Fated To Not Just One, But Three

Chapter 411: Leaving

Frederick’s POV

I didn’t think twice. In the blink of an eye—moving with the speed only a vampire possessed—I was standing in front of her. The small bag barely had time to shift before I ripped it from her grasp and flung it into the corner of the room.

Selene startled, half-turned, and for a second she looked so small and scared I hated myself a little for the way my hunger twined with the urge to protect her.

"You’re not leaving," I said in an authoritative voice.

She swallowed. Her voice trembled when she answered. "I... I can’t stay here. I don’t want to cause trouble."

"You caused trouble the moment you walked in," I shot back, but the anger in me was fractured now, threaded with something else I couldn’t name. "You will not walk out that door unprotected. Not when you—"

I stopped. The words I’d been about to say sounded ridiculous in my head. "Not tonight."

She looked at me, worry in her eyes. "Please. I—"

"No," I said sharply, then softer, "No more leaving. You stay."

I watched her chin lift, watching the stubborn flare in her eyes as if it were a dare.

"I’m not a child, Lord Frederick," Selene said, her voice hard even as it trembled. "I can take care of myself. I’ve done it my whole life before you met me."

Her words hit with a strange mix of pride and brittle fear. She squared her shoulders like she meant it.

"I’m leaving. I’ll go back to my hotel and finish my program."

flared under my skin. "You’ll go back alone?" I snapped. "Do you have any idea what you’re asking? You’d be walking

is everywhere. I’m not here to be coddled, Lord Frederick. I

her voice pushed a part

you, Selene. It’s

keeping me prisoner? No. I can do my

I am asking you to stay here for my own benefit?" I cut in, my voice filled

did you bring me here?" she spat — her eyes filled with pain that for

you showing me such love and care... why did you kiss me and act like

I stood inches from her, I didn’t know what to say... All I could feel

away a strand of tears with the back of her hand and looked me straight in the eyes — those haunting eyes that reminded me of

Lord Frederick, and I am causing trouble for you two... I

and a hunger I couldn’t fully name. I closed the distance between us in one stride. She opened her

trying not to admit. I kissed her as if to silence

she stiffened, her hands pressing against my chest. I felt the push — her small frame trembling against my strength

eyes lifted to mine, shimmering with

breathed, her voice breaking, "we can’t. You have

should have stepped back. I

my chest, cupping the back of her neck,

to mine. She kissed me back, her breath hot, the sound of her gasp filling me

with vampire speed. She held on tight, her eyes wide, but

didn’t let go. I kept kissing her, harder, deeper. Her hands pushed at my chest for a moment, but then she pulled me closer,

whispered. My name on her lips