Page 118 of His Forsaken Alpha

Cav closed his eyes. He hugged his omega, but it hurt too much. He backed away from Wynter after a few seconds.

Wynter’s expression caved, and his shoulders curled forward. “I thought… when you said I shouldn’t be alone…” Another tear slipped down his cheek, and he wiped it away. “Of course, you didn’t mean that.”

“Wynter, it can’t be me. Not right now. I need to sit with this and allow my brain time to wrap around it. To sort through the feelings I’ve harbored all these years. Let me do that and see how I feel after.”

“I’m sorry. Please forget I did that. I’m exhausted and not thinking straight.”

He was thinking straight. He’d reached out to his alpha for support, as an omega does. “I still love you, Wynter.”

Wynter met his stare.

“But I’ve also hated what you did for nearly three decades,” Cav added. “I want to believe this story of yours and say all can be forgiven, but it’s not that easy. The fact you’ve lied to me before doesn’t’ help either.”

Wynter lifted his eyes to the ceiling before lowering again. “I only lied to protect you. Whatever I had to so you’d leave us alone—and keep breathing.”

Cav saw honesty in Wynter’s eyes, and he wanted it to be true with all his heart, but he had to lead with his head, not the part of him that desperately wanted the man back in his arms. “Let me call Wilder to come over.”

“I can’t face him right now,” Wynter said. “He’s going to have some of the same questions you had, and I can’t relive that pain again.”

“Youaregoing to tell him the truth, aren’t you?” Cav asked.

“Of course I’m going to tell him. Just… not tonight. I don’t have the strength tonight.”

“It’s tomorrow,” Cav whispered.

Wynter glanced at the French doors. “So, it is.”

“I won’t leave you here alone,” Cav said. “Is there someone other than Wilder I can call?”

“I have no one,” Wynter whispered. “My sons are angry, and I have no real friends—only acquaintances who don’t really know me. No one I can count on.” He brushed his hands over his face. “I can return home. My servants are there. Will that be good enough?”

Cav’s heart ached for his mate. “I’m calling Wilder.”

Wynter sighed, shaking his head. It was clear he had no energy to fight. “Fine.”

Cav shot Wilder a text, asking him to come up to the room and be with his papa. He shoved the phone back in his pocket. “Have you eaten anything recently?”

“You don’t have to take care of me. I’ll be fine.”

Cav stepped closer.“Have you eaten?”

Wynter met his gaze. He frowned. “Before the funeral, I think.”

“You need food.” Cav crossed to the desk gracing the posh hotel room and sought a room service menu. When he found one, he realized the thought of food made his stomach ache—all while being famished at the same time. He’d not eaten since before the funeral, either. “Let’s both order something. I’ll sit and eat with you until Wilder arrives.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“You need something on your stomach,” Cav said.

“Just stop,”Wynter pleaded.

Cav slammed the menu on the desk. “Godsdamn it, just…” He turned to eye Wynter. “For me.Please?I might be twisted in a million knots, but the protective instinct still roars within. You haven’t eaten in twenty-four hours, and something tells meyou’ve barely eaten for days before that. You have to take care of yourself, ba—” Cav stopped himself before he said something stupid.Reallystupid.

Wynter eyed him a few seconds before nodding. He wandered closer and took the binder from Cav—standing too close for comfort as he examined it. Cav backed away as his omega searched the menu. The man’s scent alone was tormenting him and once again, his hands curled into fists at his side. The hug had been hell… and paradise all rolled into one.

Cav wanted another. One that wouldn’t end until they did—but he couldn’t have that until he sorted out the story and decided if he trusted Wynter with his heart again.

Once Wynter had picked something, Cav called down with both their orders. Soon after, he got a text from Wilder. Their son was on his way.

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