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

“Just… if you feel anything strange,” he said, stepping closer, “anything off at all–I want you to call me immediately.”

I snorted. “Barely.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Let’s just try to enjoy this evening.”

Tense. Quiet.

I studied him for a moment before asking, “Aren’t you coming?”

My expression softened, and I nodded slowly.

Heads turned.

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

Sofia and I exchanged a look.

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

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

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

I huffed softly but nodded. “I hate being stared at. Alphas don’t just accept food or drinks from anyone–not unless it’s someone they trust completely. Especially not someone they just met the day before.”

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

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

Lolita nodded. “Yeah. From the kitchen downstairs.”

Silence settled between us.

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

The guests laughed gently and lifted their glasses.

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

“The special one.”

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 me just a heartbeat longer before he turned away, speaking to an elder vampire near the bar.

“I’m here. You coming?”

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

“This is my three hundredth birthday.”

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

“Thanks.”

Until finally, he spoke.

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

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 me.

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

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.

“I thought the same thing,” she admitted.

“You done swooning?” she teased.

Then he smiled.

“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.”

He shook his head. “No. I’ve got a few things to handle–pack matters and some loose ends to tie up.”

Eyes widened.

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

“I promise.”

Alphas are usually busy.

“Okay,” I whispered.

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 moment she saw me.

“Trust me, 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.

He reached the final step and paused.

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

“I love you. Don’t you forget that.”

A soft chuckle swept the crowd.

“I know,” I murmured.

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

How could I? Obviously he does.

I frowned. “Juice?”

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

“Promise me, Liv…”

Frederick descended the stairs slowly as he continued, “The last time 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.”

The moment we stepped in, the room seemed to pause.

I raised a brow, “You want me to call you from a party?”

“She’s even more beautiful than they said…”

I couldn’t help but smile.

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.

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

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

“You look beautiful, by the way.”

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

“For… reacting the way I did earlier,” he said, his voice softer than I’d expected. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m 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 honored guests,” he began, his voice smooth and commanding, though not loud. “I thank you all for coming tonight. This celebration… is something I’ve put off for a very, very long time.”

Whispers broke out like ripples across a still lake.

“Cheers,” the crowd echoed.

A murmur of surprise ran through the room.

Olivia’s POV

“That’s her…”

“Have fun tonight. You deserve that much.”

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

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

“No,” he said firmly. “I want you to teleport straight to me. No hesitation. No second-guessing. Just get out and come to me, okay?”

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

She grinned. “Better get used to it.”

“The girl from the prophecy?”

“You too,” I said with a smirk. “You ready?”

“For what?” I asked quietly.

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

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.

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

Crystal clinked, and the room came alive again with conversation and movement.

Something about that… didn’t sit well with me.

Sofia.

As the door clicked shut behind Calvin, I stood there for a moment, reflecting. My heart was still a little tangled in his last words.

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

“Come in,” I called, adjusting the strap of my dress.

I gave him a small, surprised smile.

Of course.

I turned slightly, eyes meeting his in the mirror.

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

And all of them–every pair–landed on me.