Page 159 of His Forsaken Alpha

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It was nearly nine when Cav followed the trio inside Wilder’s quiet home later that night. All the lights but one were off, bathing the house in a shroud of shadow. Avery and the babe were apparently already in bed. After the chaos of the day, Cav was ready to find his own—though, he sure as hell wasn’t interested in sleeping right away. He snuck a peek at Wynter, not ready to part ways with his omega after a long, emotionally trying day, but doubts whispered in the back of his mind—especially after he’d lost his shit earlier in the day.

While Wynter had said he was forgiven, was he? And even if he was, he shouldn’t assume Wynter wanted to share a bed again. His omega had told Wilder they would wait, give their son time to mourn the man he called father. Cav had bitten his lip during that conversation because he was done waiting. He was ready to reclaim his mate, mind, body, and soul.

All the handholding, soft touches, nearness, and heated glances over the past days—along with sleeping beside his mate the night before—were slowly driving him over the edge. He snuck another glace at Wynter but couldn’t seem to catch the man’s eye.

Was that a sign in itself? Was Wynter avoiding his attentions?

He hated the gray area they were floating in—the ‘will he or won’t he’ void where he second-guessed his every damned move, fearful he’d push too hard and lose that one last chance he’d been presented with.

“Damn,I should’ve called ahead and had our housekeeper prepare a room for you,” Wilder murmured to Harris. “We just recently moved in, so we’re not completely settled yet.”

“I can find a hotel for the night if it’s an imposition.”

Wilder shook his head. “We can find you somewhere to sleep, but it might not be the Ritz.”

“Look, I’ve thrown myself on your mercy and appreciate the roof over my head. It’s likely more than I deserve. Give me a couch—or even a floor where I’ll be out of the way—and I’ll sleep just fine,” Harris said.

“He can have my room. I can sleep out in the pool house,” Cav said before his reason had time to stop him. He glanced at Wynter, searching his omega’s gaze, but saw no sure signs of a reaction one way or the other. Refocusing on Wilder, he drew in a shaky breath. “If that’s okay with you?”

Wilder frowned. “We discussed this in the car. You don’t have to ask my permission to spend the night with your omega.”

The conversation lulled as Cav held on to what he wanted to say but couldn’t with Harris there.

“Not to interrupt, but is there a bathroom close?” Harris asked.

Cav smiled to himself. Either Harris sensed the uneasiness and wanted out—or he was oblivious. He rather hoped it was the first. It would make him respect the man more.

Wilder pointed out the way to the guest bathroom, and Harris quickly disappeared.

Once it was just the three of them, Cav caught Wilder’s gaze and saw the tempestuous emotions swirling there. Of course, Wilder was strung between two points, it was to be expected, yet Cav had waited a lifetime to be with his omega. Waiting much more would tear him apart. “Yes, you did say that, but I also know what your papa said, so I don’t know which direction I should be going right now. I don’t want to step over the line, son.”

Son.

As soon as the word was out of his mouth, Cav wished he could reel it back. Dragging his gaze to the ceiling, he inwardly cursed himself and didn’t miss the hint of a gasp from Wynter at his side or the tightening of the hand in his. Cav hadn’t meant it in a familial sense—only that of an older man speaking with a younger one.Hadn’t he?Had the need to connect with his own flesh and blood overwhelmed his weary brain?

“That line was stepped over a long time ago, hmm? Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here, right?” Wilder murmured.

His gaze flicked back to Wilder’s. Had that been a ding for them having been together while Warden and Wynter had still be legally mated? Wynter’s hand squeezed a bit tighter.

“I meant that as a joke,”Wilder added after a few beats of silence. “I’m sorry—I’m exhausted. It’s been a harrowing few days for all of us, and that didn’t come out quite right.”

Cav breathed a little easier, and Wynter’s grasp lessened, yet he wasn’t fully comforted. “Or you didn’t find it as funny as you were trying to let on.”

Wilder cringed ever so slightly, barely noticeable, but it was there.

“This is uncharted territory, Wilder. For both of us. I’m still a stranger to you and you to me, for the most part. I don’t expectanythingfrom you—other than a chance to get to know you if you’ll let me.” Cav paused. “But when it comes to your papa, I won’t apologize for loving him or the time we spent together that brought you into this world. Nor will I hide the love I still have for him.”

Wilder searched his face.

“I won’t hide it… but Iwillkeep my distance for a little while longer.Ifyou need me to.”

Wilder sighed. “I won’t lie… seeing my papa with you feels… odd. But I also see the way you two look at one another.” His focus turned to Wynter. “And I’ve never seen you smile like you do when you look at him and he looks at you.” Wilder smiled softly. “He makes you happy. I won’t be one more person on the list who’s kept you from your mate. Go… be happy… andstopworrying what everyone else is going to think about it.”

Cav fought a smile and lost.

Wilder’s gaze flicked to his—and he seemed to fight off a small smile. “I’ll get Harris situated. Get out of here,you crazy kids.”

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