Chapter 182

Julian

Kill our baby.

She couldn't have said anything else that would soften my regards to her. Megan deserved everything she got but the baby growing inside her belly, didn't.

My baby.

If what she said was true anyway. I had every reason to doubt her but for some reason I didn't.

I met Ian's eyes and he frowned at me. I knew what he was thinking , what they were all thinking so no one needed to say anything.

Dropping Cassie's hand , I reached down to heave Megan to her feet. My eyes caught Ian's startled wide eyed glance and I looked away quickly.

I had dropped my mate's hand for my mistress, that's what they were thinking but it wasn't like that. Megan was weak , she was pregnant. She needed someone to show her an ounce of compassion.

It didn't mean anything. I just didn't want to start my reign by being the kind of king who would let a heavily pregnant woman grovel at his feet.

Cassie herself had said that I needed to be better than those who had come before me and I was trying to do that.

Cassie would understand why I had dropped her hand.

Lifting Megan to her feet, I steadied her with my hands light on her shoulders. "No one is going to hurt your or your baby." I said softly and she lifted her eyes to me. I frowned. She looked different without all the layers of makeup on her face.

She didn't even have mascara on , the eyelashes that framed her pale eyes were blonde and stumpy.

"Please Julian." She begged again , this time her hands came down to rest on my chest.

From next to me, I heard Cassie's startled intake of breath and turned to her before I could stop myself. My eyes beseeching her to understand.

She didn't understand.

Accusation flooded her eyes.

"Why have you come here Megan?" I asked turning my attention back to her. My wife stayed silent. Docile and submissive.

The thought made the corners of my mouth twitch there was nothing docile or submissive about Cassie but she wouldn't make a scene in front of Megan. Alone she would rip me a new one.

I pictured the hurt look in her eyes and sighed again. Or maybe she wouldn't. That was a scary thought. When Cassie was quiet she was angry with me and had given up. I wanted her to rip me a new one the moment we were alone.

"To ask for shelter. I don't have anywhere else to go, Julian." Megan's wail brought me back to myself.

"So you came to me?"

"I know you don't care for me anymore but our child is-"

"He has never cared for you." Ian spat and I shot him a warning look. This wasn't helping.

"And what of Duncan?" Cassie's small voice spoke from just behind my shoulder.

Megan's eyes flashed towards her and widened in shock. Like it was a surprise to see her standing by my side.

"I escaped him." Megan made a big show of looking scared. "He was a monster. He hurt people."

"I'm more than aware of that but wasn't he the love of your life. Weren't you meant to be his queen and rule at his side?" There was venom in Cassie's voice now. "But then again weren't you standing by my fathers side as well."

"Cassie." I whispered a warning.

She ignored me completely. The two women stared at each other. Like they were facing off before a massive fight and that's exactly what was going to happen if I let this carry on.

Cassie had every right to fight, except- my eyes travelled to Megan's belly.

"And then there was the fact that you tried to steal my husband away from me. Tried to kill my babies-"

Megan's eyes widened.

I frowned, hadn't she known?

"Is that all that takes to get you into bed Megan, the promise of power?"

I had never heard Cassie sound so full of hatred.

"Your husband was more than willing-" Megan began to retort and I stepped in between the two of them quickly before things got physical.

"Enough." I said quietly.

Across from us Ian shook his head. A clear warning that I was doing the wrong thing. I ignored him completely.

"Thank you Julian." Megan's hand came down on my arm. Her nails were dirty and grimy. "Thank you for always looking after me and our child."

I saw the grin she aimed at my wife before she tried to hide it. This was a game for Megan. Another one. I was a fool to believe for a second that she was here for any other reason than to try and sow discord between me and Cassie.

And I had let her.

"Excuse me." Not waiting for a reply, Cassie turned on her heels and walked away. Her back straight and her long dark hair swishing down her spine.

"Thank the goddess she has gone."

I whirled on Megan. Gripping her cheeks in one hand and squeezing until her eyes widened in shock.

"You do not get to address my queen that way. Not now and not ever." I spat. "You will treat her with respect."

"Yes Julian."

Ian cleared his throat.

"Yes your highness I didn't mean- please forgive me." She stuttered.

I wasn't fooled. She couldn't pull the wool over my eyes. Not anymore.

What had Cassie said about lies? I saw straight through all of Megan's now.

"Scarlett can you find Megan some clean clothes and warm food and -"

The alpha stepped forward. "I'll see to it that she has a secure comfortable room and the things she needs. I won't let you down."

"I know. Thank you. I just have one thing to do and then I will come and question her some more. Ian?"

"I'll stand guard Julian." My second said.

I knew he would and that's why I asked him. I didn't trust anyone else. I wouldn't have let Megan out of my sight because she was clearly up to something but-

Turning around I rushed out of the room and after my mates retreating back. "Cassie please stop."