Scum (Book 2)

134. Denial

Liam’s POV

I’m not sure what it is that I’m trying to do, but extorting Cheyenne definitely wasn’t a part of my plan.

Her i***t friend tried to attack me, not that he would have been wrong for it, but as it turns out, the man has his own issues with the council, so I was able to use his actions to convince Chey to talk to me.

We haven’t been able to because we’re still meeting with a council rep, who was visibly annoyed when he found out that my mate was no longer the alpha of Valoria.

As some sort of punishment, Chey’s mentor was dismissed, Valoria’s new alpha was ‘forced’ to expel her from his pack, and at the end of it all, my mate was made a rogue.

Cheyenne, however, must’ve anticipated that outcome, knowing it would mean that she's no longer a political prisoner, which also means that her previous sentence, as an alpha, of having to stay with Alpine for three weeks has been made void.

Because tensions were high, we took a brief intermission, and the same man who approached me before approached me again.

“What did you do…”

“What do you mean 'what did I do?' I didn’t do anything.”

“I told you that she was a threat. Why did you allow her to…” It suddenly occurs to me that the rep wasn’t being helpful to me when he gave me advice, he was trying to hurt my mate.

“What exactly does the council have against my mate?” The man says nothing, but his eyes drift to where I see Cheyenne glaring at us.

“We need to get back into the conference room,” he replies, moving past me as though I'm nothing.

I don't like the way the rep spoke to me, nor do I like the fact that my mate saw us, although I don't know if she heard anything, and after a few minutes, my worry is validated.

“You clearly aren't thinking straight. If you were, you wouldn't have allowed your unwanted mate to trick you into relinquishing your title. Now he can do whatever he wants with you.” I nearly lashed out, but the smirk on Cheyenne's face literally hypnotized me.

“If you want to manipulate me into attacking him, try something I can actually believe.” Chey goes on to tell the man that she and I have already agreed on a rejection, which isn't actually true, but it is what I said. “I’m willingly staying to discuss how and when it's going to happen.”

“Don't be a fool… it's as clear as day that he's suffering from bond denial.” Bond denial is when a fated person becomes physically and mentally unwell with the thought of a rejection.

I know that I feel terrible, but I didn't put two and two together until just now.

“That's not my issue,” Cheyenne nonchalantly replies. “I’m sure his chosen can nurse him back to health.” my claws have extended on their own, and as a result, Chey stands and takes a defensive posture.

I'm not going to hurt her, she should know that, but I guess the way our relationship ended really made me a monster in her eyes.

“It looks like one of you may die before that date is set.”

“Not a problem…” Chey quips, still staring me down in uncertainty.

I desperately want to say something, but my voice won't work, and seeing that I'm struggling, my father cuts in, something he was asked not to do at the beginning of the meeting.

“Since we can all agree that my son is not in his right state of mind, we should postpone this meeting until he can properly explain the affair at hand.” The ‘affair’ my father is talking about is Cheyenne suggesting for me to die for her.

I’m clearly sick, and if the same situation happened today, I likely would have set myself on fire, just to prove to my mate that I really do want her.

It doesn’t matter if it’s illogical; if dying is the only way for me to express my sincerity, then I would gladly do it.

“Mark my words, little alpha. You’re going to regret relinquishing your title, and when that happens, no one from the council will be in your corner.” That was cryptic and threatening, but Cheyenne seems to be used to it because all she does is shrug.

Chey’s POV

I don’t understand what the council wants from me, but I have zero desire to join an organization that’s clearly on the verge of collapse.

Now that I’m not an active alpha anymore though, I expect to get some sort of peace, which is, of course, after Liam formally rejects me.

“Chey? Can I come in?” I didn’t see it before, but Liam is actually sick, and a quick conversation with my brother reminded me of what bond denial is, and how it manifests.

I feel sorry for the man, but only because I know how badly he wanted to find a mate. However, I won’t put his feelings above mine ever again.

“First, I want to apologize for what I did to you. There’s no excuse for my behavior, so I won’t make any.”

“Thank you for being honest.” I don’t know what else I should say, and Liam seems to take my simple response as a gateway to keep talking.

“I wish that I’d been smarter. Even if you were waiting for your mate, I should have stayed by your side until you found him…”

“You mean until I found you?”

“Yeah… me.” Liam is quiet for a long time, and because he’s looking at the floor, I can stare without him noticing.

I really did love him, and now I’m curious about what made him think I was still waiting for someone else.

“No one told me,” the man replies. “I overheard a conversation you were having with Lillian and her partners.” I don’t even remember that conversation, but it doesn’t matter because what’s done is done.

“So, when can we leave this place?”

“We?” The man questions, looking up at me with expectant eyes.

“My family and I…” Clearly, Liam got the wrong idea, and I had to turn away in order to stop myself from over empathizing with him.

“I’ll clear it with my parents first, then I’ll let you know.”

“Okay…” Turning away again, I stare out the window, counting the seconds until Liam takes the hint and leaves, but he starts up another topic.

“Your arm looks good.” I glance down at what used to be many cuts and scrapes, noticing that they’re nothing more than red marks now. “It happens sometimes.” Somehow, Liam is now inches away from me, holding my arm as he inspects the ‘wounds.’ “Your wolf is pushing itself because it thinks you’re in danger. You’re not.” I pull my arm away from the man, not violently, but fast enough for him to get the hint that I don’t want to be touched by him.

I thought that he would move or back away, but he just stayed frozen in place, his hands still floating in the air as if he’s still holding my arm.

“Liam?” The man jumps before looking up at me, his eyes filling with tears that begin falling at the same time as he begins to beg.

“Please, Cheyenne, I will do anything you ask me to do. If you want me to beg you in front of the whole pack, I’ll do it. Just don’t leave me. I won’t survive it if you do.” Seeing a man who has always guarded his pride humble himself in this way makes me feel nauseous, and I end up heaving, which makes him panic. “Are you okay, my love? Are you sick? Do you need something?”

“I need you to give me space.” Immediately the man retreats, but he’s shaking so violently that I don’t feel comfortable anymore. “I mean that I want to be alone.”

“Oh,” Liam whispers, looking somewhat confused. “Are we done talking already?”

“Yes, we are. I heard what you had to say, but humiliating you won’t make me feel better.”

“Then what will? I already said that I’m willing to do anything.”

“Do you really want me to answer that, Liam?” The man says nothing, but he leaves, and a few minutes later, my parents arrive.

“Will you continue to ignore us the entire time you're here?” My father asks, making my heart spasm. “You have to know that we didn’t abandon you. We should have left together, then none of this would be happening.” I’m not mad at my parents, but I am suspicious of them.

“Did you know that I was an alpha?”

“How could we have known that, Cheyenne?” Not my father, but my mother responded, moving closer to me as though she wants a hug, but I’m not in the mood to be lied to. “Chey… Please tell me what happened to you out there.” After a deep breath, I repeat everything I already told the council.

My parents’ expressions are so funny that I actually laugh, despite the fact that I’m explaining the part in which I accidentally sentenced a rogue to death, then killed a man with my bare hands out of anger.

“The rest wasn’t much different from what I was used to living here, except for having my own pack, and a mentor of course.” It suddenly occurs to me that Alpha Franchelle never met my parents, and now that I’m thinking about it, they’ve been absent anytime someone from the council is around. “What have you been doing?”

“We’ve been trying to stay out of your way,” my mother says.

For whatever reason, I don’t believe that, but my father’s pleading gaze forces me to pretend.

Liam’s POV

I ruined my life, but there’s nothing anyone can do about it, so instead of sulking, I’ve decided to walk around. I thought only a few minutes had gone by, but when I’m finally tired enough to sit, I’m startled by the sound of relieved sighs coming from behind me.

“How long have you been following me?” I question, feeling sorry for my clearly exhausted friend and the men who had to ‘assist’ him.

“It’s been twelve hours.” I feel like I’m hearing wrong, and panic makes me run from where I was and toward where Chey should be, but the guest room is empty.

“WHERE IS SHE?” I swing open the closet door, nearly ripping it off the hinges, looking for my mate.

I didn’t get to beg enough, and I fear that the next time we meet will be during our rejection hearing.

“Liam, stop,” Royce begs. “You’re really scaring me, man.”