Mated to My Fiancé’s Alpha King Brother

66 Chapter 66

Damien’s POV 1

The silence in the car was suffocating. Caleb sat on the opposite side of the leather bench seat, staring out the window at the passing city lights with what appeared to be studied nonchalance. But I could smell the tension radiating from him.

My driver navigated through the evening traffic with his usual professionalism, but I caught his eyes in the rearview mirror more than

once.

*This is ridiculous,* I told myself, forcing my hands to relax where they were clenched on my thighs. *You’re behaving like a teenager who caught his girlfriend talking to another boy.*

But that was exactly how I felt, and the rational part of my brain seemed to have completely abandoned ship. Every time I closed my eyes, I could see Caleb standing in Sera’s kitchen, moving around with familiar ease while she smiled at him.

Lucas’s voice filled my mind through the pack link, cutting through my brooding thoughts like a knife through butter.

*Damien, I need you at the office. There are some contracts that came in after you left-time-sensitive stuff that needs your signature

tonight.*

I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling a headache building behind my temples. *How time-sensitive are we

talking?*

*If we don’t get the paperwork back to them by nine tomorrow morning, they’re walking away from the table. Twelve million dollars,

gone.*

*Fuck.* I glanced at Caleb, who was still studiously ignoring my existence. *Fine. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.*

*Thanks.*

I said aloud, leaning forward slightly. “Change of plans. We need to stop by the office first.”

“Of course, sir.” Driver responded.

Caleb finally looked at me, one eyebrow raised in polite inquiry. “Business emergency?”

His voice was carefully neutral, but there was something in his expression that suggested he wasn’t entirely surprised by this

development. Maybe he was expecting me to find an excuse to cut this awkward situation short.

“Time-sensitive contracts,” I explained, attempting to match his reasonable tone. “It shouldn’t take long-maybe thirty minutes at most.

You’re welcome to wait in the car, or if you prefer, I can have driver drop you at a hotel first.”

said

in that same strained silence, the city lights blurring

longer than usual, my reflection in the

signing business contracts. My dark hair

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floor was dimly lit, with only the essential security lighting and the glow from Lucas’s office casting long shadows across the marble floors. I could see him through the glass walls of his office, surrounded by stacks of documents and wearing

here,” he said, looking up

me what I need to sign,” I interrupted, not in the mood

my face for a moment, then wisely decided not to

click of

skin crawl.

What a lovely surprise to see you here so

curtly, not looking up from

office with the kind of exaggerated hip movement that was probably meant to be seductive but just looked ridiculous. “Always so dedicated

board meeting.”

flatly, still focused on

flickered slightly at the mention of Sera’s name, but she

get these things right.” She moved

I was wondering if you might have time for a late dinner? I know

I said firmly, signing the last contract with perhaps more force than necessary. “I need

was a sultry whisper. “Are you taking someone home? Please

not right for someone like

Damien.”

life is none of your concern,

and handed

said coldly, moving toward the door.

wasn’t finished. She followed me out of the office and toward the elevators, her heels

keep up with my

take the hint and leave me alone. Instead, she followed me into the small space, her presence making

concerned about you,” she said, reaching out to touch my arm with her perfectly manicured fingers. “You’ve been different lately. Distracted. And I can’t help but worry that someone might

on a bomb. When the doors finally opened on the ground floor, I strode out with relief, heading for the private entrance where Marcus was waiting with

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heels clicked behind me like gunshots on

see the car through the glass doors, could see Caleb’s silhouette in

to get this nightmare

the cool night air, breathing deeply for the first time in what felt like hours. But