Chapter 16

Julian

The dress I had picked out for Cassie was perfection or maybe it was her that made it perfect. It draped her body and showed off every delectable curve she had. I didn't know. The only thing I knew for certain was that I couldn't keep my eyes off of her.

It was such a strange thing, the way she had invaded my thoughts since the night she was attacked. I couldn't sleep , all I could do was lay awake in my bed and stare up at the ceiling picturing her face.

Maybe she was some sort of witch because it was pretty clear to me that she had put some kind of spell on me. I couldn't get her out of my mind and I wasn't even sure I wanted to.

Leaving her that evening on the narrow hospital bed, all flushed and wanting me had been the hardest thing I had ever done and probably one of the only things in my life that I regretted. I should have taken her, she had been more than willing. And yet for some reason I had walked away.

Not even the beautiful Megan could hold my interest for long. And goddess she was trying to catch my attention. Especially in that plunging baby pink dress with the diamond glittering between her breasts to draw any man's attention.

I ripped my eyes away from the deep v of megan's dress and again found my wife across the table. There were no diamonds adorning her flesh, and honestly she didn't need any.

She was exquisite.

Perfection with her dark hair piled on top of her head and her tanned shoulders bare for my lips to trace against.

I shook the thought away as she lifted her head and turned towards me with raised eyebrows, almost like she could feel my eyes on her.

I didn't look away and neither did she.

Yes Cassie was beautiful but then a million other women were but there was just something about Cassie that caught my attention and demanded it stay on her.

"Witch." The word rumbled out of my chest and into the open before I could stop it.

Cassie's eyes widened in shock and next to me Megan's eyes widened in surprise. It was only when a collective whispered gasp went up that I realised they had thought I had said something completely different.

Not that I was going to say anything to change what they thought. Ignoring everyone's pointed glances I turned to Megan. Lifting my champagne glass I stood and began to speak.

"Ladies and Gentleman." I raised my voice until all eyes were on me and a silence had fallen. "I want you to join me in raising our glasses to Megan. The talented and most beautiful doctor I have ever met."

Even as I spoke I let my eyes fall on Cassie. Watching with glee as her face twisted. She fought against her emotions for a second before recovering herself and lifting her glass with the others and toasting Megan.

She was such a strange being. My wife was equal parts of vulnerable and hard. It was almost like she had wrapped herself in a hard shell to hide the softness inside.

Taking my seat I waited to see if she would say anything but she had already turned away. Her hand coming down to land on Ian's arm as they laughed together at some private joke that I wasn't privy to.

Jealousy raged through me. She was flirting with my beta and she wasn't even trying to hide it. All the warm sentimental feelings for her vanished again. This was the real Cassie. Her father was a money grabbing power hungry mongrel as well and it looked like his daughter was the same.

I wanted to get rid of her.

I wanted her out of my life as quickly as possible but at the same time I wanted to bend her over this table in front of everyone and take her hard and fast. I wanted to hurt her, punish her and then stake my claim on her body.

Under the table my hands closed to fists.

How could one woman? Someone now so low in the pack have this much effect on me? It didn't make any sense.

"I am so glad I met you that day at the hospital." I began to say to Megan when again my attention was drawn to my wife.

Standing up she inclined her her. First to everyone else and then to me. "If you will excuse me?"

Not waiting for my approval she walked away. Her hips and ass swaying as she walked away.

I couldn't help it. I watched her go.

"Ian." I barked my betas name but he was already on his feet and following my wife towards the exit.

"Forgive me beautiful Megan." I took the guest of honours hand and kissed the back of it. "But I must leave now. I have a meeting with the king. Please enjoy your celebrations though. You deserve it after everything you have done for me."

It might have been my imagination but Megan looked confused for a moment. I didn't have time to think too much about it.

Out in the foyer , right by the heavy glass doors Ian seemed to be arguing with Cassie. None of them were shouting so I couldn't hear them but the gestures weren't friendly at all.

Groaning inwardly I climbed to my feet and weaved my way through the tables towards them. No doubt Cassie was now giving him a hard time and I was glad. Everyone including Ian seemed to love her. They were all singing her praises so it was about time everyone saw what I saw in her. That she was a no good, power hungry-

"What's-" I stepped up to him just in time to watch my wife slip into a yellow cab and peel away into the heavy traffic. "Where the hell is she going?"

"I don't think she liked the little scene you pulled Julian." Ian said quietly as I spluttered. The scene I pulled? I lifted my eyebrows. What about the scene she had pulled? Flirting with my beta no less.

"Didn't you tell her that I had a car waiting." I swept my eyes over the traffic. Trying to find her cab but it was impossible. There were too many of them.

"Yes alpha." Ian had clearly heard the threatening tone in my voice and was acting accordingly. "She said she would rather take a cab and that she would meet you there. She gave her apologies and-"

"No she didn't." I forced out a chuckle. "So where is she going?" I pursed my lips. "Probably to see her lover. Did you know she has one?" I side eyed him trying to gauge his reaction. He looked shocked.

"I saw the contraception in her purse."

Ian lifted his head in shock. "You went through her purse?"

"What? No. The contents fell out when we were arguing." I mumbled.

"You two always seem to be arguing. Have you ever thought it might be because -"

I threw up a hand silencing him with a look. "Don't even finish that thought Ian. Otherwise I might pretend we are friends."

"She's not going to meet a lover , Julian." Ian shook his head. "She's going to see her mother at the hospital."

"Why would she do that? Her mother is in a coma?"

"Her mother woke up this afternoon. She didn't tell you?" Ian cocked his head to the side.

"No." I mumbled. It was just another thing my wife was keeping from me.

Another thing for us to fight over when we got to court.

Ian was right. We did argue a lot and the next one was going to be epic because I wanted to know everything she was hiding from me and then I was going to make her sign the paper and free me once and for all.