Scum (Book 2)

120. Value

Chey’s POV

After my movie night with Noah, that random scent showed up three additional times, but we haven’t been able to figure out who it belongs to.

The pack talked about adding a security system to the building, but in the event that someone shifts, and it's caught on camera, it may become a bigger issue.

"Alpha Chey, where should I put this?"

"Apartment 403," I reply, smiling at the young girl who's with us on loan.

Like me, Hannah finished high school early, but she doesn't want to go to college, and she hasn't quite found her calling.

She has no fighting skill, no artistic flare, and absolutely no zeal to do anything except serve an alpha.

We call werewolves like her weak-minded; they aren't inbred, but it's likely that at least one of their parents was a rogue in the literal sense.

Sadly, I don't have the kind of environment that she needs to thrive, but neither does Alpha Franchelle.

She, however, does own land, and that's where she would send Hannah and most of the other people my pack is fostering.

I'm told that Alpha Franchelle used the property to grow vegetables, and cultivate honey that her pack members would sell at a farmers’ market.

That means they were in a more rural part of the state, hence the reason they're now with me.

Up until recently, they've been bored out of their minds, but we've found ways to keep them occupied without sending them to get jobs in an unfamiliar city environment.

"And where does this go, Alpha Chey?" I was approved for way more than the grant I applied for, and my earnings from my fight with Martha were suddenly paid out, so I had an influx of cash that I used to stock up on toiletries.

Mr. David provides us with cleaning products that we help ourselves to in terms of cleaning our apartments, so it’s mostly tissues, soaps, and other personal care items.

“Alpha Chey, someone is here for you.” Now is not the time for a drop by visit, but based on the lack of hostility, I’m guessing that I know the person.

“Hey, Eli… What brings you around?”

“I just wanted to see how things were going. It’s been a while.” It has been a while, but I’ve been busy nurturing my relationship with Noah, so I’ve not been keeping track. “Are you off today?” I am, but before I can respond… “I’m looking for someone to spar with. I just need to blow off some steam.”

“Um… Okay, just give me an hour or two. I want to make sure everything’s in order first.” Elijah can see that items are being brought in, so I don’t have to explain.

“Anything I can do to help?”

“Do you have jobs for three extremely sweet, gentle, and hardworking women that doesn’t involve them taking off their clothes?” The man winces, probably because he's embarrassed about why I had to add that condition.

“Well… My pack house needs a good cleaning. Think they can handle it?”

“Because your uncle doesn't have pack members who clean?”

“I take it that Noah’s never talked about the pack with you.” Noah has opened up about a lot of things, but I don’t respond because I feel like our conversations should remain private. “How about instead of sparring, all of you come check the place out?” At Alpine, formal visits had to go through leadership, but I get the impression that Elijah's pack doesn’t exactly do things in an organized way.

Their alpha seems like the type to go with the flow, which is probably why their pack resources are being mismanaged.

I’m okay with that, but I haven’t forgotten about how rude Elijah’s friends can be, and I don’t want a repeat event.

“Would it be okay if I stayed with them?”

“That'll be perfect. I’ll get out of your way for now.”

It was during my progress inspection that I got another mind-link, letting me know that Noah is visiting.

I wasn’t expecting him, but I know his schedule, and I’m happy that he was available to see me today, so I ask for him to be sent to my apartment.

“Hello, beautiful. You look busy.” Noah gives me a tight hug that’s cut short by the sound of Elijah’s throat clearing. “What are you doing here?”

“Oh, yeah, he came to work out...” I actually forgot that his brother was waiting for me, but now that Noah’s here, I would like him to join us for the pack visit. “But plans changed and we're going to your pack later. You should come.”

“A visit, huh?” Noah glances behind me wearing an expression I’ve never seen on him before.

“Do you think it’s a bad idea?” It may have taken a while for me to realize it, but I really like Noah, and I want to show him that I value his opinion.

“It's fine, I'm just glad to have gotten here before you left.” Noah and I aren't officially a couple, but it makes sense that he should introduce me to his pack, so I correct myself by apologizing.

“It's okay. I trust you,” the man replies.

Elijah’s POV

I’ve confirmed it now. Noah is lying to me about his relationship with Chey.

I asked him for his work schedule several times, saying that I just wanted to work out, but he told me that he was completely booked, which is why I went looking for Cheyenne, thinking it would be the perfect time to catch her alone.

Had my brother been honest, we wouldn’t be trying to woo the same woman at the same time, yet here we are.

“Why did you invite Cheyenne to visit the pack without me?”

“She needed help, and I offered it. Why?”

“Aren’t you and Iris a thing now?”

“And that’s your business because…?” My brother doesn’t say anything after I remind him that I know he's f*cking at least two other women Cheyenne doesn’t know anything about.

He and I didn’t speak again until it was time to go, and since Noah lives closer, Chey and her temporary pack members drove with him instead.

Annoyed, I decided to use the time alone to call my uncle and blame the unplanned visit on Noah.

He, of course, was irritated, but the pack house is actually gross, so he was partially okay with the information, except for the fact that he can’t afford to pay anyone.

At that, I suggested the bill be presented to Noah; he said he moved because he was making more money, and now is the perfect opportunity for him to prove it.

Chey’s POV

I was not expecting Noah to be called away as soon as we stepped foot on his uncle's territory, nor was I expecting one of the girls I came with to find her fated partner.

What was supposed to be a work visit ended up becoming a diplomatic issue that required Alpha Franchelle to get involved.

Simply put, the environment is terrible for a weak-minded werewolf, and not even her mate can confidently say otherwise.

Similar to Alpine, the land belongs to Alpha Peter’s family, and I can tell just from unkemptness that there are no pack helpers, probably because they don’t collect the proper amount of taxes.

Our species tends to stick together, even when there’s no benefit, so it’s not shocking.

What is confusing though, is the amount of respect their alpha receives, despite the fact that everything seems to be in shambles.

“Alpha Chey, I don’t really like it here.” Weak minded and stupid are two different things, so the girls can sense what I sense. “I would much rather clean half today and do the rest later.” I one hundred percent agree with that sentiment, and as much as I would love to help, Elijah insists that it won't be good for my image.

My mentor said the same thing, so I know he isn’t just trying to lure me away, but I do get the sense that he desperately wants to talk to me, so after making sure the girls were safe with Alpha Franchelle, I followed Eli to ‘his’ gym.

“I asked you to work out with me, remember?” I forgot…

Before I agreed to visit, Elijah was looking for someone to spar with. “It’s not much, but the mats here are softer than the ground outside.”

“I don’t plan to do much fall-.” I was still stretching when Elijah used all his speed and strength to knock me on my back. “What was that supposed to be? I thought this was a friendly spar?” I’m still pinned under the man, and the way he’s looking at me is drawing forth conversations I’ve had with Noah.

Elijah isn’t giving me a friendly or intimidating gaze, but I can tell he wants me sexually, and I fear that I’ve been foolish enough to give him the wrong impression.

“Eli… your brother and I… we… our relationship isn't just friendly anymore.”

“I know,” the man says, resting his head on my shoulder. “I've seen the pictures he's posted.” I don't go on social media much, but I know about those pictures because Noah asked me before posting them.

“Then why are you doing this?”

“I'm jealous,” he admits. “It's not too late. You can cut things off with him and choose me instead.”

“Elijah, I-”

“WHAT THE F*CK?!” Pushing the man off my body, I scramble to my feet, startled by Iris’s voice. “You’re cheating on me?” Fortunately, the woman is smart enough not to try attacking me, so I can focus my anger where it belongs.

“You have a girlfriend?”

“Chey, don’t listen to her, I-”

“Is this why you wanted to keep me a secret?” Iris interjects.

I quickly try to leave the area, needing to get away, but Elijah grabs me by the arm.

I didn’t hear him speak, but I know that he mind-linked Iris because she fled the room in tears, making my heart hurt for her.

“Chey, please listen to me.”

“I don’t want to,” I whisper, gently brushing the man’s hand off my arm.

Not only am I not interested in Elijah romantically, but this situation just reminded me of my past trauma.

“Chey, please I-”

“Eli, stop it. I don't know what your intentions are, but I was somebody's secret once.” I tell the man my story, sparing no detail because I need him to understand my perspective.

“Don’t compare me to your ex.” For some reason, Elijah seems angrier than he should be. “I’m only with her for you,” he adds. “You may have moved on, but Alpine still hasn’t let go.”