Page 175 of His Forsaken Alpha

Cav tossed the book on the coffee table and rose, eyeing his tight-lipped mate. Wynter forced a smile and shut the door.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong,” Wynter said. He lumbered closer and wrapped his arms around Cav’s waist and leaned in tight.

Cav embraced his mate, leaning his head down and inhaling Wynter’s clean scent. “I know something’s wrong. What did he do?”

“Nothing I wasn’t expecting,” Wynter mumbled, his face lightly pressed against Cav’s t-shirt. He leaned back and flashed a winning smile, but Cav wasn’t an idiot. He could see the good humor didn’t make it to Wynter’s eyes.

“I know you’re upset. Talk to me.”

Wynter sighed. “It’s nothing. Warden attempted a last stab of the knife, but he failed in the attempt. That’s it.”

Cav nudged Wynter’s chin higher, searching his mate’s face to assure himself there truly were no wounds. The second he captured Wynter’s gaze, his mate’s eyes began to shine.

“What did he do?”

Wynter lifted a hand, dabbing at the corner of his eye. “He attempted to expose me. Us. Fortunately, Wilder and Vaughn already knew the truth, so it didn’t have the impact Warden had assumed it would. He failed.”

“Then why don’t you seem happier? If he failed, you won.”

“I don’t feel like I’ve won,” Wynter said before dropping onto the couch.

Cav sat beside Wynter and pulled his mate into the crook of his arm. “I suppose that means you’re not a gazillionaire now?”

Wynter scoffed. “I’m allowed to remain in my home, which is now legallyWilder’shome—and I get a basic allowance to cover food and minor expenses doled out by Wilder, as well. Once again, I have nothing to call my own.”

“You have me,” Cav whispered.

Wynter lifted his gaze. “I know I have you…” He paused. “At least I hoped it. And I know I can trust Wilder to cover those expenses. It’s just…” He sighed.

“You didn’t want to be beholden to another alpha.”

“Exactly,” Wynter muttered. “Even though I know Wilder will take care of me.”

“I will, too. It’s my job.”

Wynter’s lips curled at the edges. “Your job? That sounds like work.”

“If you think you’ve not made me work for your affections, then you’d best rethink that.”

Wynter reached out and moved Cav’s chin, capturing his stare. “Youneverhad to work for my affections. You’ve always had them.”

Cav chuckled softly. “Waiting can be hard work. Especially when you have no patience.”

“The waiting is over, my love.” Wynter’s gaze drifted. He stared off into space. Clearly, there was still something weighing on him.

“What else happened today? Did Vaughn show?”

“He did. And he looked like hell. I could smell a whole distillery on him.” Wynter paused, his nose screwing up. “I’m worried about him… and I don’t know what I can do to help him without pushing him away more.”

“He needs time to calm down. He’s not going to be able to listen to you right now, so let him breathe a bit.”

“Vaughn already thinks I don’t love him and don’t care. I fear keeping my distance might only cement that.”

“A few days. A week, tops. Then you can reach out again and see how responsive he is,” Cav said. “Trust me.”

Wynter rested his head on Cav’s shoulder. He sighed and melted against Cav.

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