Chapter 16

16

W ynter's head hung lower, his shoulders drooping. He wasn't sure Gray, or any of them for that matter, would understand his reasons for not seeing Jamie in the end. While Warden had forced it, ultimately, it had been his choice. Either choice he'd made, he would've harmed one of his boys.

"I love Jamie," Gray said, bold in his declaration. "Not past tense, present. I love him. I know two omegas having a bond like that might seem strange to you, but the minute we met, it was like I'd found my best friend. Like I'd known him my entire life." He took his hand from Wynter's and pressed both palms to his chest. "He's a part of me, and he took a piece of me when he left. He was an amazing man and the fact I got to live in his world for even a little while is one of the things I hold most dear. In the end, Rohan and I were the only ones there for him—and Wilder, of course. But I never saw you or Warden." Gray turned to glare at Vaughn. "Or you."

"Once," Rohan murmured, glaring at Wynter before turning to Gray. "Wynter came once. You were on bedrest at the time." His gaze flicked back to Wynter. "But then, we both know he was no longer of value to you once his womb was gone. The minute Jamie couldn't produce a child, you saw him as less than. That's why you didn't bother coming."

"When I was exiled, my papa demanded I play my part perfectly—and that I raise my children to be perfect, too. He said one foot out of step or any gossip, and Cavanaugh died. My papa poisoned my mind with that, and it had me twisted into knots for far too long. I know you all thought I was shallow, and to some degree, I probably am at this point, but I worried whenever we had any mishap what that meant for Cavanaugh. Jamie's health issues caused gossip. It's terrible that they did, but they did. All I could think about was—has my papa heard? Will he blame this on me, too? I became as twisted in my thinking as he'd been." Wynter shook his head. "When Wilder called me to tell me the cancer had returned and that Jamie wasn't faring well, I immediately rushed out to see him. Warden refused to let me go."

Rohan scoffed. "I know Warden had his moments, but I never saw him be that cruel."

"If it had been my son, I'd have been there come hell or high water," Gray said. "Every single day."

I wanted to be there. How did he explain his choice? He'd chosen Wilder's future over Jamie's final days. They'd assume him heartless and again say he'd shown one son favoritism. Perhaps he had. Wilder was Cavanaugh's son… and it was hard for him not to hold a special place in Wynter's heart.

"Papa tried to leave to see Jamie the day after we learned the cancer had come back," Vaughn interrupted. Wynter lifted his head, surprised to have Vaughn back up his story. "He and Dad had a massive fight over it. The whole house heard the argument. Dad sent Papa upstairs like some obstinate child then told the staff that he wasn't allowed to leave the house. I caught Papa sneaking down the back stairs not long after. From what I heard, he bribed the driver to take him to see Jamie. Dude got fired for it, too."

"He needed to be fired," Wynter snapped. "He had the audacity to offer… his services when he realized Warden and I were at odds. I was thankful I made it to Jamie's that day in one piece."

"But I don't get it," Rohan said. "Why did Warden bar you from visiting? For what reason?"

"Someone blackmailed Warden. He claimed he knew how…" Wynter didn't want Wilder and Vaughn to know more than they should or embarrass Gray and Rohan. "He knew information relevant to your surrogacy."

"What information?" Rohan demanded.

"That it was…" Wynter released a breath, searching for the right words. "Unorthodox."

Rohan and Gray's eyes widened, so the meaning didn't seem to be lost on them.

"Unorthodox?" Vaughn asked. "What the hell does that mean?"

Wynter turned to Rohan and Gray. "Warden knew… and he was afraid the circumstances might get out—and to be honest, I feared it a little, too, considering my papa claimed he was watching and any scandals might cause Cavanaugh harm."

"A scandal?" Vaughn asked. "What the hell is he talking about, Rohan? What happened between you and Jamie?"

"Jamie didn't want our children to be made in a lab," Rohan murmured, his face growing redder.

"So… are you saying you fucked Gray while you were mated to Jamie?" Vaughn asked, frowning.

"Jamie begged us to," Gray said. "He said after all his hours in hospitals and treatment centers, he didn't want his child's life to begin in that atmosphere. Cold and uncaring. Looking back, I think it was his way to get Rohan and I to bond. So I'd remain after… after he was gone."

Vaughn scoffed, and Wilder sat silent, as if he already knew.

"Warden feared a scandal," Wynter said. "Especially with Gray living under your roof. He said it might appear that we approved, and he demanded I not go, but I had to go. I needed to see how Jamie truly was, and I won't lie—I worried you two had planned the whole thing and were cuckolding my son. Even after he told me it was his idea, I didn't believe him. It's also why I wanted to take the babies after he died. Rohan was in no shape to be a parent, and I thought the worst of you, Gray. I sense now that I was wrong, but I was coming from a place of love for Jamie. I hadn't been the papa he deserved, but I wanted to protect his children—and maybe have a second chance to do right by him." Wynter eyed Wilder. "Wilder came and convinced me Jamie had honestly wanted the two of you together, which is why we didn't come to the hearing and fight to get custody in the end. Warden wasn't a hard sell. He hadn't wanted the babies anyway."

"You've never asked to see them," Gray murmured. "Those boys you'd been willing to fight for."

"I didn't think you'd let me. Not after I'd tried to take them from you."

"You didn't bother to ask," Gray said.

"Wilder was furious with me, so I could only imagine you two would be even angrier. Soon after that, we left for the extended trip."

"Well, they're technically not Jamie's," Vaughn murmured. "So you had no business taking them anyway."

"Did you not hear me say that Jamie was a piece of my soul?" Gray snapped at Vaughn. "Those boys are mine, Rohan's, and Jamie's. All of our boys are alive today because of Jamie. I consider him their parent, too. All four of our sons."

Wynter's heart broke hearing that. "I love that you loved him that much. And you, too, Rohan. That he knew the love of his fated alpha and a loving friend before he left this earth brings me incredible joy. He deserved that love. He was a beautiful person." Wynter trembled, and Cav squeezed him gently. He leaned into his alpha's silent support, happy the man had stayed. He wasn't sure he'd have been able to get through it all without Cav there. "The last time we saw one another, Jamie said he'd come to realize Warden and I couldn't be fated mates. He'd experienced that kind of love and knew we didn't have it. He suspected his arrival had been— difficult —and asked me to tell him the story. I refused. I wasn't going to cause him pain like that as he fought with everything he had against the cancer. It killed me to deny his request, but I feared it would only torment him. Since a little piece of him resides within you, Gray, maybe I've finally satisfied his last request."

"You should've come to see him more," Gray whispered. "You should've snuck out again."

"I planned to, but when I returned from sneaking out, Warden confronted me. He implied he knew Wilder wasn't his biological son and if I went to see Jamie again…" Wynter paused, struggling. "He said he'd turn his back on Wilder, refuse to hand over the CEO position, strip him of everything he'd worked for, and threatened to ‘make it hurt.' Did I allow him to destroy Wilder's future, or did I hold Jamie's hand at the end? Either choice I made, I'd be wrong."

"You should've chosen Jamie," Wilder said, wide eyed. "I would've survived."

"But would you have? Would he have blackballed you and prevented you from finding work here? Would you have been forced to leave the province? Had you left, would you have met Avery? I didn't know how far he was willing to go to hurt me, and I couldn't allow him to destroy you in that attempt." Wynter turned back to Gray. "Jamie and I had a heart-to-heart that last time I was there, and I told him how much I loved him. I apologized for all the things I'd done wrong. Was it enough? No… but I didn't know what else to do. I wanted to be there. I wanted to make his last days better than his first, but I also didn't want to Warden to destroy Wilder's future."

"But it's always Wilder," Vaughn muttered. "The literal golden child. He always gets the best of you, Papa." He rose and glared at Wilder. "But now that I know he's not a Jaymes, perhaps it's time I took that chair away from him as my father should have."

"Wilder is a Jaymes," Wynter murmured.

"He's Wilder Cavanaugh's son!" Vaughn blasted.

"But he's also a Jaymes," Wynter roared. He couldn't allow the pair to war for the CEO's chair—which might destroy the entire company, and their futures, in the process. Even Warden hadn't wanted that. He'd made his choice—Wilder.

Vaughn scoffed. "Just because Dad raised him doesn't mean Dad's blood pumps through those veins."

"If your father knew Wilder wasn't his and still chose him to run the company, I think that speaks volumes for his opinion," Rohan snapped at Vaughn.

"Wilder… is a Jaymes," Wynter repeated. "He was born a Jaymes. He has just as much right to the company as you do. And he was groomed to take that seat, by Warden."

"Are you daft?" Vaughn asked Wynter.

"Watch your tone," Cav snapped at Vaughn.

"You keep out of this," Vaughn barked at Cav.

Cav growled, but Wynter laid a hand on his arm. "Don't. He's hurt and upset by what he's learned today. He's also just lost his father."

"My father. That's right," Vaughn snapped. "Not Wilder's father. I'm sure the board will side with me when they find out Wilder isn't a Jaymes but a bastard my whore of a papa popped out."

Whore.

All Wynter saw was red after that comment. He jumped to his feet. "Wilder is a Jaymes because I am a Jaymes!"

The whole room went silent.

Wynter's blood thundered in his ears, and his stomach turned after the admission. He'd not planned to share that secret, yet he'd allowed his emotions to get in the way once more. Instead of protecting his sons, he'd lashed out in anger.

"What do you mean— you're a Jaymes?" Wilder asked, his tone soft.

Wynter faced a confused Vaughn instead of Wilder, as the implications of what he'd say next would harm his youngest more. "Warden was my cousin."

Vaughn's eyes widened, his brow furrowing deeper and deeper. Wynter dragged his gaze away, unable to look at anyone after that admission. The tension in the air made his stomach turn again. Words fell from his lips, the silence too uncomfortable. It needed to be filled. "Warden was staying with us while he interned at my father's bank because he was family. Wilder has the same Jaymes blood you do, Vaughn, because I do. You're both the great-grandsons of the founder, therefore, Wilder has an equal claim."

Vaughn rose, wavered on his feet, and stormed out, the front door slamming behind him. Somehow the arguing hadn't done it, but the sound of the door awoke Emory, who let out a wail and a whimper before breaking into a full cry. Avery quietly opened his tunic and brought the child close to nurse.

Wilder leaned in, a protective arm wrapped around his omega and child.

No one seemed capable of meeting his eye—except for Cavanaugh. He saw nothing but tenderness in his alpha's eyes and that gave him the strength he needed in that moment of weakness.

Wilder watched his son nurse a few seconds before turning and eyeing Wynter. "Are there any more shocks left because I think I need a warning before the next."

"I think that's likely all of it now," Wynter said before collapsing beside Cavanaugh.

Cavanaugh drew Wynter closer. Wynter leaned his head on Cavanaugh's shoulder, thankful for the man's presence once more.

"Growing up, you told us your family was deceased," Wilder mentioned. "I'm a bit surprised to learn they weren't."

"I feared you all finding out too much about our family tree. It was simpler to say they were gone."

"Are they still alive?" Wilder asked Wynter. "Your family?"

"I don't know. I was exiled, remember?"

Wilder leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "Was it only your parents?"

"I had five siblings, but I've not seen nor spoken to them since being exiled."

"Five siblings? I have five uncles?" Wilder asked. "We have uncles and likely cousins out there we had no idea we had." He scoffed. "No more surprises, hmm?"

"If I'd told you about them, the secrets would've unraveled. I didn't want Jamie and Vaughn to know they were a product of… incest." Wynter shuddered. "I didn't want another scandal here and I didn't want them to be hurt by the truth—yet I suppose I just hurt Vaughn with it, didn't I? I should've been more considerate."

"He was being a jerk," Gray murmured.

"He and I have been working together well the last year. We'd become a lot closer," Wilder said. "I hope that's not completely destroyed now."

"Don't let it be destroyed," Avery said to Wilder. "He's going to lash out. Expect it and don't take it personally. You need him and he needs you, maybe more so now than ever. I've seen that better side of him. Don't let him lose it."

"I'm sorry if I ruined all your good work," Wynter said. "But your omega is right. Don't let this ruin things. I'll help mend fences where I can. If he'll listen."

"I suppose the truth was going to get out eventually, anyway. If he pushed the board for my seat, it might've ended up being exposed in a much more public way," Wilder murmured. "Though, in all honesty—I don't know if I want to be the CEO after hearing all Warden did. Using my promotion as blackmail to force you to abandon Jamie? I hate that he made you choose between us. I still say you should've chosen Jamie, Papa. I would've found a way through." Wilder sighed. "Maybe it should go to Vaughn now—and if crashes and burns, it crashes and burns. I almost wish it would. Let Warden's legacy die."

"You're a talented man, and you can do anything you set your mind to," Avery said. "I'll support you either way… but I also want you to remember that in your brief time as CEO, you've already done amazing things. You used your position and power to stand up for thousands of omegas and help free me ," Avery said, leaning into Wilder. "Had it not been for you, I might still be in prison. Now we're helping to free more like me."

Wilder murmured something under his breath, leaned in close, and briefly pressed his lips to Avery's.

"Plus you've just received the Green Trust contract—and Sadler is counting on you," Rohan said. "He went to bat for you when Warden tried to oust you. You're the one who's turned Jaymes & Associates into a multi-provincial company, reaching outside the walls of Alexandria and beyond. Not many companies work outside their home province."

"What do you mean?" Wynter asked, frowning. "J&A has done business outside the walls of this province before."

"No," Wilder replied, appearing confused. "We've never had any contracts outside Alexandria before I stepped behind the desk."

Wynter narrowed his eyes and shook his head. "Warden was always traveling. He spent years going back and forth to Erieberg because J&A was building an extension to their exterior wall. First, he went multiple times, vying for the contract. Then he had to go for the planning phase, to get their approval, and then the execution of it. Hell, he even went back on occasion to do inspections himself."

"The contracts with the Green Trust are the first ever written for a project outside the province," Rohan said. "I researched the logs before I wrote it—to check if there were precedents—and I found nothing. Warden himself confirmed it. There was nothing ever built outside Alexandria. Not by J&A, anyway. I can do some digging, but I'm fairly sure a build like that would've already come to my attention—especially given the similarity to what we'll be doing for the Green Trust."

Wynter blinked a few times, confused. He knew that wasn't true. "Then what was Warden doin—" He paused, smiling and chuckling to himself. "Warden left over and over—and it was almost always during a heat. How stupid am I? He was using it as an excuse to get away from me." Wynter grinned. "I suppose I should be thankful for the lie—although bad weather made it impossible to fly out one cycle and that's how we ended up with Vaughn, so it didn't always work, but that saved me countless heats I didn't have to share with him."

"Always during a heat?" Gray asked. "Was Warden keeping an omega up there?"

"Oh, that's a definite no," Wynter said.

"How can you be so sure?" Gray asked.

Wynter hedged a moment. He knew Warden didn't have an omega, but he didn't want to explain how he knew that. "He'd never have agreed to that world tour of ours if he had someone waiting for him in the shadows. We were gone for months. We'd only returned briefly for Wilder's mating ceremony to Avery—and good thing we did. What would I have done out in Europa or Panasia alone, an omega without an alpha and a body to bring home?"

Silence filled the room a moment. Wynter suddenly realized they'd been lucky Warden had passed when he had. A silver lining? Wynter would take any he could get.

"Why did you want to do that—the tour? Now knowing how bad your relationship with Dad really was," Wilder said. "Why would you want to spend all that time alone with him traveling?"

"Oh, I didn't want to spend time with him, but as an omega, I can't travel alone. I wanted to see the world. I'd read Cavanaugh's books and had lived vicariously through them all those years ago," Wynter said, turning to look up at his mate. Cav smiled down at him. He held his mate's gaze, seeing hope blossom there, yet feared allowing it to spread. He'd already assumed too much once, and while Cavanaugh had been supportive while he faced his family, that might be the extent of it.

Yet… he needed his alpha to know how much he still longed for the day they might be together. "I wanted to see the world through his eyes—and I think a tiny piece of me hoped fate might step in and I might run into him again. It was ten-billion to one odds, of course, but, who knew? Maybe I'd finally be able to run away and live the life I'd dreamed of now that my sons were adults."

"I can't believe you convinced him to go," Wilder said, dragging Wynter's attention.

"I'd learned a little bit of information Warden didn't want public," Wynter said. "And I used it to get what I wanted. I almost wish I hadn't. He complained every single day of our trip. He hated traveling."

"Maybe I can show you more," Cav whispered, tucking some of Wynter's hair behind one ear. "Without complaint."

Wynter turned to Cavanaugh, barely able to breathe. Had that been a true invitation? From the look in his alpha's eyes, he sensed it was. "I would love that."

Cavanaugh smiled.

"Well, am I the only one who wants to know what you had on Warden? It was big enough that he took you on a trip around the world," Gray said. "It must've been good dirt."

"I promised him I would never tell and while he probably doesn't deserve it, I think I'll keep his secret," Wynter murmured. That one might as well die with him. It would hurt his sons more than it would Warden at that point.

"I think there's a bit of traveling we should do before you take off on any trip with my —with Cavanaugh," Wilder said, correcting himself.

Wynter had felt Cavanaugh tense at the anticipation of the word. He reached out and squeezed his alpha's arm.

Wilder continued, "I think we should go to Blacksburg and see who might still be around. I don't like the idea of a shadow hanging over your and Cav's lives. We need to see if there's a threat and if there is, put an end to it."

"Agreed," Cav said. "I was thinking much the same. I'd like to go, as well, if you don't mind?"

"I'd appreciate the company," Wilder murmured, the corners of his lips curling up.

Wynter smiled. Father and son would finally get some time together.

Cavanaugh turned to Wynter. "What about you? It might do you good to face them—this time, with our support and protection."

Wynter stiffened, his stomach knotting. "I said I'd never step foot there again."

"They're surely not still alive," Rohan said.

"Do the math," Gray whispered. "He was obviously lying about his age all these years. Wynter's only about ten years older than you." Gray eyed Wynter, as did a wide-eyed Rohan. "Which means you're, what… fifty-two?"

"Fifty-three," Wynter corrected.

"Which means your parents might only be in their seventies… and could very much still be alive," Gray said.

Wilder chuckled. "Didn't we have your fiftieth birthday party like a decade ago."

"Eight years ago, thank you. I added five years to my age to cover how young I was when…" he sighed, turning to Cavanaugh. "I don't want to go to Blacksburg—but I also agree we can't live with a threat hanging over our heads. If they've passed on, then you're likely in the clear."

"I won't force you back there. I know you went through hell at their hands," Cav said. "Wilder and I can see who's still there and determine if they're a threat."

Wynter weighed his options. Let his son and alpha go into the darkness alone—where danger might lurk—or go and face it himself for once. He didn't want to face it. It had been hard enough to face his family and tell them the truth. But he'd survived that. He might survive facing his papa, too. "No. I need to stand up to them for once. I can't remain that scared little boy forever." Wynter sighed. "If they're still alive and it's not too late."

Cavanaugh offered a hand, and Wynter clutched it tight.

"We face it head on. Together. As we should've done a long time ago."

Wynter smiled up at his alpha, a mixture of pride and terror filling every inch of him.

"All three of us," Wilder said firmly. "Those bastards deserve to be held accountable for what they did—the abuse, the threats? Your papa is a monster, and if he's still alive, I plan to tell him so. What he did to you was criminal."

That statement broke a dam within Wynter. He'd worked so hard to hold back his emotions while repeating the story again. Sure, he'd slipped a time or two, but he'd held it together better than the first time. Wilder jumping in to defend him was too much. Wynter broke down, tears streaming and sobs wracking him. Cavanaugh dragged him close, wrapping him tight. He leaned his head on his alpha's chest and closed his eyes.

"It's going to be okay. We're going to make it okay," Cavanaugh whispered, running a gentle hand over Wynter's back.

When he calmed some, Cavanaugh lifted his chin. "You're gone without a protector your entire life and now you have two, it seems. We won't let them hurt you again."

"Damned right we won't," Wilder muttered.

"Perhaps we should get out of their hair and give them some family time," Gray said to Rohan.

Rohan nodded.

Wynter clutched at Gray's hand. "Before you go… I need to apologize for thinking the worst of you. I said some cruel things at Jamie's funeral, and I'm sorry. I was heartbroken… and angry at Warden. I think I misplaced some of that anger in your direction. You made for an easy target, and that wasn't fair."

"You'd just lost your son… and I wasn't exactly nice to you, either. I didn't know Warden had kept you from Jamie and assumed the worst, too," Gray said. "I'm sorry for that."

"Your boys," Wynter said. "The fact you consider them Jamie's as well… It means a lot to me. I know it means a lot to him, too, when he's looking down on you and your family." He turned to face Rohan. "I wasn't easy on you either. That last time I visited Jamie, I said some awful things to you, and I'm sorry."

"Knowing it came from a place of love for Jamie? I think I can find a way to forgive that," Rohan said.

Yet it was clear he struggled. His shoulders and jaw were tight. His face was unreadable. Wynter couldn't expect miracles. He'd need to work to build a bridge. For Jamie's sake, he would.

"Thank you," Wynter murmured.

"You—and Cavanaugh, if he wants—will have to come over for dinner with the boys one night soon. They need to meet their grandpapa," Gray said.

Wynter inwardly gasped, his heart swelling. "You'd… let me come? See the boys?"

"You want to make things right by Jamie?" Gray asked. "Then love his boys. Be the grandpapa they need. My parents are gone and so are Rohan's. They don't have a grandpapa in their lives."

Wynter glanced at Rohan. He needed his son-in-law's permission almost more so than Gray's. He wouldn't push his way into their lives.

Rohan shrugged. "The vacancy is there if you want it, I suppose."

"I want it," Wynter said, lurching forward. "I do, but I won't force you to welcome me into your home, either, Rohan. I'm okay if you need a little time with this."

Rohan held his gaze a moment, silent. "I can't say all will be well from the minute you walk in the door, but I'm willing to give this a try. If you play nice."

"I'll do my best," Wynter whispered.

Gray paused in front of Wynter. "I say this with all the love in my heart—if you hurt my boys, I will hurt you."

Cavanaugh growled slightly. Wynter squeezed his hand to get him to calm.

"Noted," Wynter replied to Gray.

"As long as you're good to them, we'll be okay," Gray said.

"I'm not perfect, and there's a high probability I might fuck up—but, you have my word that I want that chance. I want to things to be different."

Gray smiled. "I'm not asking for perfection. Just your promise you want things to be better and that you'll try. If you stumble, own it and fix it." Gray leaned in a little closer and whispered. "I waited too long to have a family, and I won't allow anyone to take away our happiness. You've waited a long time to get your chance at a real family, too. Don't throw this opportunity away."

There was a glimmer in Gray's eyes, and Wynter suddenly felt Jamie's presence with them. He fought a sob and wrapped both arms around Gray's neck. "I won't," Wynter said before wrapping his arms around Gray's neck and squeezed tight. Gray returned the hug and when Wynter leaned back, he pressed his hand over the omega's heart. "He really is in there, isn't he?"

"Always." Tears shone in Gray's eyes before he blinked them away and moved to Rohan's side. "I'll be in touch. I'll forewarn you that you're in for chaos. Between four boys under five and my nephews, it can be a madhouse at times."

"I'll take madhouse over the empty mausoleum where I live," Wynter said. "And I'll try my best not to look like I'm judging, but I fear that's my usual face at this point."

"Oh, we'll beat that out of you," Gray murmured with a grin. But the grin faded quickly. "Oh, fuck… that was a really poor choice of words. I am so sorry."

"Welcome to my world," Wynter joked. "Open mouth, insert foot. Things pop into my head and spill directly from my lips—and then I kick myself in the ass for them later."

"You did pretty good today," Avery said.

Wynter grinned at his son-in-law. "First time I've not been playing a part in nearly forty years. It's a lot easier when you can drop the pretense."

"Well, grandpapa, keep it up. I think I might end up liking the real you," Gray said.

"Speaking of grandpapas," Avery said, rising with Emory in his arms. "I hear they're some of the best burpers around."

Wynter lifted his arms for the babe, excited to finally get a chance to hold his grandson. His face almost hurt from the wide smile crossing his face. "Oh, absolutely… they are."