《Ex-Mate Wants Me Back》全部章節：第 11 章 - 第 20 章

Mortimer's POVSeraphina took the cake box.I scanned her face, looking for a reaction. Before, she would have given me that warm, reassuring smile, maybe even opened it right then to take a bite.But now, she just gave me a polite, shallow curve of her lips and a quiet "Thank you" before setting the box aside on the coffee table.I stood there, staring at her.Her eyes, her expression—everything was as flat as stagnant water.As she turned to walk away, I found myself asking, almost desperately, "Aren't you going to try it?"She stopped.She walked back and obediently opened the box.Even though she was doing exactly what I asked, this mechanical vibe—this "I'll do whatever you say" energy—was starting to grate on my nerves. It felt like something inside me was beginning to burn.She picked up the fork and sliced off a small piece. But just as she was about to take a bite, she froze.I followed her gaze to the decorations on the cake.Silvergrass.The plant looked like crystalline sn

Seraphina's POVBack in my room, I went straight to the shower.I scrubbed my skin raw, desperate to wash away the lingering scent of Mortimer—that mix of fir and heavy liquor.That scent used to be my sanctuary, but now, it just made me physically sick.When I stepped out wrapped in a towel, the communication crystal on my nightstand was pulsing with a ghostly blue light. A steady, rhythmic beat that felt ominous.I dried my hair and picked it up. It was Vivian."Luna Seraphina, did you like the cake? I had the baker make it specifically for you.""Morty is so stubborn. If I hadn't told him how guilty I felt, he wouldn't have brought it back for you at all.""Don't be mad at him. He's been putting me first since we were kids—that's the only reason he left you in Alaska. He didn't mean it.""If you want to blame someone, blame me. I don't want you two to ruin your relationship because of me."The glow of the crystal reflected on my face, flickering with every breath I took.It was a p

Seraphina's POVMortimer stared at me. A flash of shock flickered in those steady golden eyes, like he hadn't processed my sudden counterattack.Deep in my mind, Lily was clawing at the void, pushing all that suppressed rage and resentment to the surface.I fought to keep my face a blank mask. "Fine. You want to hear it? I'm angry. I'm pissed off. Why did you leave me alone in Alaska for two weeks without giving a damn if I lived or died?"His mouth hung open. A low whimper, almost like a defensive reflex, vibrated in his throat as if he wanted to argue.I didn't give him the chance. I cut him off before he could start. "And then what? Are you going to say you had to save a life? That it was a crisis, and I'm being unreasonable? That I lack compassion, that I'm being paranoid, and I'm just jealous?"He went silent. His brow furrowed deep, and the heavy pressure of a high-tier Alpha began to ripple around him.I let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "See? If I'm mad, I'm wrong. If I'm not ma

Seraphina's POVAnd this was the so-called "devoted romantic." Less than a year after mating, he'd already cheated with some human celebrity.Whenever I heard people call him a romantic now, I felt secondhand embarrassment for the guy.Trista wiped her eyes and shook her head. "No, it's not about him."She looked at me. "I'm just... I'm so sorry for everything you've been through."I blinked, forcing a smile. "What are you talking about?"Trista's eyes were rimmed with red, looking like she was seconds away from another meltdown."Sera, I know everything."I had a feeling I knew what she meant. I moved my lips, but no sound came out."That avalanche in Alaska... I remembered your hotel was right in the middle of the red zone. Those five days you went missing? That wasn't a signal problem. Something happened to you, didn't it?"I opened my mouth to deny it, but Trista cut me off instantly. "Don't even try it. An avalanche in a sub-zero wilderness? You wouldn't have just been 'stuck ind

Seraphina's POVLunch break finally rolled around. I'd just finished my morning rounds when Trista pushed open my office door."Sera, come on. Let's get some food." Her head popped around the door, her face etched with exhaustion."Right behind you." I set down the charts for my next cardiac patient and followed her out.The dining area at the healing center was usually a quiet sanctuary.We'd just sat down with our trays when the clean, sharp scent of antiseptic was suddenly blown away by a heavy, aggressive wave of cedar.We both looked up. It was Wilmot.The second Trista saw him, her smile vanished. She dropped her gaze to her tray, staring at her food as if she could build a psychological wall through silence alone."Trista. I didn't agree to dissolve the bond. We need to talk."Wilmot stood by the table, maintaining his "Alpha in charge" persona even in a public cafeteria. He refused to budge.He was strikingly handsome in a cold, sharp way—silver-rimmed glasses and eyes that sl