Page 131 of His Forsaken Alpha

Wynter met Avery’s gaze, his stomach knotting before he snapped. “You’re right, that’snotyour place.”

Avery’s face fell, and Cav stiffened at his side. Wynter immediately regretted his words.

“I’m sorry,”Wynter said, looking up at Avery and pleading for forgiveness. “It was a gut, defensive reaction, and you didn’t deserve that.” He paused, taking a slow breath. “And only makes your suggestion all the more accurate. You’re right. I can’t do this alone. I can’t wipe away forty years of pain overnight. I need help.Professionalhelp.” He pressed a gentle kiss to Emory’shead. “Idon’twant the past touching this sweet little boy. It’s hurt enough people already.”

“I’ve met some very interesting folks over the last year with the Omega Rights Movement. I might be able to make a few discreet inquiries and find someone well qualified who could help you,” Avery said.“Ifyou’re interested.”

“I would appreciate that,” Wynter whispered before smiling softly at Avery. “Thank you.”

“No problem.” Avery rose from the couch, his hand still clutched in Wilder’s. “You’re not alone, Wynter. We canallhelp you move on past this, but a trained professional can take you so much farther. Iwantyou to have a good relationship with your sonandgrandson. I’m rooting for you.”

Wynter dabbed at the corners of his eyes, fighting the sob trying to rise up. “Please go take your nap before I end up a little puddle on the floor. I don’t know how much more of this kindness I can take tonight.” He smiled down at Emory. “I promise your boy is in good hands until you come back.”

“Iamhis favorite,” Wilder whispered to Avery. “He’s going to spoil that little boy rotten.”

“Oh no,” Wynter said, gazing down at Emory. “You’ve been supplanted, my boy. I have a new favorite now.”

Emory released a magnificent burp at the perfect moment, and they all barked with laughter.

“Then, I think I will sneak in an hour of rest,” Avery said, yawning again. “Don’t spoil him too much while I’m gone.”

As soon as Avery climbed the stairs, Wilder eyed them. “I just realized… we’d eaten dinner before you two arrived and neveroffered you anything to eat. There’s a casserole waiting for you in the fridge. I just need to pop it into the oven to warm.”

“I’m not very hungry,” Wynter said.

“We’d bedelightedfor a little dinner,” Cavanaugh said, glaring at Wynter. “Your papa’s barely eaten in days.”

Wynter sighed, shaking his head. “You know, Icanmake decisions on my own.” He chuckled to himself. “The little ones, at least.”

“You need to eat. Even if it’s only a few bites,” Cavanaugh murmured. “When you start taking better care of yourself, I’ll stop being a jerk.”

Wynter eyed Cavanaugh, fighting a smile. He turned to his son. “A little bit, then.”

“Can you watch Emory while I toss it into the oven?” Wilder asked.

“Of course,”Wynter said. “Me and my little buddy will be fine right here.”

“Be right back,” Wilder said.

When they were finally alone, Wynter looked up at Cavanaugh, a soft smile on his lips. “Emory looks so much like Wilder did as a baby.Smaller,but the same. I’ll have to dig through the old photo albums and find some to show you.”

“I’d like that,” Cavanaugh said.

“I’m sorry I kept that from you,” Wynter whispered. “Him… watching him grow. Having moments like this.”

Cavanaugh rubbed Wynter’s shoulder. “I won’t say it doesn’t hurt like hell, but I understand why you thought you needed to do it.”

He understood? “Does that mean you believe me?”

“I do.”

Wynter looked up at his alpha, another wave of emotion threatening. He held the pain in so long that freeing it was leaving him raw. The walls he’d meticulously built had crumbled, leaving behind a sniveling, whimpering mess. If only his papa could see him. No way would he approve.

Fuck him. He didn’t have to pretend to be something he wasn’t anymore. He could cry and rage and be messy all he wanted. He could also be all the things he’d wanted to be.

He could love the alpha he’d always loved.

If it wasn’t too late.

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