Page 88 of His Forsaken Alpha

Cavanaugh tugged on a flannel shirt and denim pants before returning to the bed for another kiss, another blanket in tow. He spread the blanket over Wynter and tucked it tight. “I’ll be as quick as I can. Rest here until I get back. As soon as I get it warmer, I’ll fix you that bath and do all the things your alpha should.”

“And you can come share that bath with me. It looks big enough for two.”

Cavanaugh grinned.“Possibly.”

His alpha departed, leaving him with a couple more bottles of water and the protein bars nearby. Soon, the outer door closed,and the cabin grew quiet. He cuddled under the blankets, languishing in the sheets that smelled of their lovemaking. As sore as he was, the scent triggered a little something within, his cock thickening.

But he was too exhausted for it to get much more than that, thankfully. He was too tired for another wave, especially one alone. Wynter stared into the flickering flames, sighing when they began to die out. He forced himself from under the covers and grabbed the thick robe he’d used after his shower to keep warm. He’d never built a fire, but how hard could it be? He tossed one of the last logs on top of the dying embers and watched until it roared to life. He rubbed his hands near the flames and remained there, close to the warmth.

A knock sounded at the door. Wynter frowned, sure it hadn’t been quite long enough to fell a tree, but what did he know? Maybe Cav had gotten some sense and borrowed some from Trout. He rose on shaky legs and tightened the tie on the robe before exiting the bedroom into the even cooler main space of the cabin. Looking over at the hearth, their first fire in the main living space was cold and dark.

Wynter turned his attention to the door. “Are my alpha’s big, strong arms full of firewood?” He whipped open the outer door, a bright smile on his lips.

Only it wasn’t Cavanaugh.

10

Cav trudged through the snow, thigh-deep in places, his body too damned weak after days spent rutting with his mate. Yet his protective instinct roared in his veins, refusing to stop until his omega was cared for properly. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. His mate. In the span of a week, he’d gone from complete disbeliever to zealot. How could instinct take him from point A to point Z so quickly? A tiny voice of reason whispered questions in the background. How could he love a man he barely knew? Was it truly love or just the demands of his nature? It didn’t make sense yet made all the sense in the world.

His body—no, his soul—knew Wynter.

Loved Wynter.

Cav craved the omega with every ounce of his being. The vision of Wynter leaving him and returning to a man who didn’t offer all he could made it harder to breathe. Theyhadto convince the alpha to let go and accept the detachment. His mind drifted to whatever the dark secret Wynter held, worried it wouldn’t be enough.

As much as it seemed to pain Wynter, it was clearly bad.

Was it bad enough, though?

Regardless, Cav would do everything in his power to make it happen. Fast and quiet, but he’d get loud if he had to, and take as long as was needed to win his mate for good.

Sidling up to the nearest pine on the edge of his property that looked ripe for the cutting, he hefted the axe. The cut in his hand had had days to heal, but he knew he was about to do damage. He’d played it off to Wynter, but it was going to hurt. Freezing to death would hurt more. After getting in position, he took the first swing. The vibration of the wooden handle through his hand set his teeth on edge, but there was no time to sit around and whine.

He continued to strike, pounding away as quickly as he could. Ignoring the blood that soon dripped from his palm only lasted but so long. The handle of the axe slipped in his hands. He wiped the blood from his palm onto his shirt and continued hammering away, sweat heavily dotting his brow. He pushed his spent body well past the point of exhaustion, his muscles aching. More blood pooled on his palm, and he wiped it on the shirt, sensing it was pretty well ruined.

Finally, the tree hit the ground, sinking into the snow.Fuck, I should’ve cleared that first.He moved it away from the tree, the cold feeling good against his hands, at first. Until it began biting his flesh. Luckily, it helped staunch the bleeding some.

He cut away the smaller branches and used them to brush more of the snow away. Once he had a clearing of sorts, he rose, stretched his back and arms, and cracked his neck. A crunchsounded behind him. He turned, searching the tree line, sensing he wasn’t alone.

“Hello?”

Goose bumps skittered over his arms. He moved closer to the trees, where he was sure the noise had come from—but saw nothing.

“Hello!”he called a little more loudly.

A stag jumped from behind some trees and raced away. Cav stood a moment, breathing past the knot in his stomach and thankful it wasn’t where his head had gone. He chuckled to release the nerves. The Wildling had come to mind, but there’s no way they wouldn’t have attacked at their most vulnerable—mid heat and rut. He returned to the tree with a newfound sense of urgency. While he was sure it was just his nerves, he needed to get back.

They also needed to not freeze.

The cold lookin the man’s eyes sent a shiver down Wynter’s spine.

How did he find me?

“Haven’t you shamed this family enough, Wynter? Out here in the middle of nowhere, bedding another alpha like somecheap whore?”

Wynter lifted his chin, refusing to allow his papa to get the better of him. Again. “He’s my alpha. Ibelongto him.”As much as he belongs to me.

His papa pushed past him and slammed the outer door closed. “Warden Jaymesis your alpha. By law and by right.”

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