Triple Fated: A Romance Novel

Chapter 397: Concerned?

Chapter 397: Concerned?

Olivia's POV

| stood frozen, watching as Frederick bent and lifted Selene off the ground. For one terrifying second, she let

herself lean into him, trembling like a wounded bird.

Then, well played, she pulled back, stumbling as though realizing whose arms she had fallen into. Her wide eyes

darted to his face, faked terror making her look small and vulnerable.

I rolled my eyes. Well played, Selene. Well played.

"Don’t touch me," she whispered, clutching her injured hand tighter against her chest. "You're... you're a

vampire..."

Frederick straightened, his face carved in something unreadable, anger, yes, but not at her. At the ones who had

touched her. And underneath it all... there was something else. Hunger. Possession.

"You're bleeding," he said, his voice low, almost filled with concern. "You shouldn't be out here alone."

Then, to my surprise, he added, "Lettake you home."

Selene’s eyes widened, her acting flawless. She stumbled back another step, clutching her hand tighter. "No... |

can’t. You're just like them." Her voice trembled, soft and broken, painting him as the monster she wanted him to

be.

Frederick didn’t frown; his eyes softened. "I am not like them," he said firmly, his tone calm, almost soothing. "I

don’t force. | don’t feed unless I'm given permission."

Selene shook her head quickly, her breath hitching. "I... | can’t. I'm staying at the Royal Crescent Hotel for a

month. | chere for study." Her words crushed, shaky, and | smirked inwardly. All lies, yet believable

enough to make her look desperate to escape him.

Frederick studied her closely, his jaw tightening. Then he shook his head slowly. "That place isn’t safe. Not for

you. Too many eyes. Too many dangers." His voice lowered, possessive and with concern. "You should cwith

me. Stay at my estate. I'll keep you safe."

Selene shook her head immediately, her performance so good that | could see the way her pulse flickered, her

shoulders trembling like prey.

And | smiled to myself.

The motion was working.

Selene was sinking into her role, and Frederick was already caught in the net.

"Thank you, but | can take care of myself." She whispered and turned to leave as she began walking away, but,

shockingly, Frederick went after her and grabbed her hand, making her flinch in fear.

"Fine... just stay at my htonight... for security reasons." He pleaded.

Now | becconfused. Why did he seem so desperate for Selene to cto his home? Was this to lure her into

his hso he could feed on her forcefully? Or was it that he was really concerned about her?

Selene’s frown deepened. "Why? So you can forcefully feed on me?" she spat.

Frederick groaned, dragging a hand through his hair in clear annoyance. "Stop it. I'm not snewborn vampire

who can’t control himself. | am three hundred years old. I've seen your kind, I've smelled blood stronger than

yours, and | didn’t touch. | don’t feed forcefully. That's not who I am."

For a moment, her wide eyes studied him, as if weighing his words. Then, slowly and deliberately, she turned her

gaze toward me.

Her lips parted. "What about your woman?" she asked softly, tilting her head towardas though she truly

cared. "Will she be okay with it... if | stay under your roof?"

Every muscle inwent rigid.

Oh, she was good. Too good.

Frederick didn’t even sparea glance when he answered. "She won't... you don’t have to worry about her."

Selene parted her mouth. "Oh." And then she acted as if she were in deep thought. Her lashes fluttered,

weighing impossible choices. | already knew where this was going; she was going to accept. But the act... gods,

she was dragging it out for Frederick's sake.

Then she drew a shaky breath, straightening her shoulders as though concluding sgrave bargain.

"Fine," she said softly, her voice trembling just enough. "Just for tonight."

Frederick's jaw unclenched, the tight lines in his face easing into something dangerously close to relief. "Good."

His hand twitched, as if he wanted to touch her again, but he held himself back. "You'll be safe with me."

Selene nodded, clutching her wounded hand like a shield. "But only tonight," she added quickly, keeping up the

pretense. "After that, | leave."

Frederick's lips curved in the faintest smile, one that didn’t reach his eyes. "Sure. Let's go,"

| frowned, letting my expression twist into one of jealous anger. He didn’t even notice—or maybe he did and

didn’t care.

We walked in silence to the car.

Frederick slid into one end of they

back seat, his ppstife(iiff Selene

sited Nt the middle, her hand still

wrapped in cloth, while | took the

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The air was thick. | kept my glare

fixed out the window, my jaw

clenched, and my pyre prasded bs if

| ere fring’ 'wanted him to see it.

Let him think | was angry, jealous,

and possessive. Anything but

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chapter there!

The ride stretched long and heavy.

. . ) . )

Frederick didn't speak. He didn teven

look at me. His gapviak fixed t00

oBefoh SStene, lingering on her

. )

profile when he thought | wouldn't

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chapter there!

When we finally reached his mansion, Frederick flashed a warm smile at Selene. The great iron gates creaked

open, and the car rolled smoothly inside.

The moment we stepped out, a human maid hurried forward. Frederick gestured sharply toward Selene, his voice

calm but commanding.

"Tend to her wound," he ordered.

Then, to Selene, his tone softened. "You'll rest in one of the guest houses. I'll have everything prepared for you."

Selene dipped her head meekly, whispering a small, "Thank you," before following the maid. She didn’t look

back, but Frederick's eyes followed her until she disappeared inside.

Only then did he turn toward me.

"You like her, don’t you?" | asked, sounding angry and jealous.

His brows lifted slightly, but he didn’t answer right away.