Nicus chuckled heartily, nodding. “I am. I am so d you still remember me, Seraphina,” he eximed happily.


    “O-Of course!” I felt hyperventting right now. I couldn’t believe that he was really here. “Where have you been since…” I couldn’t continue my words.


    We both parted ways as soon as we decided to break our rtionship. Yes, before Desmond, my mate, I had Nicus as my first love.


    We were both rogues. For survival, we met by coincidence in the woods, looking for something to eat.


    We hadbat when we both saw a rabbit at that time and got away because neither of us was not backing down on who saw it first. It was also the time we decided that we hunted together… and fell in love with each other.


    I didn’t know what happened to him when we separated after we were in a three years rtionship. We were both teenagers by that time. I didn’t even get a chance to check as I changed ces to ces until I was captured by Desmond’s men.


    “I am working in the royal pce as one of the chief royal gardeners now,” he said shyly, scratching the back of his nape.


    My jaw dropped. He was already in the royal pce? A chief royal gardener?


    “That is good to hear!” I eximed. “I am so happy for you!”


    Nicus grew more shyly. “Thank you.” Ah… He was still the same. He could quickly get shy when beingplimented by someone. “How about you? How have you been doing these past years? I heard you married the Marquis of ckmont as your mate. I am happy for you.”


    I almost smiled bitterly. “Ah, no. We just got divorced. And we do have a son…” I paused. “And the second one.” I gently caressed my small bump.


    He looked bewildered. “Divorced?” I nodded. “What happened?” He looked concerned and somewhat… pity me?


    “It’s a long story actually. But I am still living with him for the sake of our pups in his pack. But we agreed that we would respect each other’s choices.” I hope to add. I was hoping that Desmond would dare to respect my choices from now on.


    “I see. I understand.” Nicus had a gentle smile sitting on his lips. It was one of the things I used to adore with him before. “Are you going to purchase them?”


    I looked at the books Sander would like to read. “Ah, yes. I just purchased a few books since my son loves reading this kind of book.” We went to the cashier so I could pay for the books but he insisted that he should pay for them. “No need, Nicus. I can pay for it.”


    “No, no. It’s fine, Seraphina.”


    And I was left with no choice. He already bestowed the payment. I just shook my head which earned him a grin.


    “Thank you, Nicus,” I said when we left the bookshop.


    He gently bowed his head. “Anytime, Seraphina. I admit that seeing you now makes me remember our past.” That made him embarrassed all of a sudden.


    “Me, too.” I couldn’t help staring at his dark brown eyes. I shyly nodded at him when he was staring intently at me.


    “Seraphim.”


    I was startled and turned around to see Desmond whose face was already darkened. “Desmond…” He took strides in my direction and halted beside me. “Are you done purchasing in the jewelry shop?”


    “Yes, I am already done.” He didn’t give me an ounce to look at me. “Care to introduce me to someone here?” His jaw was gnashing.


    His hardened features right now were enough for me to know that he was being taken over by his jealousy. It looked like he wanted to punch Nicus into a pulp with the way he was ring at him. I had seen them in the past and he hadn’t changed a bit.


    I was about to speak when Nicus was the one who spoke.


    “I am well aware of you, my lord. Greetings, Marquis Verlice.” He bowed his head. “I am Nicus. Nicus Romero, Seraphina’s old friend.”


    Desmond’s eyebrows met in one ce. “Nicus Romero?” he parroted. Then he nced at me with his creasing forehead. “He’s…” He couldn’t continue my words.


    He was well aware of who was right in front of us. Of course, I told him about my first love before we got married and after epting him as my mate.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Sighing, I apologetically looked at Nicus who was staring back at Desmond. “We shall take our leave, Nicus. Let’s meet again some other time.” I curtsied before him to show respect after meeting him again.


    “Yes.” He nodded and bowed at me. “Take care, Seraphina.” He shook hands with me. I chuckled and shook my hand back.


    “Take care, too. Until we meet again,” I said, waving my hand back when we were about to leave.


    I couldn’t help smiling while we were on our way to the carriage. It felt surreal that I got to see Nicus again.


    “It must be nice to be reunited with your first love, huh?”


    I nced at Desmond who looked irritated right now. “That attitude of yours… You are getting jealous.”


    He scoffed. “me my wolf.”


    I didn’t want to believe him because partly, his wolf influenced him. But it was more to Desmond who was mostly blinded by jealousy.


    I didn’t respond and just stayed silent as we headed back to his pack. But while we were in the carriage, I could feel Desmond staring at me.


    “Quit staring at me.” I couldn’t help expressing my annoyance at him before I looked at him. “Desmond…” Frowning, I kicked him on his knee.


    “I want to do something right now.”


    My heart leaped. “W-What do you mean?” Why did I feel nervous all of a sudden? Did he want us to do something here in his carriage? Just like before?


    Desmond grinned when he must have noticed my expression. “That is not what I mean, Seraphina. If you are really thinking that…” he said meaningfully. His eyes were dancing in amusement.


    I could feel my cheeks ring up in embarrassment. “Then what do you want?”


    His eyes on me gradually went down to my stomach. His eyes focused there with so much longing before he met my eyes again, pleading. “Can I?” he begged.


    It was his right to know and feel my stomach so I smiled and tapped the space beside me. “Come.”


    His face brightened up. He didn’t hesitate to sit beside me. I took his hand and ced it on top of my stomach. I watched how Desmond inhaled sharply as he got emotional before he lowered his head to ce his ear on my small bump.


    “Hi, our little pup…” His voice croaked.


    Somehow, I got teary-eyed with the way he was acting. My wolf was purring because we both knew that we had been wanting this. We both wanted Desmond to pay attention to our pregnancy.


    I gasped softly when Desmond kissed my small bump. “I am going to love you just as I love your big brother, Sander. Grow well and we will meet soon…” His tears of joy already cascaded down.


    “Desmond…” I made him look at me so I could gently wipe his tears from his eyes.


    He sniffed before he sat properly. “Forgive me… Now, I know this is the feeling of you getting pregnant and we are having another pup.”


    I softened. This man… I knew that we already divorced from our marriage but I couldn’t help but be affectionate with him, especially after what he showed earlier in expressing his affection towards the growing bump on my stomach.


    “Will there be a time when I can visit your chamber? I mean… I want to talk to our little pup right here…” I flinched when he touched my stomach. “Me and Sander…” His eyes were pleading.


    I nodded and reached for his face. “Of course. You may visit me whenever you want, Desmond.” I wiped the tears forming in his eyes again. I understood that he was being emotional because it was the first time that he had gotten to witness my pregnancy.


    He never saw my pregnancy with Sander because it took him a year before he found me. Sander was already a year old by that time.


    Desmond took my hand and ced it on his cheek. “Thank you, Seraphina.” He sniffed. “Thank you for granting my selfish requests even though I have hurt you in the past.” He closed his eyes.


    My chest rose up and down but I didn’t say anything. But my eyes widened when Desmond suddenly ced his forehead on mine. It was brief before he distanced his face from me.


    “My apologies…” I got disappointed when he released my hand before he went back to sit across from me.


    We didn’t get a chance to speak until we arrived at the manor. But as soon as we arrived there, Elron greeted us before he looked at Desmond with a worried expression. He looked like he was mind-linking him before he nced at me.


    “What is happening?” I asked when Desmond’s face darkened.


    “Go to your chamber and don’t make your way to the drawing room.” He went inside the manor without escorting me.


    “Is there something wrong?” I asked when Elron was escorting me when I was on the stairs. He guided me and held my hand when I felt tired all of a sudden. “My apologies… My pregnancy caused me to be exhausted, especially when going upstairs.” I was panting and leaned to the railings.


    Elron smiled. “It is alright, mydy. But we must hurry now before-”


    “Luna Seraphina, you are finally here!”


    My smile escted quickly upon hearing that familiar screeching female voice. I gripped the railings and didn’t waste my time turning my head where I could see that woman again.


    There, I saw her familiar furtive smile every time she was looking on my way and she would always frown whenever Desmond and I were being sweet to each other.


    I smiled bitterly. “Hazel… Long time no see.”