Mated to My Fiancé’s Alpha King Brother

179 Chapter 179

Seraphina’s POV T

“Mama!”

The world tilted sideways.

One second I was standing there, frozen in place, processing the impossible sight of this tiny girl running toward me. The next, she

crashed into my legs with enough force to make me stumble backward.

Small arms wrapped around my knees like iron bands. A face pressed against my thighs. “I-” My voice came out strangled. Wrong. “I

think you’ve got the wrong person, sweetheart.”

But she didn’t let go. Just held on tighter, her small body trembling with what might have been excitement or relief or something I

couldn’t name.

“Sera?” Caleb’s voice cut through my shock. “Do you know this kid?”

“No.” The word came out too fast. “No, I don’t know her.”

My heart was hammering so hard I could feel it in my throat. In my fingertips. In every cell of my body screaming that something was

very, very wrong with this situation.

All I could do was stare down at the top of this little girl’s head–dark hair in slightly messy pigtails, one ribbon starting to come loose.

*Just like I used to do Lily’s hair. Always one ribbon looser than the other because she’d fidget.*

“Hey,” I said softly, my voice shaking despite my best efforts. “Hey, sweetie. I think there’s been a mistake.”

The little girl pulled back just enough to look up at me, and-

Oh.

Her eyes.

They were like looking into the ocean at dawn–blue and green swirled together in a way that didn’t quite match mine but felt achingly

familiar. Lighter than my emerald green, but with that same depth. That same intensity.

“You have pretty eyes,” she said seriously, studying my face with the kind of concentration only small children possessed. “Like the forest.

what Daddy says.

throat closed up completely. “I… that’s very

black hair!” She reached out with one small hand, fingers barely brushing my hair where it fell over my shoulder. “Daddy says

between my ribs. Twisting.

to stop and swallow

18 19

179 Chapter 179

bottom lip pushed out in the most devastating pout I’d ever seen. “But you look just like

something that might have been a smile. My face felt frozen. “Your mama sounds beautiful. But honey, are you lost? Can’t

face. Sadness, maybe.

so matter–of–fact it made

clasped them together in my lap,

devastating pout transforming into an excited smile that showed her baby tooth. “He says she’s beautiful and kind and brave. He says she has black hair and green

in

leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper like she was sharing a secret. “He says she’s

Even stronger than him. And

My voice sounded like it was coming from

Her hands reached up, small fingers trying to touch my face. “You look exactly like how Daddy described!

here! You found me!”

gently, holding them between mine. They were so small.

met this child

I made my voice as gentle as I could. As calm. Even though inside

But I’m

face crumpled, like I’d just told

spilled over. Down those chubby cheeks.

The endearment slipped out before I could stop it. “Oh, sweetheart, don’t cry. Please

pulled her closer, my arms going around her small body without conscious thought. She buried her

body shaking with sobs.

just want a mama,” she hiccupped against my neck. “Everyone

concern. “Maybe we should find her parents. Her dad

gently, keeping my hands on the little girl’s shoulders. “He’s right. Your daddy must be so worried about

where he is?”

with the back of her hand, sniffling. “We were getting cupcakes. Will you come meet Daddy? He’ll be so happy!

Mama forever and

I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I gentled my voice, trying to make

10-35

179 Chapter 179

my own children. My own

have children?” Her eyes went wide. “How