Page 9 of His Forsaken Alpha

Jamie’s smile faded. “Come on, Papa. I know you and Daddy aren’t fated mates.”

Wynter lifted his gaze, surprised.

Jamie chuckled. “Ihavea fated mate. I know what that love looks like. I see the world when I look into Rohan’s eyes.” Jamie paused. “Because of that, I know what you and Daddy sharecan’tbe a fated match.”

Wynter’s lower lip trembled.

“I’m sure the story might not be pretty, but I want to know how I came to be. Can you please give me that?”

Wynter blinked back tears.“I can’t.”

“Please.”

“It’ll only cause more pain. I don’t want to hurt you. In fact, I promised your alpha that I wouldn’t before I came upstairs. I won’t have him angry with me.”

“Don’t worry about Rohan. Iwantto know our story.”

“As you said, it’s not pretty,” Wynter murmured. “I can’t—no,I won’t—do that to you.”

“Ineedto know where I came from. Before I leave this world, I want to understand how my life began,” Jamie said, squeezing his hand.“Please,Papa.”

Wynter searched his son’s face, fearing the truth might damage them both, but how could he refuse that request? He turned away, fearing he was making a mistake, but he’d denied Jamietoo much as it was. “If I tell you that you were right… that we’renotfated mates, can that be enough for you?”

Jamie searched his face. “Perhaps it’ll have to be. I just wish you’d open up and share, Papa. We don’t have much time left.”

“Don’t say that!”Wynter blinked back tears. If the end was near, no way was he compounding all of his past mistakes by telling Jamie he hadn’t been a happy accident.

Far from it.

“Look at me, Papa. Iknowmy time is limited.”

“No,”Wynter sobbed. He opened his mouth to say more but couldn’t find the words.

“I have some things I want to say, if that’s okay? They might not be easy to hear, but I need to say them.”

Wynter nodded. “Of course.”

“I spent my life trying my damnedest to make you proud,” Jamie said. “And never felt like I could. When I finally stopped trying,thatis where I found peace.”

“Iwasproud of you.” Wynter smiled. “And I’m glad that despite me and my lack of telling you that, you found that peace.”

“I know you don’t approve of all my choices, namely the most recent one—to give Rohan children via a surrogate, but I don’t care what you think. I don’t care what anyone outside this house thinks. Gray and the promise he brings has made me the happiest I’ve ever been in my entire life.”

Tears rolled over Wynter’s cheeks, and yet he smiled. “I’m glad for that. You deserve every happiness, my sweet boy.”

“And I know I wasn’t wanted. I know you did your best to hide that from me, but I know.”

“Of courseyou were wanted,” Wynter murmured. He bit back the bile rising in his throat.

“Please don’t lie to me,” Jamie whispered. “I’m at a stage in my life where I want to be completely honest when I look at my life and where my path has lead me. I wish I knew the story of how I came to be, but if it’s too painful, I won’t push any harder. But know, I’ve always sensed it wasn’t happy. Having confirmation that you and Daddy aren’t fated mates… I think I was right. You were forced into a situation out of your control, and burdened with a child you didn’t want.”

“No,”Wynter said—to guard Jamie’s heart. “That’s not true.”

“You don’t have to protect me anymore, Papa.” He smiled softly. His lids grow heavy, and he seemed drawn. “I sense it was hard for you. I think you did the best you knew how to do in an untenable situation. Were there mistakes made along the way? Sure. No one’s perfect. I’m sure not.”

Wynter considered those words, starring down at his son’s hand. He thought back to a time it had been tiny, clutching his. How much he’d give to go back in time and have a chance to do it all over again. To do it better. He lifted his gaze and captured Jamie’s. “You’re a lot closer to perfect than I’ll ever be. I’m so proud of the man you’ve become, in the face of how things began. I don’t know how you became so sweet. So kind. Or where this enormous heart of yours came from—but it’s beautiful. You’re one of a kind, Jamie. A wild rose grown from the briars.”

“Thank you,” Jamie whispered. He squeezed Wynter’s hand, yawning. “I would love to sit and chat some more, but I’m suddenly quite tired.”

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