Page 120 of His Forsaken Alpha

And melted into his embrace.

Wynter rested his head against Cav’s chest, his smaller body trembling. Cav squeezed tight, closing his eyes and hoping his omega wasn’t leading him down a path that would break him again.

When he finally leaned back, he stared down into Wynter’s tear-filled eyes and smiled faintly. While he knew it might be a lie, he had to offer his omega a lifeline of sorts. “It’s going to get better.”

Wynter’s body was wracked by a sob, but he held the tears back. “I hope you’re right.”

Cav headed out, every cell in his body demanding he remain and protect his omega—only he needed time. He needed sleep, if it would come, and he needed time to untangle all the things he’d been told and see what shook out in the end.

Something Wynter had said question circled in his mind.

The end.

Was it too late for them—or was there a chance for a little slice of happiness? And if there was that chance, did he trust his heart in Wynter’s hands a third time?

15

As the door closed behind Cav, Wynter turned toward his son. Holding back tears, he sat down and continued to pick at his barely touched breakfast. It was better to focus on something other than the questions burning in Wilder’s eyes. “Are you hungry?”

“I’ve eaten,” Wilder replied, a bit sharply.

Silence lingered, a heavy weight. Wynter pushed the scraps of food about, the only sound his fork on the bone china.

“I need answers,” Wilder said when the tension grew too tight. “Cav told me to be easy on you, but… at the very least, Ihaveto know if that man’s my father.”

Wynter continued to push the food about, his stomach twisting. “He is,” Wynter whispered before peeking up to see how that news was taken.

Wilder remained silent, appraising him a few seconds. “How? How did this happen and why were you with Dad—Warden—if he wasn’t your alpha? I need to understand.”

“Wilder, you deserve to know everything. And I promise you that Iwilltell you the whole sordid story—but I haven’t slept in days and after what I just shared with Cavanaugh, I need a break before I lose my mind.” He crossed his arms and rubbed the upper parts to chase away the chill. “I’d like a shower and a bed. I told Cavanaugh I didn’t need you here, but he was insistent. You can go. I’ll call you once I’m awake and coherent again.”

“I have to agree with him. You shouldn’t be alone right now.”

After fearing he’d lost everyone in his life, sensing his son’s concern—unnecessary as it was—he realized that might not be the case. Once again, a wave of emotion hit him and had him near tears. He’d worked so hard most of his life to be emotionally neutral and hide everything deep, but the past days had shattered all that. He was a raw nerve, crying at the drop of a hat.

Wynter waved at the sitting area across from the bed, fighting the tears. “If you want to set up shop while I sleep, be my guest, but I need to lie down before Ifalldown.”

“I’m taking you home.”

“Honestly, there’s staff here if I have any needs. Not much different than at home.”

“I meantmyhome. You need family around you right now, not servants.”

“Oh,”Wynter whispered. “I assumed you’d be angry and… wouldn’t want me too close right now.”

“I want answers. And having you there at the house means you can’t run from me once you wake up.” Wilder smiled slightly. “Or it’ll be harder to do, at least.”

“I won’t run from this,” Wynter promised. “I’ve wanted to tell you for a long, long time.”

Wilder searched his face. “I’ll get you packed up.”

“I haven’t really unpacked,” Wynter said. A realization hit. “Cav’s staying with you. Maybe I shouldn’t be there. He asked for space, and I want to respect that.”

“He’s up on the third floor. I can put you in the pool house. It’s not finished yet, but the basics are there.”

Wynter released a sigh of relief. He supposed that might be enough space apart. “But what about Avery? I’ve not been kind. I doubt he wants me there, either.”

Wilder inhaled and glared down his nose. “Avery already told me to bring you back with me. He didn’t like the idea of you being all alone here.”

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