Sold to Bastard Alpha after My Divorce!-Chapter 182

Aria’s POV

The morning light filtered through my bedroom curtains, soft and golden.

I blinked awake slowly. My body was warm. Comfortable. The kind of peaceful that came from a good night’s sleep.

Sophie was still passed out on the air mattress beside my bed. One arm flung over her face. Her blonde hair a complete disaster. Soft snores coming from her slightly open mouth.

I smiled.

Some things never changed.

I slipped out of bed quietly. Carefully. Trying not to wake her.

Made it exactly two steps before my phone buzzed on the nightstand.

Sophie groaned. Threw a pillow in my general direction without opening her eyes.

"Turn it off," she mumbled. "It’s too early for noise."

"It’s seven thirty."

"EXACTLY. Too early."

I grabbed my phone. Checked the screen.

A text from Kael: *Good morning. Sleep well?*

My stomach did that stupid flutter thing it always did when I saw his name.

I typed back quickly: *Yes. You?*

Kael: *Would have been better if you were next to me.*

My face heated.

Before I could respond, Sophie’s voice cut through my thoughts.

"Is that your hot Alpha boyfriend?" Her words were muffled by the pillow still covering her face.

"Maybe."

"Tell him I said hi."

"You’re not even awake."

"I’m VERY awake." She lifted the pillow slightly. One eye cracked open. "Awake enough to know you’re blushing like a schoolgirl."

I threw the pillow back at her.

She caught it. Groaned dramatically. Then suddenly sat bolt upright.

"OH MY GOD."

"What?"

"Cassius!" She grabbed my arm. Shook it. "CASSIUS. The hot doctor. You need to call him RIGHT NOW."

I blinked. "What?

" Please set us up! Call him! Tell him I’m here! Tell him we should all hang out!"

She was practically vibrating.

I looked at her. At the mess of blonde hair. The pajamas that were somehow already twisted around her body. The pure, unfiltered enthusiasm radiating from her face.

I couldn’t help it.

I started laughing and then sighed. Pulled up Cassius’s contact.

Hit call.

It rang twice before he answered.

"Aria?" His voice was warm. Slightly confused. "Everything okay? It’s pretty early."

"Hi, Cassius. Sorry to call so early." I shot Sophie a look. She was grinning like a maniac. "I just wanted to let you know that Sophie’s in town. My friend from the human world?"

"Oh!" The confusion cleared. "That’s great. How long is she staying?"

"About a week. And we were thinking..." I took a breath. "Maybe we could all grab dinner together? You, me, Sophie, Kael, and the girls?"

Silence on the other end.

Then: "Kael’s going to be there?"

My stomach tightened.

"Yes," I said carefully. "But it would just be casual. Friendly. No weird Alpha posturing or anything."

Another pause.

Sophie was making frantic gestures beside me. Mouthing words I couldn’t understand.

"Please?" I added. "Sophie really wants to meet everyone. And the girls would love to see you."

That did it.

I heard him sigh. "Okay. Fine. But if Kael starts any Alpha nonsense, I’m leaving."

"Deal."

"What time?"

"Six? I’ll text you the restaurant."

"See you then."

I hung up.

Sophie immediately launched herself at me. Grabbed my shoulders. Shook me.

"YES!" She jumped off the air mattress. Started dancing around my room. "This is happening! I’m going to meet the hot doctor! I need to shower! I need to do my hair! I need to pick an outfit!"

---

The rest of the day was a blur.

Sophie spent four hours getting ready. Changed outfits six times. Did her makeup three times. Straightened then curled then straightened her hair again.

I got Lilith and Lina ready. Simple dresses. Nothing fancy. Just nice enough for dinner out.

"Why is Sophie taking so long?" Lina asked. She was sitting on my bed. Swinging her legs. "We’re going to be late!"

"She wants to look pretty," I explained.

"But she already looks pretty!"

"Thank you, Lina!" Sophie’s voice came from the bathroom. "You’re my favorite person now!"

---

The restaurant was one of those nice places. Not fancy. But nice.

Warm lighting. Cloth napkins. Real silverware.

Kael was already there when we arrived. Sitting at a table near the back. Looking ridiculously handsome in dark jeans and a button-up shirt.

He stood when he saw us. That smile spreading across his face.

"Hi." His eyes found mine immediately.

"Hi."

Cassius arrived five minutes later.

I watched the two of them carefully. Looking for any sign of tension. Any hint of territorial Alpha nonsense.

Kael extended his hand first.

"Cassius." His voice was calm. Professional. "Thanks for coming."

Cassius stared at the offered hand.

Then, slowly, he took it.

"Kael."

They shook. Firm. Brief. Then released.

No growling. No posturing. No weird Alpha energy.

I exhaled.

Kael turned to Cassius. His expression serious.

"I owe you an apology." The words came out direct. Honest. "For how I acted before. When I found out you’d been helping Aria. I was... territorial. Possessive. And completely out of line."

Cassius’s eyebrows rose.

"You were just being a good friend. And instead of being grateful, I acted like an asshole."

The silence stretched.

Then Cassius smiled. Small. Genuine.

"Apology accepted." He clapped Kael on the shoulder. "And for what it’s worth? I’m glad she has you now. She deserves to be happy." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Something in Kael’s expression softened.

"Thanks."

Sophie cleared her throat loudly.

"Hi!" She waved. Way too enthusiastically. "Long time no see you handsome little doctor!"

She was staring at Cassius.

He turned. Took her in. The blonde hair. The bright smile. The obvious nervous energy.

"Nice to meet you again Sophie." He smiled.

Sophie started asking Cassius questions. About his work. About the pack. About what it was like being a healer.

He answered patiently. With that gentle warmth he always had.

And slowly, gradually, Sophie relaxed.

Started being herself instead of trying so hard.

Started laughing at his jokes instead of forcing her own.

I watched them. Watched the way Cassius leaned in slightly when she talked. The way Sophie’s eyes lit up when he asked her questions.

"They’re cute," Kael murmured. His breath warm against my ear.

I jumped.

"Don’t do that!"

"Do what?" He was grinning. That devastating grin that made my knees weak.

"Sneak up on me."

"I’m sitting right next to you."

"Still."

He laughed. Pressed a kiss to my temple.

Across the table, Sophie and Cassius were deep in conversation. Something about human medicine versus pack healing. Their heads close together. Completely absorbed.

"I think you did good," Kael said quietly. "Introducing them."

"You think?"

"Yeah." He squeezed my hand under the table. "They look happy."

I was about to respond when Kael’s phone buzzed.

Loud. Insistent.

He pulled it out. Glanced at the screen.

His whole body went rigid.

"Kael?" I touched his arm. "What’s wrong?"

He didn’t answer.

Just stared at his phone. His jaw clenched tight. That muscle jumping beneath his skin.

Then he answered.

"What?" The single word came out sharp. Demanding.

I couldn’t hear the other side. But I watched Kael’s face.

Watched the color drain from it.

Watched his eyes go from black-gold to pure red in seconds.

More silence.

"I’m on my way."

He hung up.

Turned to face me.

Those red eyes burning.

"Something happened." His voice was controlled. Too controlled. "At the mansion. My family. I need to go."

My stomach dropped.

I stood too. "I’m coming with you."

He stared at me.

Then nodded.

I turned to the table. To Sophie and Cassius and the two girls.

"I’m so sorry." The words tumbled out. "We have to go. Family emergency."

"Oh my god." Sophie was on her feet immediately. "Is everything okay? Do you need us to—"

"No." I forced a smile. "You guys stay. Finish dinner. We’ll handle it."

"But the girls—"

"We’ll take care of them," Cassius said firmly. He stood. Looked at both of us directly. "Don’t worry about Lilith and Lina. Sophie and I can bring them home safely. You two go. Do what you need to do."