Mated to My Fiancé’s Alpha King Brother

128 Chapter 128

Seraphina’s POV

The engagement party was a glittering nightmare wrapped in silk and champagne.

I clung to Damien’s arm like a lifeline as we moved through the crowded ballroom, my heels clicking nervously against marble floors. Crystal chandeliers threw rainbow light across hundreds of guests, all of them radiating the kind of supernatural confidence.

“You look stunning tonight,” he said, pressing a kiss to my temple. “Stop doubting yourself.”

I’d spent three hours getting ready, trying on four different dresses before settling on the navy blue cocktail number that Ophelia had picked out. My hair was pinned up in an elaborate updo that had taken twenty minutes of YouTube tutorials to master.

And I still felt like a fraud.

“I don’t recognize half these people,” I whispered as another group of impossibly elegant strangers glided past

“Pack business brings in a lot of allies,” Damien replied. “You don’t need to know them. You just need to be yourself.”

A server materialized beside us with champagne, and I grabbed a glass like it might save my life. The bubbles burned my throat, but at least it gave my hands something to do besides shake.

“Sera!” Riley’s voice cut through the crowd like a beacon. She appeared in a vision of silver silk, practically glowing with happiness as she pushed through the sea of guests. “You came! Oh my God, you actually came!”

She threw her arms around me with enough force to nearly spill my champagne, and for a moment I forgot about everything else. This was Riley. My friend. The reason I’d forced myself to come tonight.

“Of course I came,” I said, squeezing her back. “I promised.”

“You look absolutely gorgeous,” Riley gushed, holding me at arm’s length to study my appearance. “Doesn’t she look incredible, Lucas?”

“Beautiful as always,” Lucas agreed, appearing beside his fiancée with that easy smile that had charmed half

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might break. “How are you feeling, Sera? Really?”

lied

Riley said, her eyes sparkling. “When are you going to bring her

“Soon,” I promised.

minutes about wedding plans and baby updates, the familiar rhythm helping to steady my nerves. But then other guests began

announce proudly. “Damien’s mate and one of my

unconsciously tested my strength. And then that momentary confusion when they realized I had no scent to speak

after person greet Damien with the subtle head tilts and barely perceptible inhalations that indicated

me and… nothing. Just awkward

one woman whisper as she walked away

doubt. “Though I can’t imagine what he sees

dancing started, my cheeks ached from forcing smiles and

corner near the floor-to-ceiling windows, where we could watch couples glide across the polished dance

his

like everyone’s staring at

“They’re curious. It’s natural.”

me.” The champagne was making me honest, stripping away

evening. “They can all sense

to face me fully, his silver eyes intense in the chandelier

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“Damien!”

turned at the familiar voice, and my heart sank straight into my expensive shoes. Emma Rodriguez was walking toward us through the crowd, and she looked like something

glow in the warm light. Her dark hair fell in glossy waves over one shoulder, and

cool politeness. “I didn’t expect

to me, and I watched that familiar flicker of confusion cross her features. It was subtle-

she said with practiced warmth. “How wonderful

“Thank you,” I managed.

into a slow, romantic melody that had several

with what looked like sudden

turning toward him with a smile that could have powered

dance? I promise I