Sold to Bastard Alpha after My Divorce! novel Chapter 111

Chapter 111: Chapter 111

Aria’s POV

"So THIS is the new place!"

Sophie burst through my apartment door like a small hurricane. Suitcase abandoned in the hallway. Eyes wide. Head swiveling in every direction.

The apartment was tiny. Really tiny. One bedroom that Lina and I shared. A kitchen the size of a closet. A living room that was barely more than a couch and a TV stand.

It was nothing compared to what Sophie was used to.

"I know it’s small—"

"I LOVE IT!"

I blinked. "You... what?"

"It’s PERFECT!" She spun around. Arms spread wide. Nearly knocked over my lamp. "It’s cozy! It’s cute! It’s totally YOU!" She bounced onto my couch. Tested the cushions. "And this couch is actually comfortable. I expected worse."

"Thanks. I think."

Lina tugged at my hand. "Mommy, can I show Sophie my toys?"

"Go ahead, baby."

She grabbed Sophie’s arm. Started dragging her toward the bedroom.

"I have a unicorn! And a bunny! And a dinosaur that Uncle Cassius gave me!"

"Uncle Cassius?" Sophie shot me a look over her shoulder. Eyebrows raised. "The handsome healer guy?"

"He’s just a friend."

"Uh-huh." That tone. I knew that tone. "Sure he is."

They disappeared into the bedroom. I could hear Lina’s excited chatter. Sophie’s exaggerated gasps of amazement at every single toy.

I leaned against the kitchen counter. Let out a breath.

My phone buzzed. A text from Cassius.

*Still on for dinner tonight? I can bring food.*

I typed back quickly. *Yes. Sophie’s dying to meet you.*

*Should I be worried?*

*Probably.*

Cassius arrived at six.

He’d brought enough food to feed an army. Containers stacked in his arms. The smell of roasted meat and herbs filling my tiny apartment.

"You didn’t have to do all this," I said, taking some containers from him. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"I wanted to." He smiled. That warm, gentle smile. "It’s a special occasion."

"It’s just dinner."

"It’s your first dinner in your new home. With your best friend visiting." He set the remaining containers on my counter. "That’s worth celebrating."

Sophie appeared from the bedroom. Lina on her hip.

She stopped dead.

Stared at Cassius.

Her mouth actually fell open.

"Um." She blinked rapidly. "Hi."

"You must be Sophie." Cassius extended his hand. "Aria’s told me so much about you."

Sophie took his hand. Shook it once. Kept holding it.

"She... she has?"

"All good things." His smile widened. "It’s wonderful to finally meet you."

Sophie’s cheeks turned pink.

Actually pink.

I’d never seen Sophie blush in my entire life.

"Yeah." Her voice came out higher than normal. "Same. I mean, likewise. I mean—" She cleared her throat. "Nice to meet you too."

Cassius gently extracted his hand. "Should I set up dinner?"

"Yes!" Sophie released his hand like it had burned her. "Dinner! Food! Great idea!"

He headed toward the kitchen. Sophie grabbed my arm. Yanked me toward the corner.

"Aria." Her whisper was frantic. "ARIA."

"What?"

"You didn’t tell me he looked like THAT."

"Like what?"

"Like THAT!" She gestured wildly in Cassius’s direction. "All tall and silver-haired and gentle-eyed and—" She fanned herself. "Is it hot in here? It feels hot in here."

"Sophie—"

"Your wolf friend is WAY too handsome!" She hissed. "You should have warned me! I would have worn something cuter!"

"You look fine."

"I look like I just got off a train! Because I DID just get off a train!"

"Sophie—"

"Dinner’s ready!" Cassius called from the kitchen.

Sophie straightened instantly. Smoothed her hair. Pinched her cheeks.

"How do I look?"

"Like someone who’s lost her mind."

"Perfect. That’s my natural state."

She marched toward the table. Head high. Shoulders back. Like she was walking into battle.

I shook my head. Followed behind.

This was going to be an interesting dinner.

---

We squeezed around my tiny table. Cassius had brought way too much food. Every inch of surface was covered with dishes.

Lina sat between Sophie and Cassius. Already grabbing for the mashed potatoes.

"So, Cassius." Sophie’s voice was carefully casual. "Aria tells me you’re a healer."

"That’s right." He passed her a plate. "I run a clinic near the eastern border."

"How fascinating." She leaned forward. Chin on her hand. "Tell me more."

I watched her. This was the Sophie I knew. The one who could charm anyone. The one who knew exactly how to work a room.

But there was something different this time.

The blush hadn’t faded.

She was actually nervous.

"Tonight? Sophie, it’s late—"

"It’s not THAT late. And I did research!" She pulled out her phone. Started scrolling. "There’s this place. Super exclusive. Very exciting. Everyone in the territory talks about it. I brought outfits! And masks!" She was already dragging me toward her suitcase. "It’s apparently a mask thing. Very mysterious. Very sexy."

"Masks?"

"Yes! Look!"

She pulled out a garment bag. Unzipped it with a flourish.

Inside were two dresses. One black. One deep red. Both absolutely stunning.

And beneath them, two masks. Delicate. Beautiful. Covered in intricate designs.

---

An hour later, I barely recognized myself.

The red dress hugged my body in ways I’d forgotten clothes could. The makeup Sophie had done made my eyes look smoky. Mysterious. The mask covered half my face, leaving only my lips and chin visible.

I looked... dangerous.

"PERFECT!" Sophie clapped her hands. "You look absolutely incredible!"

She was wearing the black dress. A silver mask. Her blonde hair tumbled over her shoulders in waves.

We looked like we were going to some kind of secret ball.

"Are you sure about this?"

"Positive! Now come on. The car’s waiting."

We headed downstairs. A sleek black car waited at the curb. Sophie slid in first. I followed.

"Where to?" The driver asked.

Sophie checked her phone. Show an address to the driver.

I watched the city pass by outside the window. The streets got darker. Less polished. We were heading into a part of the territory I didn’t recognize.

My stomach started to tighten.

The car slowed. Pulled to a stop.

"We’re here," the driver announced.

Sophie bounded out. I followed more slowly.

The street was dark. A few streetlights flickering. Shadows everywhere.

And ahead of us, a building. Industrial. Intimidating. A line of people waiting outside.

My heart started pounding.

"Come on!" She grabbed my arm. Pulled me forward. "Don’t be scared! It’s going to be fun!"

We walked toward the entrance. Past the line of people. Past the bouncer who nodded at Sophie’s mask like it was some kind of password.

And then we were inside.

The noise hit me first. Loud. Primal. The sound of shouting. Cheering. Something raw and violent echoing off the walls.

My blood ran cold.

I knew that sound.

I’d heard it before.

My eyes moved upward. To the sign hanging above the entrance we’d just come through.

The letters were huge. Glowing. Impossible to miss.

**THE PIT.**