Page 7 of His Forsaken Alpha

Wynter froze. Worry about gossip slipped from his mind. “It’s as bad as Wilder said? Jamie’s health?”

Rohan took another steadying breath, tears shimmering in his eyes. “Go see for yourself.”

Wynter’s knees weakened seeing the emotion reflected in Rohan’s eyes. He steeled himself for what he might encounter.

“But let me be clear with you,” Rohan threatened, his eyes suddenly bright with hatred. “If you upset him or hurt him in any way, you will havemeto deal with.”

Wynter lifted his chin, hoping it didn’t wobble. “Noted.”

“He’s in the room at the end of the hall,” Rohan murmured, pointing up the stairs.

“You’ve changed bedrooms?”

Rohan winced. “He wanted space of his own.”

Wynter frowned, opening his mouth to argue, but the words died on his lips when Rohan turned to glare. That look spoke volumes, and it was clear Rohan wasn’t happy about the change.

Had his bedding the surrogate caused it?

“End of the hall,” Rohan spat between clenched teeth.

Wynter swallowed. He slid his coat off and laid it over the end of the banister before rising up the stairs. He slowed his steps once he reached the hall, almost sure he smelled the scent of death. It had been years, but he’d once visited his grandpapa and the aroma had been quite the same. The memory had haunted him for many years after. Heart in his throat, he padded down to the last bedroom and knocked.

“Come in,” a whisper of a voice said behind it.

Wynter had tried to prepare himself, but it hadn’t been enough. He fought tears as he eyed his emaciated son lying in the bed. After a deep breath, he forced a smile and feigned cheer.“Thereyou are.”

Jamie’s eyes seemed to brighten. “Papa?”

“Are you up for a visit?”

“Of course. Come in.” Jamie pressed a button on the hospital bed, lifting his head to a sitting position.

Wynter entered and turned to close the door, fighting emotion and hiding it from his son. When he spun again, he smiled brilliantly and crossed the bedroom. Years of pretending to be happy had finally paid off. “It’s been too long since we’ve talked. Wilder called and said you’ve been…under the weather.”He forced out the last words, words woefully missing the target. He sat on the edge of the bed and took Jamie’s hand. “I wanted to come see how you were doing myself.”

Jamie smiled and the brilliance of it hadn’t faded as his body had. “I’m doing better. The babies are coming soon, and I can’t wait to meet them.”

“Babies?There’s more than one?”

“Twins,” Jamie said, his eyes gleaming with life and joy. “Gray and I have been shopping and decorating—and getting the house ready. It’s been a madhouse here.”

“I bet,” Wynter said, holding tight to the smile. The fact another omega lived in his house, carrying his alpha’s sons, and Jamie acted as if was all perfectly acceptable didn’t seem possible. Rohan was Jamie’s fated mate. Wynter would’ve clawed thesurrogate’s eyes out if he’d been in Jamie’s place. But he kept that to himself. Jamie appeared comfortable and happy—so he wouldn’t rock the boat. Not with Jamie seeming so weak. “I wish I’d been around to help you. It sounds like fun.”

“It’s kept me busy, for sure,” Jamie said. “I cannot wait to havetwonew babies in this house, though it’s near bursting already.”

“Oh?”

“Gray has been put on bedrest, so we moved him here so we could look after him. He’s the guardian for his two young nephews, so we moved them in here, as well.”

Of course he’s moved his whole family in. He’s here to replace you.Wynter wondered whose idea it had really been. Jamie’s, Rohan’s, or this surrogate’s? Anger roiled in his belly on Jamie’s behalf. Were the pair really cuckolding his son under that very roof?

Wynter brushed back Jamie’s hair. “Is that wise? To have so many in the house when you’re unwell?”

“It’s been my dream to have this house full, and now it is. Soon, to be even fuller.” Jamie grinned. “Rohan and I dreamed of a big, happy family—and now we have it.”

Wynter smiled, fighting back tears. He worried for Jamie’s wellbeing, but what could he say? Anything he brought up might cause a fight, and Jamie was in no condition for that. “Sounds like you’ve gotten everything you wanted.”

“Almost,” Jamie murmured. “Once the babies arrive, all my plans will be complete.”

---