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.”

kiss lasted longer than our usual goodbye pecks. I poured everything I couldn’t say into

regret. When we finally broke apart, his eyes were dark with

hunger.

said, his voice dropping to that rough whisper that always made my

“Until tonight.”

“I will.” Another lie.

him drive away, waving like

her husband

is for him,* I reminded myself as his car disappeared around the corner. *This

everyone.*

already up by the time I went back inside, sitting at the

in three different directions, and he had milk on his

sweetheart,” I said, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. “Ready

face at his cereal. “Do I have to eat all of this? It’s all soggy

finish what you can.” I sat beside him, smoothing down his stubborn cowlicks. “What do you

planned for today?”

“I studied, but

laughed, my heart clenching at his expression. “They’re just tricky.

figure them

you help me

By tonight, he wouldn’t understand why

Mommy had to

11:23

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132 Chapter 132

managed. “He’s much better at math than I

so pure and

school was torture. Adrian chattered about his friends and

whispered against his hair. “Listen to your teacher. Be

at me. “Will you pick me up

little late, so

minutes, okay?”

his backpack and opened the car door. “Love

too, sweetheart.

him run across the playground to join his friends, his backpack bouncing with each

waved at me once before disappearing through

last time,* I realized. *The last time I’ll see him

blur of tears I couldn’t hold back anymore. By the

hard I could barely

myself.

walked in. The nanny looked

bottle.

Nightshadow,” she said with a warm smile.

managed, hoping she couldn’t hear

chuckled, and bounced Lily gently, “has been perfect as always. Ate her entire bottle without any

the sight of my