Page 33 of His Forsaken Alpha

“Also true,”Gray said, handing a more content Emory back to Avery. “Let me get your brothers home and get our feral pack of boys fed.” He pressed a kiss to the baby’s head and then one to Avery’s cheek. “You’re doing great, kiddo.”

Avery smiled, eyeing his uncle. Cav glanced at Wilder who watched his omega closely, beaming with a sense of pride in his eyes. Love was broadcast for all to see. If Cav wasn’t able to have it, he could be happy that his son did.

“Give me a call if you need to talk,” Rohan said, eyeing Wilder and then Cavanaugh. “Nice meeting you.”

“Same,” Cavanaugh murmured.

Gray paused beside Cav. “If you hurt them, I know people who will help me hide your body.”

“Uncle Gray!”Avery whispered hotly.

“Do youknowthis man?” Gray asked Avery.

“No… but…” Avery shrugged. “He’s…” Avery turned toward Cav and let it trail off. Cav desperately wanted to hear how the omega had planned to finish the comment, but he nixed the question before it fell from his lips.

“While I might be a stranger, I promise you I have no plans of hurting anyone,” Cav told Gray. “Not purposefully, anyway.” His thoughts turned to Wynter. While he wouldn’t harm his omega, the need to violently shake some godsdamned sense into the man didn’t sound half bad, either. Not that it would likely help.

Gray held his stare a moment before scoffing and silently walking out. Once he was gone, Avery turned to eye Cav. “He’s harmless. Just overprotective.”

“As he should be,” Cav said, smiling softly.

“I’ll show you up to your room,” Wilder murmured, capturing his attention.

After bidding Avery and the baby adieu, he trailed behind Wilder to the third floor. Once he made it up, he was glad to be done with the stairs. His knees weren’t as young as they’d once been. He was brought to a room at the end of a fairly long hall, having counted at least eight doors along the way.

“I didn’t purposefully stuff you in a corner up here. This bedroom was built as an in-law suite before we bought the place, with its own bathroom and small living area, so I thought you might be a little more comfortable here. I can have our housekeeper bring up a plate in a little bit. I’m sure you might be hungry.”

“I could eat a little something,” Cav agreed. He’d thrown up his lunch outside the cemetery, his nerves on edge. That suddenly felt like a lifetime ago, not hours. “I’ll stay up here and let you have some privacy with your omega tonight.”

“You aren’t a prisoner up here.”

“Didn’t say I was,” Cav said. “I just… I think we could all use a little time and space to think tonight.”

Wilder nodded. “Perhaps.” He walked to the door, pausing at the opening. “If I don’t see you again tonight, have a good evening.”

“See you in the morning.”

Wilder closed the door and when Cav was finally alone, he lowered his overnight bag to the bed and collapsed into the nearest chair. He leaned his elbows on his knees, fighting back a tidal wave of emotion. He fought the tears burning the backs of his eyes as he again considered what he’d lost.

But look what I now stand to gain.

A son.

Son-in-law.

And a grandson.

If they’d allow him a space in their lives, of course.

He’d gotten an entire family in the span of a few hours. That news was a lot to absorb. He smiled at the same time a prickling returned to the backs of his eyes. A whole godsdamned family he’d never known existed. It was both breathtaking…

And heartbreaking.

He’d been denied that family by his omega—the one person on that earth who should’ve shared that life with him, not taken it away.

Cav stared around the large bedroom, and suddenly, the walls felt like they were closing in on him. Itdidfeel like a prison. Struggling to breathe, he checked that his keys and wallet were in his pocket before heading down and toward the front door. As soon as he hit the foyer, he heard a voice behind him.

“Running away?”

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