Chapter 3 Meeting Miles Carter.

AVA.

I woke up in a hospital bed the next day. 

Fortunately, I had survived the accident with only a fractured arm and a mild concussion. The room was empty and for some reason, I thought I would wake up to Nicholas by my side, holding my hand.

I really just wanted him to regret leaving me behind in the crash. I was still so heartbroken but it turned out he didn't care. As long as Cassandra was fine, he didn't care about me. He never did.

Suddenly, the door opened and immediately I sat up to make sure I wasn't still dreaming or in a coma.

"Ava Brooks," My name echoed through the room, slipping out of his lips with a familiar tone. 

His hair was sleeked back and his eyes wandered over my body. He drew closer to the bed, dressed in a shiny black suit.

"Miles..." I could barely speak but I called out his name.

"What are you doing here?" I asked and he pulled out his phone. "You called me, multiple times. You said you were injured in an accident." He clenched his device in his hands. 

His eyes remained locked with mine but his emotions were hard to decipher. I could feel my cheeks flush from embarrassment.

I didn't realize I had called Miles of all people. 

"Are you hurt? Are you okay?" He reached for my arm but I pulled away slightly. He halted, a bit offended. But I was just shaken up. "I spoke to the doctor, he said all you need are painkillers and that you would be discharged soon.” Miles said.

I bit into my lips and nodded.

"But I don't understand how this happened? Were you driving alone?" He asked curiously. Remembering the events of the previous day was like dragging a knife through my chest. 

"I was with Nicholas and his soon-to-be wife, Cassandra." I said. I watched his eyes relax and he sat in the chair. Miles had a very commanding aura, one that filled the room but in a way that comforted me. I turned to him.

"But they were gone by the time I arrived." He added.

"You...were the one who came to my rescue?" I asked and he pressed his lips tightly. Barely any emotion in his eyes. "You called."

"I don't want anything happening to the future mother of my child." His next words caused an uncomfortable silence. 

"Or have you still not made up your mind yet?" He quickly added with an even deeper voice. After what happened yesterday, I was a bit more certain about my decision. I knew I wanted to leave this place—to leave Havenwood and to leave Nicholas.

Because he didn't deserve me and there was no use waiting for him anymore. And Miles was my only way out. 

I looked at my bag lying on the chair next to him and the contract peeked out of it. This was really my last resort, I didn't have any other option except getting mauled by wolves the moment I became rogue. I knew an omega stood no chance in the wild. 

But with Miles, he could at least protect me. Besides the monetary benefits that could change my life as well as the lives of the charity I was going to donate the rest to. This was a generous deal. I just couldn't help but wonder why. 

Why me? Why did Miles Carter want me?

"You know I knew Cassandra was back in town, I knew it was only a matter of time until you called, Ava. How long will it take you to realize there is no place for you here?" He asked.

"You don't understand," I muttered.

"I understand that he doesn't love you. Anyone with two eyes can see it. Nicholas doesn't love you, nor does he respect you." Miles replied and a tear slipped from my eyes.

"You're only saying that to hurt me? To persuade me to sign the contract." I lowered my head. "And him leaving you behind in a car crash wasn't him hurting you even more?" Miles asked.

"This isn't merely about a contract, Ava. You almost died yesterday and Nicholas didn't care. I know Nicholas, I've known him since college. He never cared about you Ava." He paused and I could finally look at him.

"Does he know?" I asked. "Does he know what you're asking of me? What happens when he finds out?" I questioned. 

"I've never lived a day in my life afraid of any man. Especially Nicholas. What we have is a private arrangement and even if he does eventually find out, that is a bridge left for me to cross," He assured me. "Nothing is going to happen to you." His words reminded me of Nicholas's that same day he saved me. 

I wondered if they were all the same but then again, I wasn't going to fall for Miles. I had heard the stories everyone had about the Lycans. They were usually ruthless and incapable of love or showing any emotion. I knew I could never fall for a man like that. So the arrangement was quite easy. 

It was never going to be about love, but an obligation. 

I knew the reason he wanted an heir was to grant his father's dying wishes. He had been sick for a while and his only wish was for Miles to birth his successor before he died. For him to meet his grandchild. Miles already lost his mother and she wasn't able to meet hers so he wanted nothing more than to fulfill this wish for his father. 

"But I don't understand one thing," I paused. "Why?" I asked.

"No one seems to want the orphaned wolfless omega? Why do you?" I continued. "I've been told my whole life that I wasn't enough. That I could never amount to anything. Day in, day out I hear what everyone says. I hear them calling me worthless,"

"Ava, you are not worthless." Miles interrupted but I cut into his words. "Is this some savior complex thing? Are you trying to prove a point by saving the poor wolfless orphan? Is this a bet?" I snapped at Miles and he stood up, offended.

"How could any of this be a silly bet?" He raised his voice and I realized how triggered I was. I could hardly think someone would ever want something from me.

"How could you think any of that of yourself?" Miles added and I cupped my chin. "I'm sorry," I murmured. I was used to saying that.

"You have nothing to apologize for, Ava."

"You saved my life Miles so I do have to thank you. You have been nothing but generous and kind to me and I don't get that all the time so in a way, I do owe you. I'm going to sign the contract and move in with you." I finally decided but Miles was a bit hesitant.

"Not while you're still in here. You should give it a bit more thought, make sure it's an arrangement you're comfortable with." He said and that was already enough to tell me the kind of person Miles was. He walked towards the door but I called out to him.

"You didn't answer my question. Why me, Miles?" And there was an enigma in his voice as he turned to face me. "You'll find out soon." I wondered what he meant by that. Far long after he left. 

Meeting Miles was engraved in my memory for the next few days, until I was discharged. He was still even generous to have his driver take me back home to Havenwood. For three days, I hadn't heard from Nicholas. Not a single word since the accident.

But when my car pulled up in the driveway, Nicholas was right by the door. His brows arched, surprised to see me come out of the black Maybach. His arms folded in a fist as he read the car's plate number.

CARTER75. 

He knew immediately that I had been with Miles.