Fated To Not Just One But Three novel Chapter 439

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."

His jaw worked. He looked at me as if trying to read my bones. Then, slowly, he lowered himself onto the seat behind his desk and settled his curious gaze on me.

"On what condition?" he asked, sounding like he already knew what I would be asking.

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

"You will break the vow tying me to you," I said. "If I exchange myself for Selene, and she comes back safely, you will break the blood vow. I will no longer be tied to you. I will be free."

For a heartbeat, he said nothing. His eyes bored into mine, sharp, searching, as if he could see every thought, every flicker of fear running through me.

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

"You’d really do that?" 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 free her?"

"I’d do it," I said quietly. "But only if you free me. That’s my price."

He exhaled sharply, dragging a hand over his face.

"Olivia..." he whispered, sounding frustrated. "Do you even know what you’re offering? Do you have any idea what they could do to you?"

"Yes," I said. "I do. But that is for me to worry about, not you... all you should be concerned about is Selene coming back safely."

For a long moment, there was only silence. The clock on the wall ticked loudly, each sound a countdown to the three hours we’d been given.

Finally, Frederick’s hands dropped to the desk. He stared at me, his eyes dark and unreadable.

"You’re either the bravest woman I’ve ever met," he said slowly, "or the most foolish."

I lifted my chin. "Maybe both. But do you agree?"

His nostrils flared. His fangs caught the light as he gritted his teeth. Then, slowly, he nodded once. A single, hard nod.

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