Page 10 of His Forsaken Alpha

“Then you need your rest,” Wynter whispered, chest aching at how strained Jamie appeared. “We can talk more later.”

“Will youcome back and sit with me again?”

“Of course,” Wynter said. His thoughts drifted back to Warden and their ugly exchange. He knew it might prove difficult, but he’d find a way. “I love you, Jamie.”

Jamie’s eyes fell closed. “I love you, too, Papa.”

Wynter brushed back Jamie’s hair and pressed a kiss to his son’s forehead. “Sleep well.”

He lowered the bed for Jamie and drew up the thin blanket. “Comfortable?”

“Mmm-hmmm,” Jamie murmured, eyes closing.

Wynter stood watching a moment, remembering standing at the corner of Jamie’s tiny crib and watching the infant sleep in the late hours, when Warden was snoring, lost to the world. He dabbed at his eye before he quietly exited and closed the door. He stood on the other side, frozen by guilt. Should he have shared the tragic circumstances surrounding Jamie’s conception? In his mind, it would’ve only made old wounds deeper, yet he hated not honoring Jamie’s request.

Next time.

Wynter forced himself down the hallway and down the stairs. As he collected his jacket from the banister, Rohan appeared in the foyer.

“All well?”

“I don’t approve of this situation. This surrogate doesn’t belong here,” Wynter said.

“Fortunately for us, you have no say in what happens here.”

Wynter snarled. “How could he want this? To be replaced.”

“No one’sreplacing Jamie,” Rohan snapped.

Wynter searched his son-in-law’s face a few seconds. He saw pain shining in the alpha’s eyes. “How long does Jamie have?”

Rohan winced. “He’s back in treatment. He’ll make it. Just like last time.”

Wynter sensed Jamie’s understanding of his situation was clearer than the denial of his alpha. “What treatments?”

“The ones he and I have discussed with his oncologist. A similar protocol as last time.”

Wynter sniffed. “The one that didn’t work.”

“Do you know how hard we had to convin—” Rohan paused, shaking his head. “Wynter, by the gods, get the fuck out before I throw you out.”

He glared at Rohan. “This is my son’s house.”

“But notyours.”

Wynter growled. “I’ll be back.”

“Will you really?”Rohan asked, one brow rising.

Wynter opened his mouth to argue but knew the situation with Warden would make things difficult. He didn’t have theemotional capacity left to explain his predicament, nor did he want to. “I’ll talk to you soon.” He departed without another word and slipped back into the backseat of the waiting limo. “Home, please.”

“You got it,” the beta said before starting the engine and pulling away.

Wynter sensed it might be the last time he saw his son. The tears slid down his cheeks as they drove through the Family Quadrant’s verdant neighborhoods. Children played in yards, happily enjoying the day, ignorant of the pain lancing Wynter’s chest.

Their driver remained silent, luckily. He wasn’t in a place to fight off more barbed comments. Wynter sat in his sadness and lifted a gaze to the heavens. He wasn’t a religious man, but he sent up a prayer to the gods all the same.

Spare Jamie. Allow him more time.

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