Fated To Not Just One, But Three Chapter 283: The Party

Olivia’s POV

"Trust , all eyes will be on you," Lolita teased with a wink, fluffing my hair as I checked myself in the mirror. I rolled my eyes and looked away, forcing a small smile. The truth was, I didn’t care about all eyes. I only cared about theirs—Lennox, Louis, and Levi. And they weren’t going to be there. So no, I wasn’t exactly excited.

Before I could sink too deep into that thought, a knock landed gently on the door. I paused—and even without opening it, I knew exactly who it was. His scent gave him away.

"Co in," I called, adjusting the strap of my dress.

The door creaked open, and Calvin stepped inside. I didn’t turn to look at him. Not right away. Not after what happened this morning. After everything we’d said... or yelled.

"Excuse us," he said, directing his words toward Nora and Lolita.

They both bowed slightly and slipped out of the room without another word.

Silence settled between us.

Tense. Quiet.

Until finally, he spoke.

"I’m sorry."

I turned slightly, eyes eting his in the mirror.

"For what?" I asked quietly.

"For... reacting the way I did earlier," he said, his voice softer than I’d expected. "I didn’t an to scare you. I just—" He paused, rubbing the back of his neck. "I’m angry. Not at you. Just... at what you went through. I can’t stop picturing it. I hate that I wasn’t there to stop it."

My expression softened, and I nodded slowly.

"I know," I murmured.

He took a breath and looked over, his eyes lingering on my dress.

"You look beautiful, by the way."

I gave him a small, surprised smile.

"Thanks."

"Have fun tonight. You deserve that much."

I studied him for a mont before asking, "Aren’t you coming?"

He shook his head. "No. I’ve got a few things to handle—pack matters and so loose ends to tie up."

Of course.

Alphas are usually busy.

"Just... if you feel anything strange," he said, stepping closer, "anything off at all—I want you to call imdiately."

I raised a brow. "You want to call you from a party?"

"No," he said firmly. "I want you to teleport straight to . No hesitation. No second-guessing. Just get out and co to , okay?"

His tone was serious, protective, and it made my chest tighten a little.

"Okay," I whispered.

"Promise , Liv."

"I promise."

He nodded once, like that was all he needed, and turned to leave. But just before he reached the door, he glanced back.

"And hey..." he added with a faint smile. "I love you. Don’t you forget that."

I couldn’t help but smile.

As the door clicked shut behind Calvin, I stood there for a mont, staring at my reflection. My heart was still a little tangled in his last words.

"I love you. Don’t you forget that."

How could I? obviously he does.

The door creaked open, and Lolita stepped back in, a mischievous grin tugging at her lips.

"You done swooning?" she teased.

I snorted. "Barely."

Then I glanced over her shoulder. "Where’s Nora?"

"Oh," Lolita said, moving to help adjust my necklace. "Alpha Calvin asked her to bring him a glass of juice."

I frowned. "Juice?"

Lolita nodded. "Yeah. From the kitchen downstairs."

My brows pulled tighter. That didn’t sound right.

"Why would he send Nora? He has personal servants for that."

"I thought the sa thing," she admitted.

I turned back toward the mirror, a suspicious feeling creeping up my spine.

Alphas don’t just accept food or drinks from anyone—not unless it’s soone they trust completely. Especially not soone they just t the day before.

Sothing about that... didn’t sit well with .

Before I could dwell on it too long, a voice echoed in my mind.

"I’m here. You coming?"

Sofia.

Her tone was light, but I could sense the nervous energy behind it.

"Yeah," I mind-linked back. "I’m leaving now."

Calvin’s driver was already waiting at the front, and within minutes, I was in the sleek black car, my fingers tapping nervously on my lap as the trees blurred past outside the window.

The car finally pulled up in front of Lord Frederick’s estate—a tall, elegant ho. It looked more like a royal hall than a house. Music drifted faintly from inside, and the scent of wine, candles, and expensive perfu filled the air.

I stepped out of the car and imdiately spotted Sofia waiting near the entrance.

She looked stunning in a deep burgundy dress that hugged her curves perfectly. Her long black hair was curled and pinned to one side, and she smiled the mont she saw .

"There you are," she said, walking up to and linking her arm with mine. "You look gorgeous."

"You too," I said with a smirk. "You ready?"

"As I’ll ever be," she whispered. Then she leaned in. "Let’s go see what’s happening."

Sofia and I walked arm in arm through the grand doors of Lord Frederick’s estate.

The mont we stepped in, the room seed to pause.

Heads turned.

Eyes widened.

And all of them—every pair—landed on .

It wasn’t just polite interest or admiration. It was... awe.

Whispers broke out like ripples across a still lake.

"That’s her..."

"The special one."

"The girl from the prophecy?"

"She’s even more beautiful than they said..."

I forced a small, polite smile, nodding slightly to the guests who greeted with too much curiosity. I hated this kind of attention. It wasn’t admiration—it was fascination, like I was so kind of rare painting they weren’t allowed to touch.

Sofia, sensing my discomfort, leaned close and whispered, "Breathe. They’re just stunned because you’re... well, you."

I huffed softly but nodded. "I hate being stared at."

She grinned. "Better get used to it."

Before I could respond, a soft chi rang out—like a crystal bell—and the soft hum of conversation faded as Lord Frederick appeared at the top of the grand staircase.

He looked as elegant as ever in a dark velvet jacket, a silver brooch gleaming at his collar. His pale skin glowed faintly under the chandelier light, and his piercing eyes swept across the room until they landed briefly—firmly—on .

Then he smiled.

"My honored guests," he began, his voice smooth and commanding, though not loud. "I thank you all for coming tonight. This celebration... is sothing I’ve put off for a very, very long ti."

A soft chuckle swept the crowd.

Frederick descended the stairs slowly as he continued, "The last ti I celebrated my birthday... was over a hundred years ago. I gave up the habit, thought it unnecessary—pointless, even. But tonight marks a new Chapter."

He reached the final step and paused.

"This is my three hundredth birthday."

A murmur of surprise ran through the room.

"And," he added, "since I have chosen to begin aging forward like the rest of you—starting now—I figured it was only right to acknowledge it."

The guests laughed gently and lifted their glasses.

"To life," he said, raising his own glass of thick red wine—though I wasn’t entirely sure it was wine.

"Cheers," the crowd echoed.

Crystal clinked, and the room ca alive again with conversation and movent.

Music picked back up softly in the background, and people began to mingle and toast and drift into small groups. But Frederick’s eyes lingered on just a heartbeat longer before he turned away, speaking to an elder vampire near the bar.

Sofia and I exchanged a look.

"Well," she whispered with a smirk, "he’s definitely watching you."

I ignored her and reached for a flute of whatever pink drink a passing waiter offered .

"Let’s just try to enjoy this evening."