Page 66 of His Forsaken Alpha

“We have to keep moving,” Cav said, exhaustion setting in and his adrenaline finally having calmed after the fight. It hadn’t calmed completely, though. They were still in danger. Hopefully his internal navigation was steering them right.

Wynter pulled the bag from his shoulder that he’d miraculously held on to through all the madness. “I might have some things in here.” He dug to the bottom and pulled out a soft wrap, tossing it over his shoulders. “It’s not a lot, but better than nothing,” he muttered as he continued to dig. Then he pulled a pouch out. He handed it to Cav. “A rain poncho. It’s not very warm, but it might help stop the wind, at least.”

Cav took it, unfolding it from its pouch. He shook it out before slipping it over Wynter’s head.

“I gave thatto you,”Wynter argued. “I took the wrap.”

Cav shook his head. “It’ll protect you. I’m okay.” He wasn’t okay, but if they kept moving, he’d make do. He reached for Wynter’s hand. “Keep moving. You’ll stay warmer.”

Wynter clutched his ice-cold hand into Cav’s, and they continued to trudge through the snow. Another half hour or so later, they broke through the tree line, and he sighed with relief. They’d been close to Blacksburg when the train had been attacked. He could see his mountain in the distance. “Come on. We’re close.”

“Close to what?” Wynter asked.

“Home.”

“I don’t see Blacksburg’s walls,” Wynter said.

Cavanaugh smiled. “I live in the mountains just outside the walls, in the protected zone.” And it was a good thing. He had none of his IDs on him. While Wynter had held on to his bag, Cavanaugh’s satchel was long gone. Where, he had no idea. There’s no way he’d have gotten past the wall, covered in blood, anyway—not without a Guard’s inquest. That might land Wynter back where he didn’t belong. Wynter was beyond Alexandria’s walls and that was half the battle. They needed a safe space to regroup before they made their escape. “Another hour and we should be home.”

Wynter wassure his feet were going to freeze before they made it to Cavanaugh’s cabin, but when he saw a series of smoke trails, he assumed they were from fireplaces on the mountain—especially since that was the direction they traveled. The incline continued to rise, making it harder to move, but they weresoclose. He pushed with everything he had, though there wasn’t much left. “Are you sure the protected zone will be safe against the Wildlings? They might track us. You killed one of theirs.”

“I live too close to the wall,” Cavanaugh said. “They won’t follow us there.” He grinned. “Plus, one of my neighbors is ex-Guard—and he’s a bit of a survivalist. He lives near the base and protects the only path and road up.No one’sgetting past him.”

Wynter hoped Cavanaugh was right.

Not long after, they approached a small farm of sorts. A huge beta stepped out, a rifle trained on them. He was so big, Wynter assumed him an alpha for a moment, but then he recalled the man was ex-Guard. Only betas were hired by the Guard. “Turn round before I fill you both with buckshot.”

“It’s me, Trout,” Cavanaugh said. “We were attacked on the train.”

“Cav?”

“Yeah,” Cavanaugh said, wiping a bit more blood from his face.

The beta lowered his weapon. “I heard over the scanner that Wildlings took down the train. I’ve been sitting on my porch, making sure none of those bastards headed this way.” He turned to eye Wynter. “Who’s this?”

“My omega,” Cavanaugh said, the pride in his voice unmistakable. “Wynter, meet Trout.”

Trout grinned. “Nice to meet you, Wynter.” He focused on Cavanaugh. “Looks like you were in one hell of a fight. Please tell me the other guy looks worse?”

Cavanaugh agreed. “Definitely worse.”

“And dead,” Wynter added.

Cavanaugh eyed Wynter before looking to Trout. “He’s in shock. Hyperthermic. I need to get up to the cabin and warm him up.”

“Or you could go inside and warm up here,” Trout said.

“I appreciate the hospitality, but I need to get my omegahome.”

Wynter frowned, unsure what Cavanaugh implied.

Trout drew the rifle over his back. “Jump in the back of the pickup. I’ll get you up there faster.” He grinned. “The omega can ride with me inside. No offense, I ain’t cleaning blood out of my cab.Again.”

Wynter eyed Cav, concerned. When he nodded the okay, Wynter relented and followed Trout. The second he slid inside the cab, it was a bit warmer than outside.

Trout started the engine, and cold blew from the vents before the man shut off the air. “You’ll be inside his cabin before the engine warms up enough.” He turned toward Cavanaugh out back. “Ready?”

Cavanaugh gave a thumbs up.

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