Sold to Bastard Alpha after My Divorce! novel Chapter 88

Chapter 88: Chapter 88

Aria’s POV

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting warm stripes across Lina’s sleeping face.

She’d actually slept through the night. In her own bed. Without crawling into mine at 3 AM.

Progress.

I sat on the edge of her bed, watching her breathe. Those dark lashes against her cheeks. Those little fists curled under her chin. She looked so peaceful. So innocent.

So completely unaware of what today would bring.

"Lina." I brushed a strand of hair from her forehead. "Time to wake up, baby."

She stirred. Mumbled something. Burrowed deeper into her pillow.

"Come on, sleepyhead." I tickled her side gently. "Big day today."

One eye cracked open. Suspicious.

"What big day?"

"We’re going to find you a school."

Both eyes flew open now. Wide. Alarmed.

"A school? Here?"

"Yes, here." I pulled back her blanket. "A school where kids are like you. Where you don’t have to hide."

She sat up slowly. Her black-gold eyes searched my face.

"Will they like me?"

"They’ll love you," I said firmly. "How could they not?"

Cassius had given me directions to the best school in the territory.

"Silverpine Academy," he’d said. "It’s expensive, but it’s worth it. The teachers are excellent. The facilities are top-notch. And they’re known for being... inclusive."

Inclusive. That word had stuck with me.

In the wolf world, "inclusive" usually meant "we tolerate Omegas as long as they know their place."

But Cassius had insisted this school was different. Progressive. The kind of place where a child’s bloodline didn’t determine their worth.

I hoped he was right.

The drive took twenty minutes. Lina pressed her face against the car window the entire time, drinking in the unfamiliar landscape. Trees gave way to buildings. Buildings gave way to more trees. Everything was greener here than in the human city. More alive.

The school was magnificent. Stone buildings covered in ivy. Sprawling grounds with playgrounds and gardens. A fountain in the center courtyard, water sparkling in the sunlight.

It looked like something from a storybook.

"Mommy." Lina’s voice was small. Awed. "Is this a castle?"

"It’s your school." I couldn’t help but smile. "If you like it."

Her eyes went huge. "This is for ME?"

Three years ago, I couldn’t have dreamed of sending my daughter somewhere like this. Three years ago, I was struggling to afford rent in a crumbling apartment.

But I’d worked hard. Saved every penny. Built a life that I was actually proud of.

My daughter deserved the best. And I could finally give it to her.

"Come on." I unbuckled her seatbelt. "Let’s go meet the teachers."

A woman emerged from the office. Tall. Elegant. Silver streaking through her brown hair.

"Mrs. Moon?" She extended her hand. "I’m Victoria Thornwood. Head of admissions."

"Just Ms. Moon." I shook her hand. "And please, call me Aria."

The tension in my shoulders released all at once. I hadn’t realized how tightly I’d been holding myself.

"I was worried," I admitted. "That Lina would be treated differently. That other children might..."

"Bully her?" Mrs. Thornwood shook her head. "Not here. We have a zero-tolerance policy. Our students are taught from day one that differences are to be celebrated, not mocked."

God. If only I’d had a school like this when I was young.

"The children here are kind," she continued. "They’ll accept Lina for who she is. I promise you that."

I wanted to believe her. Desperately.

"Okay." I let out a breath. "Okay. Thank you."

I looked down at Lina. She’d finished her cookie and was now examining the office with curious eyes. Taking in the bookshelves. The plants on the windowsill. The soft carpet under her feet.

"What do you think, baby?" I asked her. "Do you want to go to school here?"

She considered. That serious expression she always wore when thinking hard.

"Are there more cookies?"

Mrs. Thornwood laughed. "As many as you want."

"Okay." Lina nodded decisively. "I’ll stay."

"Bring her at eight tomorrow morning," Mrs. Thornwood said as she walked us to the door. "The Sunflower classroom is in the east wing."

"Thank you." I shook her hand again. "For everything."

"Thank you for trusting us with your daughter." Her eyes were warm. Sincere. "We’ll take good care of her."

I believed her.

For the first time since arriving in the wolf world, I actually believed things might be okay.