Page 44 of His Forsaken Alpha

The porter stopped just outside and lowered his suitcases. He checked Wynter’s ticket, as well as the number on the door. “Yes, sir, this is the cabin listed on your ticket.”

Wynter turned to eye the handsome alpha sprawled out on the seat that was supposed to be his. “You’ll need to leave and findyourcabin, sir.”

“No,” the man said, his slightly accented voice languid. He fished something from his pocket before rising to his feet. He brandished his own ticket to the porter. “Thisismy cabin.”

The porter read both tickets before eyeing them both. “I’ll go get the conductor.”

“At least bring my bags in from the hall before you leave,” Wynter snapped at the beta.

“Something wrong with your arms?” the alpha asked with a raised brow.

“It’shis job,”Wynter snapped before taking a seat. He crossed one leg over the other. “I suppose I’ll just have to wait here until they remove you.”

“Or they removeyou,”the alpha said with a grim smile.

Irritation filled Wynter, growing by the second. Sure, the situation was troublesome, but arguing wouldn’t help anything. Hehadquarreled with Warden yet again that morning, so perhaps that was it. Spillage. Wynter took a deep breath and sighed.

The porter brought his suitcases in and left them in a discombobulated pile. “I’ll be right back,” he announced before leaving them alone.

Wynter eyed the stranger. “I understood this car was omega and beta only. I’m sure they’ll find you better accommodations elsewhere.”

“No, darlin’,thisis an alpha car.”

An alpha car? No.There’s no way Warden—or whoever had scheduled his trip—had put him on an alpha car. Wynter spun his wedding band, knowing it was the thinnest of barriers between him and another alpha. “I’mnotyour darlin’.”

The alpha eyed the twirling band with an arched brow. “Where’s your alpha? Shouldn’t he be here to—protectyou?”

Wynter clicked his tongue, wondering what other insult had nearly been flung his way. “I don’t need hisprotection.”Wynter tossed his long hair over one shoulder. “He had to remain home for work.”

“So he sent you away? I wonder why?” the alpha asked sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

“Are youalwaysthis rude?”

“Only when someone’s rude to me,” the alpha murmured before lifting a newspaper and opening it—cutting off Wynter’s icy glare.

It left Wynter to boil and churn on the other side of the printed pages—but why was he boiling and churning? Something about the man felt… off. It rubbed him the wrong way. After taking another settling breath, he turned his attention away from the galling man and outside the large cabin window. There, on the platform, he observed families and friends reuniting or saying their long goodbyes. Businessmen with their suits and briefcases strode confidently past. A lone omega with two babes in a stroller wandered by, appearing lost.

No one had been there to bid him adieu, unless he counted their driver. Certainly, no loving family member. An ache formed in his belly. He’d never known that and likely never would.

Time drew on, the clock ticking. The train was soon to depart, and no one had come to fix theirsituation.

Finally, the door opened. “Mr. Jaymes?”

Wynter turned to see the conductor entering. “Thank heavens. Will you please removethis manfrommy cabin?”

The conductor’s face darkened. “I apologize, Mr. Jaymes. It seems as if you were booked into the wrong cabin.”

Wynter’s jaw clenched, and he heard a low chuckle coming from behind the newspaper before it was fully lowered. The alpha’s smug smile begged to be slapped away.

“I assume you’ll move my belongings to the appropriate cabin?” he asked the conductor, standing taller and lifting his chin—all while ignoring the alpha’s too pleased face.

“I’m afraid not,” the older beta said. “There’s a problem. The train’s fully booked. There are no seats leftanywhere.You can either remain here in Mr. Cavanaugh’s cabin, if he’s agreeable— or we can book you another trip in a few days.”

In a few days?His heat was coming… there was no time to waste. As it was, he was leaving at the last possible second. But to share a cabin with a stranger—an alpha, at that? It ran the risk of causing gossip if anyone found out. Yet, the thought of going home with his tail tucked between his legs to an alpha demanding his absence didn’t sit well, either.

“An omegain a private cabinwith an alpha who is not their mate?” Wynter asked quietly.

“Youaremated,” the conductor said. “I assumed it wouldn’t be an issue, considering you’ve already been claimed.”

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