Ex-Mate Wants Me Back (Seraphina and Mortimer) novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Third Person’s POV

After Seraphina left, Mortimer sat alone in the dining room.

A faint, lingering scent of pine remained on the table-the scent of his Luna-but it was fading fast, as if a vital connection were being forcibly severed.

He stared at her empty chair, his mind a chaotic mess of confusion and helplessness.

This was the first time he’d seen Seraphina use her phone during a meal.

More than that, it was the first time in days he’d seen her give a genuine smile.

But that smile had absolutely nothing to do with him.

She hadn’t screamed at him. She was still polite, still composed. But his sharp Alpha senses could feel it-Seraphina was methodically withdrawing from every part of his life.

The realization made his heart sink.

He went to work at the corporate headquarters, but as noon approached, he realized she hadn’t sent him a single text.

The panic grew. Before he could even figure out where the anxiety was coming from, he found himself in the elevator.

Mortimer was completely distracted.

He gripped his phone so hard his knuckles turned white, waiting for a reply.

This was the first time he’d ever initiated a lunch date with her. He’d assumed she wouldn’t say no. But after the series of “abnormal” events since last night, the man who was used to absolute control felt the jagged edges of a situation spiraling out of his grasp

“Alpha Mortimer?”

The man sitting across from him had called his name several times before he snapped out of it.

“Sorry.”

“It’s fine. Alpha Mortimer, are you feeling alright? You look a bit… off.” The man’s voice was tight with nerves.

Heaven knows why a project this small-barely a blip on the Craig Group’s radar—had brought the Alpha himself to the table.

The client was stunned; nobody expected a titan like Mortimer to handle a minor deal in

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person.

“I’m fine,” Mortimer grunted, standing up. “The project is approved. Coordinate the details with the department head.”

“Of course. It’s an honor to have your personal insight, Alpha Mortimer. This way, please.”

The director didn’t let out a breath of relief until he’d escorted Mortimer out of the building.

Tade, Mortimer’s beta assistant, was equally baffled.

Alpha Mortimer was a busy man; even multi-billion dollar deals rarely required his at every meeting. Why the sudden interest in this small-time case?

Had he lost his mind?

presence

And then there was the phone. Mortimer kept checking it, clearly waiting for someone to

reach out.

Tade couldn’t help but wonder-who was “bold” enough to keep Alpha Mortimer waiting like this?

“Alpha Mortimer, are we heading back to the office?” Tade finally ventured.

With no notification on his screen, the tightness in Mortimer’s chest only grew worse.

“Back to the office.”

Inside the car, Mortimer’s aura was so oppressive that the driver and Tade both felt like they were sitting on a ticking bomb.

Through the rearview mirror, Tade watched the Alpha,unlock his phone, stare at a chat window for an eternity, and then lock it again.

Over and over. The frequency was insane.

Who was on that screen? Who was holding his leash like this?

Tade wanted to ask, but he valued his life too much.

He just felt like Alpha Mortimer looked like a male beast pacing outside his own territory, locked out by his mate.

Every cell in Tade’s body screamed a warning: “Don’t touch. Don’t speak. Or your career is

over.”

As the car passed the Shadowfang Academy Healing Center, Mortimer suddenly spoke up.” Stop the car.”

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The driver pulled over instantly.

“You two head back.

“Yes, Alpha Mortimer.”

As Mortimer’s tall, imposing figure disappeared into the healing center’s entrance, George, the driver, finally spoke. “Tade, what’s with the Alpha today? He looks like he’s about to explode.”

Tade shook his head, looking just as lost. “I have no idea. He looks like someone who just got dumped.”

“Who’d be crazy enough to dump our Alpha? That’s a suicidè mission.”

Tade was about to agree, but then a lightbulb went off.

“Luna Seraphina works at this center. You think they had a blowout last night?”

“Could be. Word is Alpha Mortimer ditched her in Alaska to babysit that omega, Vivian. That was a trash move, even for him. Can you blame the Luna for being pissed?”

George barely finished before Tade smacked him upside the head.

“Ow! What was that for?”

“George, watch your mouth. If that gets back to Alpha Mortimer, you’ll be lucky if you’re only exiled from the pack.’

George rubbed his head. “My mom always told me: treat your mate like crap, and the Moon Goddess will punish you. If I treat mine right, I’ll have a good life.”

Tade let out a laugh, not wanting to kill the guy’s spirit. “Big dreams, kid. When you’re rich, maybe I’ll come work for you.”

“Wait, you don’t want to work anymore?”

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“Like you said—the Goddess punishes those who mistreat their mates. If Alpha Mortimer keeps this up and the company goes south, I need to know which way to jump, right?”

“Heh. Good point. Don’t worry, man. I’ll look out for you when I’m on top.”

“Shut up and drive, kid.”

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