Fated To Not Just One But Three novel Chapter 396

Chapter 396: Her Blood

Olivia’s POV

The wine glass tilted in her hand, the crimson liquid splashing across the floor as she gasped. The sharp edge of the broken glass cut across her palm.

Blood.

It hit the air instantly.

Rich. Sweet. Potent.

My wolf stiffened at the scent, but it was Frederick who reacted most violently. His head snapped toward her, his nostrils flaring. His grip on my waist slackened as his pupils dilated, dark and hungry.

Selene clutched her hand dramatically, the crimson dripping between her fingers. "Oh—excuse me," she murmured softly, her voice carrying just enough tremor to draw attention.

Several nobles gasped. A servant moved forward with a cloth—

But Frederick was already moving.

"Wait," he commanded sharply, his voice slicing through the chatter. In two long strides, he reached her side, his hand catching her wrist before the servant could touch her.

His eyes locked on the wound, his lips parting as he inhaled deeply and greedily.

"Are you okay?" Frederick’s voice cut through the crowd, sharper than I’d expected. His hand tightened around Selene’s wrist, tilting it gently so the light caught the crimson flow.

But I wasn’t fooled.

It wasn’t concern driving him—it was hunger. His pupils were blown wide, his chest rising and falling too fast. He wanted to taste it. Every nerve in his body screamed for it, even as he fought to control himself.

Selene lowered her gaze, shoulders tensing as though she could feel the weight of his restraint.

"I... I’m fine," she said quietly, pulling slightly, but his grip didn’t ease.

For one long heartbeat, I thought he’d cave—thought he’d lean down and sink his teeth into her right there in front of everyone.

But he didn’t.

Well, she has to consent to it.

With effort, Frederick released her wrist and straightened, his expression smoothing into his cold formality. "Lord Frederick," he introduced himself, bowing his head just slightly. "And you are?"

Selene’s breath caught. Her voice wavered as she answered, "You... you’re a vampire."

His lips curved faintly. "That doesn’t answer my question."

Selene stepped back quickly, clutching her hand tighter against her chest. "Please... excuse me. I can’t... I can’t be near you." Her voice cracked with just enough fear to sound real, but I knew she was pretending. I hate to say it, but she was pretty good at this.

Then she turned, slipping into the crowd without another word.

The room buzzed with whispers, nobles exchanging knowing glances, but my eyes were on Frederick.

His jaw was tight, his hands curling slowly into fists. But it was his eyes that gave him away.

Pain. Hunger. Want.

He didn’t just notice her. He felt her.

And as he watched Selene’s retreating figure vanish into the crowd, I knew the hook had sunk deeper than either of us had imagined.

"Selene has laid the bait, and I think Frederick wants to taste her," I whispered to the triplets through the mind link.

"Good," Lennox answered. "All she has to do is make sure she poisons her blood and he feeds from her, then we take it from there."

I nodded inwardly. "But that cannot happen today... Selene is acting scared of Frederick."

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify