Mated to My Fiancé’s Alpha King Brother

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Seraphina’s POV 1

**Three years later.**

The afternoon sun painted golden squares across my living room floor, and I was sprawled on the couch eating cereal straight from the

box like the sophisticated adult I’d become.

My phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen and nearly choked on a mouthful of Cheerios.

*Caleb Morrison*

My heart did a weird flippy thing. Hope, panic, and guilt all mixed up like a bad cocktail.

I let it ring twice more. Playing it cool. Totally casual. Like my palms weren’t suddenly sweaty.

“Hey!” Way too enthusiastic. Tone it down, Sera. “What’s up?”

“There she is!” Caleb sounded way too cheerful. “My favorite city girl who’s apparently too busy being badass to call her favorite border

family.”

“I’m not too busy,” I said, sitting up. Cheerios went everywhere. Great. “I’m just… you know. Doing stuff.”

“Stuff. Right.” He laughed. “What kind of stuff?”

“Actually, I was eating cereal in my pajamas and debating if I need to be a real adult today.”

“It’s three–thirty, Sera.”

“Exactly. I’m winning at life.”

“So for real though,” Caleb said, voice getting softer. “How are you doing? And don’t say ‘fine‘ because I can hear when you’re lying.”

I hugged my knees to my chest. Suddenly felt small. “I’m doing… actually pretty good. Not fake good. Like, real good.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. Got a nice place. Work’s steady. I even have money saved up. And get this–I bought furniture. Real furniture. Not stuff I found on

the street.”

“Look at you! All grown up and responsible!”

“I know, right? Though I did kill a cactus last month. So maybe I’m not that grown up.”

“You’re such a weirdo.”

“Thanks. I try.” I picked at my pajama pants. “But yeah, seriously. Things are good. Still fighting. Making decent money. Can’t really

complain.”

was. That worried tone. “You know that scares the crap out

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walls slammed

“Don’t what?”

worry thing.” The words came out sharper

“I know you can-

snapped. “Because it sounds like you think I’m still that scared mess who showed up

Caleb.

that made me feel like an

do that? Why did I always bite people’s

“That came out

I get it.” He sounded understanding, which made it worse. “You worked your ass off to get where you

You’re tough as hell now. Total

throat got tight.

doesn’t mean people can’t

stared at the ceiling.

“Do you though?”

please change the

cleared his throat. “Actually, that’s kind of why I’m calling. I need to ask you

tried to

turning sixty

truck. Just birthday stuff. Normal stuff. Nothing

Tell her happy birthday for

her

The room tilted.

“Caleb, I don’t-”

listen. Before you say no, just hear me out.

talk. My mouth went totally

new life where nobody knew me, where I could just be… whoever. Where

me

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“You still there?”

whispered. “I’m

a lot to ask. I know you left for reasons. Good reasons.

time. Like, all the time. ‘I hope Sera’s cating enough. I hope she’s not lonely. I

always come home.“”

just started falling. Hot and stupid

fair,” I choked

“I know.”

can’t just–you can’t say stuff like that and expect

sound sorry at all. “We miss you. It’s been three years, Sera. Don’t you think maybe it’s

completely. “To face everyone I ditched? To pretend I didn’t run away

pressed my hand over my mouth. Trying not to completely lose it. When did I start shaking this

said gently. “One weekend. Saturday to Sunday. Drive up Saturday

That’s it. Easy.”