Fated To Not Just One, But Three

Chapter 439: The Deal

Olivia’s POV

I never expected Frederick to tell me this... that whoever had Selene wanted me and that they had only given him three hours. I stared at him and saw how frustrated and miserable he looked... he was on the verge of breaking down.

"Do you have any idea who could do this?" I asked, curious.

He rubbed his face once, hard. He looked at the floor before he answered.

"Three suspects," he said finally. "A vampire nest that’s been angry at me for months. A rogue hunter group that traffics hybrids. And... someone inside the city with a grudge," he spat.

Three suspects. My mind raced with different thoughts. I opened my mouth to ask more, to press him for details, but my wolf snarled in my head and shoved against my thoughts.

Don’t, she warned. This is dangerous.

She wanted me to hold back, to stay away, but I couldn’t.

An idea formed in my head. It was quick and dangerous and selfless and brave all at once. My hands went cold as I looked at Frederick.

I knew I could never tell the triplets. They would never agree. They would fight me, stop me. They loved me too much to accept the risk I was about to offer.

I took a breath and said it anyway. My voice felt steady even though my heart was pounding.

"Take me," I said. "Give me to them. Save Selene."

Frederick’s head snapped up so fast I almost missed it. His eyes went wide, furious and stunned.

"What?" he barked.

"I’ll go," I said. "If that’s what it takes. I won’t tell the triplets. They’ll never agree. But I will go. Let Selene live."

For a long second there was only the sound of my own breathing. Frederick looked like someone punched him in the gut. I could see the war inside him—the plan, the prophecy, the future he wanted with me, and the person he was clearly falling for.

"You can’t be serious," he said at last, voice low.

"I am," I answered. "But only on one condition."

as if trying to read my bones. Then, slowly, he lowered himself

what condition?" he asked, sounding like he already knew what

my gaze

Selene, and she comes back safely, you will break the

a heartbeat, he said nothing. His eyes bored into mine, sharp, searching, as if he could see every

leaned back slowly in his chair, his claws retracting as he steepled his fingers under his

he said at last, his voice hoarse, sounding disbelieving. "You’d walk into a den of vampires, knowing what they do to you, just to

quietly. "But only if

dragging a hand over

frustrated. "Do you even know what you’re offering?

that is for me to worry about, not you... all you should be concerned

long moment, there was only silence. The clock on the wall ticked loudly, each sound a

hands dropped to the desk. He stared at me, his eyes dark

ever met," he said

lifted my chin. "Maybe

light as he gritted his teeth. Then, slowly, he nodded

she is unharmed... I will

me at the same time. My

a

but I also noticed the worry etched

you going to save yourself?"

clawed the magical collar on me, I knew my ability might be depressing, so how do I save myself? Frederick was right; this was foolishness, but I would do anything to be free from being tied

draft out an escape plan for

opened my mouth to answer, but the phone on his desk rang again, loud and sharp. The

were

and I locked eyes. We were both tense. He picked it up without hesitation

"What?"

came through, cold

your decision, Lord

"Yes," he said through gritted teeth. "We accept. How do we do

the voice

the girl. No