Page 97 of His Forsaken Alpha

Wynter put a little oomph into his next fake smile, shaking like a leaf as he did it. His lips trembled, more tears threatening. He turned away from his papa, his stomach rioting again—only there was nothing left to vomit.

“Better, but it still needs work.”

Wynter climbed out of the limo, happy to be away from the malevolence inside the car.

The window lowered. “Oh, and Wynter?”

Wynter turned to eye his papa.

“Once you fly out, you’re no longer welcome in this province. This is not your home, nor will it ever be again. You’re not to contact me, your father, or your brothers ever again. Your family here no longer exists. Do you understand me?”

“Don’t worry.” Wynter missed his brothers, but seeing them meant seeing his papa. After the things said, he never wanted to lay eyes on the man again. His papa had turned the meaning of family into something vile and twisted. “I won’tevercome back here.”

“Good,”his papa said, smiling. The window rose without another word.

Wynter forced one foot in front of the other when his legs wanted to do nothing more than buckle under him. The beta who greeted him was somewhat wide-eyed, likely over his disheveled appearance, but said nothing about it.

“I have your room key and bags. You can follow me up.” The beta rolled the cart with suitcases in.

Wynter passed dozens of people on his way inside—mostly servants and kitchen staff and felt the weight of their stares, but he didn’t care.

He was too numb to care.

They traveled up a freight elevator and somehow managed to get to his room without passing any of the other guests. He wondered if his papa had made that minor miracle happen. They entered a suite. Wynter froze near the entry, his body ready to shut down. He wasn’t sure he could endure one more step.

The beta rolled the cart into the bedroom section before reappearing. “Your papa said you were to shower and change into fresh clothing in the luggage he provided. I’m to ensure you eat a little and get some rest before escorting you to the airfield later this evening.” The beta scratched his head, smiling. “I couldn’t get one sooner. With the train out of commission, I was lucky to book the flight I did manage to get us. It’s not with one of the elite companies, but it’ll get you home.”

Wynter stared at him, in no way capable of small talk. He turned toward the bedroom and the relative safety behind a closed door.

“What would you like me to order you to eat?”

“I’m not hungry,” he said as he marched forward. Where he found the strength, he didn’t know. He entered the bedroom, closing and locking the door behind him. Finally alone, he allowed himself to fall apart. Collapsing against the back of the door, he sobbed—but there were no more tears left. Wynter had no idea how long he sat there on the fine carpet of the upscale hotel room, barely dressed, his feet filthy, and hair a tangled mess.

A knock sounded at the door. “I don’t hear the water. Your papa said you must shower before we leave.”

Wynter opened his mouth, ready to tell the beta to stick it where the sun didn’t shine—but he remembered the threat his papa had made. One step out of place. “Going now,” he forced from his lips. First, he crawled across the room, not trusting his legs to carry him upright. When he reached the window, he dragged himself up and peeked outside. Off in the distance, he saw the heavy, black smoke in the distance.

His eyes burned more. He dropped to his knees, sobbing.

Cavanaugh… please forgive me.

He mourned the man he already loved with every fiber of his being. He mourned the life he could’ve had.

Another knock sounded at the door.

“Go away!”he screamed.

“You need to shower. I was told to make you, if I had to. And eat.”

Wynter hadn’t eaten more than a few bites of a protein bar in days, but he had no appetite. He feared he’d vomit anything that went in. Glancing at his stomach, he realized a new life might be forming there. If he couldn’t find the strength to take care of himself, he needed to find it for Cavanaugh’s son. Forcing himself to his feet, he took a shower until the water turned lukewarm, washing his alpha’s scent from his body. He haphazardly dried and braided his hair. It wasn’t perfect, but under the circumstances, it was the best he could do.

Wynter opened one suitcase and picked the first outfit that he found, barely paying attention to the fit or if it even matched,but he was dressed and clean. It was better than his appearance when he’d walked into the hotel. Once he was clothed, he opened the door a crack.

“Is there food?”

“I haven’t ordered it yet,” the beta said, lowering the book in his hand.

“Is it possible to have a light meal ordered before we go?”

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