Page 168 of His Forsaken Alpha

“You want to send me to a head-shrinker? No thanks.”

“Vaughn…”Wynter shook his head, frustration filling him. “I’m trying here. We are broken, and this might be our only salvation. I can’t force you to go… but I wish you would.I love you.”

Vaughn snickered, continuing to ignore his gaze.“Sure.Fine. Are we done now?”

“Idolove you, Vaughn.”

Vaughn stared at the floor, silent. After a couple of seconds, he walked away, leaving Wynter alone in the waiting room. He fought back tears, unsure how he could fix what was broken between them. Even if Vaughn wouldn’t go, he would seek help to repair all that was broken in his life. Perhaps in time, his youngest might come round.

But don’t hold your breath.

Wilder appeared in the doorway. “Ready, Papa?”

Wynter nodded. He crossed the waiting room and slipped past Wilder. After finding a chair, he snuck a peek at Vaughn before eyeing the attorney across the small conference room’s table. “Sorry for the delay.”

Max’s scowl showed he wasn’t pleased, but he said nothing—only glanced down to sort through some papers. He picked one up and leaned back in the leather chair at the head of the table. It creaked under his movements, the only sound before he spoke.

“I, Warden Jaymes, being of sound mind, not acting under duress or undue influence, and fully understanding the nature and extent of all my property and of this disposition thereof, and hereby revoke any and all other wills and codicils heretofore made by me. I nominate and appoint my son, Wilder Jaymes, as Personal Representative of my estate.”

Vaughn growled lowly but remained otherwise silent.

Max acted as if he didn’t hear it, never pausing in his rapid-fire reading. “I direct that all of my debts, and expenses of my last illness, funeral, and burial, be paid soon after my death as may be reasonably convenient, and I hereby authorize my Personal Representative to settle and discharge, in his discretion, any claims made against my estate.” Max paused a moment and took a breath. “We don’t need to read over every section of legalese. Might as well get to the good stuff, hmm?” He flipped to the following page and trailed a finger over the surface. “I devise and bequeath my property, both real and personal and wherever situationed, as follows: To my eldest alpha son, Wilder Jaymes, I leave all of my remaining stock in Jaymes & Associates, and the family home with all possessions within, with the caveat that my mate, Wynter Jaymes, be allowed to remain there until his dying day, if he survives me. To my youngest son, Vaughn Jaymes, I leave my collection of classic cars, my personal diaries, all liquidassets after all debts have been paid, and the remainder of my stock portfolio minus the shares of Jaymes & Associates.”

Wynter gazed at Vaughn and saw nothing but disappointment.

Max lifted his gaze to Wynter, the frown on his face at war with the hint of curl to his lips. “My apologies for what’s about to come out of my mouth, Mr. Jaymes.”

Wynter frowned.Mr. Jaymes? He’d just called me Wynter in the waiting room. This must be bad.He clutched the arm rests with both hands, steeling himself.

“Just remember, these are Warden’s words, not mine.” Max cleared his throat. “To the man I was forced to spend my life with, Wynter Jaymes. My first instinct is to give you absolutely nothing, as you mean absolutely nothing to me. For nearly forty years, I’ve endured your companionship, not by choice, but by misfortune of nature. Had you not stayed home that fateful night, both our lives might’ve been vastly different. How I wish you had gone with your parents instead and entrapped another, saving me from the torment, but there’s no point wishing for a change now, after all these years.”

Max paused, eyeing Wynter before looking back down. “Perhaps that sounds cruel, but I’m not a cruel man, no matter how much any of you wish to paint me as such.” Max turned the page, his face reddening. “As instructed in Wilder’s bequest, you can remain in the family home until your dying day, if you so choose. I also instruct Wilder to set aside a small, reasonable sum before the funds are bequeathed to Vaughn, and give you a monthly allowance to cover your most basic of needs, but nothing more. No more lavish clothing, country club membership, or jewelry, at least, not on my back. But then, I’m sure you’ll rush into the arms of your lover before I’m even cold in the ground. Perhapshecan support you in the way you’ve been accustomed to all these years, but my responsibilities are now concluded. In the afterlife, I will finally be free of you.”

Max paused and lifted his gaze to Wynter.

Warden had meant to wound him one last time, for sure, but Wynter didn’t feel aggrieved. The statement had been woefully inadequate if it had been meant to cut him to the bone. Wynter could do nothing but laugh. The volume rose, his stomach tight, and he wiped tears from the corners of his eyes.

Max frowned, searching the three of them, seemingly confused.

“That’sthe besthe could do?”

Max’s eyes widened. He glanced at the sheets on his desk. “He also mentions a letter, which I have, made out to you in his own hand. But yes. That’sallhe’s giving you.”

“I didn’t meanthe inheritance,”Wynter spat. “His last stab. I somehow expected more from him… and I find myself almost disappointed that he didn’t try harder. It was a miss. He didn’t even break any skin.”

“I think he meant to shame you in front of Vaughn and I,” Wilder murmured under his breath. “Fortunately for you, we already knew about Cav and your uneasy relationship with Warden before we walked inside this room. Otherwise, we’d both likely havemanyangry questions right now.”

Wynter gasped inwardly, realizing the truth of that. Warden had meant to cause chaos. Had Wynter not already told the boys his story, he likely would’ve been shattered beyond measure—and exposed in a very uncomfortable way. Cavanaugh’s appearance at the funeral had forced him to unburden himself sooner thanplanned—and ultimately saved him from an attack from beyond the grave. He smiled to himself, once again thankful Cavanaugh had shown up that day, even if he hadn’t thought he was ready.

“Warden did warn me that these words might spark some drama,” Max murmured, as if disappointed. “But I’m happy to see that isn’t the case.”

Is he?

“At least you have something to ensure you’ll survive,” Max said to Wynter, smiling. “And in that lovely house, too.”

Sure… he’d have basic needs met and honestly, that was enough, he supposed—but he’d still be reliant on other men, for the roof over his head and the money in his pocket. At least that man was Wilder. He turned, his face warming as he met Wilder’s caring gaze.

“It’ll be fine,” Wilder murmured. “You won’t want for anything, I assure you.”

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