Chapter 258
Julian
“Daddy.” The front door slammed open, rebounded off the wall and almost took out the young panther shifter as my sons ran full tilt into the room.
I caught them out of thin air as they launched themselves at me. Settling both of them on my lap so I could lavish both of their rosy cheeked faces with kisses.
Yanna paused for a second. Her eyes on Cassie as she came rushing down the stairs.
“Everything ok? I tried to call-“
“Everything is fine.” There was a breathless note to Cassie's voice that made my heart sing. She sounded so happy and content. One glance at her flushed face and I knew why. Her eyes were glowing as she watched me with our children.
And they were so full of love that if my heart stopped beating right now I would still be the happiest man alive. But my heart wasn’t going to stop. I was so alive, and so full of hope for the future that I doubted my heart would ever stop beating.
Not until hers did anyway.
The mate bond was too firmly rooted in my soul now. If I lost Cassie then my heart would fail and then give up completely.
I shook the thought away as Cassie spoke again.
“Everything is better than fine.” She padded the last few steps forwards and paused again.
Yanna rolled her eyes. “Yeah I can smell- I mean see that.” Turning she closed the door with a soft click before turning back towards us.
I stifled a chuckle as Cassies eyes widened in shock. She was embarrassed that people could smell us but not me. I loved the fact the others could scent our bond and our mounting need for each other because it was growing again.
Just watching her , made me want her even more and I didn’t know how much longer I could last before I pulled her into my lap and forced Ian and Yanna to whisk the boys away before they saw anything.
“So-“ a small nod of her head towards me, and Yanna fell into one of the arm chairs. My eyebrows shot up. She was sprawled over it like she was part of the family. There was no pomp or ceremony.
Catching my look Cassie patted my shoulder as she passed to find her own seat. Which was on the other side of the room to mine.
It was too far and I wanted her closer to me. Not on my lap because my sons were nuzzling into my chest but close enough to touch it I needed to.
Which I did. All the time.
“If you two are back together.” Yannas eyebrows slammed down as her narrowed eyes flickered between the two of us. “And better than ever it would seem then what is happening between you and your- other lady friend.” Yannas eyes met mine unflinching. “Your highness.” She added a quick nod of her head in a attempt to show me some respect.
I fought the urge to roll my eyes because nothing about Yanna screamed respect when it came to me. Her loyalty , so her people’s loyalty was purely for my mate
I let my eyes wander to Cassie. “Megan is gone.” I said firmly and hoped they would believe me because I wasn’t lying.
I hadn’t seen or heard from Megan since the night of the explosion at the theatre. It was like she had disappeared off the face of the earth and even if she did one day reappear then a fate worse than death would await her,
In my research I had found not one but three different packs that wanted her dead.
“She won’t be back, if she does she will be arrested and brought to trial. There’s a few packs who have lost members to her scheming. Young impressionable men that she black mailed for her lover Duncan. Men who ended up dead.” I added.
Ian’s head snapped up. “And Ian?” He asked quietly. “What have you done with that particular gift I gave you Julian?”
I chuckled. “Your midnight gift was well received Ian,” I nodded my head. “And it is secure?”
“You gave-“ Cassie swallowed hard. “You found Ian and -“
“Yes.” Ian said softly. “Once I had extracted some information from him, I gave him over to the king.”
Cassies eyes widened. “But you said Julian knew about Duncan? What if he -“ she trailed off , biting on her lip angrily.
I wanted to reach out and prize that lip from beneath her sharp teeth before she cut it and hurt herself.
“That’s why I got the information first.” Ian chuckled. “That way I could have gone public with what I knew if Julian didn’t.”
I frowned at him but I wasn’t angry. Not really. Everything Ian had done was for the protection of my family until I was ready to be man enough to take over.
I was more than ready now.
“I was already working on a plan to get rid of her,” I added quickly. “Having Duncan and the information he held about their past operations just helped me cement her demise quicker.” I let my eyes fall on Cassie. “I couldn’t come for you until I had done that , I was going to let it become public knowledge and hoped you would come to me but then I saw you at the explosion.” I shook my head as memories assaulted me. “You were working so bravely and I knew I couldn’t wait.” I gave a small sheepish shrug. “It took me a few days to find you but here I am.” I tightened my arms around both boys' shoulders.
“Here you are.” She nodded her head quickly. Her eyes dancing.
“And here is where I will stay if that’s what you want Cassie?” Unblinking I stared at her and she stared right back.
“I-“
“I won’t let you go again Cassie.” I said firmly. “So if staying here will make you happy then we will stay here. All you have to do is say the word and I will make the announcement.”
“Announcement?” Noah asked from his place laying against my chest. “What is announcement?”
“I’ll give up being King for you Cassie, if that’s what you and the boys need?”
She shook her head. “It’s not.”
My heart leapt. “Then my announcement will be much happier then won’t it. It’s time you came home Cassie and took your rightful place at my side.” I took a deep breath. “As my queen.”
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