Chapter 414: A Mistake
Frederick’s POV
She lay fast asleep, her breath soft and even, her body curled against me as if I were the only safe place she had in the world.
I lay there, staring at her, the weight of what I had done pressing heavily on my chest.
To be frank, I had gone too far—more than I should have. It was her first time, and though I told myself I would control it... I hadn’t. The moment I tasted her, felt her body shudder beneath me, all reason snapped. My control shattered.
I should feel guilt. Maybe even shame. Instead, I felt something worse—need. She was addictive: the way she clenched around me, the way her nails dug into my skin, the way she whispered my name as if I were the only man alive. It drove me mad.
If she hadn’t been so weak and trembling, I would have taken her again and again. Gods, I still wanted to.
My hand slid lazily down her back, tracing the curve of her spine, careful not to wake her. She shifted slightly in her sleep, a soft whimper escaping her lips.
I frowned. Why her? Why Selene?
I told myself it was her blood, her purity, the rare hybrid power she carried. That binding myself to her body—even for one night—would strengthen me. But that was a lie, and deep down I knew it. This hunger wasn’t about power. It was about her.
Olivia was supposed to be the one. Olivia was the one I fought for, the one I chained myself to. Yet here I was, holding Selene after taking what was never supposed to be mine. And the worst part? A part of me didn’t regret it.
I dragged a hand down my face, biting back a curse.
Selene shifted again, her leg sliding over mine, her warmth seeping into me. I should move. I should leave the bed and put distance between us before morning came. But I didn’t. I stayed—watching her, guarding her, burning with a hunger that wouldn’t die.
As I stared at her sleeping form, my chest grew unbearably heavy. What had I done?
I had never wanted anyone the way I once wanted Hailee. She was the only woman who broke me and made me feel alive at the same time. After her, I thought I would never feel like that again.
But then Olivia came. She is smart, strong, and beautiful. Yes, I felt something for her. But she does not love me. She loves her mates. Still, she is bound to me. She is supposed to be mine.
And then Selene walked into my life. From the first moment I saw her, I felt something I couldn’t explain. She pulls me in. She makes me lose control. Tonight, I went too far with her. I hadn’t planned it. I couldn’t stop myself.
Should I let Olivia go? She doesn’t love me anyway. Maybe it would be easier. Maybe I could give myself to Selene and stop fighting what I feel.
But then I remembered the prophecy.
It said the child I would have with the special one—Olivia—would be powerful, more like a god than a human. That child would rule the supernatural worlds.
I clenched my fists. No. I can’t let Olivia go. Even if she hates me. Even if she loves someone else. She is the one tied to my future. She is the key.
But then what about Selene? Why do I want her so much? Why do I care for her like this?
I left the bed and walked to the window, staring out at the night sky. My mind was torn in two. One part wanted destiny with Olivia. The other part wanted the feeling Selene gave me.
But I shook my head and reminded myself of one truth: I must not lose control again. Olivia is mine. The prophecy must come true.
Still, my heart beat too fast. And I knew Selene would not leave my thoughts anytime soon.
Suddenly Selene stirred beside me, her lashes fluttering before her eyes opened.
I smiled without thinking, waiting for her to smile back. But instead, her face went pale. Her eyes darted around the room, then to me, and she whispered, almost to herself—
"Shit."
The word cut deep.
I froze. My chest tightened as I watched the look in her eyes change. It wasn’t warmth. It wasn’t satisfaction. It was regret.
"Selene..." I started, but she was already sitting up, pulling the sheets around her as if to hide from me.
When I reached to touch her arm, she jerked away.
"Please," she whispered sharply, her voice shaking. "Stay away."
The sting of it burned more than any blade. I sat up, fighting the urge to drag her back into my arms.
"Are you... regretting it?" I asked, my voice rough, betraying more than I wanted.
She didn’t answer. Her silence was louder than any words.
I clenched my fists, feeling restless.
"Say it," I demanded, my voice low. "Do you regret it?"
Her shoulders tensed as she pulled on her dress, her back turned to me. Finally, she spoke, her tone colder than ice.
"Let’s just act like this never happened."
The words cut through me like a blade.
"Never happened?" I echoed, my voice filled with disbelief and anger. "You think you can erase this?"
She finally turned, her face pale but her eyes blazing.
"Yes. Because it was a mistake. A mistake I can’t afford to repeat."
Her words crashed over me, leaving me breathless, furious, and torn apart all at once.
But before I could say more, she turned to me, her eyes full of guilt and pain at the same time.
"You are about to get married, and I have a man in my life," she said, her voice trembling but firm. "This... this isn’t fair."
I froze. A man? The word slammed into me like a blade.
She stood quickly, pulling her dress over her body with shaky hands. Her back was straight, but I could see the way her fingers fumbled with the fabric. She wouldn’t even look at me.
"Selene..." I said, my voice low, pleading, but she shook her head hard.
"No, Frederick. We can’t. We shouldn’t." Her voice cracked, but she didn’t stop. "Let’s just end this here."
She slipped her shoes on, her hair wild around her face, and without another glance, she walked to the door.
The sound of it closing behind her echoed in the room, leaving me sitting there, my chest heavy, my heart burning with rage, hunger, and pain all at once.