Ex-Mate Wants Me Back (Seraphina and Mortimer) novel Chapter 244

Chapter 244

Chapter 244

+15 Bonus

Third Person’s POV

“This is their signature dish,” Seraphina said, looking up from the menu at Caldwell. remember you used to love this flavor profile. Would you like to try it?”

Caldwell smiled, his expression softening completely. “Whatever you decide, Sera. I trust your taste.’

That casual, deeply intimate tone made Mortimer’s face darken instantly.

He stared at Seraphina, his knuckles whitening. The gentle, relaxed look she was giving Caldwell right now was something Mortimer hadn’t even dared to dream of receiving from her in years.

“Oh, and this one is amazing too,” Seraphina continued, pointing at another item, completely ignoring the suffocating aura bleeding from Mortimer. “I used to order it all the time back at the academy. You should try it.”

Caldwell nodded, his eyes locked on hers. “Whatever you say. You know I’m easy to please when it comes to food.”

“True. A non-picky eater is a blessing. So easy to take care of,” Seraphina remarked offhandedly.

Under the table, Mortimer’s hand slammed into a tight fist against his knee.

A sharp, suffocating pain flared in his chest as he recalled his own demanding, high-maintenance habits at the dinner table.

A wave of raw, predatory hostility flooded his veins. He turned his piercing gaze toward Caldwell, his voice dropping into a low, tightly controlled growl. “Sera, aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?”

Interrupted, an unvarnished flash of annoyance crossed Seraphina’s face.

Before she could deliver a cold refusal, Caldwell beat her to it. He gracefully gestured to himself, a polite smile on his lips. “Are you addressing me?”

Their eyes locked, a clash of two powerhouse he-wolves holding mid-air suspensions. The smiles on their faces were razor- thin, doing nothing to bury the feral tension brewing underneath. It was the oldest war in their blood: two apex predators on the brink of snapping, ready to tear each other apart for territory and the female they both claimed.

“Hello, Mr. Craig. I am Toasty’s senior from the academy.” Caldwell stood up smoothly. His movements carried the effortless, aristocratic breeding that could rival any high-ranking Alpha. He extended a hand across the table.

Mortimer had zero intention of playing nice. His entire focus was violently snagged by the way this stranger had just spoken her

name.

“Toasty?” Mortimer narrowed his eyes, his gaze cutting like razor wire.

Caldwell raised an eyebrow, the faint surprise on his face tailored to perfection. “Oh, I mean Seraphina. What? As her husband, did you not know she has such a sweet childhood nickname?”

The casual question hit Mortimer like a physical blow, snapping the final thread of his sanity.

Toasty?

He had been her legal Alpha for years, yet he had never once heard that name. By what right did this interloper dare to call his wife by a title of such absolute, intimate possession?

By what right?

Across the table, Dr. Bauer glanced between Caldwell and Mortimer.

As an older he-wolf who had seen his share of pack politics, the professor silently lowered his head. He forcefully suppressed his own scent, doing his best to blend into the furniture. One was his family ally, the other was his star pupil-he couldn’t afford to

1/3

Chapter 244

+15 Bonus

offend either.

Seraphina had never been a fan of her childhood nickname “Toasty,” but right now, she couldn’t exactly call Caldwell out and embarrass him to his face.

Inside her mind, Lily gave an approving flick of her tail. “Your senior is a thousand times better than that blind wolf. At least he actually knows your history.”

With her wolf’s blessing, Seraphina remained silent, letting the implication stand.

A heartbeat later, Mortimer let out a dark, low chuckle. Driven by the territorial madness of his Alpha biology, he reached out and gripped Caldwell’s hand. The moment their palms met, Mortimer squeezed with crushing force, the faint, brutal pop of knuckles echoing in the air.

Caldwell’s expression didn’t even flicker. Instantly, his own dominant power surged to his palm, meeting Mortimer’s brutal grip with equal, unyielding physical strength. Yet, both men kept their smiles perfectly intact.

“Pleasure,” Mortimer gritted out, his voice thick with possessiveness. “I am Toasty’s mate. Alpha of the Blade pack, Mortimer.” 1

Hearing the intimate nickname roll off Mortimer’s tongue didn’t just feel wrong to Seraphina-it triggered a deep, visceral wave of disgust in her gut.

“Ah, so you are the illustrious ‘mate,'” Caldwell said, his smile widening. His tone was as casual as if they were discussing the weather, but the crushing counter-pressure of his grip didn’t give an inch. “The one who abandoned Toasty in Alaska for the sake of an Omega, leaving her to nearly freeze to death in an avalanche?”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify