Mated to My Fiancé’s Alpha King Brother

132 Chapter 132

Seraphina’s POV 1

Morning light filtered through our bedroom curtains like it was any other day. Like the world hadn’t shifted

on its axis while I lay awake all night, making the hardest decision of

my life.

Damien stirred beside me, his arm tightening around my waist in that unconscious gesture that used to make

me feel so safe. Now it just made my chest ache with what I was about to lose.

“Good morning,” he murmured against my hair, his voice rough with sleep.

I turned in his arms, memorizing the way his eyes looked in the soft morning light. Silver-blue and warm with

contentment. He had no idea this would be the last time he’d wake up with me beside him.

“Morning,” I whispered back, pressing a kiss to his chest.

His hand cupped my face, thumb stroking along my cheekbone. “You seem better today.”

“I slept well,” I lied smoothly. “The party yesterday… forget about it. Seeing Riley so happy is enough.”

“I’m glad.” His smile was soft, relieved.

“Don’t worry about me.” I traced patterns on his chest, trying to memorize the feel of his skin. “I’m stronger

than I look.” –

“I know you are.” He caught my hand, bringing it to his lips. “You’re the strongest person I know.”

We lay there for a few more precious minutes, talking quietly about nothing important. His schedule for the

day. Plans for the weekend. Normal couple things that made my heart fracture a little more with each word.

When his alarm went off, I forced myself to get up and start our usual routine. Coffee while he showered. Breakfast while he dressed for work. The domestic dance we’d perfected over the past year.

“I might be a little bit late tonight,” he said, adjusting his tie in the hallway mirror.

“No problem.” I smoothed the tie for him, my fingers lingering against the silk. “I’ll keep dinner warm.”

He caught my hands, studying my face with those perceptive eyes. For a moment, I thought he might see through my careful mask.

11:23

“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked.

“I’m fine.” I went up on my toes, pressing my lips to his. “Really. Go save the world. I’ll hold down the fort

here.”

I poured

When we finally broke apart, his eyes were dark with

hunger.

that thought,” he said, his voice dropping to that rough whisper that

“Until tonight.”

“I will.” Another lie.

him drive away, waving like I always did.

her husband off

I reminded myself as his car disappeared around

everyone.*

back inside,

up in three different directions,

kiss to the top

I have

him, smoothing down his stubborn cowlicks. “What

planned for today?”

test.” His nose wrinkled. “I studied,

I laughed, my heart clenching at

You’ll figure them

you help me with

question hit me like a physical blow. By tonight, he wouldn’t understand why

Mommy had to go

11:23

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132 Chapter 132

you,” I managed. “He’s much better

at that, the sound so pure and

school was torture. Adrian chattered

whispered against his hair. “Listen to

He pulled back and grinned at me. “Will you pick me up

might be a little

minutes, okay?”

backpack and opened the car

you too,

to join his friends, his backpack bouncing

waved at me once before disappearing through

*The last time I’ll see him wave

back anymore. By the time I pulled into our

so hard I could barely

ordered myself. *You still

walked in. The nanny looked up from

bottle.

a warm smile. “How did the

she couldn’t hear the

Lily gently, “has been perfect as always.

slowly, drinking in the sight of my daughter. Dark hair like mine. Eyes that