Chapter 25

CLEMENTINE

The next morning, I am careful not to wake Ivan when I get out of bed. It’s very hard to get out with his hand wrapped around my body, but eventually, he unconsciously lets go.

I make my way to the bathroom, where I shower, brush my teeth, do my skincare routine, and shave my legs. It doesn’t matter to me if other people don’t like to shave, but I have to; I don’t like to see hair on my body, especially under my arms and legs.

Once I’m done, I wrap a blue towel around my body and step out of the bathroom. Ivan immediately stirs and looks at me from head to toe.

“I don’t mean this in the wrong way, but you look delicious,” Ivan says, looking at my chest with sparkling eyes.

Honestly, he looks delicious too. Disheveled hair, bare chest, wet lips, long lashes, sleepy eyes, husky voice…

~Who could ask for more than this?~

As I walk his way, my inner phoenix begs me to let her out. To let her take him right then and there. She’s a naughty creature, but I want him just as much as she does.

“You look delicious too…and I ~do~ mean it in a wrong way,” I say, dropping my towel.

Ivan’s eyes widen in shock at my sudden act. I guess he never thought I would be so bold. I wouldn’t either, if not for Helia.

He swallows hard, unable to keep his eyes off my body. Smirking, I walk over and straddle him, and he sucks in his breath.

~Poor guy, he just woke up. He didn’t know any of this was going to happen.~

~Not that I planned it or anything.~

As I lean in and capture my mate’s lips in a passionate kiss, my eyes glow orange. I give zero shits that he just woke up and hasn’t had the chance to brush his teeth.

Ivan kisses me back with the same passion and wraps his hands securely around my body. He massages my sides, giving me goosebumps. Good ones.

When the sensation becomes too much, I place my hands on either side of his face and give him a softer kiss. I want to savor the moment, make it feel like it will never end.

Groaning, Ivan kisses my neck, then starts making his way to my breasts. But before he can get there, we hear a knock on the door.

“Fuck,” I mutter, covering my body with the duvet.

Growling in frustration, Ivan gets up to open the door.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt…this,” Alex starts, when he glimpses the scene, “but Dad wants to talk to you, Clem.”

I huff. I woke up in such a good mood, and I don’t want him to ruin it, but I have to talk to him.

~We haven’t talked…in years. I wonder what changed. ~

“Fine. Let me put something on,” I reply.

As Alex closes the door and leaves, Ivan says, “I want to kill him.”

“Trust me, me too.”

When I get up and put on a red sundress, Ivan glares, not liking that it is a bit short. “Are you sure you want to wear that?” he asks.

“Yes.”

He rolls his eyes, a frown appearing on his face, but he cannot tell me how to fucking dress. Not even Alex would dared to question my outfit, and he’s always been extremely protective of me—to the point where I’ve sometimes wanted to punch him in the face.

“Fine,” Ivan pouts.

Smiling, I make my way out of the room, wondering what my father wants to talk about. We have a lot to catch up on.

***

When I walk into Alex’s office, I see my father sitting nervously. He’s speaking with my brother, but he stops when he sees me come in.

I nod at him.

“I will leave you two to talk,” Alex says. Excusing himself, he walks out of his own office, leaving my father and me alone.

“So…,” I start, and begin pacing slowly around the room.

“I’m sorry,” he blurts out, making me halt my steps.

“For what exactly?”

He looks at the floor, apparently too embarrassed to look me in the eyes. “Everything.”

I shrug. “I’m not mad at you.”

My father looks shocked—and confused. “How? Why?”

“Why would I get mad at someone I don’t care about?” I ask, frowning.

He looks sad, and for some reason, I feel guilty.

“Please let me explain my behavior,” he pleads, standing up.

“You don’t have to. I know why.”

My father waits, clearly dumbfounded.

“I spoke with Kalisto.”

As soon as I say those words, his eyes glisten. “K-Kalisto? How? Is she still alive?” His voice cracks, making my heart clench.

~Why would he think she died when he helped her escape?~

I nod and resume walking around the room. “She is, but that still doesn’t justify your fucked-up behavior all those years.”

He looks down again. “You’re right.”

~Helia, can you feel anyone close to this office?~ I ask my inner phoenix.

~“No, Clem.”~

“You know, you’re still in danger,” I suddenly say.

“What do you mean?” he asks, confused.

“I got rid of Sofia, so Kalisto’s and your secret is safe, but what happens when they find out about this?”

I use my magic to light up the candle beside my father, and he gasps. “You’re…you’re a witch?” he whispers.

“I am.”

He sits back down, mouth still agape and eyes still widened. “I thought you weren’t since you didn’t show any signs.”

“I didn’t,” I confirm. “Not until recently. Malcolm told me.”

“You’ve met with Malcolm?” he shrieks.

“Voice down,” I hiss. “And yes, I did.”

He walks toward me. “Look, I don’t care that you are a witch. I don’t care that you are not a werewolf—I never did. I’ve always loved you, and it killed me not to treat you right. I thought I was protecting you—protecting your mother—by not standing up to Sofia. I was scared.

“Yes, I’m a coward, but I was so scared, Clementine. So scared to lose you. Hell, I lost my mate because of that bitch. I lost Joana because of that bitch. She was a bad mother. A bad person. But I don’t want to lose you—not again.

“I’m sorry, Clem. I am so, so sorry for not being there for you. You are my daughter—my only one now—and I cannot express how much I love you. I know you don’t believe me, but I do. Please, give me a chance.”

As a tear escapes his eye, I hug him. I hug my father for the first time in years. And he hugs me back.

“I forgive you,” I whisper.

He tightens his hold on me. “Thank you.”

When my father lets go, he wipes his tears with his thumbs. Then his eyes widen.

My heart racing, I follow his gaze down to my stomach.

~Fuck.~