Fated To Not Just One, But Three

Chapter 373: Compare

Olivia’s POV

"Excuse me." The words slipped from my lips sharper than I intended, slicing through the heavy air in the room. My wolf growled inside me, restless, clawing at the edges of my control.

Frederick arched a brow, clearly unbothered by my outburst. "Is something unclear?"

My hands curled into fists at my sides. Unclear? Everything about this was unclear. My mind spun, trying to grasp what he had just said. A son? Three years old? And he expected me—me—to step into that role?

I lifted my chin, forcing myself to stay calm. "You think I’ll just... accept that? That you have a child, and somehow I’m supposed to become his mother?"

The smirk never left his lips, but there was something darker behind his eyes now. "Not ’somehow,’ Olivia. It is what will happen. Felix is mine. Soon, you will be mine. That makes him yours. It’s simple."

My chest tightened, anger blazing hot in me. Simple? He spoke as if my life, my choices, were just lines on a page he could rewrite.

I turned slightly toward the pale woman on the bed—his mother—who was watching me with that strange, warm smile. She looked at me like I was already part of them, already tied to this cursed family.

My jaw clenched. I wished I could spit in his face and tell him over my dead body. But I had to keep up with my act.

Don’t get me wrong—I don’t hate children. Never. My wolf softened at the very thought of them, innocent and pure. But this wasn’t about a child. This was about him. About Frederick trying to twist me into something I wasn’t, into someone he could claim and control.

"I accepted to be with you, not to become a mother... I’m just eighteen. I’m not ready to be a mother now or in a few years to come." I frowned. But actually, it was a lie. I loved children. After this nightmare, I wanted pups—wanted them with the triplets.

Frederick shrugged. "Hailee had triplets at your age and became a wonderful mother. If she could do it with three pups, you can do even better with one."

my great-grandmother Hailee... it was as if he loved her... like it was she he always wanted but was forced to have me. Like I was some pale copy of his long-lost

feel her pressing against me, demanding I lash out. But

voice echoing through the room. "And

his mouth to speak, but his mother beat him

toward the pale woman on

he started, his tone unusually

eyes, weak but still sharp, shifted to me.

Hailee," she whispered, her words slow but firm. "Do not make the mistake of turning one into the shadow of

fists at his sides,

my heart pounding. My wolf stirred inside me, unsettled but... curious. Why was

old woman’s gaze never left mine. "Child," she said softly, "just try to understand him..." She coughed weakly, and Frederick immediately stepped closer, brushing a hand across her arm with

way he touched her—it was careful, reverent, even loving. For the first time, I

heavy sigh. "I need to rest," I muttered, rubbing at my temples. My body felt heavier than it should. Back home,

eyes following me as I turned toward the door.

he gestured for me to follow. His long strides carried

tall door at the end of the hall. He pushed it open and stepped aside, waiting for me to enter

I walked in—and froze.

was large, lined with velvet curtains and a massive carved bed at the center. The faint scent of cedar and smoke clung to the air. But what caught my attention wasn’t

"This... this is your

but it carried a weight that made my stomach