Chapter 330

Julian

Three weeks and nothing. Not even a hint of where my second in command was hiding my wife and children. Any thought that he was doing this to keep him safe had evaporated soon after Cathy had left. He wasn't keeping them safe from some threat. He was keeping them away from me.

And the papers in my hand were the reason why.

Ian wanted my family for himself. Or if these papers were to be believed they were his family.

Was Ian the real father to my boys?

Again I stared down at the sheets of paper clutched in my fists. The edges were already beginning to crumble because I couldn't seem to let go of them.

I couldn't stop looking at the lines of type. The ones that said he was Noah and Nialls father.

Was that the reason he had been so protective of Cassie? If this was true then their affair had been going on from the beginning of my marriage. Maybe even before.

No wonder he had been adamant that he wanted to head up their security.

No wonder he wouldn't tell me if she was seeing someone else because that someone was obviously him.

Right.

I scrunched up the paper with a growl and then quickly put the paper back on the table and smoothed it back into place. I had to get myself together.

It was there in black and white. I wasn't their father.

And even though it was there and written clearly I couldn't bring myself to believe it.

Ian and Cassie would never betray me like that and it wasn't like I hadn't  done my own tests. I'd had a paternity test done not long after the twins had been born and that one said I was their father.

So someone was lying.

But who?

"You called for me, your highness?"

I lifted my head to find Forrest hovering in the doorway.

"Yes." Turning over the papers I motioned him into the room. "I needed to see you. Come in and close the door."

Doubt flickered into Forrest's deep green eyes but he did what I asked without hesitation.

"You can take a seat." I motioned for one of the dining chairs. I hadn't replaced my desk yet. In fact the whole of my study was smashed up and I had left it that way because I couldn't bear to look at it.

The broken and smashed furniture just acted as a reminder of how much of a failure I was. Both as a man but also as the king and alpha

"Are you sick, your highness?" Forrest's eyes narrowed as he appraised me. "You look a little pale and forgive me but tired? Are you eating and sleeping."

"No." I shook my head. "I'll sleep when I have my family back. I am not sick I am missing my mate." Leaning forward I studied him. "You were friends. Do you know where she is?"

"No I don't."

Leaning back I blew out a breath. "But you wouldn't tell me even if you did, right?" I chuckled mirthlessly.

Forrest opened his mouth to say something but I threw up a hand to silence him.

"You don't need to answer that Forrest. I know you are just doing what you think is best. But I want you to know your thoughts on this?" Flipping over the pile of papers I slid them across the table at him.

He glanced down at them, frowned and then his eyes met mine. "Sire?"

"Read more." I prompted.

I watched as his eyes scanned the paper and his frown deepened. Finally he looked up at me. "I don't understand?"

He was telling the truth. I could see it in the shock on his face. "Neither do I. But that paternity test seems to say that my sons aren't my sons." My voice shook. "And that Ian is their real father. You over saw my paternity test didn't you?"

He swallowed hard. "Yes sire and I don't know what to say. I tested the sample given to me by-" his eyes widened.

"Ian." I said. "Ian was the one who arranged the test, wasn't he?"

Goddess I had been so stupid. It was all there right in front of my face and I had been blind to see it.

"Did you know they were sleeping together Forrest? Cassie was your best friend."

His eyes flashed. "No I didn't know and honestly I don't believe it." His voice shook with anger. "I don't think you do either Julian."

I frowned. What was it with people forgetting my title and using my name recently? First Cathy and now my personal doctor.

Staring at him I waited for him to look away first. But of course he didn't. He met my angry gaze with one of his own.

Sighing my shoulders slumped. "No i don't. I thought it was you she was having an affair with. It was you I was jealous of."

Forrest looked away. "If she had given me a chance I would have worshipped her. I would have made her happy." He admitted and under the table my hands closed into fists.

Not that his words came as a complete shock. I had always known he was in love with my wife. Besotted with a woman who only saw him as a friend.

"But she only ever loved you."

My eyes snapped back up to him. "Then why has this been left -" trailing off I frowned. Yanking the papers back towards me I growled down at it.

I knew why they had faked these. Cassie wanted to be free of me. She wanted a divorce. She thought I was in love with Megan and wanted one as well and with these papers I could divorce her and keep my crown.

My wife thought so many bad things about me and all of them were deserved. It wasn't like I had done anything to prove otherwise.

"You can go."

"Of course your highness." The chair Forrest was sat on scraped back.

"Forrest." I called after him and he paused, glancing back over his shoulder.

"I know you won't tell me where she is so I am not going to ask." Every word was a knife in my heart. "I will give her the freedom she wants but I will never stop looking for her but if you see her can you pass on a message from me?"

He remained silent.

"Tell her I love her and those boys more than anything in the entire world."