Mated to My Fiancé’s Alpha King Brother

118 Chapter 118

Damien’s POV 1

| rubbed my eyes, blinking at the stack of border patrol reports that seemed to mockfrom across my desk.

The words blurred together-rogue sightings, territory disputes, security recommendations-all demanding my

immediate attention. All adding to the mountain of responsibilities that threatened to crush

My phone buzzed. A text from Dr. Morgan about Sera’s latest blood work. Good news about the baby, but her

recovery was still slow.

| pushed back from my desk and stood, my joints protesting. When was the last tI'd gotten a full night's

sleep?

“Daddy!” Adrian's voice echoed through the hallway before he burst through my office door, his small face

bright with excitement. “Lucas says we can visit Mama today!”

My heart clenched. God, he missed her. Every day Adrian asked when she was coming home, and every day

had to give him the scareful non-answer about her needing more tto get better.

“We'll go see her after lunch, buddy,” | promised, kneeling down to his level. He immediately launched himself

into my arms, and | held him tight, breathing in that familiar little-boy scent of soap and adventure.

“Is she sad?” Adrian asked quietly against my shoulder. “When | visited yesterday, she seemed sad.”

*Christ.*

Of course she was sad. She'd lost everything-her wolf, her strength, her independence.

“She's just tired from being sick,” | said carefully. “But seeing you always makes her happy. You know that,

right?”

He nodded solemnly, but those silver-blue eyes-so like my own.

A knock on the door interrupted us. Claire stepped in, her expression apologetic but determined.

“Sorry to interrupt,” she said, though her weathered face softened when she saw Adrian. “But we need to

discuss the staffing situation.”

| set Adrian down with a gentle pat. “Go find Lucas. Tell him | said you could help with the patrol schedules.”

Adrian perked up. He loved feeling important, helping with “grown-up work.” He scampered off, already

calling for Lucas at the top of his lungs.

“Close the door,” | told Claire once he was gone.

She did, then settled into the chair across from my desk. She’d been with my family since before | was born,

had helped raiseafter my parents died. If anyone could speak freely about uncomfortable truths, it was

her.

“You look like hell, Damien.”

“Thanks for the pep talk.” | slumped back into my chair, suddenly feeling every one of my life. “What about

staffing?”

Claire continued more gently, “you're running yourself into the ground trying to do everything. Pack

business, border security, taking care of Adrian, making sure Sera has everything she needs.”

Alex had been restless for weeks, pacing beneath my skin like a caged animal. But there was too much to do,

too many people depending on me.

“I'm fine.”

“You're not fine. You're barely holding it together.” She leaned forward, her pale blue eyes sharp with concern.

“And now | need to tell you something else. I'm leaving next week.”

My head snapped up. “What?”

“My son called yesterday. His wife is having complications with her pregnancy. They needthere.” Her

voice was steady, but | could see the worry in her expression. “I'll be gone for at least two months, maybe

longer depending on how things go.”

*Fuck, fuck, fuck.*

Claire handled half the administrative work that kept the pack running smoothly. Without her...

She pulled out her phone, scrolling through something. “I've already started looking for a temporary

assistant.”

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“Who?”

“Lucas suggested his cousin. Emma Rodriguez. She's been working for the Pacific Northwest Alliance for

three years. Excellent credentials, very professional.”

“Lucas’s cousin.” | tried to remember if he'd ever mentioned her. “Why haven't | met her before?”

“She’s been living in Seattle.” Claire's expression softened. “Look, | know this is difficult. | know it feels like

we're moving on without Seraphina. But this isn’t about permanently replacing her. This is about making sure

everything doesn’t fall apart while she heals.”

| stared out the window at the gardens beyond. Sera used to walk there in the mornings, usually with her

coffee and whatever reports she needed to review. She'd loved the quiet, the chance to organize her

thoughts before the day’s chaos began.

“Set up an interview,” | said finally. “This afternoon if possible. | want to get this handled quickly.”

“Already done. Two o'clock.”

“Good.” | checked my watch. Almost noon. “I need to take Adrian to see his mother first.”

“Of course. I'll make sure everything's ready for the interview when you get back.”

Claire stood to leave, then hesitated at the door. “Damien? This is the right decision. Seraphina would want

you to do whatever's necessary to keep the pack strong. You know that, right?”

| nodded, though the words felt hollow.

The drive to the hospital was quiet. Adrian chattered about his morning activities-helping Lucas organize

patrol schedules, drawing pictures for Sera, practicing his numbers with the pack accountant who'd been

patient enough to turn math into a game.

“Will Mama be happy today?” he asked as we walked through the hospital corridors.

“I think she’s always happy to see you,” | told him honestly. And that much was true.

She was awake when we entered her room, propped up against pillows and staring out the window. The

afternoon sunlight caught the dark circles under her eyes, made her skin look almost translucent. She'd lost

weight she couldn't afford to lose, and the hospital gown made her look impossibly small.

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But when she saw Adrian, everything about her expression softened.

“There's my brave boy,” she murmured as he climbed carefully onto the bed beside her. “How was your

morning?”

“I helped with pack stuff!” Adrian announced proudly. “Lucas said I'm getting really good at organizing files.”

“That's wonderful, sweetheart.” Her fingers combed through his dark hair, and | saw her hands tremble

slightly with the effort. “You're such a big help.”

| settled into the chair beside the bed, watching them together. This-this was what mattered. This was what

| was fighting so hard to protect and preserve.

We visited for an hour, Adrian filling the silence with stories and questions and the easy chatter of childhood.

When it was tto leave, he hugged her carefully, whispering something in her ear that made her smile-

the first genuine smile I'd seen from her in days.

“I love you, Mama. Get better soon, okay?”

“I love you too, baby. So much.”

As we were leaving, | heard her voice behind me, soft and uncertain.

“Damien?”

| turned back. She was looking atwith those green eyes that used to hold such strength, such

determination. Now they just looked tired.

“Take care of yourself,” she said. “You look exhausted.”

The interview with Emma Rodriguez was scheduled for two o'clock sharp. | spent the drive back to the estate

trying to organize my thoughts.

Claire had set up the meeting in my office, and when | walked in at five minutes to two, | found a woman in

her late twenties sitting calmly in the chair across from my desk. She stood as | entered, extending her hand

with a professional smile.

“Mr. Nightshadow. Thank you for meeting withon such short notice.”

“Ms. Rodriguez.” Her handshake was firm, confident. “Please, sit.”

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She was attractive in a understated way-dark hair pulled back in a neat bun, sharp business attire.

“Lucas speaks very highly of you,” | began, settling behind my desk.

“He's always been generous with his praise.” Her smile was genuine but brief.

“Tellwhy you're interested in this position.”

“Honestly? I'm looking for a challenge. The Alliance work was rewarding, but it's becroutine.”

“This wouldn't be easy work,” | warned.

“I understand completely. Sometimes the most valuable work is temporary work.”

We talked for another twenty minutes. She answered every question thoughtfully, professionally, without

trying to oversell herself or make promises she couldn't keep.

“When could you start?” | asked finally.

“Tomorrow, if necessary. I've already given notice in Seattle, and | can arrange temporary housing locally while |

look for something more permanent.”

“That won't be necessary. We have guest quarters on the estate. Claire can show you around after we finish

here.”

Something flickered across her expression-surprise, maybe, or appreciation for the practical arrangement.

“The salary we discussed is acceptable?”

“More than fair, yes.”

“Then welcto Nightshadow Industries, Ms. Rodriguez. Claire will handle the paperwork and get you

oriented.”

She stood, shaking my hand again with that sprofessional confidence. “Thank you, Mr. Nightshadow. |

won't let you down.”

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