Page 166 of His Forsaken Alpha

“No!” Wynter quickly replied. “Of course not… yet you’d still ultimately be the one in control. It would be your money. Your this. Your that.”

“What’s mine is yours,” Cav said.

“I want something of my own.”

“A fortune I can’t give you,” Cav muttered.

“I don’t care about a fortune. Just give me enough to survive the rest of my days and that’s all I need.” Wynter scoffed. “There’s always a chance it might be nothing. For all I know, I’ll be handed five renos. I wouldn’t put it past Warden to get one last cut in.”

Cav glared.

Wynter lifted his chin defiantly.

“It’s blood money,”Cav snarled.

“That’s right.It is.Myblood.Mytears.Mypain. That man put me through hell and back—and I think I deserve at least a little recompense for all I’ve suffered.” Wynter frowned. “Logically, I know that you would give me everything I asked for, Cav—but I simply don’t want to be beholden to one more man, even if he’s the best one I’ve ever known.”

Cav wanted to debate more, but the last sentence cut his argument short. “You need no safety net with me.” Cav heldWynter’s gaze, his temper cooling. “But if it gives you peace to have it, so be it.”

Wynter caressed the side of his face, grinning softly. “This is why I love you.”

“Because I caved to you?”

“Because you love me… and you give me space to stretch instead of making me shrink.”

Cav gripped Wynter’s wrist and turned his face to plant a kiss on the warm palm that had been stroking his cheek. “I endeavor tonevermake you shrink.”

Wynter slid deeper into the bed and lay facing him. He leaned closer for a kiss. And another. And another. Not long after, they rattled the headboard one more time before falling asleep in one another’s arms.

22

Wynter swept into the attorney’s waiting room behind Wilder for the reading of the will. The offices were older and desperately needed a refresh—which seemed out of the ordinary considering Warden and his brand. A soft-spoken beta assistant appeared and took their coats. He offered refreshments, which they both kindly declined. Wynter’s stomach was bound in tight knots and didn’t need the additional interference of digesting added to the mix. After a promise they’d be called in soon, he and Wilder sat and waited for the festivities to commence.

He glanced around, not seeing any signs that his youngest was in attendance—nor anyone else. Not that Wynter knew of anyone else that might’ve been listed in the document, but Warden had surprised him a time or two in the past, so he’d attempted to be ready for anything. Ultimately, Wynter was more worried about his baby boy. He’d texted twice again that morning and then left two voicemails, but it appeared he was being iced out.

He understood, yet it stung, too. Wynter worried Vaughn had done something stupid and harmful, or he was not emotionally well. Vaughn might act flippant and carefree, but he knew hisson was neither of those things. Vaughn’s entire life, Wynter had worn a mask, pretending to be something akin to happy. He feared he’d inadvertently taught Vaughn to follow his lead as he’d never truly seen the emotion in his son’s face.

Vaughn’s outer layers were thick and calloused, but Wynter sensed there was a sensitive soul down deep.

Warden’s attorney stepped out of his office, a coffee mug in hand. “Wynter… it’s lovely to see you again.”

Wynter forced a smile but cringed inwardly. He recalled Max Prentiss’ visits to their home on occasion, and he’d never liked the alpha. Max walked closer and leaned in for a hug once Wynter rose. Wynter turned to the side, attempting to limit the intimacy.

Max leaned back, a slight quirk of his lips hiding something under that slick veneer. Maybe it was an understanding behind his eyes—as if he was in on a decadent secret Wynter wasn’t privy to. A red flag rose in Wynter’s mind. Something was coming. He could feel it in his bones.

“I wish it was under better circumstances,of course.”There was no true empathy in Max’s tone.

“Yes,of course,”Wynter murmured, reminding himself not to lash out. He still had a part to play for a little while longer. Begrieved widower. He turned to his son, grasping Wilder’s arm and taking a step back for space. “Wilder, this is Max Prentiss, your fath—” Wynter froze, incapable of repeating that lie one more time.“Warden’sprivate attorney.”

“Nice to finally meet you, Wilder,” Max said, shaking Wilder’s hand. He scanned the waiting room as he pulled his hand away. “Is Vaughn here?”

“Not that I’m aware,” Wynter said, tight-lipped.

Max glanced at his watch. “Do you know if he’s on his way?”

“I’m afraid I don’t. I called him when we were in the car, but it went straight to voicemail,” Wynter replied.

“I can’t read the will unless everyone’s here,” Max said.

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