Page 14 of His Forsaken Alpha

Warden clasped his chest, stopping midway down the stairs.

Wynter paused, turning to the alpha. “Stop being so dramatic. Let’s go.”

Yet Warden didn’t move.

His eyes widened, staring blankly at Wynter.

“Warden?”Wynter asked, climbing back up two treads.

Warden’s face grew deep red, his eyes too wide. He collapsed, and Wynter leapt back against the railing. Warden tumbled down the stairs, nearly taking Wynter with him.

Wynter stood midway up the stairs, staring down at the alpha, lying in a heap at the foot of the stairs. A tide of crimson began to form around Warden’s head.

He could only stand there, immobile.

Seconds passed like minutes, time slowing.

It was the end. He knew it in his heart and soul…

Warden’s time had come.

Wynter watched his alpha gasping, reaching for what, he didn’t know. A small part of him screamed to go downstairs and hold the man’s hand as the end came—yet remembering all the little slights over the years, what had been stolen from him—he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t give that simple reassurance and comfort in the face of all the pain.

Warden Jaymes deserved to die alone.

He walked down a few treads and sat on the bottom one. Warden’s gaze moved to his, mouth moving but no words came. He lifted a hand to Wynter, pleading with his eyes.

“Do you think Jamie wanted me there at his side when he died?” Wynter asked, his voice low. “I often imagine he did.”

Warden gasped, blood spittle coming from his lips.

Tears stung Wynter’s eyes. “I wasn’t in my right mind when he arrived on this earth… and because of you, I lost time with him at the end. For that… you don’t deserve comfort. You will go as you lived. Cold and alone.”

Warden’s troubled gaze captured his.

“Cold and alone.”

Wynter wasn’t sure if it had been him or one of the servants who screamed, but whoever it had been, forced him from his daydream. He wasn’t seated on the bottom step, but still on the stairs. He hadn’t even been strong enough to confront his tormentor in the end.

He scrambled down the stairs and knelt at Warden’s side, pretending to be the dutiful omega once more.

“Warden?Warden?!”He lifted his gaze to two of the servants, wide eyed and pale. “Call an ambulance!”

He gazed down at the alpha, shock numbing his fingers. Warden was gone. There would be no saving him.

The rest was a blur. The medics arrived soon after and somehow found a weak heartbeat. They worked to stabilize Warden in the back of the ambulance, Wynter there watching in horror andpraying the entire time they failed. They arrived at the hospital, and Warden was rushed into surgery. Dazed, Wynter found a seat in a waiting room, as instructed, and collapsed into a chair.

He replayed the scene over and over, watching Warden falling and him helpless in the face of it.

Wynter had no idea how much time had passed when a surgeon appeared, concern on his face.

“Mr. Jaymes?”

“Yes,” Wynter whispered, before clearing his throat. “How’s my husband?”

Husband?Mate.At least give him the dignity considering the circumstances.

The doctor frowned, as if his mistake was noted, but said nothing. “I’m afraid I have some bad news. The heart attack your alpha experienced caused serious injury. Coupled with the fall, which appears to have ruptured several vertebrae, two ribs, and his hip, and the blood loss from the wound at the back of his head, it was too much damage for his body to sustain all at once. We rushed him into surgery but lost him on the table.” He stared at Wynter with pity. “I’m soverysorry.”

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