Page 149 of His Forsaken Alpha

Before Wynter could answer, Cavanaugh leapt from the sofa. He spun, anger simmering in his eyes. “You could’ve used that secret to dissolve your mating,” Cavanaugh seethed. “You could’ve come to me sooner—and you chose a world tour instead?Once again, I was an afterthought.”

“No.”

From Cavanaugh’s body language, it was clear his alpha didn’t believe him. Wynter turned to Wilder and saw the same look of judgment in his son’s eyes.

“Thatwasn’twhat I used.”

Cavanaugh glared, three decades of pain still visible in his eyes.

“About a year ago, I overheard a conversation between Warden and a longstanding board member. They were reminiscing afterWarden announced he was planning to retire. They gleefully discussed defrauding Alexandria on several construction projects soon after Warden took the business over from his father.Thatis how he turned the company around, and that money became the capital for decades of growth at J&A.”

Cavanaugh eyed him, silent.

“Itriedto use it to get a separation and he refused, knowing I couldn’t play that card without potentially harming Wilder and Vaughn’s futures and the legacy he was leaving them. Since he was retiring, it might’ve ended up beingWilder’smess to clean up and might’ve destroyed the company. Icouldn’tdo that to my boys.” Wynter took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “But the fraudwasenough to get me out from behind those prison walls, so yes, I took it.”

“Maybe the company isn’t worth saving if it was built on lies,” Wilder said. “Don’t use its sustainability or lack thereof as a reason for making these decisions, Papa.”

“It’syour futurewe’re talking about, Wilder,” Wynter said, spinning to face his son. “I suffered all of these years, and for what?” Wynter fought tears. “At least you get something out of this. You and your family will be provided for. Your children, grandchildren, and the generations that come after. That’s one of the few things that kept me going all these years. Just like what Avery wants for Emory, I wanted to seeyoufly.”

Wilder held his gaze, sorrow there in the depths. “I shouldn’t fly if lifted from your broken back, Papa.”

“What else could I give you?” Wynter asked, shoulders slumping. “It’s all I had.”

Wilder sighed. “No more. J&A rises or falls on its own merit. We don’t suffer to keep it afloat.Understood?”

“Yes,” Wynter murmured.

Cavanaugh stared at Wynter, some of the anger having faded from his eyes. “But you also knew Warden was alpha attracted… why didn’t you use that?”

“I caught him in a trysttwo daysbefore we returned home for Wilder’s mating ceremony—which happened a week ago.”Wynter murmured. “I’ve known for a little over a week. Trust me, my mind was spinning with the possibilities, but before I could fully form a plan,he died.”

Cavanaugh sighed deeply, moving his hands to his hips. “I’m sorry. I jumped to conclusions.”

“Yes. You did.”

Cavanaugh’s anger faded, but Wynter swelled with it.

“From your reaction, I think it’s clear you don’t trust me. Maybe wearen’tready to move forward together,” Wynter whispered.

“Wynter,”Cavanaugh murmured.

“I know you both wanted to come here to confirm my account of what happened. Neither of you trusted me completely, even if you said you did. I understand, yet it hurts that you had so little faith.” His gaze flicked to Cavanaugh’s. “I lied to youonce—and it was in an effort to save your life. How long will I be punished for that?”

Cavanaugh stood silent, regret in his expression. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have assumed anything without asking you first.Forgive me.”

Wynter crossed his arms over his chest, afraid they would never be able to overcome the shadows of the past. “Will this be the way with us moving forward? You questioning everything I say?” He fought the sting of tears. “I know you’ve been through a lot. We both have… but I don’t want this to be how it is between us.”

Cavanaugh moved closer, taking Wynter’s head in his hands. He tilted Wynter’s face up. “Again, you’re right. We need to leave the past in the past and start over. But it won’t be easy. We’regoingto make mistakes along the way.”

Wynter held his alpha’s gaze, hoping Cavanaugh was right. He uncrossed his arms and lifted his hands to grasp his alpha’s wrists. “Before you sit and simmer in anger again, pull me aside and ask.”

“I will.I wanted to, but I didn’t want to interrupt your time with your brothers. That allowed my head time to spin and the anger to churn.I’m sorry.”

Wynter turned his face and pressed a kiss to Cavanaugh’s palm. “Forgiven.”

Cavanaugh lowered and kissed Wynter. And again.

And again.

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