Chapter 398: Something Else
Olivia POV
Frederick’s brows rose faintly. For a moment he didn’t answer — he just studied me with those cold, unreadable eyes of his. Then, slowly, he shook his head. "You misunderstand me, Olivia." His tone was calm, almost gentle. "I don’t like her. But I can’t deny... she’s different. Her scent, her blood — it’s unlike anything I’ve encountered in a long time."
I scoffed, folding my arms across my chest. "Different? That’s all it takes for you to lose your composure? You looked like you wanted to rip her apart right there in front of everyone."
His jaw tightened, his lips pressing into a thin line. "You are misunderstanding things, Olivia."
I forced a bitter laugh. "Misunderstanding? Is that what you call it? Because from where I stood, you looked like you couldn’t take your eyes off her. If you want her, then go be with her and let me return to my mates."
A big frown spread across his face. Then he leaned back, exhaling slowly. "Jealousy doesn’t suit you, Olivia. You’re too clever for it. You should know by now — I don’t replace one woman with another. I never have."
His words pricked at me, but I held my glare. Frederick glanced once more toward where Selene had gone, then back at me. His voice dropped lower, almost a whisper. "Her blood is just tempting. That’s all."
I scoffed and sat on the sofa, my angry glare fixed on him. Frederick chuckled, a light, amused smile appearing on his face as he shook his head. "I can’t believe a day like this will come when you, Olivia, will get jealous over me..." He smirked. "I like it."
Inwardly I scoffed. Fool. Joke on him for thinking this was actually real. "I’m not jealous," I shot back, though it sounded exactly like I was.
"Sure," he murmured, nodding like he knew better.
I rolled my eyes, my arms folded tight across my chest. "Where am I sleeping? I’m passing the night here. Who knows... if I leave you alone, you might sneak into her room."
Frederick froze for a second, then chuckled low, the sound vibrating in his chest. His lips tugged into that infuriating smirk. "Sneak into her room and what, Olivia?" He tilted his head, his eyes gleaming with dark amusement.
"Fuck her." I spat the word, glaring at him.
But instead of snapping, Frederick only leaned back against the sofa, his eyes drinking me in like I was the funniest, most fascinating thing he’d seen in centuries. "You’re jealous," he said again, his voice rich with satisfaction. "And moon, I like it. You — Olivia — burning because of me."
I scoffed, my arms tightening around myself. "You’re delusional."
"Maybe." He shrugged, still smirking. Then he stood, his tall frame looming as his gaze pinned me to the sofa. "But since you’re so worried about what I might do..."
He leaned closer, his voice dropping. "We’ll be sharing a room tonight."
I stiffened, my jaw locking.
"At least that way," he added smoothly, brushing past me toward the hall, "you can keep an eye on me. Make sure I don’t sneak into anyone’s bed."
He didn’t even look back as he chuckled again, sounding pleased with himself. He liked this. He liked the attention. He liked my jealousy.
I closed my eyes, forcing my wolf to calm, and reached for the bond. "It’s working," I whispered through the link.
Lennox’s voice was the first to come. "Tell me."
"He’s hooked. Selene played her part perfectly — he’s already circling her like prey he wants to claim. He invited her into his home tonight. She’s pretending to resist, but she agreed for just one night. He thinks it’s his idea."
A ripple of satisfaction pulsed through the bond.
Louis answered next, his tone edged with grim approval. "Good. That’s the first step. Now he’ll want her even more. Hunger like his only grows."
Levi’s voice followed. "And you? Are you okay?"
I hesitated, my throat tightening. "I’m fine." It was a lie, and I knew they felt it. "I’m keeping him distracted. He thinks I’m jealous. He believes every word of it. He has no suspicion of us or Selene."
For a moment, silence lingered. Then Lennox’s voice returned. "Be patient for us, Liv. We’re close now, closer than ever. Soon he’ll take the bait, and when he does — we end this."
I breathed deeply, nodding to myself. "Soon," I whispered aloud, my eyes narrowing toward the stairs Frederick had used. Soon, this charade would end. And Frederick would fall.
When I pushed the door of his room open, the scent of aged wine and smoke filled the room. Frederick stood near the mantle, glass in hand, the firelight dancing against his sharp features. He swirled the crimson liquid lazily before taking a long sip.
I arched a brow, letting mockery drip from my voice. "What is that — wine, or blood?"
His eyes flicked toward me, cool and unbothered. He didn’t rise to the bait, just set the glass back on the table with a faint clink. "You’re amusing when you try to provoke me, Olivia."
I scoffed and crossed my arms. "Who said I was trying?"
Turning away, I muttered, "I’ll teleport home to grab my nightdress."
But before I could move, his voice cut through the air. "No need."
I froze, narrowing my eyes. "Excuse me?"
He moved toward the wardrobe, pulling it open with a casual sweep of his hand. "You don’t need to leave. You can use one of my shirts." He glanced back, his expression unreadable, but the smallest hint of a smirk touched his lips. "They’ll suit you just fine."
I wanted to refuse — gods, every instinct in me screamed to refuse — but then I remembered the plan. The game. My role. I forced my lips into something like a reluctant smile. "Fine."
He studied me for a moment longer, then reached into the wardrobe and pulled out a crisp black button-down shirt. The fabric looked expensive, smelling faintly of his cold, sharp scent. He didn’t hand it to me immediately. Instead, he held it in one hand as he spoke. "Selene may not have anything suitable to wear."
My chest tightened as his words sank in. He folded the shirt carefully and turned toward the door. "I’ll give this to her." And then — without another word — he walked out.
I stood frozen, staring at the empty space where he had been. My wolf shifted uneasily inside me, her hackles raised.
This wasn’t just about her blood anymore. No... this was something else. Was Frederick really only tempted by her scent — by her blood? Or was it becoming something deeper? The plan was working, yes. But from where I stood, it also looked like something was slipping out of my control.