CHAPTER NINE - Heartbeat

Peter's POV

My eyes widened in shock as my Dad grabbed Anna swiftly from the guard’s hold.

“Peter! Do you realize what you’ve done?” My Dad yelled, his eyes widened, glaring at me and the dead body that flowed blood, staining the tiles of the living room behind me.

“Let her go!” I roared at my Dad, gritting my teeth with a clenched fist.

As I stared at Anna, I felt my heart break a little as she stared back in fear, more tears streaming down her cheeks.

‘At any cost.’ was what I promised to protect her. Even if it means killing my forces.

“No!” A voice echoed through the walls of the living room, making everyone turn in the direction in which the voice came from.

I saw the head maid run towards the guard’s dead body with tears streaming down her face.

“My son…” she spoke, her voice cracking as she placed her palms on his pale face.

“My only son…” she sobered.

As I heard that, my brows raised in regret.

Fuck! I knew the head maid had a son but never knew he was part of the forces, I was only trying to protect my mate.

“I…I’m.” I stammered, trying to apologize to her, but I knew it wouldn't change anything. I’ve done an unspeakable sin to her.

“You see what you’ve done, Peter!” My mum yelled, making me frown my face in anger, “Your foolishness has ruined everything!"

“If there's anyone to blame, it's that fucking bitch.” I yelled, anger lurking in my voice as I pointed at Charlotte, still with that ugly smirk on her face.

“Don’t you have shame in you?” My Mum bellowed, but I moved my gaze from her to my Dad.

“Let… her go,” I spoke to my Dad, who continued to glare at me as I walked towards him with an iron fist, ready to do huge damage, not minding if I had to hit him to get any back.

My Dad grabbed Anna’s neck with his claws.

“Take one more step… and I’ll kill her.” My Dad’s gnarled, his voice firm.

Anna shut her eyes as she groaned in pain. I halted in my tracks, my hands raised in the air as I saw blood streaming down Anna’s neck.

“Because of your reckless act to protect this… thing. You killed a man in the kingdom force. The only son of a mother.” My Mum yelled at me, walking close to me.

*Smack*

Charlotte and the doctor gasped in shock as I received a resounding slap on my face, making me turn sideways.

Gone are the days when Mum's hands hurt me as a kid.

“Do you even remember who you are anymore? You’re abandoning everything we’ve built for a traitor, a witch—nothing but a filthy creature. This is your choice?!” My mum yelled.

“If you hurt her, I’ll never forgive you. I’ll leave this house and this kingdom for good.” I spoke, glaring at my Dad and ignoring my mum's words.

“I’ll never accept to rule this kingdom if you do this,” I said as I stepped closer.

I could still hear the sobbing of the head maid covering the walls of the room and I felt my heart shattering piece by piece by the sounds.

But that isn't my only issue now, Anna is.

Instead of taking my slight threat seriously, Anna gasped for air as my Dad pressed his claws around her neck while I kept getting closer to them.

“It is clear to me this witch's spell on you has gotten too far, It's time I ended it.”

“No! Dad, please, I'm begging, alright!” I yelled, stretching my hands forward as my heart jumped in fear, watching my Dad's palm close in on Anna's throat, making her scream in pain.

“The only way to save her life is to accept Charlotte as your mate!” My Dad yelled.

“Please…I’m begging you!” I pleaded, “You can't do this.” 

“What's it going to be? Peter” My Dad pressed Anna's neck harder, making her scream in pain.

From my past encounters with my Dad on serious matters, I knew he didn't bluff in any situation. So what's going to be different about this time?

“Fine!” I yelled, “I’ll do it, I’ll accept Charlotte as my mate. Just…Just let her go.” 

My heart twisted as the words left my mouth. I would say anything to save her. But this—this was my soul’s undoing.

“Hmmm.” My Dad hummed, making me furious.

What the fuck is that?

“Why should I let her live? So that she can cause more problems in the future? No, I think I'll take the opportunity to end her now!”

“No!” I yelled as I ran towards them, pushing my Dad off Anna and falling him to the ground, preventing him from ending Anna’s life.

But, when I thought I'd saved Anna, she fell to the ground, blood spilling out of her neck as she gasped loudly for air then suddenly, she stopped. Her eyes closed, and I noticed a deep cut in her neck that sent a cold running down my spine.

“Anna… Anna, stay with me alright! Doctor Michella!” I yelled.

Just as I heard Michella's footsteps towards me, my mum spoke.

“Don't come… Any closer!” My mum yelled at her.

“Queen mother, please, as a doctor, my first duty is to save lives.” She told my mother.

“And as your queen-mother, I refuse you to.” My mum ordered her.

“What the hell? mother!” I roared at her.

As I stared in their direction, I could see Charlotte pasting a victorious grin on her face.

“I’m sorry, queen mother, but I need to do this.” She Michella hesitated for a brief moment, glancing between me and my mother. But then she made her choice, rushing toward Anna as if saving her life was the only thing that mattered.

Michel quickly took out her stethoscope from the aid box and checked Anna's heartbeat, my heart began to beat rapidly as anxiety grew inside of me.

Suddenly, Doctor Michella’s face was etched with concern; she removed her stethoscope from Anna's chest before placing it again.

“What's up, Doctor! Is she alright?” I yelled, my firm voice starting to shake.