Triple Fated: A Romance Novel

Chapter 395: The Act

Chapter 395: The Act

Olivia's POV

The car ride was quiet, Frederick sitting besidewith a strange calm that unsettledmore than his rage

ever did. When we arrived at the estate, music and laughter spilled into the night. The birthday celebration was

in full swing—nobles mingling in fine silks and jewels.

The moment we stepped into view, all heads turned. Whispers rippled through the crowd. Frederick's hand

brushed my back, possessive, guidingforward. "Walk with me," he said smoothly, his pride radiating like fire.

"Let them see you."

| gritted my teeth, forcing a soft smile onto my lips. My wolf snarled at his touch, but | composed myself, forcing

out a smile.

As we moved through the hall, | caught sight of Selene. She was across the room, dressed elegantly, her posture

poised. She held a glass of wine in her hand, laughing softly with the birthday celebrant—a noblewoman she

clearly knew well. But her eyes weren't truly on the party. They flicked, just once, toward me. Toward us.

The bond between my mates andbuzzed faintly in my chest. | knew they were watching, waiting, trusting

this plan to unfold.

Frederick didn’t notice her at first. But fate—or maybe Selene’s subtle game—ensured their paths crossed. She

brushed past him with a polite bow, her hybrid scent faint but distinct. Frederick's head snapped toward her

instantly.

| felt it. His desire. His hunger.

Selene dipped her head again, murmuring a greeting, before slipping away like it was nothing. But Frederick's

eyes followed her retreating figure, lingering, calculating.

| swallowed, my stomach twisting.

It had begun.

The trap was working.

"You like her."

The words slipped out of my lips as my gaze was fixed on Frederick, whose gaze had been glued to Selene since

she passed.

He scoffed, shaking his head. "Don’t be ridiculous."

"Don’t lie to me," | hissed, pretending to be jealous. "You've been staring at her since she walked in."

His lips twitched in something between annoyance and amusement. "Her scent is... unique. That is all."

"Unique?" | shot back, my jaw tight. "But I'm the special one, aren’t I? Or has that changed already?"

Frederick's brows lifted, interest flickering in his eyes. He leaned a little closer, lowering his voice. "Are you

jealous, Olivia?"

| scoffed inside me, joke on him to think | would ever be jealous of him being interested in any other lady.

| lifted my chin stubbornly, pretending to be annoyed. "The triplets would never look at another woman. Not the

way you just did."

His expression darkened, his pride clearly pricked by the comparison. But before he could reply, the music

shifted, and couples began gathering at the center of the hall.

Frederick's eyes locked onto mine, a slow smile curving his lips. He extended his hand toward me, his voice

smooth and commanding.

"Dance with me."

Every muscle inwanted to refuse. To spit in his face. But | forced my wolf down, plastered on a smile, and slid

my hand into his.

If Selene was playing her part, then so would I.

And as Frederick pulledinto his arms, guidingonto the floor under a thousand watching eyes, | realized

something terrifying—his smile wasn’t cruel this time. It was genuine, like he was really happy being with me.

Frederick's hand rested firmly at the small of my back, his other clasping mine as he guidedacross the

polished floor. For once, his movements weren't harsh or demanding—they were smooth, steady, almost tender.

His gaze never wavered from my face, and that smile... gods, it was still there. Soft. Real.

"You look beautiful tonight," he murmured, his voice low enough that only I could hear.

| forced a polite smile, keeping my wolf pressed down. "You say that because people are watching."

He shook his head slowly, his fingers tightening ever so slightly on mine. "No. | say it because it’s true. You glow,

Olivia. And it killsto think the triplets are the only ones who get to see it."

My chest tightened, but | kept my expression cool. "You're imagining things."

His eyes darkened, his tone shifting, heavy with unspoken meaning. "Am I? Because when | look at you now, |

don’t see the woman who spits fire at me. | see the woman who could have been mine... if things had been

different."

| stiffened, but he pulledcloser, spinninginto a graceful turn before | could answer. His breath brushed

my ear as he whispered, "Do you know what | envy most about them? Not their power. Not their pack. It's the

fact that when they reach for you, you don’t pull away. You let them hold you. You let them love you."

My wolf growled inside me, furious at the dangerous intimacy of his words. But beneath it, my mind screamed a

reminder—this was the game. Keep him hooked. Act along. Still, the sincerity in his voice unsettledmore

than any threat ever had.

"| really like you, Olivia..." he whispered, sounding wholehearted.

I scoffed. "Like? Not even love?"

: : I"

He smiled. A genuine one. "My heart

was broken years ago... | am scared

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of loving..." He paysed@Nddueket'a

strand dfKairbéhing my ear, his

ice-cold fingers brushing my warm

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skin. "But | can love you if you want

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