<h4>Chapter 283: The Party</h4>


    Olivia’s POV


    "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.


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


    "Come 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 meeting 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 mean 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 me 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 moment before asking, "Aren’t youing?"


    He shook his head. "No. I’ve got a few things to handle—pack matters and some 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 me immediately."


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


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


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


    "Okay," I whispered.


    "Promise me, Liv."


    "I promise."


    He nodded once, like that was all he needed, and turned to leave. But just before he reached the door, he nced 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 moment, staring at my reflection. My heart was still a little tangled in hisst 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 nced over her shoulder. "Where’s Nora?"


    "Oh," Lolita said, moving to help adjust my ne. "Alpha Calvin asked her to bring him a ss 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 same thing," she admitted.


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


    Alphas don’t just ept food or drinks from anyone—not unless it’s someone they trustpletely. Especially not someone they just met the day before.


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


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


    "I’m here. Youing?"


    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 ck car, my fingers tapping nervously on myp as the trees blurred past outside the window.


    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.


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


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


    "There you are," she said, walking up to me 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 moment we stepped in, the room seemed to pause.


    Heads turned.


    Eyes widened.


    And all of them—every pairnded on me.


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


    Whispers broke out like ripples across a stillke.


    "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 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.


    Sofia, sensing my difort, 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 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.


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


    Then he smiled.


    "My honored guests," he began, his voice smooth andmanding, though not loud. "I thank you all foring tonight. This celebration... is something I’ve put off for a very, very long time."


    A soft chuckle swept the crowd.


    Frederick descended the stairs slowly as he continued, "Thest 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."


    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 guestsughed gently and lifted their sses.


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


    "Cheers," the crowd echoed.


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


    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.


    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 me.


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