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?”

running yourself into the ground trying to do everything.

care of Adrian, making sure Sera has

had been restless for weeks, pacing beneath my skin like a caged animal. But there was too much to

people depending on

“I’m fine.”

it together.” She leaned forward, her

to tell you something

head snapped

called yesterday. His wife is having complications with her pregnancy. They need me there.” Her

her expression. “I’ll be gone for at least

depending on

*Fuck, fuck, fuck.*

half the administrative work that kept the pack running smoothly.

through something. “I’ve already started

assistant.”

3060

216

“Who?”

Emma Rodriguez. She’s been

years. Excellent credentials, very

cousin.” I tried to remember if he’d ever mentioned her.

Claire’s expression softened. “Look, I know this is difficult. I

on without Seraphina. But this isn’t about

fall apart while she

gardens beyond. Sera used to walk there in

She’d

before the day’s chaos

an interview,” I said finally. “This afternoon if possible. I want to get

“Already done. Two o’clock.”

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

I’ll make sure everything’s ready for the interview when you get

then hesitated at the door. “Damien? This is the right

to keep

nodded, though the

hospital was quiet. Adrian

for Sera, practicing his numbers with the pack accountant

turn math

today?” he asked as we walked through the

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

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

sunlight caught the dark circles under her eyes, made her skin look almost translucent.

and the hospital

10.00

316

she saw Adrian, everything about her expression

brave boy,” she murmured as he climbed carefully onto the

morning?”

announced proudly. “Lucas said I’m getting really good at organizing

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

the effort. “You’re such a big

the chair beside the bed, watching them together. This-this was what mattered.

hard to

Adrian filling the silence with stories

carefully, whispering something in her ear that

smile I’d

love you, Mama.