Chapter 185

Cassie

"Are you really ok doing this?" Julian's hand was dry and warm in mine. And I took comfort in it. Letting the  warmth of his skin soothe me.  But even with him next to me I felt uneasy.

Stopping just outside the doorway to the infirmary Julian turned to me. "Cassie." He whispered so his words were for me and me only. "You don't need to do this. Scarlett's pack has healers that can look at her."

I shook my head. Which didn't really answer his question. "No it has to be me, I'm the only one qualified. Scarlett has healers but I am the only doctor."

My husband continued to stare at me. "This is going to be painful for you but thank you." Bending down he kissed the top of my head softly.

"I am just going to treat her like any other patient." I mumbled. "A pregnant patient who needs a check up. I won't even think about the fact that the baby is yours and that she used to be your-"

He didn't let me finish. "Cassie." He said , his eyes flashing.

Cocking my head to the side I smiled at him. "I'm joking. And I'm fine. I know this is going to be hard but I have to face her and this whole situation because it's not going away. If that baby is yours then Megan is going to be in your life."

"Our life." He corrected me.

"Yeah."

"Let's get this over with then. The sooner you examine her the sooner I can have dinner." Pushing open the door he winked.

"It's hours until dinner Julian." I reminded him and was rewarded with a throaty laugh. "Not the kind of dinner I want."

We lapsed into silence as we made our way across the infirmary. Stopping every few feet to talk to patients and healers that stopped to speak to us. Only us wasn't the right word. They bowed their heads and greeted Julian but they wanted to talk to me.

Finally we made our way behind the curtained partition in one corner. Ian was there and so was Scarlett with two of her guards and on the gurney between them sat Megan. Her legs swinging idly. She looked better than she had earlier. The pants and baggy T-shirt was ill fitting but they were clean and warm. Even her face and hair looked better. Clean.

And she had a rosy look in her cheeks that told me she'd had a good meal.

"Hello again Megan." In an instant I changed. I was doctor Cassie now. Professional and secure in the knowledge that I was excellent at my job.  Moving towards her I pulled the little trolley full of supplies with me.

"How are you feeling now?"

"Like I'm going to puke." Megan spat. "Julian, does she have to be here?"

"Yes." My husband snapped. "She does."

"I don't trust her with our baby."

I fought back the urge to roll my eyes. She didn't trust me? That was laughable.

"And I trust her explicitly. Lay back and let Cassie examine you."

Megan grumbled but did what was asked of her. Her eyes glaring up at me. There was a promise in her eyes that I didn't understand and I really didn't want to.

She was up to something.

"Fine." Megan yanked up the baggy tee, exposing her swollen midriff. For a second I could do nothing but look at it. Staring at the proof of my husband's betrayal.

Not a betrayal if he didn't sleep with her , a small voice said quickly.

LIES

"So all I'm going to do is check your vitals. Do some measurements and listen to the baby's heartbeat. We don't have a scan machine here to check sizes but -" I began to say. Letting my doctor persona fill me.

It was easier to deal with her when I was doctor Cassie and could pretend she wasn't the one who had tried to kill my babies in the womb.

"I know what you are doing, Doctor Cassie." Megan's voice dripped with sarcasm. "I'm a doctor too remember."

She didn't need to remind me. I bit back the urge to tell her she was a crappy doctor and went about my checks.

"Of course." I ran my hands over her stomach. Where my husbands baby grew.

"It might actually be good you're here Cassie." She began to say and winced. "Ow."

I flicked my eyes up to Julian who frowned. I hadn't hurt her. I knew I hadn't. She was just playing one of her games again.

"Oh goddess." Megan heaved, turning on to her side. Clutching her stomach. "I think I'm going to be sick."

Julian moved forward to stand by my side , a cardboard sick bowl in his hands. He glanced at me, and I nodded.

"Thank you Julian." She wiped her hand across her mouth even though there was nothing there. She hadn't puked.

She hadn't.

LIES.

The word screamed its way around my mind and I winced back just as she struck. I saw her move towards the scalpel on the trolley but couldn't react.

"Cassie." Both Ian and Julian bellowed at the same time. Catching me around the waist Ian flung me to the floor and to safety. Leaving Julian to deal with his crazy baby mother.

"Are you ok?" Reaching down Scarlett pulled me to my feet.

I nodded.

"Julian?" Ian called from his defensive position between the bed and me. "Do you have it under control?"

Guards rushed forward and Julian turned slowly. Like he was a puppet on strings. His handsome face was a mask of shock and confusion.

And at first I didn't understand that look.

Why wasn't he talking? Why wasn't he saying anything.

Guards rushed around me to retrain Megan but I barely noticed them as they began to drag her away.

"Cassie?" Julian spoke at last , his eyes met mine and then flicked down to his chest.

The scalpel was imbedded there. Right where his heart would be.

"Cas-" He began to say again but didn't finish. If he was a puppet then someone had just cut the strings.

Julian fell to the ground at my feet, his eyes open and unseeing.

Lifeless.

Opening my mouth I screamed. I screamed and screamed and screamed.

My mate was dead.