Chapter 440: Meet Up
Olivia’s POV
He didn’t move at first. He just stared at me — as if memorizing my face — then opened a drawer and pulled out a black case. Inside were knives made of silver, small bottles of glowing blue liquid, and a gun I’d never seen before. I didn’t ask questions. I didn’t want to.
He took out one small blade and hid it under his coat. "If something happens," he said softly, "don’t hesitate. Teleport."
I gave a weak smile. Was he genuinely concerned for me? "You know I won’t."
He didn’t smile back. He reached for my wrist and pressed his thumb against it, drawing a red mark with his blood. I thought vampires had no blood... but Frederick does. It burned hot for a second.
"What are you doing?" I whispered.
"Marking you," he said. "So I can find you — no matter where they take you."
I didn’t answer. I just nodded. Then I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, calling on my power.
The world spun. The floor vanished.
When it stopped, I opened my eyes — and cold air hit my face. We were standing inside a dark warehouse. The air smelled of rust, old blood, and rain.
My heart began to race. Every sound echoed. A drop of water. The creak of metal. The beat of my heart.
And then... I saw Selene.
She was tied to a chair in the middle of the room. Her head hung low, her hair covering her face. A small red light blinked on her chest.
"Selene," I breathed.
Frederick froze. I could feel his anger in the air. His hands curled into fists, his fangs slightly bared.
We walked closer, slow and careful. But every step made my stomach twist. Something didn’t feel right.
"Wait," I whispered. "It’s too quiet."
The shadows around us moved. Six men stepped out — all in black masks, holding silver guns. My wolf growled inside me, enraged and angry.
Then a cold voice came from a speaker somewhere above. The same cartoon-like voice from the phone.
"Step forward. No tricks."
Frederick’s eyes flickered red. He squeezed my hand once — strong, warm, like he was saying goodbye without words. Then he let go.
I stepped closer.
Selene’s head lifted slowly. Her eyes found mine. They were wide, glassy, and terrified.
She shook her head weakly. Her lips moved. I couldn’t hear her — but I could read the word.
Run.
My whole body froze. The red light on her chest started blinking faster.
"Frederick..." I whispered.
His eyes went wide. "No."
The voice from the speaker came again — calm, and cold. "Pick up the collar," it said. "Put it on. Now."
My eyes flicked down.
There, lying on the dusty floor near my feet, was a black collar. It shimmered faintly, like it had tiny sparks trapped inside. Even from here I could feel its power crawling over my skin. My wolf shrank back, growling low.
It was magic. A choker like the one on Selene. It would crush my ability, cage my wolf, make me helpless.
"Do it," the voice ordered. "One minute. If not, the bomb on her chest goes off."
The red light on Selene’s chest blinked faster. Her eyes begged me not to do it.
My hands started to shake. I thought of the triplets — how they would be broken if I never came back.
But I also remembered Frederick’s mark burning on my wrist. And under my thigh, hidden in my boot, the small knife. I swallowed hard. "This is crazy..." I whispered.
Frederick’s eyes were on me, red and wild. He didn’t say anything, but his jaw clenched hard. His hand twitched as if to stop me — then went still.
The voice came again, louder this time. "Thirty seconds."
My heart hammered.
My wolf pushed against me, snarling. Don’t do it. Don’t give in.
I bent down slowly. My fingers brushed the collar. Sparks jumped to my skin, stinging like tiny needles.
I closed my eyes. This is the only way, I told myself. Behind me, Frederick hissed under his breath. "Olivia..."
I looked at him once — his face torn between rage and fear — then back at the collar in my hands.
"Ten seconds," the voice said.
I lifted the collar to my throat. My wolf howled inside me.
My hands trembled as I lifted it. It felt heavier than it looked. The metal was cold, but it burned at the same time, like holding ice that was on fire.
"Five seconds," the voice warned.
My heart pounded so fast I thought it might burst. I took a deep breath and snapped the collar around my neck.
The moment it clicked shut, pain shot through me.
It was like a thousand tiny needles stabbing my skin all at once. My knees almost gave out, and I gasped, clutching my throat.
"Olivia!" Frederick’s voice boomed behind me, angry and scared.
The collar glowed faint blue. My body felt weak — empty. My wolf cried inside my head, fading, fading... until I could barely hear her voice.
"Stay strong," I whispered, even though it hurt to speak.
The voice from the speaker laughed softly. "Good girl," it said. "Now step away from the vampire."
I turned my head to look at Frederick. His eyes were glowing red, full of rage and pain. He wanted to kill them all — I could see it — but he didn’t move.
He couldn’t. If he did, Selene would die.
I took one small step forward. Then another. My legs felt heavy, but I forced them to move.
When I was close enough, one of the masked men walked over and grabbed my arm roughly. I wanted to fight back, but my strength was gone. The collar had taken it all.
"Don’t touch her!" Frederick shouted, his fangs flashing.
"Another step," the voice warned from the speaker, "and the bomb goes off."
Frederick froze, his chest rising and falling hard.
I looked at him again. His eyes met mine, and for a second, everything went quiet.
He didn’t speak, but I could see the words in his gaze. Don’t die.
I gave a small nod. My fingers brushed the knife hidden under my thigh strap. I had one chance — just one.
The man dragged me forward toward Selene, who was crying softly now.
The red light on her chest blinked faster... faster...
"Let her go!" I shouted.
The voice only laughed again. "You have served your purpose, Olivia Parker. But I never said I’d let either of you go."