Ex-Mate Wants Me Back (Seraphina and Mortimer) novel Chapter 278

Chapter 278

Third Person’s POV

Meanwhile, the Blade pack’s packhouse was as lively as it was every year during the holiday.

This year was even more special with Abigail finally home after more than twenty years away. Edwin couldn’t have been happier. To celebrate her return, the pack had gone all out, making the feast grander than ever.

After dinner, the whole family stayed in the living room with Edwin, chatting and watching TV. Warm laughter filled the house.

Only Mortimer stood alone on the balcony, his phone clenched tightly in his hand.

The icy wind swept over his feverish skin, doing nothing to quell the inner turmoil. All he could do was endure, waiting for that restless heat to subside.

He stared blankly at his phone. The message he’d sent a while ago still had no reply.

Deep within his mind, his black wolf, Barton, lay curled up, letting out soft, mournful whines.

Mortimer knew he shouldn’t reach out to Seraphina again. The mating bond was gone. A clean break should stay clean. He had no right to keep clinging to her.

But knowing that and actually being able to do it were two different things.

Ever since they had dissolved their mating bond, he’d stayed out of her life, knowing she didn’t want to see him anymore.

Yet now, on a night when families were reunited, the longing he’d kept buried with all his strength suddenly erupted like a volcano. Even without the bond, the invisible pull between former mates tormented him mercilessly in the darkness.

In the end, all he’d done was send her an ordinary holiday greeting.

Even that had gone unanswered.

“Mortimer, are you thinking about Luna?”

Velda’s teasing voice suddenly came from behind him, her face alight with curiosity.

Mortimer quickly slipped his phone into his pocket and shot her a flat look. “Mind your own business.”

With that, he turned to head back inside.

Velda hurried after him. “Mortimer, if you keep acting like this, even if we find you a new mate, she’ll dump you too.”

Mortimer didn’t slow down.

The celebratory fireworks kept crackling outside, grating on his nerves, making his wolf pace restlessly beneath his skin.

Still, Velda kept talking. “So… are you really just going to let Seraphina go? Can you honestly live with that?”

Her questions brought Mortimer to an abrupt stop.

He knew Velda had never been the most reliable-nor the sharpest.

But for some reason, at this moment, he wanted to hear what she had to say.

Could he let Seraphina go?

Of course he couldn’t.

But what could he do about it?

+15 Bonus

Was he supposed to go back to hounding her like before?

Or use the Blade pack’s power to Torce her back to his side and keep her there against her will?

He didn’t need to try it to know that Seraphina would only hate him more.

“Look,” Velda said, munching on a bag of chips. “Your mating bond is gone. Fine. But if you think about it another way, you’re both single now. Stop approaching her as her ex. Approach her as an ordinary guy who genuinely wants another chance.

“Forget about that ridiculous agreement. It’s over. Just be genuine with her and put in some real effort. Seraphina’s kind. And she loved you for years. Maybe she’ll forgive you.”

In the three years Velda had known Seraphina, she’d noticed that every time Seraphinta looked at Mortimer, her eyes would shine with admiration.

Even as an outsider, she could see just how much Seraphina loved him.

If not for that love, Seraphina wouldn’t have put up with Mortimer’s outrageous behavior for three years.

Normally, Mortimer wouldn’t have listened to a single word of Velda’s rambling. This time, however, every word sank in.

He turned to look at her, hesitation and uncertainty flickering across his face. “Do you think I can win her back?”

“It’s going to be hard.”

Velda’s answer was brutally honest.

Mortimer’s expression darkened as a cold, oppressive Alpha aura began to radiate from him, only to dissipate at Velda’s next

words.

“So what if it’s hard? You’re just going to quit because it won’t be easy? If you can’t even put in that much effort, don’t even think about getting her back.”

She pursed her lips, leaned closer to Mortimer, and whispered, “Besides, Caldwell’s already way ahead of you. He saved Seraphina’s life and has been by her side this whole time. If he goes after her, his chances will be far better than yours. But hey, you’re my brother-obviously, I’m in your corner.”

She gave Mortimer’s shoulder a firm smack. “It’s a holiday. Everyone’s spending it with the people they care about. If Seraphina didn’t text you back, just go see her. Moping around here isn’t going to change anything.

“That’s all I’ve got to say. If you really can’t let her go… if you still want her to be your Luna… then fight for her. And you’d better hurry before Caldwell beats you to it.”

With that, she walked back inside, waving a casual goodbye, while Mortimer remained standing there, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, Seraphina had just stepped out of the restroom when her phone rang. She picked it up and saw that it was a call from Caldwell.

She answered immediately. “Happy New Year, Caldwell.”

A warm chuckle came through the phone. “Happy New Year.”

“Are you spending the holiday with Edwin and the others tonight?” Seraphina asked.

There was a brief silence on the other end before Caldwell gave a quiet reply. “Yeah.”

Seraphina caught the trace of loneliness in his tone. “Caldwell, what’s wrong? You don’t sound very happy.”