Mated to My Fiancé’s Alpha King Brother

184 Chapter 184

Damien’s POV

“I’d be honored,” Emma said through the phone.

The words hung in the air. Final. Done.

“Great.” I took another drink. “Saturday at one–thirty. I’ll text you the address.”

“Should I dress formally? Casually?”

“It’s a kids‘ birthday party. Somewhere in between.”

“Perfect. I’ll see you then, Alpha.”

I stared at my phone for a long moment, then threw it across the couch.

What the hell was I doing?

Saturday arrived too fast.

I stood in front of my closet at noon, staring at shirts like they held the answers to life’s biggest questions.

“Daddy!” Lily’s voice rang from downstairs. “Are we leaving soon?”

“Soon!” I called back, grabbing a navy button–down. Simple. Clean.

God, I was pathetic.

Adrian appeared in my doorway, already dressed in the khakis and polo shirt I’d laid out for him this morning. His dark hair was combed

neatly, his glasses clean for once.

“Do I have to go?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Can I stay in the car?”

“No.”

He crossed his arms. “I don’t want to meet your girlfriend.”

“She’s not my girlfriend,” I said sharply. “She’s just someone helping us out.”

“Whatever.” Adrian’s voice was flat. “She’s still not Mom.”

The words hit harder than they should have. “I know that.”

“I’m going to wait in the car.” He turned and walked away before I could respond.

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184 Chapter 184

I finished buttoning my shirt with shaking hands.

was downtown. Sleek.

to the curb at exactly one–thirty. Lily bounced in

same flat

My phone buzzed.

*Emma: Coming down now!*

pressed her face against the window.

“Be nice,” I warned.

building’s glass doors opened, and Emma stepped

too short, not too long. Perfectly appropriate for a kids‘

Heels that added three

squealed. “Daddy, she’s so

car and smiled, walking toward us with the kind of confidence that came from knowing exactly

to

you,” Emma said, sliding into the passenger seat with practiced grace. She turned to face the back, her smile warm. “You must

daddy’s told me

grin was huge. “I’m Lily! I’m three and a half!

perfectly pitched–friendly but not trying too hard. “What a big girl!

that dress!”

sundress–the one with the sparkles she’d insisted on wearing. “Thank you! You’re beautiful too! I love

so red! Like

thank you!

my shoes!” Lily stuck her foot up to show off her

“They’re lovely.”

them for me! He buys

in. “Let Emma say hello to

was pressed against

said gently. “It’s nice to

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184 Chapter 184

respond. Just stared at her with those

he’s really smart! He reads chapter

very impressive,”

Silence from Adrian.

started the car.

“Yes!” Lily chirped.

nonstop–about her stuffed animals, her favorite color, what she wanted for her birthday in six months. Emma responded to everything with that perfect

stared out the window

gripped the steering wheel so tight my knuckles went white, wondering how the hell I’d ended

venue is beautiful,” Emma said, glancing at the GPS. “Outdoor space with lawn access? Perfect for

something where they could run

“Do

love it!” Lily bounced in her seat. “I’m very fast! Faster than

“I bet you are.”

finally spoke.

up. The venue stretched in front of us–a beautiful outdoor restaurant with sprawling lawns and string

afternoon sun. Cars filled the lot. Families everywhere.

Perfect.

and

out. Lily immediately grabbed Emma’s hand, chattering about the balloons she could see in

her, patient and warm.

my side, his small