Forbidden Pregnancy for the Vampire Prince

Chapter Ten

His gaze dropped briefly to the bag on my shoulder again then back to my face.

“Why didn’t you mention this earlier?” he asked.

“I just… decided,” I said carefully. “After dinner.”

He sighed and somehow more terrifying than anger, “Malakai left angry.”

My breath caught, “What?”

My father’s eyes narrowed slightly, “Angry,” he repeated. “Why?”

I blinked, “I don’t know—” Malakai didn't look angry to when he talked. We were in good terms so what's all these?

“You don’t know?" His voice sharpened, “You expect me to believe that?”

My fingers tightened around the strap of my bag, “I wasn’t feeling well,” I said quickly. “Maybe he misunderstood something—”

“He does not ‘misunderstand,’ Kira,” my father cut in. “He observes." That made my chest tighten. “He is not a man who reacts without reason.”

Then he stepped closer, “You are supposed to treat Malakai with care,” he continued. “He is not just your betrothed. He is the next in line to the throne,” my father said firmly. “Have you thought about that?”

Yes, every single day and it made me feel trapped.

“You will be his Queen,” he added. "Try and make up with him tonight,” my father said. “And tomorrow, you will go on a date with him. I don’t want to hear protests,” he added immediately. “This is not a suggestion.”

I forced a nod, “Yes, Father.”

“Good.”

Then his eyes flicked to my bag one last time, “You may go.” Relief hit me so hard I almost staggered.

“I will call him,” I said quickly. “Tonight.”

“Make sure you do.”

“I will.” Just don't change your mind about me leaving. Don't try to stop me. Please...he stepped aside just enough for my escape and I didn't waste a second before I walked past him, even though I was still shaky.

I made it down the hallway, around the corner, out of sight, only then I exhale. The car was already waiting outside. The driver stepped out immediately when he saw me.

“Princess,” he greeted, opening the back door.

I forced a small nod and got in, “Belle’s residence,” I said.

“Yes, Princess.”

The door shut. And just like that...we were moving. My heart started racing again. Hold on, if he dropped me at Belle’s house...I can't run, I can't disappear.

I stared out the window, my thoughts spinning. I grabbed my phone quickly and called Belle.

She picked up almost immediately, “Kira? Are you okay? I've not heard from you in a while...”

“Listen to me,” I cut in quickly. “I need you to lie for me.”

“What?”

“I’m on my way to your house,” I said, my voice low. “But I won’t stay.”

“Kira, what are you talking about?”

“I’ll explain later,” I said. “Just—if anyone asks, I was with you. All night.”

Belle hesitated, “Kira… what’s going on?”

I closed my eyes briefly, “I can’t say it right now. I will tell you later..."

“Kira—”

“Please.” That one word carried everything that I was feeling right now and she exhaled from the other end of the line.

“Okay,” she said softly. “But you’re scaring me.”

“I know.” I'm also scared myself. If I can make it through a month, I would gladly thank my stars for making that happen.

“Where are you really going?”.

“I’ll call you later,” I said instead and hung up.

The car kept moving, streetlights passed by in a blur. My pulse wouldn’t slow down and I leaned forward slightly.

“Stop the car.” The driver didn’t respond, “Stop the car,” I repeated, sharper.

“We are instructed to take you to Miss Belle’s residence, Princess.”

“I said stop the car.”

Still nothing and my patience snapped.

“Do you know what happens if I report you for disobedience?” I asked, my voice dropping dangerously.

That got his attention and the car slowed slightly but didn’t stop.

“I am following the King’s orders—”

“And I am your Princess,” I cut in coldly. “If I say stop, you stop.”

“I… cannot do that.”

“If you do not stop this car right now,” I said, “I will make sure my father hears that you endangered my life.”

He stiffened.

“I will tell him you ignored my direct command,” I continued. “That you put me in a situation I could not control.”

His grip tightened on the steering wheel.

“And when he decides to make an example out of someone…” I added softly, “it won’t be me.”

The car slowed and then stopped. I didn't wait before I grabbed my bag and opened the door. Before I stepped out, I leaned slightly toward the front.

“You didn’t see me leave here,” I said quietly. “You dropped me at Belle’s house.”

“Yes, Princess.”

“And if you tell anyone otherwise…”

“I won’t.”

I studied him for a second and then stepped out, the door slammed shut behind me before the car drove off. I stood there for a moment, breathing it in. Then I turned and started walking.

I pulled my jacket tighter around myself and kept walking. I didn’t have a plan just to distance myself from everyone, a hotel came into view a few blocks ahead.

I could stay there for a night or two until I figured out what to do about myself. My hand drifted to my stomach again, maybe I could fix this by getting rid of it like it never happened.

Would that even work? Would my body allow it?

Uncle Josh’s voice echoed in my mind. They’re feeding on your heat. Still, I'm going to try.

Something caught my attention as I went even further, up ahead under a streetlight, I saw a figure I always remembered.

Malakai.

What was he doing here? And infront of the same hotel I want to lodge? I froze, instinctively stepping back into the shadows.

He wasn’t alone, there was a woman with him, she was slender, beautiful, my brows furrowed as I recognized her.

Belle...