Chapter 3
Ava's POV
"Mom. Please . Just listen to me."
My voice shook as I clutched the phone tighter . My heart pounded so loud that it hurt my ears. The doctor had finally put my mother on the line , and now she was there, so close yet so far.
"Ava , my sweet girl. I am sorry ," her weak voice whispered.
My chest tightened. "No! No, don't say that. Don't be sorry. Just take the surgery . The money is there now. You can get better . Please , Mom!" I pleaded
The silence on the other end made my stomach twist into knots..
"I love you, Ava ," she finally said , and I felt my knees buckle. "That is why I will not let you suffer for me."
"Mom, no! Please! Don't do this. You have to fight!" My whole body shook. "I did this for you . I gave up everything for you. Please , don't let it be for nothing."
"You gave up too much ," she said softly. "I won't let you be a prisoner because of me ."
Tears streamed down my face. My hands gripped the phone so tightly that my knuckles turned white. "Mom , please. You don't understand. If you die.. I will have nothing left . I will be all alone."
"You will be free ," she whispered.
A cruel chuckle cut through the air. My whole body stiffened.
It was Alpha Brooks.
He was watching me from the other side of the room , while leaning against the wall, with his arms crossed, eyes cold and bored.
"Crying will not change anything ," he said.
I glared at him through my tears. "You do not understand! This is my mother!"
He shrugged. "And you are mine ." He said firmly.
I wanted to scream. I just wanted to throw something at him. I wanted to make him feel the pain deep down , that was tearing me apart.
"Mom, listen to me ," I said quickly , ignoring him. "I will find a way out of this. I will come back for you. But I need you to be alive. I need you to fight."
"Ava, I.."
Alpha Brooks moved. But before I could react , he plucked the phone from my fingers.
"No!" I lunged for it , but he held it high , keeping it out of my reach.
"Who.. who is this?" My mother's voice trembled on the other end.
His silver eyes locked onto mine as he spoke . "The man who owns your daughter ."
A choked gasp came from the phone. My entire body burned with so much fury and fear.
"You bastard! Give it back!" I jumped again , but he only smirked , effortlessly keeping the phone away.
"She belongs to me now. Whether you live or die changes nothing," he said , with his voice cruel and emotionless.
"No! That is not true! Mom , don't listen to him! Please!" My screams were broken sobs. My nails clawed at his arm , but he didn't even flinch.
The doctor took the phone. "Miss Monroe , your mother has decided not to respond to you ."
The room spun. My legs gave out beneath me . I collapsed onto my knees, gasping for air.
"No.. No . No. Please.."
Alpha Brooks watched me break apart. His face was unreadable.
His silver eyes , as empty as ever , studied me like I was some pathetic creature crawling at his feet.
"Weakness is pathetic ," he murmured.
My body shook with sobs. My hands covered my face , but nothing could stop the ache crushing my chest. It felt like I was dying.
Then he crouched in front of me. His fingers tilted my chin up , forcing me to look into his cold, merciless eyes.
"If she dies , you will still belong to me ," he said.
My breath got caught. My soul shattered.
He leaned in , with his voice a whisper of steel. "No one is coming to save you , Ava. You are mine."
I gripped the phone tighter , with my voice barely a whisper. "Please.. just let me talk to her. Just once."
Alpha Brooks leaned against the door, with his silver eyes void of emotion. "And if I say no?"
I swallowed hard , my heart slamming against my ribs. "Then she dies. And I will never forgive you."
A smirk tugged at his lips . "You think I care about your forgiveness?"
My entire body shook . "You should. Because if she dies.. I will never stop fighting you. I will make your life hell. I will never obey you. Never."
For the first time, something flickered in his extremely cold gaze. Amusement ? Annoyance? I couldn't tell.
He stepped closer , lowering his voice. "Is that so?"
I clenched my fists.. "Yes."
He tilted his head , considering me like I was a puzzle he was trying to solve . Then he exhaled , while pulling out his phone.
"Put her on the line," he ordered.
My breath got caught. Hope sparked in my chest but it was just for a second.
Then he smirked. "But let me make one thing clear."
He leaned down , with his lips near my ear, his voice a deadly whisper.
"If she still refuses.. you will spend the rest of your life paying for her choice."
The call connected.
"Say the right words , Ava." He warned.
He held the phone out to me.
I took it with trembling fingers.
"Mom ?"
Her weak voice came through the speaker. "Ava.. what have you done?"
I opened my mouth, ready to beg, ready to plead..
But Alpha Brooks suddenly pressed a button.
The call ended.
I froze. "No.. what did you do?" I asked furiously.
He slipped the phone back into his pocket , with his smirk widening.
"If you want to save her , earn it."
I stared at him in horror.
"What.. ?" My voice cracked.
"Earn it." His voice was smooth , merciless. "Break for me , Ava. Beg for me. Prove that you are mine."
I gasped , while stumbling back. "You.. you monster!"
He chuckled. "Welcome to your new life."
And then he walked away, leaving me drowning in terror and desperation.