Mated to My Fiancé’s Alpha King Brother - Chapter 183

Chapter 183: Chapter 183
Damien’s POV

“Really?” Riley’s voice came through the phone, surprised. “That’s great! Who are you bringing?”

“I’ll let you know,” I said, already regretting the words. “See you Saturday.”

I hung up before she could ask more questions.

Lily was staring at me with those ocean and forest eyes. Her whole face was lit up with hope.

“Daddy?” Her voice was small. Careful. “Are you going to bring Mama?”

My chest tightened. “Lily—”

“Because I know where she is!” The words tumbled out in a rush. “I can show you! We can go get her and bring her to the party and then everything will be perfect!”

“Baby, listen to me.” I knelt down so we were eye level. “The woman you saw today wasn’t Mama.”

“But she looked just like her! She had forest eyes and—”

“I know.” I caught her small hands in mine. “I know she looked similar. But it wasn’t her.”

“How do you know?” Her bottom lip trembled. “You didn’t even see her!”

“I just know,” I said quietly.

“Then who are you bringing?” Lily pulled her hands free, her expression shifting from hope to something harder. “Who’s coming with us if it’s not Mama?”

“A friend. Someone nice who can—”

“I don’t want a friend!” Her voice got louder. Angry. “I want my mama! Why can’t I have my mama like all the other kids?”

“Lily—”

“It’s not fair!” Tears spilled down her cheeks. “Grace has a mama. All the kids at daycare have mamas. Why don’t I get one?”

“You have a mama,” I said, my throat tight. “She’s just not here right now.”

“Then where is she?” Lily’s small fists clenched at her sides. “Why did she leave? Doesn’t she love me?”

My heart shattered. “Of course she loves you. She loves you so much—”

“Then why isn’t she HERE?” The words came out as a wail. “If she loved me, she’d be here!”

I pulled her into my arms even though she tried to push away. Held her tight while she sobbed against my chest.

I whispered into her hair. “She had reasons. Important reasons.”

“I hate her reasons!” Lily’s voice was muffled against my shirt. “I hate them! I just want my mama!”

“I know, baby. I know.”

We stayed like that for a long time. Me holding her. Her crying. Both of us breaking over someone who wasn’t here.

Finally, her sobs quieted to hiccups. Her small body went limp with exhaustion.

“Come on,” I said softly. “Let’s get you to bed.”

“But the party—”

“We’re still going to the party. I promise.” I lifted her, carrying her toward the stairs. “With a nice friend who will make sure you have fun.”

Lily was quiet as I carried her up the stairs. Her room was exactly as she’d left it—toys scattered everywhere, books piled on the nightstand, that stuffed wolf she insisted on sleeping with every night.

I set her down on the bed and helped her change into pajamas. The whole time, she didn’t say a word. Just stared at the ceiling with those sad eyes.

“Lily?” I pulled the covers up to her chin. “Talk to me.”

“I really thought I found her,” she whispered. “When I saw that lady today. I really, really thought…”

“I know you did.”

“But you don’t believe me.”

“It’s not that I don’t believe you—”

“Yes it is.” She turned to face the wall, clutching that stuffed wolf. “Nobody believes me. Not you, not Adrian, not anybody.”

“Sweetie—”

“I’m tired, Daddy. Can I just sleep now?”

The dismissal hurt more than any tantrum could have.

“Okay,” I said quietly. “Sleep well, baby girl.”

I kissed her forehead and stood up to leave.

“Daddy?”

I turned back. “Yeah?”

“The lady I saw today…” Lily’s voice was barely audible. “She said she had her own kids. A boy and a girl. She said she had children far away.” Lily hugged the stuffed wolf tighter. “Do you think… do you think Mama has new kids now? Kids she likes better than us?”

The question made bile rise in my throat.

“No,” I said firmly. “No, Lily. That’s not—that would never happen.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I know your mama. And she could never love anyone more than she loves you and Adrian.”

“Get some sleep,” I said, my voice rough. “We’ll talk more tomorrow.”

I left before she could ask more questions I couldn’t answer.

Adrian’s door was closed when I passed it. No light showing underneath. Either he was asleep or pretending to be. Either way, I didn’t knock.

Downstairs, the house felt too quiet. Too empty.

I poured myself a drink I didn’t want and sank onto the couch.

The anger came back. Hot and bitter.

I pulled out my phone and stared at it for a long moment.

Emma’s contact was right there. Professional. Efficient. Available.

She’d made it clear more than once that she was interested. That she’d be happy to stand by my side. That she understood pack politics and alpha responsibilities in a way Sera never had.

My finger hovered over her name.

This was insane. I didn’t want Emma. I’d never wanted Emma.

But Lily’s face flashed through my mind. That hope when she thought I might bring her mama to the party. That devastation when she realized I couldn’t.

Maybe it was time to give my children what they needed.

I pressed call before I could change my mind.

One ring. Two rings.

“Alpha Damien?” Emma’s voice was surprised but pleased. “Is everything alright?”

“I’m fine.” I took a drink. Winced at the burn. “I need to ask you something.”

“Of course. Anything.”

“There’s a birthday party this Saturday. For Lucas’ daughter. It’s a family thing. Couples and kids.” I paused, hating what I was about to say. “I need a date.”

Silence on the other end. Then: “Are you asking me to accompany you?”

“Yes.”

“As your date?”

I corrected. “Nothing serious. Just someone to help keep an eye on the kids. Make things less awkward.”