Sold to Bastard Alpha after My Divorce! novel Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Chapter 29

Aria’s POV

My heart hammered so hard I thought everyone could hear it.

Then I noticed his face.

Blood. A fresh cut above his eyebrow. His knuckles were scraped raw. The faint purple of a bruise was forming along his jaw.

He’d been fighting. Right before he came here.

"Kael." Finn’s voice came out strangled. He stepped forward, then stopped. "What are you doing here?"

"I believe I just answered that." Kael’s tone was bored. Dismissive. Like Finn was an insect buzzing near his ear. "I’m here as her mate."

The whispers exploded again.

"Mate?"

"The Blood Crown heir?"

"With the Shadow Moon woman?"

Kael’s pheromones rolled through the garden. Pure Alpha dominance that pressed down on everyone present.

Parents lowered their heads instinctively. Children went quiet. Even the servers stopped moving.

Only Finn remained standing.

"This is a private family event," he managed. His voice was tight. Controlled. But I could see his hands trembling at his sides.

"And I’m family now." Kael’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. "Aren’t I?"

He looked down at me. Those black-gold eyes softened. Just for a second.

"Shall we join the activities?"

I nodded. Couldn’t trust my voice.

We walked through the crowd together. Kael’s hand never left my back. Warm. Steady. Possessive.

People parted for us like waves before a ship.

The activity stations were set up around the garden. Face painting. Balloon animals. Cookie decorating. Simple things meant for parents and children to enjoy together.

But no one was enjoying anything anymore. They were all watching us.

Kael guided me to a bench near the fountain. We sat. He stretched his long legs out. Casual. Relaxed. Like he owned the place.

Which, technically, his family probably did.

"You have blood on your face," I whispered.

"Do I?" He touched his eyebrow. Looked at his fingers. "Hm."

A small voice interrupted us.

"Daddy, who is that man?"

Lilith. She’d crept closer while Celestia hovered behind her. My daughter’s face was still tear-streaked. But her eyes were curious now. Calculating.

Looking at Kael like he was a puzzle she needed to solve.

Finn appeared beside them. His jaw was clenched so tight I could see the muscle twitching.

"That’s Mr. Blood Crown," he said through gritted teeth. "He’s... a family friend."

"He’s not a family friend." Lilith crossed her arms. That haughty expression was back. "I’ve never seen him before."

Kael leaned forward. His elbows rested on his knees. He looked at my daughter with those piercing eyes.

"Hello, Lilith."

She startled. "How do you know my name?"

"Your mother told me about you."

Lilith’s face twisted. "My mommy? She talks about me?"

"Often."

Something flickered across Lilith’s expression. Confusion. Maybe something softer underneath.

Then she hardened again.

"I don’t care." She lifted her chin. "She’s a bad mommy anyway. Celestia is much better. Celestia actually loves me. Celestia doesn’t leave me alone and make me cry."

Kael’s expression didn’t change. But something shifted in the air around him. His pheromones darkened. Grew heavier.

"Is that so?" His voice was dangerously soft.

"Yes!" Lilith stomped her foot. "Celestia is pretty and nice and she smells good! Mommy just smells weird and she’s mean and nobody likes her!"

Lilith’s mouth fell open.

"Shut up." Kael’s voice was ice. Pure Alpha command that made the air freeze.

Lilith flinched. Her eyes went huge.

"You’re the most ungrateful brat I’ve ever seen." He didn’t raise his voice. Didn’t need to. The cold fury was worse than any shout. "Standing here whining about perfume? About toys? About how your mother isn’t pretty enough for you?"

"I—" Lilith started.

"I said shut up."

She snapped her mouth closed. Her whole body trembled.

"You think you’re so special? You think your opinion matters?" Kael laughed. The sound was cruel. Cutting. "You’re five years old. You don’t know anything. You’re just a spoiled little parrot repeating whatever garbage the adults around you shove into your head."

Lilith’s lower lip wobbled. Tears spilled down her cheeks.

"You make me sick." Kael stood over her like a dark tower. "Treating your own mother like dirt because some stranger gives you candy. You don’t deserve her."

Lilith burst into sobs. She turned. Ran toward Finn. Buried her face in his leg.

Finn’s face was white with rage. But he didn’t move. Didn’t speak. Didn’t dare challenge Kael in front of all these witnesses.

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