Mated to My Fiancé’s Alpha King Brother

118 Chapter 118

Damien’s POV 1

I rubbed my eyes, blinking at the stack of border patrol reports that seemed to mock me from across my desk. The words blurred together-rogue sightings, territory disputes, security recommendations-all demanding my immediate attention. All adding to the mountain of responsibilities that threatened to crush

My phone buzzed. A text from Dr. Morgan about Sera’s latest blood work. Good news about the baby, but her

recovery was still slow.

I pushed back from my desk and stood, my joints protesting. When was the last time I’d gotten a full night’s

sleep?

“Daddy!” Adrian’s voice echoed through the hallway before he burst through my office door, his small face

bright with excitement. “Lucas says we can visit Mama today!”

My heart clenched. God, he missed her. Every day Adrian asked when she was coming home, and every day

had to give him the same careful non-answer about her needing more time to get better.

“We’ll go see her after lunch, buddy,” I promised, kneeling down to his level. He immediately launched himself

into my arms, and I held him tight, breathing in that familiar little-boy scent of soap and adventure.

“Is she sad?” Adrian asked quietly against my shoulder. “When I visited yesterday, she seemed sad.”

*Christ.*

Of course she was sad. She’d lost everything-her wolf, her strength, her independence.

“She’s just tired from being sick,” I said carefully. “But seeing you always makes her happy. You know that,

right?”

He nodded solemnly, but those silver-blue eyes-so like my own.

A knock on the door interrupted us. Claire stepped in, her expression apologetic but determined.

“Sorry to interrupt,” she said, though her weathered face softened when she saw Adrian. “But we need to

discuss the staffing situation.”

I set Adrian down with a gentle pat. “Go find Lucas. Tell him I said you could help with the patrol schedules.”

Adrian perked up. He loved feeling important, helping with “grown-up work.” He scampered off, already

calling for Lucas at the top of his lungs.

“Close the door,” I told Claire once he was gone.

She did, then settled into the chair across from my desk. She’d been with my family since before I was born,

had helped raise me after my parents died. If anyone could speak freely about uncomfortable truths, it was

her.

“You look like hell, Damien.”

“Thanks for the pep talk.” I slumped back into my chair, suddenly feeling every one of my life. “What about

staffing?”

more gently, “you’re running yourself into the ground trying to do

of Adrian, making sure Sera has everything

my skin like a caged animal.

many people

“I’m fine.”

it together.” She leaned

you something else. I’m leaving

head snapped up.

having complications

steady, but I could see the worry in her expression.

on how

*Fuck, fuck, fuck.*

half the administrative work that

something.

assistant.”

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“Who?”

Rodriguez. She’s been working for

years. Excellent credentials, very

remember if he’d ever mentioned her. “Why haven’t I met

softened. “Look, I know this is difficult.

this isn’t about permanently replacing her. This is about making

doesn’t fall apart while she

beyond. Sera used to walk there

she needed to review. She’d loved the quiet,

before the

“This afternoon

“Already done. Two o’clock.”

checked my watch. Almost noon. “I need to take Adrian to see his

make sure everything’s ready for the interview when

hesitated at the door.

to do whatever’s necessary to keep

though the words felt

to the hospital was quiet. Adrian chattered about his morning activities-helping

drawing pictures for Sera, practicing his numbers

turn

he asked as we walked through the

think she’s always happy to see you,” I told him honestly. And

was awake when we entered her room, propped up against pillows and staring out the

her eyes,

afford to lose, and the hospital gown made her look impossibly

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she saw Adrian,

she murmured as he climbed carefully onto the bed

morning?”

pack stuff!” Adrian announced proudly. “Lucas said I’m

sweetheart.” Her fingers combed through his dark hair, and I

effort. “You’re

beside the bed, watching them

so hard to

silence with stories

to leave, he hugged her carefully,

first genuine smile I’d seen

Mama. Get better