Page 195 of His Forsaken Alpha

Tears shone in Wynter’s eyes.

“No… none of that,” Cav said. “We’re supposed to be forgetting the past and focusing on our future. Right?”

Wynter nodded, blinking back the tears.

Cav rocked the swing while caressing his mate under the blanket. Wynter melted against him, so still and quiet that Cav was sure his omega had dozed off. As soon as his knot thinned, he carefully withdrew and lifted his sleeping mate into his arms and returned to their bed.

Later that night, Wynter awoke, needful again. Cav reveled in his mate’s mild heat, grateful for every second of it. It called again hours later, a bit stronger than the others—but the rest that came during the evening and into the next day were calmer by comparison. By the evening of the second day, it seemed to have died off.

“Two days and done? That’s not a full heat,” Wynter said, his eyes hooded and half open. “We’ve been robbed.”

“I think two days of near nonstop fucking is plenty,” Cav said. He brushed Wynter’s hair back. “How about that hot bath I owe you?”

Wynter moaned. “Yes, please.”

Cav shuffled out of bed, his body sorer than he could ever recall—yet satisfied in a way words failed to describe. Before he left, he stole another kiss and then entered the modernized bathroom he’d built, which included a massive tub for two with its own hot water tank. After getting the temp just right, he left it to fill and returned to his dozing omega. He lifted Wynter into his arms.

“Put me down,” Wynter said sleepily. “I can walk.”

“Nope. I’ve waited thirty years for this moment. I’m carrying you.” Cav smiled to himself and carried his precious cargo to the bathroom.

After he lowered Wynter into the water, he climbed in himself—behind his omega.

“Oh, I like this,” Wynter said, cuddling close. “I’d much rather share.”

“As sore as this old man is, I appreciate you letting me join you.”

“Old man?” Wynter scoffed. “I saw no old man sharing my heat.”

Cav chuckled. “These are the kinds of lies I find acceptable, just so we’re clear.”

Wynter laughed. “Duly noted.”

He reached for the fresh washcloths on the corner and took one. After he wet and lathered it, he caressed his omega’s arms softly. “Are you in any pain?”

“None,” Wynter whispered. “Sore, yes, but the bath is helping.” He turned his head to Cav. “Areyouin any pain?”

“Nope,” Cav replied with a smile. “Although my heart is close to bursting. I never thought we’d get another one of these.”

Wynter spun, turning to straddle Cav. He lifted one of Cav’s hands and placed it on his heart. “Mine, too. And I’m glad I could share it with the man I love.”

Cav eyed the glittering ring on his mate’s hand. “I know we should probably wait a while, given that you’re technically still a widower—but I don’t want to wait a second longer than we have to.”

“Why wait?” Wynter asked. “We’ve waited long enough.”

Cav grinned. “We have.”

“I want to do it in Alexandria—or wherever, as long as my boys are there. I don’t know if Vaughn will come, of course, but I want our family there.” Wynter stole the washcloth, soaped it up, and washed over Cav’s chest. “What about your brothers? Should we go visit them before the ceremony—or just invite them and their families?”

“I assumed you’d want to keep this small and intimate,” Cav said.

“Are you kidding me? I didn’t even get a ceremony the first time—not that I wanted one. I signed my life away and within the hour, I was on the train to Alexandria. I want a celebration, withallof our family. My brothers, yours—our kids and grandkids.” Wynter’s eyes popped open. “A destination ceremony somewhere exotic. Oh, wait… that would be really expensive.”

“Cost is of no concern. If you want a destination ceremony, we go wherever your little heart desires.”

Wynter grinned. “No… we can go on our first mated trip somewhere exotic. Just the two of us. I’d say ask Wilder to havethe ceremony in their backyard, but with all our brothers and their family, that might be tight.”

“We could have it here. On the mountain where we first fell in love,” Cavanaugh offered.

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