Page 160 of His Forsaken Alpha

Cav struggled against a wave of emotion caused by their son’s acceptance. He hadn’t expected to feel it and damned sure didn’tknow what to do with it. “I need to grab my bag first.” He cast a glance at Wynter. “Wait here a moment.”

He sped up those stairs like a man half his age, the fatigue he’d had arriving at the house evaporating with the rising anticipation of where the night might lead. Cav dragged his few, paltry items back into his overnight bag, sure he was likely missing items, but it wasn’t as if he was going that far and couldn’t retrieve them. Wynter was waiting… and they’d both waited long enough. Once he’d gathered everything, he raced back down and noted that had Harris returned.

“The bed’s already been remade while we were away, and I saw fresh towels in the bathroom, so you’re all set,” Cav said to Harris.

“Appreciated,” Harris said, nodding. “I’d say sorry for kicking you out of your room, but something tells me it’s notthatgreat of an imposition.”

“Not at all.” Cav grinned at Harris while he urged his mate forward with a gentle press to the lower back. Before getting too far, he looked over one shoulder and threw out a quick,“Night.”

“Goodnight,” Wynter parroted.

“Goodnight,” the two men said in unison.

Cav sensed Wilder and Harris’s gaze on their backs as they departed, headed toward the back door. He might’ve felt embarrassed that they likely knew where their night would lead, but he didn’t care who knew. He’d waited over thirty years for that night, and he wouldn’t be shamed for wanting his omega.

As soon as they were outside in the late evening air, he glanced up at the moon. It was nearly full and would be in a matter ofdays, signaling another cycle of heats and ruts for alphas and their omegas. A dull ache hit him in the chest. There would be no more heats for them to share. His lungs tightened at the thought of never sharing another heat with his omega, another thing Warden Jaymes had robbed him of. Cav tightened his fingers against Wynter’s, knowing he shouldn’t worry about what they’d lost. Instead he needed to focus on the fact they’d finally found a chance to be together.

Forcing his wayward thoughts aside, he opened the pool house door and ushered his mate inside. Once closed and the outside world was locked away, their solitude somehow seemed louder. Perhaps that was only the pulsing of his blood growing louder in his ears.

Without a word, Wynter slowly slid his fingers from Cav’s and wandered toward the bedroom, alone. It was then that he realized he’d never asked his omega’s permission to be there. One night spent in that bed didn’t equal an open invitation, mates or not. Doubts swirled. After his blowup earlier at Arthur’s house, perhaps Wynter didn’t want to spend the night with him.

After tossing his overnight bag on the floor beside it, he eyed the small couch in the tiny living area and wondered if he could curl up on it with his big body. Wynter reappeared in the doorway, his tunic opened at the front. One side slipped down his shoulder as he leaned into the frame.

“Aren’t you coming to bed?”

The edges of Cav’s lips curled up, and he growled low in his throat. “I wasn’t sure if you wanted me to.”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“I was an ass earlier today. Stepped in it. I didn’t trust you when I should’ve given you a chance to explain.”

Wynter rose to his full height and sauntered closer. “Let’s not rehash that now. You apologized, and I forgave you.” He rested his palm on Cav’s chest and glanced up through his lashes. “We’re going to make mistakes…” He rested his other palm on Cav’s chest and leaned in just a fraction of an inch closer. “The important part is how we make up for them.”

Cav lifted a hand and pressed it over the back of one of Wynter’s, luxuriating in the silken skin there. His body tightened, ready to reclaim the man who’d been forever in his heart but lost to his touch.

“Your heart beats so fast,” Wynter whispered, a coy smile playing over his lips. “Is that because of me?”

“You know it is,” Cav whispered back.

His omega lowered a hand to Cav’s free one at his side. Wynter lifted their joined hands to press into the middle of his chest. Narrowing his eyes, he smiled. Cav could feel the same rapid pulse under his fingertips.

“That’s because of you, too.”

Cav chuckled, a sudden thought coming to mind. His smile grew. “I just now realize that I’m robbing the cradle.”

“Hardly,”Wynter said, rolling his eyes and fighting a smile.

“I was twenty-eight when I met an omega Ithoughtwas only a few years younger. You sure didn’t look nineteen.”

“I was forced to lie about my age for so long that it became my reality for a long time. I’m sorry.” Wynter stiffened. “I suppose Ihavelied to you more than once? I forgot about that one.”

“Don’t,”Cav whispered, tightening his grip on Wynter’s hand when he sensed his omega might pull away. “I wasn’t baiting you with that comment. I just thought it humorous. I’ve got myself a younger man now.”

Wynter laughed, turning his face away as if he didn’t want Cav to see the joy.

“You only being nineteen makes more sense now.”

One slender brow rose. “Oh?Does it?”

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