Sold to Bastard Alpha after My Divorce! novel Chapter 109

Chapter 109: Chapter 109

Aria’s POV

"You’re WHAT?"

Sophie’s shriek was so loud I had to pull the phone away from my ear. Again.

"I said you can come visit." I couldn’t help but smile. "If you still want to."

"IF I STILL WANT TO?!" Her voice hit a pitch that probably shattered glass somewhere. "ARIA MOON, ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW? ARE YOU ACTUALLY SERIOUS?"

"I’m serious."

"OH MY GOD. OH MY GOD. OH MY GOD!"

I waited. Let her scream. Let her process.

This was Sophie. This was how she handled good news.

"When?" She was breathing hard now. Like she’d just run a marathon. "When can I come? Tomorrow? Tonight? Can I leave RIGHT NOW?"

I laughed. Actually laughed. A real, genuine laugh that came from somewhere deep in my chest.

"How about this weekend? That gives you time to pack. And me time to find us a place to stay."

"A place to—wait." Her voice shifted. Suspicious. "What do you mean find a place? Aren’t you staying with that healer guy? Cassius?"

"I am. But I can’t keep imposing on him forever."

"Imposing?" Sophie snorted. "From what you’ve told me, the man would let you live in his house until the end of time. He’s obviously head over heels for you."

"Sophie—"

"Don’t ’Sophie’ me! I have eyes! Well, ears. But you know what I mean!" She took a breath. "Are you sure you want to move out? He sounds nice. Stable. Safe."

"He is all of those things." I looked around the cottage. At the warm fireplace. The comfortable furniture. The plants on every windowsill. "That’s exactly why I need to leave."

"That makes zero sense."

"It makes perfect sense." I sighed. "I can’t keep relying on him. I have a job now. I need to stand on my own feet. Build something that’s actually mine."

Silence on the other end.

"You’re annoyingly independent, you know that?"

"I learned from the best."

"Damn right you did." I could hear her smile through the phone. "Okay. Fine. This weekend. I’ll book a flight. Or... do wolves have flights? How does transportation work there?"

"There’s a train station at the border. I’ll send you the details."

"Perfect. PERFECT!" Her voice rose again. Giddy. Excited. "I’m going to see you. I’m actually going to SEE you. In PERSON. After MONTHS!"

"I know."

"I’m going to hug you so hard your ribs crack."

"Please don’t. I need my ribs."

"Too late! Rib-cracking hug is already scheduled! It’s happening!"

I shook my head. Still smiling. This woman was absolutely insane.

And I loved her for it.

"Sophie?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you." My voice came out softer than I intended. "For everything. For being there. For caring. For wanting to come all this way just to see me."

"Stop." Her voice wobbled. "You’re going to make me cry. And I have mascara on. Expensive mascara. Don’t you dare ruin it."

"Sorry."

"You’re not sorry at all."

"You’re right. I’m not."

We both laughed. That easy, comfortable laughter that only came with true friendship.

"I’ll see you this weekend," Sophie said. "And Aria?"

"Yeah?"

"Get ready. Because I’m going to make this the best trip of my entire life. And by extension, yours too."

"I don’t doubt it."

"Good. You shouldn’t." A pause. "Love you, dummy."

"Love you too."

The line went dead.

I sat there for a moment. Just holding the phone. Letting the warmth of the conversation settle into my bones.

Sophie was coming.

My best friend. My rock. My reminder that not everyone in this world was cruel.

She was actually coming.

---

I found Cassius in the kitchen.

He was making dinner. Something with vegetables and herbs. The smell was incredible. Warm and homey and everything I’d come to associate with this place.

With him.

"Hey." I leaned against the doorframe. "Can I talk to you about something?"

He looked up. Those calm gray eyes found mine.

"Of course." He set down the wooden spoon. Gave me his full attention. "What’s wrong?"

"I understand." The words came out slowly. Reluctantly. "I don’t like it. But I understand."

"Thank you."

"On one condition." His grip tightened slightly. "If you ever need anything—anything at all—you come to me. No hesitation. No guilt. Just ask."

"Cassius—"

"Promise me, Aria."

The intensity in his voice surprised me. This wasn’t just concern. This was something deeper. Something protective.

"I promise."

He nodded. Released my hands. Stepped back.

"When are you thinking of leaving?"

"A few days. Before Sophie arrives. I want to have everything set up by then."

"That’s very soon."

"I know." I tried to smile. "But I’ve been looking at apartments near the office. There’s a nice one available. Small but affordable. Good neighborhood."

He turned back to the stove. Stirred the pot. His shoulders were tense.

"You’ve thought this through."

"I have."

"Of course you have." A small laugh escaped him. Almost bitter. "You always think things through. Even when it would be easier not to."

I didn’t know what to say to that.

So I said nothing.

"Well." He turned off the burner. Faced me again. That warm, gentle smile back in place. "If you need help moving, I’m available. And if you ever need someone to watch Lina—"

"I might take you up on that." I smiled back. "Sophie’s going to want to explore everything. And some of it isn’t exactly toddler-friendly."

"Just let me know."

"I will."

We stood there. Looking at each other. So much unsaid between us.

"You know," Cassius said softly, "when you first called me that night—when you were scared and alone and had nowhere to go—I promised myself I would protect you. No matter what."

"Cassius—"

"That hasn’t changed." He stepped closer. Reached out. Tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "Just because you’re moving out doesn’t mean I’m going anywhere. You need me, Aria? I’m there. Always."

My eyes burned. I blinked rapidly.

"You’re too good to me."

"No." His smile was sad. Beautiful. "I’m exactly as good as you deserve. You just don’t see it yet."