Page 65 of His Forsaken Alpha

“Are you a part of Wyndemere’s tribe?” Cavanaugh asked, moving fractionally closer and attempting to distract the alpha.

“What doyouknow of Wyndemere?”

“I lived with his tribe for many cycles,” Cavanaugh said. “He allowed me to stay with him in hishudda.”

The alpha roared with laughter. “Only proves you weak. No warlord would allow strength in hishudda.”

Cav inched forward, smiling. “He offered one of his omegas to me. A gift for one night.”

“Lies,”the alpha said. “We don’t share our omegas.” He tugged Wynter back against him. “This is a fine omega. He needs a strong alpha—like me.” With his free hand, the Wildling squeezed Wynter’s stomach. Wynter winced, and it brought a lump to Cav’s throat. “He’s swollen with his need. His womb is begging me to fill it already.”

Cav took another half step closer, quietly opening the knife with one hand behind him—which wasn’t easy. The tip of his fingernail ripped as he used it to force the blade out, his hand slippery with blood. “I’ve already filled it. You don’t want a pregnant omega, do you?”

“A bastard for the fields,” the alpha muttered. “Then I can put another on him. And another.” He chuckled, licking the side of Wynter’s face. “And another.”

Cav met Wynter’s gaze, watching a single, silent tear run down his face. His omega had already been forced once. Never again. Not if he could help it. While the alpha eyed Wynter, he took a larger step forward.

“Move again,” the alpha warned, turning to eye him. “And I’ll sink that blade that’s behind your back into your gut and make you watch me breed your omega as you lay dying.” He smiled. “Your omega… who’s nowmyomega.”

Wynter shuddered. “Don’t, Cavanaugh. I won’t let him hurt you. Just…” He closed his eyes, two more tears sliding down his cheeks. “Just leave. Save yourself.”

Cav shook his head. “I won’t leave here without you.”

“Listen to my omega,” the Wildling said, chuckling. “He knows you are no match for me.”

“Shut up!” Wynter snapped at the Wildling.

The alpha roared in Wynter’s ear—and Cav took advantage, closing in two more steps.

“Please,”Wynter murmured. “I can’t watch you die. I’m not worth it.”

“You’re wortheverything,”Cav replied. Since the alpha knew of his knife, there was no point hiding it any longer. He brandished it, gripping it in one hand. “I won’t make this easy for you,” he warned the Wildling.

The alpha laughed loudly again.

In a flash, Wynter’s hand moved, and the alpha roared in pain. Wynter flung himself to the ground—and Cav leapt into action. He charged forward, aiming for the alpha’s head with the tip of his blade. The alpha caught him and flipped him overhead. Cav landed on his back, the air knocked from his lungs. He scrambled to his feet, watching as the alpha lifted a hand to his gut where blood dripped liberally.

“You fucking cockwhore!”the alpha roared at Wynter and stormed closer.

Cav knew it was his only shot. He hurtled himself at the Wildling, arm raised. He hit the man, and they rolled to theground, struggling for supremacy. The alpha’s grip was strong on Cav’s wrist, deflecting his blade. They writhed in the snowy dirt, battling. Murderous contempt shone in the Wildling’s eyes, and Cav knew that one of themwoulddie.

He only prayed it wasn’t him—not before he could get Wynter to safety.

“He. Is. Mine!”Cav roared, putting all of his weight behind the blade once he’d managed to force his way above the alpha.

The blade sank into soft tissue, the alpha screaming in pain. Cav yanked the knife out and plunged it into the wildling’s neck, severing the artery. Blood sprayed, covering Cav in its warm, stickiness. He stumbled back from it, watching as the alpha struggled to rise and failed. Falling back onto the ground, he bled out before them, a scarlet pool spreading out under his body.

When it was obvious he was dying, Wynter sped into his arms. His omega shook viciously as he held tight, thanking the universe they were both still alive. His heart thundered in his chest, the thought of losing Wynter terrifying.

One day and his fated mate was already more valuable than life itself.

“Come on. There could be more of them coming,” Cav panted, turning to walk deeper into the woods. In the distance, he could hear screams and the sounds of more explosions. Hopefully the rest of the Wildlings were too preoccupied with the train to care about them. He knew he should likely go help the others, but there was only one omega he had the strength to protect.

“Where are we going?” Wynter asked.

“Away from whatever is going on back there,” Cav muttered, scanning the trees for more dangers.

They walked for the gods knew how long. At some point, the sun rose and flooded them with warmth—only to have another snow begin to fall a couple of hours later, darkening the sky. Wynter shook beside him, the cold biting. His omega stopped.

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