Fated To Not Just One, But Three Chapter 496: The Party

Calvin’s POV

The drive felt longer than it should have. My grip on the steering wheel was tight, my jaw locked as the engine roared through the night. When I finally reached Austin’s estate, the place was booming. Music thumped from inside, and laughter spilled out from the open doors. Warriors, pack mbers, ogas—everyone was here.

I stepped out of the car, the hum of chatter dying down almost imdiately. Heads turned. Whispers followed.

"Alpha Calvin?" soone murmured. "He actually ca?"

Their surprise was understood. I never showed up for gatherings like this. Never. I hated social gatherings ever since I was little.

I pushed through the crowd, ignoring the murmurs and curious glances. The air was thick with the scent of food, wine, and too many bodies, but beneath all that chaos, I caught it.

Jasmine.

Rain.

Her.

My wolf stirred instantly, his growl vibrating through my bones. "She’s close."

I followed the scent across the hall and out to the courtyard. The night air was cooler there, and the music softer. That’s when I saw her.

Nora.

She was standing near the fountain, her back half turned to , laughing lightly at sothing Austin said. My Gamma stood close—too close—his posture relaxed, his smile easy.

Sothing inside snapped.

I walked toward them, my jaw clenched. Austin noticed first, his words dying mid-sentence. His eyes widened. "Alpha Calvin... you’re here?"

The air shifted imdiately with tension.

"Yes," I said evenly.

Austin hesitated. "I didn’t send you an invitation. I just assud—you don’t usually attend gatherings."

"I know," I replied, my voice cold. "But it seems I was missing quite the event."

Austin shifted uncomfortably, sensing the anger beneath my calm. Nora finally turned fully toward , her smile fading the instant our eyes t.

Her dress was simple, elegant, and far too beautiful for my peace of mind.

"Let’s go," I said flatly.

Her brows furrowed. "Excuse ?"

I stepped closer. "We’re leaving. Now."

Nora blinked, disbelief flashing in her eyes. "I beg your pardon?"

"You heard ," I said, my voice low, clipped with restraint. "I’m taking you back with ."

Her lips parted in shock before she scoffed softly. "Hell no. You don’t get to order around like one of your warriors, Alpha. I’m not a child, and I’m certainly not your servant."

Her defiance hit harder than any physical blow. My wolf bristled, growling inside . "You’re Olivia’s friend," I said quickly, masking my true motive. "If anything happens to you, she’ll have my head. I’m responsible for your safety. You shouldn’t be here."

That was a lie—and I knew it. This wasn’t about Olivia. It was about . About the jealousy clawing at my chest, the possessiveness I couldn’t explain or suppress.

Nora crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "Responsible for my safety?" she repeated, her tone laced with disbelief. "Or just trying to control ?"

I said nothing.

Because the truth? She was right.

Austin stepped forward slightly, his voice cautious. "Alpha, if this is about—"

"Stay out of this, Austin," I cut him off sharply, my voice dropping into a tone that warned him not to test .

He froze.

For a mont, the only sound was the trickling of the fountain beside us.

Nora’s chest rose and fell rapidly, her jaw tight. "You don’t get to show up out of nowhere and drag away like this," she said quietly but firmly. "I’m not yours to command."

I t her gaze. "Maybe not. But as long as you’re under my roof, you’ll do as I say."

Her eyes flashed with anger. "Then maybe I shouldn’t be under your roof at all."

The words hit like a punch to the gut.

Austin’s hand twitched at his side, like he was ready to step in, and that alone made my vision blur with rage.

I took a breath, one I didn’t really feel, and forced myself to step back before I said or did sothing I couldn’t take back.

"Get your things," I said through clenched teeth. "et at the car in two minutes."

I didn’t wait for her answer. I turned and walked away.

At the car I sat and leaned back, letting my fingers drum restlessly on my thigh. Every second that passed felt like an eternity.

I exhaled roughly, rubbing the back of my neck. I’d lost control back there. Again. Every ti it ca to Nora, logic evaporated. I’d faced wars, bloodshed, betrayal, but nothing rattled like her defiance did.

Two minutes passed. Then three. Then five.

Still no sign of her.

I clenched my jaw, the muscles ticking. My wolf paced restlessly inside . "She’s still with him."

"Shut up," I hissed, though the words lacked conviction.

Before I could stop myself, I was out of the car.

I could hear the faint music still echoing from the house, the laughter of guests fading as I neared the courtyard again.

And then, through the crowd, I saw her.

She wasn’t with Austin anymore. She was by the gate, speaking to soone—a maid, maybe—her expression unreadable. She was beautiful. Too beautiful.

And that scared more than anything.

I walked up to her, my boots crunching against the gravel. She looked up instantly, her eyes narrowing when she saw .

"You’re still here?" she asked coolly.

"You’re late," I said, keeping my tone even.

"I never agreed to go with you."

I inhaled sharply through my nose, my patience hanging by a thread. "You will," I said quietly. "One way or another."

Her chin lifted defiantly. "If you think you can force —"

"I don’t want to force you, Nora." I took a step closer, lowering my voice. "But if you don’t willingly co with , then I will have to carry you myself... so choose the best option."

Her eyes widened. "You are not—"

"I am serious." I cut her off. "Use your legs and follow to the car, or I’ll sling you over my shoulder and you’ll be the topic for the week. the ball is in your court."