The Strength to Love

The Exchange

Brooke’s POV

               ‘Is this what normal moms and daughters do?’ I thought to myself as we were ‘relaxing’ with face masks and getting pedicures. This was amazing! The perfect solution to the worst day of my life, well at least one of them.

               “Isn’t this fun?” Mother asked from behind her purple face mask. “Next, we’ll get our hair done and then go shopping for a fun outfit for tomorrow.”

               “Tomorrow?” I questioned. “What’s going on tomorrow?”

               “Just a fun adventure for us.”

               I do not like this one bit, Daphne commented. In fact, she had been on edge since the beginning of this quality mom time. She has a hidden agenda. Do not trust her! I do not trust her, I replied, but might as well enjoy this time now so we can think about it the next time she locks us up or beats us. She will never beat us again. I will kill her first. Easy girl.

               At the salon, mother told the stylist exactly how to do my hair and style it. This was actually kind of fun, until I heard her say ‘she needs to be perfect for the presentation’. Presentation?! Daphne was going stir crazy. Maybe it is a presentation for me turning 18? After the salon we went to Kohl’s to look for something “fun”. My comfy style was just jeans and an oversized hoodie. But mother was having a girlie day, so she picked out a spaghetti strap black dress that hugged my every curve and was slightly revealing with a slit up to my mid-thigh. She paired it with some black and cork wedges. Then she even let me pick out a pair of flare jeans with some rhinestones on the back pockets. As crappy as this day was, I was feeling better. Exhausted, but happy.

               “Well,” she said loading my bags into the trunk, “I think that’s everything. Did you enjoy yourself today?”

               “Oh yes mother,” I cried. “This was so much fun!”

               “Well, we are done for today,” she stated. “I’ll drop you at home before I meet the girls at the bar.”

               When she pulled up, I grabbed my bags out of the car and headed to my room. *Bleep* My phone went off. It was mother. Hey, make sure to pack a small bag. We are going on a trip tomorrow. A trip? I messaged her ok and then plopped on the bed. I did not want to pack now I just want to sleep. Just get it over with Daphne stated. Then we can go to bed. Fine. I did not want to argue. I packed a duffel bag and sprawled onto the bed.

               *KNOCK*KNOCK*KNOCK*

               ‘Ugh,’ I groaned trying to focus on the blinding red numbers on my alarm clock. ‘It’s 5:45 in the morning! What the hell?’ I rolled over. If it was one of mother’s stupid hook ups from the bar, she can get it. I’ll take the beating.

               Something is not right. Daphne was pacing back and forth. ‘It’s nothing. Go back to sleep,’ I tried to reassure her. Get up now. Go to the door. I am ready if I need to take over. Okay something definitely was up if she was alerting me like this. I picked up my knife from my nightstand and walked towards the door.

               *KNOCK*KNOCK*KNOCK*

               I could hear the guy on the other side talking to someone as I crept closer to the door. Daphne was on full alert.

               “No one is answering the door, Dean.” He must be on the phone. “What do you want me to break it down? You are not Alpha yet; I don’t have to listen to what you say. Fine, fine.”

               Apparently, he was going to break down the door, but mother’s voice called out, “No need for that gentlemen.” Key was inserted and she came waltzing in followed by 3 of the most massive guys I have ever seen.

               “Mother?”

               She was avoiding eye contact with me. “Get your bag.”

               I walked upstairs and grabbed my duffel bag. Take anything you will miss; I get the feeling this trip is not for the both of us. Daphne advised. What do you mean? My mind was racing as I packed up my favorite blanket with a tiger on it, my necklace dad gave me on my 16th birthday, and a photo of dad and me.

               I walked downstairs with my head steady. “Mother, what is going on?”

               “Oh, I forgot to mention,” she slurred looking at her phone. “I sold you.”

               “SOLD ME?!” I screamed. “Sold me? I am your daughter! Or has the whiskey melted your brain?”

               WHAM! “Have you forgotten your place?” She looked down at me after back handing the ba-jesus out of me. “Frankly, I’m glad to be rid of you, and for $20 million, I think I’m getting the better end of the deal.”

               I was seeing black spots in the corners of my vision. If there was one thing she knew how to do well, it was backhand. I gasped and clutched my face. Daphne was trying her best to force her way to the surface. ‘Daphne, no!’

               “You will pay for the harm you have given Brooke. Even if it is the last thing I do, I will kill you.”

               When I pushed myself back into control there was fear in mother’s eyes. Hell, even the men took pause before grabbing me and my bag. I turned one last time to look at mother. She was still frozen in dread.

               For the first couple hours we rode in silence, but around 8 o’clock I was starting to get hungry. I looked at the behemoth sitting next to me. His face was stone and he just blankly stared at the back of the seat.

               “How long until we reach our destination?” I asked.

               “We will reach the Split Blood territory tonight.”

               The Split Blood pack? I gulped. I had heard stories of the ruthless murders and takeovers. Stories told of Alpha’s son, Dean, were only for the strong willed. He would spill the blood of his enemies without batting an eye. His forms of torture were legendary. He was just as handsome as he was evil, with eyes ice blue reminding you of his frozen heart.

               “Well, we are going to have to stop somewhere because I am starving.” When they did not respond, I cried out. “Oh c’mon! Even slaves get 3 meals a day!”

               “He did say to take care of her.” The driver looked in the rear-view mirror.

               “Fine,” I one next to me gritted out. “But drive thru we cannot lose anytime.”