Page 173 of His Forsaken Alpha

“Then they go in the fire because I’m not sure I’d trust anyone else to read them but you.” Wynter amended that by adding, “Not that I don’t trust Cavanaugh—but there’s a chance thatwhatever’s in there might injure him more than me. I won’t do that to him.”

Wilder took the envelope and slashed it open. He cleared his throat—causing Wynter to fear he’d read it aloud—but relaxed when Wilder was silent after. A couple of minutes later, Wilder stiffened at his side.

Wynter’s gaze whipped to Wilder’s profile. His son’s jaw went lax, eyes widening. Fear curled in his belly. What was left that was so terrible to get that kind of reaction? Of course Warden might’ve had secrets of his own, and he’d neglected to imagine what bombs might lay in that letter. Wilder's hand went limp and fell to his lap before he turned to gaze bewildered at Wynter.

“What is it?”

“The Wildlings that attacked the train you and Cavanaugh were on?”

Wynter frowned. “Yes?”

“They were paid to do it.”

Wynter frowned, confused.

“By Warden and a man he hired to kill you—a professional mercenary. The one Cavanaugh killed, from the sounds of it. He hid amongst the Wildlings as it gave him cover and a means to explain your disappearance later. He planned to say you’d been captured and lost.”

Wynter snatched the pages away and read them himself. Even with all of Warden’s failures, he didn’t think the man had been capable of murder. He scanned the letter, his heart in his throat. Lowering them when he was done, he turned to meet Wilder’s gaze, just as wide-eyed and thunderstruck.

“They didn’t expect your alpha to be there to save you,” Wilder murmured. “Thank heavens Cavwasthere.”

Wynter was either too shocked to cry or had no more tears left to fall. “Cavanaugh deserved so much better than he got. If only I’d had this proof back then… perhaps I could’ve found my way into your father’s arms sooner. You might’ve spent your life with him—not the horrendous man you got.” Wynter eyed his son. “I don’t know how any of my children turned out to be halfway decent humans considering.” Yet, hedidknow. Jamie and Wilder’s manny. “That’s a lie. It was all Alberto. That man was a saint.”

“Then why’d you fire him? Maybe Vaughn wouldn’t be such a mess if Alberto had been there to raise him, too.”

Wynter frowned.“Ididn’t fire him. Warden did.”

“Dad told us you did,” Wilder said. He sighed.“Warden,I mean.”

“Warden fired Alberto one afternoon out of the blue. He refused to tell me why. I begged for answers and even attempted to find Alberto later, but I never did. I knew you kids needed the consistency of his love and care, especially as I fought my demons. Taking that away was cruel, unless there was good reason behind it.”

“I’ve harbored anger toward you since I was six years old for Alberto’s loss,” Wilder said. “And it was Warden all along. I suppose I should’ve asked Alberto for the truth.”

“Asked Alberto? Are you still in touch with him?”

“Jamie found him a few years back. Rohan hired him to help with his and Gray’s children. He lives there full-time, and I get to see him now and again when I visit.”

Wynter smiled. “I’m glad you’ve reunited. Perhaps I can relay my thanks to him someday soon.” He sat up straighter. “What if Warden had reason to release him, though?”

“Really? What reason would he have had?”

“I’m sure it was a minor slight of some kind, but given that he’s now raising Jamie, Gray, and Rohan’s children, it might behoove us to ask. Just to be sure?”

Wilder nodded.“I’lltalk to him.”

“Fine,” Wynter replied. “I never saw any signs that he was anything but loving, but then—I was often abed or floating around with my head in the clouds when you were all younger.”

“That’s a good analogy,” Wilder said. “Head in the clouds… because you’ve definitely seemed sharper the past couple of days. More so than I’ve ever seen you—as if a fog has lifted.”

“I feel it, too. Warden and the past were what had produced that fog, and it clung to me. Weighed me down. Now those clouds have parted, and the sun can finally shine.” Cavanaugh was that sun, bringing warmth and light into his life. “I feel better than I have… in as long as I can remember.”

Wilder sighed. “The more I learn about what Warden’s done to you over the years, the more I’m glad he’snotmy biological father.”

Wynter smiled, hoping that was a good sign for Cavanaugh.

“The more I think about it,” Wynter added. “You might not have existed if Warden hadn’t attempted to kill me. Not only did he fail to end one life but sparked another.”

“Why do you say that?”

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