Page 203 of His Forsaken Alpha

Cavanaugh spent the next five minutes doing more and more inane antics in the water, earning more and more giggles from Silly. James had even wandered over to investigate. Soon, Cavanaugh had all of the kids giggling and watching his foolishness.

And Wynter had never loved him more.

When Cavanaugh stopped, breathing roughly, he groaned. “I didn’t realize working on grandpa status would be so taxing. I need to get in better shape.”

“What’s taxing mean?” James asked.

“Hard work,” Cavanaugh replied.

“Homework istaxing,”Auggie announced.

“A-fucking-men,” Lake agreed.

“Language!”Rohan, Gray, and Avery snapped in unison.

“Sorry,” Lake said.“Chill.”He swam closer to Cavanaugh, shaking his head. “I heard you’re the one who mentioned the exchange program to my uncle?”

“I was,” Cavanaugh said. “Any news?”

“Nah. Not yet, but we’ve sent in an application,” Lake said. “They said it’s a bit late for the fall semester—even though it’s barely summer—but maybe I’ll get lucky.”

“I hope you do,” Cavanaugh said.

“Me, too.” Lake smiled. “Thanks, Cav.”

“You’re welcome,” Cavanaugh replied.

The smile faded when Lake turned Wynter’s way. He swam off toward his brothers.

Wynter drifted toward his alpha. “I think you’ve got this whole grandpa deal sealed.”

Cavanaugh dragged him closer. “Yeah?”

“Yeah,” Wynter whispered. He wrapped his arms around his alpha’s shoulders and snuck a kiss.

“Well, technically, Lake is Avery’s brother, so I guess that makes him a defacto son-in-law?Maybe?”Cav shrugged. “Though, hedidcall Rohan and Gray his parents the other day, so I suppose hecouldclaim grandson status if he chose.”

“We’ll have to wait and see. At least you’ve already gotten on his good side, so that’s a plus. You’re several steps ahead of me.”

“Aww, you’ll catch up soon enough,” Cav said before sneaking another kiss.

“Iseeyou,” Silly announced to the whole pool. “Grandpa and Grandpapa,K-I-S-S-I-N-G!”

Wynter let go of Cav, swam closer and scooped Silly into his arms before kissing the boy’s cheek repeatedly. “I’ve got kisses for you,too.”He dove in for a few more pecks.

Silly’s belly laughter was infectious and reminded him of Jamie. He smiled, the memory breathtaking. It was then that he felt his firstborn there with them and knew Gray’s claim to be true. Jamie watched over those boys. He would, too. Wynter looked around the pool at his beautiful family, no longer lost and alone.

He’d been found and given a tremendous gift with his second chance.

His gaze drifted to Wilder, who stood close to his father, the pair chatting away earnestly. It brought a smile to his lips at the same time it took his breath away, too. Silly kissed his cheek, dragging him from his reverie.

“You stole my kisses,” Wynter cried. “I must get them back!” He dragged Silly closer and buzzed the boy’s cheek a few more times.

James drifted closer watching them but kept his distance. Wynter smiled at him, but the boy quickly spun and headed for Gray. He sighed, refusing to push the boy or demand affection not willingly given. Hopefully, in time, all the boys would get used to his presence.

He owed the boys a million kisses for all the years he’d missed. The others might not be ready for them yet, but hopefully they would someday. Wynter would make sure his family knew they were loved, one way or the other. He knew what the alternative looked like, and he was never going back.

EPILOGUE

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