Page 25 of His Forsaken Alpha

Wilder didn’t respond. Only stared that steely glare.

“All I can tell you is the truth. Your papaismy omega. I’m his fated alpha.”

“Yet Warden was my father,” Wilder said, his expression breaking and tears shining in his eyes. “Why is that?”

“That’s a long story that even I don’t have all the answers for. Even if I did, you don’t have the energy to hear it today,” Cav said. “I don’t know if I have the energy to tell it if you did.”

Wilder pressed on, anger firing in his eyes. “What kind of alpha can walk away from his omega?” He glanced at his mate and child, and then back to Cav. “I can barely breathe at the thought of losing them.”

Cav fought tears, a sob rising up his throat. He hadn’t missed the note of condemnation in Wilder’s tone. It was nothing compared to the shame he heaped on himself for not being alpha enough to win his omega’s heart. “I didn’t walk away, but if it helps you any, the last thirty years have been agony all the same.”

Silence filled the gap separating them. It wasn’t just space, but time and emotion stretched thin between them.

“Do you live here in the province?” Wilder finally asked, his tone once again numb.

“I do not. I was on a layover at the helipad when I stumbled over the news of your…father’sdeath. I had to know.” He fought back tears of his own. “I had to know that my omega was okay.” He scoffed. “Like the besotted idiot I am.”

Wilder glared, though Cav sensed he’d not even realized it. “Where are you staying?”

Cav shrugged. “I’d planned to grab a cheap hotel for the night and fly home to Blacksburg first thing in the morning.”

Wilder stared, silent a few heartbeats. “Is that still your plan? To leave in the morning?”

Cav eyed the man, knowing there was no way he was leaving anytime soon. “I don’t know. Should I?”

Pain sliced across Wilder’s face. “That’s not for me to decide.”

Cav considered his choices for a second. Did he stay and dig into the soft, painful places and learn the truth—potentially hurting both Wilder and Wynter in the process—or did he return home and wait for them to come to him? Considering he’d just been accused of walking away, perhaps that wasn’t the right choice. “I think I have too many questions left unanswered to leave quite yet.”

The hint of relief he saw in Wilder’s expression gave him a glimmer of hope. Cav scratched his head and stood taller. “I can leave you with my number. I’ll go find a hotel and if you want to talk in a day or two… text me and I’ll meet you. Wherever you wish.”

“Or you could stay here,” Wilder’s omega offered.

Wilder’s gaze flipped to the omega’s, and it was clear the man didn’t appreciate the suggestion.

“I think the two of you need your space right now,” Cav said. He smiled palely. “Especially with the new little one around, too.”

“Don’t be silly,” the omega replied. “This house is much too big for the three of us. There’splentyof space.”

“Avery,”Wilder murmured.

“No,” Cav replied, refusing to cause an argument between the pair. “I’ll find somewhere not too far away.” He nodded to the omega. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Avery, is it?” He eyed the omega and suddenly, a realization came over him. “You’rehim. Avery… the one who was imprisoned not long ago. For pretending to be a beta.”

The omega’s face reddened. “Yep. That was me.”

Cav’s gaze flipped to Wilder’s. “And you were his stalwart, supportive alpha, who rallied support in his favor. Support that grew tomassiveproportions.”

Wilder nodded, his face devoid of emotion. “I suppose you could say that, as long as you know that the omegas quickly took over—as they should have.”

Cav smiled inwardly, happy to know Wilder might not be like many of the alphas in Alexandria. “I just received an early copy of a book written about the Omega Rights Movement here. I haven’t had a chance to read more than a couple of chapters yet… and I’d noticed the Jaymes name, but I didn’t connect the two until just now.Avery Jaymes.According to the dust jacket, you started a revolution here.”

“I think that’s pushing my involvement a bit far,” Avery murmured, a hint of a smile on his lips.

“No, it’s not,” Wilder replied quickly, adoring gaze locked on his omega. Wilder smiled and it was the only real smile he’d seen on his son’s face so far.

It was clear there was pride in Wilder’s eyes, and they both damned well deserved to be pleased at what they’d accomplished. “I was shocked it took so long for change to come and glad it finally did. Alexandria has been a backward cesspool for far too long, not that Blacksburg’s much better. Hell, it wasn’t even on the news there, likely because they’re scared it might give our omegas ideas.” He scoffed. “And my s—” He paused, smile fading some, but none of the pride ebbed. “Andyouwere a part of that.” He eyed Wilder’s omega.His son-in-law.“Youwere spectacular from what I’ve heard so far. Taking on the system like you did. I’d offer to shake your hand, but you’ve got your hands full right now.”

Avery smiled brightly, and Cav could see Wilder was a lucky man on many fronts. Not only was Avery the catalyst of enormous positive change, but bright and handsome, as well.Andhad given Wilder a son while changing the world? If only he’d dug into the story sooner, he might’ve realized who they were to him before a funeral had led him there. “Well, I’ll leave you two so you can have some peace and quiet.” He glanced around. “Have you got a pen and paper so I can leave my number?”

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