Chapter 4
Ava's POV
I didn't know how long I had stayed there. Curled into myself , with my arms around my trembling body , and my heart hammering like it was trying to escape.
My mom's voice echoed in my head. Her last words , Her fear , Her confusion and Her silence.
I didn't even notice the door open again.
"You don't get to cry without permission."
His voice sliced through the silence like an extremely sharp blade.
I didn't know what I did to deserve this treatment.
He should have just left me to suffer alone.
Why did he decide to help me and then torture me.
I sat up fast , with my heart pounding, and tears still wet on my cheeks.
My chest ached from the weight of what he had done.
Alpha Brooks stood in the doorway , his arms folded, and his silver eyes cold as frost.
He stepped in slowly , and deliberately, like a predator cornering its prey.
"Why are you here?" My voice came out hoarse , and cracked.
"To remind you ," he said, with his eyes narrowing. "You belong to me now."
"Please.." I whispered. "Let me talk to my mom. Just once. Please." I begged with both knees of the ground.
He walked further into the room , with his boots thudding against the floor.
"No." He said, firmly
I blinked . "No ? Just like that?" I said, literally confused about his bad behavior and response.
I was shocked, what was he using me for?
"If you want something from me? Then you earn it."
He tossed a tray of food onto the floor beside me . The metal clanged , and a slice of bread skidded across the floor..
"Eat, Or don't. It makes no difference to me." He said in a really harsh tone.
I didn't move , I couldn't . My hands trembled too much.
"What do you want from me?" My voice cracked again.
His lips curled into a very mocking smile.
"Obedience." He stated.
"I'm not a dog." I replied.
His smile then vanished.
"No. You're worse. Because you still believe that you are free."
He pulled something from his coat. It was a thin, black leather collar.
My breath hitched.
"What is that?"
"Your place." He said it so casually, like we were talking about clothes.. "Around your neck."
I backed away , while shaking my head. "You're not serious."
"I am dead serious." His tone was flat.. "You want her to live ? This is the cost."
Tears blurred my vision.. "You said you paid the debt."
"I did . But she only lives.. if you obey."
"This is sick."
"This is life."
I covered my face with both hands , muffling the sound of my cries.
"Wear it ," he said.
I dropped my hands. And met his eyes.
"No. Please. Don't make me do this."
His expression didn't change. "Wear it or I call her doctor and end treatment."
My heart stopped at the mention of that.
I reached out with shaking hands. He took the collar and clasped it around my neck.
The click of the buckle sounded like a death sentence.
"Good girl ," he said.
I glared at him. "Are you happy now?"
He stepped closer. "Almost." Then he pointed at the floor
"Kneel. "
I didn't move an inch. I did6want to be a slave to him but he was making it obvious that I sold myself to him
"Now." He shouted.
I hesitated. My body screamed no , but my heart whispered Mom.
I dropped to my knees..
"Say it."
"Say what?" I asked, staring at his aging eyes.
He leaned in, his breath brushed my face.
"Say you belong to me."
I shook my head in disagreement.
"I can't."
He started to turn. "Then you don't get to speak to her.."
My chest felt like it was caving in.
"I.. I belong to you," I whispered.
He smiled. He pulled out a phone. Held it out to me.
"You have just five minutes."
I grabbed the phone immediately and dialed the number.
The phone began ringing and I was hopeful, I just need to talk to my mom.
It rang on and on and on but..
No answer.
"Please.. pick up.. please ," I begged.
But nothing happened, the other end of the phone was silent.
I looked up at him , as my panic rose.
He was laughing.
"That number was fake." He said.
The phone slipped from my hand and hit the floor.
"Why would you.."
"Because you needed to understand ," he said, with his voice dark. "Hope is weakness. And weakness is dangerous.."
Rage exploded in me.. I stood up and slapped him.
I didn't know where the courage came from.
He didn't flinch.
He didn't move an inch.
I hit him again. My fists kept pounding against his chest , it was so weak and useless.
"I hate you! I hate you!" I said, repeatedly
He caught my wrists , squeezing them until I cried out. Then his face came close.
"You can hate me all you want. But you will still kneel and you will still obey me."
He shoved me back. I fell, hitting the ground so hard.
"You ruined my life ," I sobbed.
"No ," he said. "I gave your life purpose."
He walked toward the door. My breathing was ragged.
"Please.. don't leave me here ," I whispered.
He paused. I glanced over his shoulder.
"Tomorrow , you'll learn what it really means to be mine."
His voice dropped to a cold , final whisper.
"And you'll beg for today back."
The door shut with a heavy click. And the lock turned.