Page 144 of His Forsaken Alpha

“Go with your gut,” Avery murmured. “I don’t mind.”

Wynter chuckled before leaning in to press a kiss to Avery’s head. “Thank you. For yesterday. Your kindness was… it…” Wynter chuckled uncomfortably.“Thank you.”

Avery squeezed his hand. “You’re welcome. Good luck today. I hope it all goes well.”

“Thanks,” Cav said, leading Wynter away from their grandson.

Wynter clearly didn’t want to go, but he moved all the same. Cav paused for a second to snag another sip from his cup, and sensed Wynter’s desire to return for the babe. After depositing his cup in the sink, Cav dragged his omega into step beside him.

Midway to the door, Cav murmured, “Wilder’s uncomfortable. I overheard him and Avery after they caught me sneaking in. You were right. He just lost the only father he’s known, and he’s not pleased. Even though all we did was sleep in the same bed—which I assured him that’s all it was—it was clearly too much for him. We need to keep our distance today.”

“Oh. Okay.” Wynter sighed. “And we wait until he’s comfortable.” He lifted his gaze to Cav. “Are you okay with that?”

“I’ve waited this long. I’ll try to survive a little longer.”

19

Wynter was directed into a comfortably padded, high-backed seat on the aircraft and handed a headset so he could hear over the sound of the propellers. Once he, Cavanaugh, and Wilder were all seated and latched in, the helicopter rose and Alexandria grew smaller and smaller under them. The last time Wynter had been on one had been after his week with Cavanaugh, making his escape from Blacksburg.

“Are you okay, Papa?”

Wynter flicked his gaze to Wilder and nodded. He wasn’t okay. Far from it. But he needed to face his past—and the brothers he’d left behind. That part of it wasn’t as hard. He’d missed his siblings. That had been hard after he’d been taken away the first time, but he’d always thought he might eventually see them again.

After he’d been exiled, he’d realized he would likely never see them again. While that wasn’t the case, it had taken forty years to return. He glanced at Cavanaugh, who’d taken the seat farthest from him. He wanted to reach out and hold his alpha’shand, but that was impossible. Cavanaugh helped balance him. Without that, he felt lost again.

Their two-and-a-half-hour flight brought them down in Blacksburg at a bit past nine-thirty. When they opened the doors, Wynter wasn’t ready to get out. He’d promised himself to never step foot on that soil ever again. Yet he needed to assure himself the threat was well and over. With the propellers still in motion, the wind whipped and tossed his hair about wildly. He’d taken the time for a couple of narrow braids on either side of his brow, but most of it hung straight to his back. A mistake that was. He allowed Wilder to help him down instead of Cav, not wanting to upset his son any more than they might’ve already.

A car was parked nearby with a driver holding a sign that read WYNTER JAYMES. They soon slipped inside, and Wynter made sure to sit with Wilder between them. The car departed for their final destination. Wynter’s nerves were raw, his chest aching, and his stomach sick.

“You two have been awfully quiet this morning,” Wilder mentioned, not looking at either one of them. “And it almost feels like you’re avoiding one another.”

“We crossed a line last night,” Cav said. “I shouldn’t have slept in the pool house. We’re going to be more respectful of your feelings from this point forward.”

Wilder sighed. “Avery told you.”

“No. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I overheard you say it before I went up for my shower,” Cav murmured. “And you were right. Weshouldtake some time and not rush into a new relationship so soon.”

Wynter cringed, looking out the window. He didn’t want to distance himself from his alpha. He wanted to hold Cav’s hand and hold it tight. They were walking into hell, and he needed his alpha to help him stay calm.

To feel safe.

Wilder lifted off the seat and physically slid Wynter into the center before taking the newly emptied spot on the edge. “I won’t ask you to ignore your mate. Especially right now, when you’re about to face some old demons, Papa. You need Cav.”

Wynter slid his hand into Cav’s, sighing with relief as he tightened his fingers. Cav gently rubbed Wynter with his thumb, the motion soothing. Resting his head on Cav’s shoulder, he felt stronger, stealing a little mettle from his steadfast alpha.

“Already better…right?”Wilder asked, cocking his head slightly and looking at their joined hands.

“Better? Yes. Thank you,” Wynter said, his tone too clipped, his mind spinning the closer they drive. His stomach tightened, dread filling every inch of his body. Wynter could feel a bit of sweat breaking out at the back of his neck, the sure sign he was stressed. He squeezed Cav’s hand a bit harder. His lifeline.

“I don’t want you two holding back on my account,” Wilder continued. “Avery was right. You’ve been sidelined too long as it is.”

“Warden was the only father you knew,” Wynter said. “And you just lost him. It’s understandable that you need time to mourn that loss.”

Wilder smiled, but it looked forced. “Papa… just… do what feels right for you both. Don’t worry about me.”

“It’s not just you, though. Vaughn’s already upset. I won’t add insult to injury now.”

“Vaughn fucks anything that walks,” Wilder said. “I don’t think he’s got much right to judge who you spend your nights with, especially now knowing Warden wasn’t your true mate.”

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