Sold To The Untouchable Alpha novel Chapter 23

[Ivan’s POV]

Arissa’s hand that held onto my arm was so tiny, and I could feel a slight shake. She was clearly unnerved but kept it to herself.

"Come on." I sighed, beginning to lead the way up the front steps of the building and inside, where a butler dressed in a black tux with a white button down waited for us.

"Welcome," he announced in a monotone drawl. "The master has been waiting for your arrival, young master."

"Young master," Arissa murmured, giving a smirk. "Are you some trust fund baby?"

"Nowhere near." I hissed, trying to keep my composure. "Just come on."

Arissa gave a small giggle before nodding and allowing me to continue to lead her forward.

Being back inside this hell hole sent waves of emotions crashing through me. This was the place where every bad thing that had ever happened in my life took place, and it was the place that I hated the most.

It was here that my mother was killed for power and that I was continuously locked away for being insubordinate. It was also here that I was informed that I had to go to war at the age of eighteen. Nothing about this place appealed to me, and I found myself wondering why exactly I had agreed to come have dinner here.

"You okay?" Arissa whispered, leaning in so close that her sweet breath brushed against my skin. "You look a little pale."

"I’m fine," I assured. I couldn’t let her see just how on edge I was if I planned on helping her feel relaxed. I also had no intention of opening up about my past with her either. So it was better to just pretend that all was fine.

"Whatever."

From the slight hint of annoyance in her voice, I knew she was hurt that I was blowing off her concern. Despite thinking that it wouldn’t bother me to push her away, I still felt a twinge of regret. However, that twinge disappeared the minute my father’s scent wafted to my nose and the sound of his booming laughter reached my ears.

"Ready?" I asked Arissa, coming to a halt right outside of the dining hall. "Are you sure you’ll be able to handle this?"

"Oh, now you’re asking me that?" She challenged, rolling her eyes. "Why didn’t you think about it when you all but forced me to come."

She was right, and I had no room to try to argue. I hadn’t given her a choice. I wanted to piss off Isaac and my father. So I brought her to do just that.

"Then let’s get this show on the road." I announced, stepping forward and holding out a hand. "Ladies first."

Nodding, Arissa began to move, sauntering her way past me, drawing my eyes to her perfect ass in the process. From the way it swayed from side to side, I knew that she did it intentionally to get to me, and I made a mental note to make her pay for it later.

"You coming?" She asked as a glint of mischeviousness flashed across her eyes.

All conversation had died down and my father and Isaac were watching us with unreadable looks. Beside Isaac, Tania sat with her hand to her mouth, fighting back tears.

"A-Arissa…" She stammered, beginning to stand. "Is that you?"