Catarina’s POV
The tension in the room escalated as my defiance clashed with his anger. My resentment towards him grew stronger with every word he spoke. I refused to let him control me, especially now that I held the power of a queen.
"Stay clear of me. She deserves to die," I spat, my voice a low and menacing growl. "Nobody threatens my twins or my mate." The words tumbled out of my mouth, fuelled by anger and spite, as I made my determination clear. "She is going to die once and for all."
“Catarina, please. I'm sorry.” Tara gasped for air. I didn't listen, and I would not allow her to change my mind.
She fought furiously, her movements becoming a whirlwind of desperation. Her wild kicks and swings were fuelled by her relentless desire to break free from my firm grip. Her sheer force and intensity added complexity to our struggle, challenging my ability to maintain control.
“Just die. Hell is waiting for you! Bitch!” I sat in her face as she struggled to breathe.
“Catarina, get your filthy mitts off of her.” Carl snarled as he and Lochlan both strode towards me.
But before they could reach us, a loud gunshot pierced the air, startling us into stunned silence.
The sound reverberated through the room, the weight of its consequence hanging heavy in the air. The bullet hit Tara right in the chest, causing her to recoil in pain. I released my grip on her as blood spurted all over me and her. Her lifeless body fell to the ground with a thud.
I stood there, dumbfounded by what had just transpired. It was Nadia, trembling and overwhelmed by her actions, who had fired the gun. The gravity of the situation settled upon us, freezing us all in disbelief as we struggled to comprehend the consequences of this unexpected turn.
Suddenly, Carl’s voice cut through the silence, filled with a deadly determination. "You killed her, and now you will pay with your life. Without these twins, you will have no heir." He stepped forward swiftly, grabbing Nadia, who remained frozen. Her eyes were wide with fright.
But, before he could lay a finger on her, Lochlan hurtled towards Carl, shoving him to the wall with a thud. He had his hands around Carl’s neck.
“Dare you to threaten my children.” He bared his teeth, a warning to Carl, a silent declaration that he would do whatever it took to keep our twins safe.
Carl, gasping for breath, stared defiantly at Lochlan.
"I won't let any harm come to our children," Lochlan growled, his voice cold and unyielding. He loosened his grip on Carl.
“Take them, Catarina. Get out of here.” Lochlan ordered me as I scooped up my twins in my arms. Nathan clung to me while Nadia sobbed. I looked at Mindy, who hugged her knees to her chest in the corner. She was in shock. I had to get them all out of here. Tara was dead, and I knew that Lochlan would kill Carl.
“I hope you rot in hell,” I shouted at Carl.
"You think I care? I should have kept you locked up in that cell to rot away!” Carl finally snarled; his voice filled with disdain. "These whining little brats are just as disgusting as their mother. A nuisance and in the way. Now, Lochlan, take your Luna and brats and get out of my kingdom before I kill you all."
Lochlan roared in fury, the realisation of Carl’s true intentions hitting him like a punch to the gut.
“You planned to kill my twins? You will not lay a hand on them!” Lochlan growled as he squeezed the life out of Carl, and finally letting go, he kicked his lifeless body to the ground.
“Catarina. I'm so sorry. I had no idea he planned to harm the children.” Lochlan turned to me and spoke. I hugged my twins to my chest.