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."

my bones. Then, slowly, he lowered himself onto the seat behind his desk and settled

like he already knew what I would be

didn’t hesitate. With my gaze fixed on his,

break the vow tying me to you," I said. "If I exchange myself for Selene, and she comes back safely,

searching, as if he could see every thought, every flicker of fear running through

claws retracting as he steepled

sounding disbelieving. "You’d walk into a

said quietly. "But only if you free me. That’s my

dragging a hand over his

what you’re offering? Do you have

"I do. But that is for me to worry about, not you... all you should

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

He stared

woman I’ve ever met," he

"Maybe both. But do you

nostrils flared. His fangs caught the light as he gritted his teeth. Then, slowly,

said. "If she is unharmed...

and fear crashed over me at the same time. My hands shook, but I kept

have a deal," I

the worry etched on his face, which wasn’t

you going to save yourself?" he asked,

once they clawed the magical collar on me, I knew my ability

deeply. "We have to draft out an escape plan for

but the phone on his desk

were calling

and I locked eyes. We were both tense. He picked it up without hesitation and put it on the loudspeaker so I

"What?"

voice came through, cold

made your decision, Lord

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

of static. Then the

you and the girl. No guards.