Chapter 84

Julian

My wife was gone and now so was my beta and I didn't know whose betrayal stung the most.

Ian's was unexpected. He had always been my number two. I had trusted him. Trusted him with my life and with my wife and then he went and-

I growled another growl through my clenched teeth. I couldn't believe that my closest friend would fuck my wife.  But what other explanation could there be? He had admitted it with his own lips.

He had been the one to let her go. He had helped her escape.

"You're highness?"

With difficulty I opened my eyes to find the ruined face of Forrest hovering next to mine. Even though I had almost beaten him to death only an hour ago he was already forcing himself to his feet.

Blinking I looked around. We were alone. There would be guards just outside the door but everyone had gone after Ian. Not that I thought for a second they would find him. Ian was good at disappearing. If he didn't want to be found then we wouldn't find him.

And now he was out there with my wife. With my Cassie.

"Cassie." Her name fell like a cry out of my lips. I swayed where I stood and Ian's hands came out to steady me.

"You're highness." He tried to steady me. Which was impossible in the state he was in. He could barely keep himself upright as it was. "Let's get you sat down."

I wanted to fight him but I couldn't. Now my eyes were open I felt weaker than I ever had in my life. Like a baby bird I was fragile and weak and I didn't know why. All I knew was that it felt like someone had carved out part of my soul.

"Where is-" falling into the nearest seat I glanced around again. My eyes finally clearing. "Megan?"

"One of the guards escorted her to a room on your orders, your highness." He said softly.

"But you stayed?" I let my head fall into my hands. It hurt to even lift it.

Betrayal had that effect. It took all the right out of you.

"I didn't think I was free to go." Forrest gave a small chuckle. "And anyway I thought you might need me."

"Because you are a doctor?" It did feel like I might need one soon. But If I did it wouldn't be him. I wouldn't be able to trust him after what I had just done to him.

"May I sit prince Julian?"

I didn't answer him , instead I motioned for one of the chairs. He groaned as he sat and didn't speak again for several long seconds.

"No." He said finally. "Not because I'm a doctor but because I am a friend." He paused. "Well I'm Cassies friend."

I winced back at the sound of her name. Why did even hearing it cause my physical pain?

"And I am your faithful subject." He continued when I didn't say anything. "I can hand on my heart tell you that she is not a bad person."

I lifted my eyes. "She's carrying another man's baby." I reminded him.

He lifted his eyebrows.

I was a hypocrite and he was reminding me with just a look. I already knew what I was.

"She had begun to care about you."

Fresh pain across my heart. "But she left anyway. Run away with my best friend."

Forrests sigh was loud. "You know deep down that isn't true. He helped her because-"

"She needs help?" I snapped back. "Is that why you have always helped her. She seems to gather men who want to protect her, doesn't she?"

He shrugged and I could see the pain even that small movement caused him. "She is just that kind of woman. A good person and that means people want to help protect her. Well almost everyone."

Throwing back my head I laughed. A sarcastic bark. "Everyone except me. I never felt the need to protect her." I paused. That wasn't exactly true. "I wanted to posses her, own her but-" I trailed off. At least that part was completely true. "Mostly she drove me crazy." I added.

Forrest let out a small laugh. "She said the same about you. But I think you cared more about her then you want to admit."

"Maybe." I conceded.

"You went after her when she was kidnapped."

"She is my wife. Mine." I stabbed myself in the chest with my fingernail. "No one else gets to have her." I trailed off. Was that all? I had been so worried about her. Crazed with the need to get her back and safely in my arms.

A horrible thought flowed through me. The man who had taken her was dead now. He had attacked Cassie more than once, had I not got to her in time?

Could her baby be the result of an assault on her by my enemies? The thought made me feel sick.

"The man who took her?" I swallowed hard. "Do you think he is the father?"

If that was the case I would never forgive myself. Did Cassie think so little of me that she thought I would punish her or the baby for something that wasn't their fault. I already knew the answer to that question though.

"No,Prince Julian. It was before that I believe. Around the same time as Megan." He shifted his weight and my eyes glued themselves to him.

"You suspect something?" I asked. I might be broken by betrayal but I could read that much on his face.

"I just think it's highly suspicious that the two women in your life fell pregnant at the same time."

"The thing with Megan, it was a messed up situation. I was running for my life and she helped me." I admitted. "I though the woman I spent my time was my mate. But now I know I was wrong about that. The scent is wrong now so-" I shrugged.

"You were running and came across Megan? Where?" Forrest's swollen eyes closed for a second. "At the hospital?"

"How did you know?"

He opened his eyes to stare right at me. "A lucky guess . Can I ask a personal question, Julian? Was this on your wedding day?"

I nodded.

"I thought as much and why did your family choose Cassie as your mate?"

I frowned. "It was arranged years ago when we were children. Her family used to be-"

Forrest shook his head. "Used to. I think you need to ask the King why Cassie was chosen for you."

I eyed him suspiciously. "You know something?"

"No, nothing for certain but I think the King will know."

"Because he arranged the contract?"

Forrest slowly met my eyes. "If it was a contract at all."