems to be a good fit for daycare, I ask her to stay and head back to my apartment, slowing down when I pick up an unfamiliar scent.

We order a lot of things, so that isn’t strange, but the scent is heaviest in front of my door without a package present.

Elijah’s POV

“I promise not to say anything. All I want is for you to give me a chance.” Iris is a pack accountant; she also helps us pull in money, and right now, Cheyenne has a bounty on her head of 15K.

The post is nondescript, it’s just asking for information, but combining that with the fact that Chey’s been noticing an unfamiliar scent on her doorstep for the last few weeks worries me.

I don’t know who’s looking for her, but I know from stories she’s told that she’s killed a council member, she’s being ‘targeted’ by them, and she and her mentor have somehow gotten on their bad side.

Cheyenne is neither pro, nor anti-council, so I’m not sure what’s going on, but I do know that I don’t want anything bad to happen to her or anyone she cares about.

“Do you really not remember what you said about me?”

“I was like fifteen when I said that stupid stuff. Had I known-”

“That I would take your brother’s place…?” I interject, finishing the woman’s sentence because I won’t allow her to lie.

“That’s fair, but that’s not what I was going to say.” I’m waiting, but Iris’s words aren’t coming out the way she wants them too. “I just wanted to sound cool.” That’s plausible, but…

“Those words hurt me enough to give up on all the things other teens were doing, and you know that you wouldn’t even care about me if I hadn’t earned a rank.” Iris’s nostrils flare because I just struck a nerve, and hopefully, she’s ready to drop the sorry act.

“Whatever. All I know is that we’re a good match. I’m not asking for your mark; I’m asking for us to start over. If you can’t do that for me, then I have no choice but to submit Alpha Lively’s information. The pack needs the money.” I know our circumstances, so I stay quiet. “If not for me, do it for Noah.” Truthfully, in this situation, I don’t care about Noah.

All I’m worried about is Cheyenne.

“Fine, but I don’t want to move too quickly. I’m not a very forgiving person, and you’ve already hurt my family once.”

“I swear I didn’t know what Natalia was doing. I knew she wasn’t a good person, but I didn't think she was a thief.”

“I’ve heard the story. Also, if anyone starts asking about us, I’m done.”

“You want to keep me a secret?” The woman asks, offended because, even I can admit that it’s extreme.

We’re both consenting adults, so it’s not like anyone will judge either of us. I just don’t want Cheyenne to find out.

“It’s not about keeping secrets. I just want to avoid awkwardness if we don’t work out. We have a lot of mutual friends, and I would prefer not to lose any of them.” That’s a lie.

We have maybe two mutual friends, neither of whom would stop talking to me because of Iris’s hurt feelings.

“Fine, but I still want to do things as a couple.” I’m almost positive that all Iris wants from me is s*x because she knows I’m not a dinner date and movie kind of guy, unless, of course, she’s comparing herself to Cheyenne.

If that’s the case, then she’s bound to lose.