Page 156 of His Forsaken Alpha

Perhaps he should’ve shown more compassion. His papa had suffered a mental illness, yet the torment the man had wreaked made it impossible to forgive.

Yet wasn’t he himself asking for that same forgiveness from those in his life? He tried to find an ounce of sympathy for Barnaby Jaymes—but came up empty.

Barnaby cackled… but the sound faded away. He was silent a moment, comprehension disappearing from his eyes. He opened his mouth, but only a hollow wail came out.

Wynter turned. “There’s nothing more to see here.” He fled for the hallway, the continued screaming too much on his tattered nerves. Cavanaugh and Wilder exited right behind him.

“Wynter?”

Wynter spun to find Archie in the hallway, holding a book. He rose to his full height, lifted his chin, and took a deep breath while Cavanaugh and Wilder blocked the man from getting too close. “Yes…Daddy?”

Archie shuffled closer and handed him the book clutched in his wrinkled hands. Not just a book, but a small leather pouch, as well, that rested on top. He didn’t say anything, but his eyes spoke volumes.

Wynter took them as his brother exited the bedroom and shut the door. “Thank you.”

“I saved it for you,” he whispered before turning and slowly shuffling away.

Wynter glanced down at the leather-bound volume. Once Arthur led them back downstairs and into the foyer, he cracked it open and took a peek. “Arthur, I think this might be one of the missing diaries you’d mentioned.”

Arthur moved closer, scanning the pages as Wynter lifted them. “I believe it is. It looks similar to the rest.”

Wynter handed it to Arthur. “You should have this.”

Arthur shook his head, holding his hand up in refusal. “No. He said he saved itfor you.”

Wynter eyed it. He wasn’t sure he had it in him to read his father’s words, but deep down, he knew he would. Eventually.

“Once you’re done with it—and if you’re okay with me reading it—I’d love a peek,” Arthur said. “The insights of their relationship and things that went on right around us without us knowing have been—rather eye opening. I think it’s helped us heal some, too, knowing just how flawed they were as human beings.”

“I don’t know if I’ll have the nerve to read it immediately. It’s been one hell of a week.” He closed the volume and ran his hand over the linen and leather cover. “I might need to work up the courage.”

“I can wait,” Arthur said, smiling softly. “What’s in the pouch?”

Wynter untwisted the closure and peeked inside. He slid out a few sheets. “My birth certificate… school records… old photos…” Wynter scoffed. “All the things Papa claimed he’d destroyed.” He slid another thick set out. “My mating contract to Warden! I don’t think I ever had a chance to look at it longer than the few seconds it took them to force me to sign.”

“I can’t believe he’s been hiding those all this time,” Arthur said as Wynter shoved the papers back inside. “Or that he remembered long enough to give them to you in one of those rare moments of clarity.”

Wynter hugged the book and pouch to his chest. “I have a lot to look through once we’re home. On top of everything else.”

“You don’t have to leave yet, do you?” Arthur asked, frowning. “You just got here.”

“Our flight home is scheduled to leave at five,” Wilder murmured. “We likely shouldn’t be too much longer before we head back to the city.”

Arthur lifted a brow. “You should’ve planned a longer trip.”

“Well, between Wilder’s newborn at home… and not being sure how my reception would be here,” Wynter murmured. “A brief visit made sense.”

“Why don’t you stay the weekend?” Arthur asked. “I know you wouldn’t want to stayhere, but I’m sure Anders or Broderick would welcome you. If not, I can book you a hotel rooms for the night.”

Wynter eyed Cavanaugh and then Wilder before turning back to Arthur. “It’s been a roller coaster the last few days, and while Iwant to knoweverythingI’ve missed, I think it might be best to get some rest and reflect on what’s happened… and then perhaps I can come back and visit again?”

“You’d better,” Arthur said with a smile. “We know you’re still around. There’s no getting rid of us now.”

Wynter grinned up at his little brother.“Thank you.”

“Meh, what did I do?”

“You’ve welcomed me home when I never thought I’d see the day.” He fought tears. “I’ve got my family back after all this time.”

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