Ivan Smith: The rise of the elemental werewolf

Chapter 5

The smell of pancakes drew Ivan to the kitchen the next morning. After tossing and turning, and even researching on the internet last night, he was finally able to sleep for just two hours. Not that it bothered him. Three years in the worst prison in the country had gotten him used to that life of no sleep, this was nothing compared to it.

“Good morning, Sir Ivan.” Sylvia, the dark-haired maid greeted as Ivan emerged in the kitchen.

“Good morning.” Ivan smiled, his mouth watering. He couldn’t believe he was finally free. Prison had been horrible, but by Master Shinzu’s side, he ate a lot of good meals, but there was just something about eating while free. There was something about not being caged like an animal, sticking to routines and not following rules every minute. it felt good.

“Have a seat, sir. Ill give you your food.”

Ivan did as he was told.

The petit maid served him a big portion of scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast, and his favorite desert, Chocolate ice cream

He asked her if she had seen her mistress and she told him she was still asleep.

Ivan ate in silence.

By the time he was done, Leah strolled out, wearing a black silk robe with a small lace shimmy inside. Her eyes were red like she had been crying all night.

“Everything okay?” Ivan asked when he noticed the sour look on her face.

Leah said nothing. Just went straight to the minibar and plucked a bottle of wine and a glass, and poured herself more than a generous amount.

Wasn’t it to early for wine? Ivan thought, staring at her as she took a large gulp, and sat on the chair opposite him.

“Leah?”

“Its been a long night.” She said curtly.

Ivan nodded.

“Do you want to talk about it?” He asked, Worried that something might have happened to her last night.

“No. Talking about it won’t Undo it.”

“Did you and your boyfriend get in an argument?”

“Worse.” She took another gulp of wine.

“He says if I’m going to get married to someone else then its only fair, he gets to fuck other women.”

“Oh… That’s rough.”

Leah scoffed. “My entire life has been one big giant rough ride, but hey, at least I’m gorgeous and rich, right?”

Ivan had not expected her to say that. It sounded like a burden rather than something she was proud of, and he couldn’t wrap his mind around why that was.

“I’m sorry about your boyfriend. He’s a fool for letting you go. Then again. I understand. What are you going to do?” For some reason, the word “boyfriend’ tasted like sand in his mouth.

“I don’t know.” She finally looked up “I love him, and I don’t want to let him go.”

“I can talk to him for you if you like.”

“Or I could kill every girl he ever breathes next to. Seems much easier.”

Ivan stared at her shocked.

“Joking.” She smiled before taking a small sip of wine.

Something in her dead eyes told Ivan she wasn’t joking.

“Anyway, you should probably get dressed, we have a bunch of errands to run, honey.” She said in a mocking tone.

Ivan nodded. Ivan went to see his mother whom seemed eager to move around. The doctors came that morning to see her, and reiterated the same thing Doctor Harrison had told him.

She was still worried about getting surgery. Ivan told her not to worry but she still didn't budge even after explaining that was the only way to ensure she didn’t get any more episodes. After much arguments, he finally left her alone to rest. She could be stubborn sometimes, just like he was too.

“Ready?” Leah asked. He nodded, and she led him down the elevator, and into the car.

“Where are we going?”

“To your new life.” Leah shrugged

“What does that mean?” he asked as he got into the back sit of an escalade.

“We will start from the company you will be in charge of as soon as we wed, then We will be having a very important meeting with someone you know.

“Who?’

“Take a wide guess.”

“Selene?” Ivan asked, shocked beyond belief.

“Yes.” Leah smirked. “She has been trying to get the Dalton group to invest in her company- Collaborate, but she is going to be in for the shock of her life.” Leah smiled. She was so mischevious, Ivan was almost turned on.

“I’m in.”

The driver ignited the engine, and boom, they drove off.

They reached the Dalton group’s company, and Ivan couldnnt help but gape.

It was a large skyscraper in thre middle of 19th square. He had passed the building a couple of times on his way to work before prison, but never dreamed he’d not only work here, but own here when he finally married Leah.

“Don’t gape. Act like you’ve been here before.” Leah said, a bit of irritation in her voice.

Every employee that passed by immediately greeted leah. It was normal for leah, but to Ivan it was stran1ge.

A thought suddenly appeared in Ivan’s mind.

“Are all the other employees you know…”

“The lower employees are mostly humans. The higher ups are mostly werewolves with a few humans with werewolf bloodline.”

“Amazing.”

Ivan could not wait to learn more, and understood what he was. Eaelier when he had gone to visit his mother, he had thought about informing her about his identity…whatever it was, but wasn’t sure what to even say.

They got to the top floor, and the elevator opened into a white open plan. A dark haired woman in her forties sat behind the receptionist desk.

“Good morning, Ma’am.” The receptionist smiled pleasantly.

Leah gave her a curt nod of acknowledgement.

“Gloria, this is Ivan Smith. My fiancé. Ivan, this is my receptionist and second secretary, Gloria. He has worked with this company since I was a child.”

“Pleasure to meet you.”

“You too, sir. You are welcome to the family.”

“Thank you.” Ivan said.

“Get Darrel on the phone, and tell him to draft the papers. He’ll know what I’m talking about.” Leah said.

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“I don’t get it, why me?” Ivan suddenly stopped in the middle of the office. Leah turned around to look at him.

“Why you, what?”

“Why are you choosing to marry me? You are clearly not happy about it. You certainly don’t seem to like me very much.”

“Happiness means nothing in the face of obligation, Ivan. You of all people should know that. Besides, Granddad trusts you, and he has never been wrong. I’m sure whatever he is planning is for the greater good.”

Ivan scoffed. “You sound like a villain.

Leah laughed. “Maybe I am.”

“Sit.” She gestured.

Ivan did as she told him.

“My lawyers will be here soon. I assume you don’t have lawyers?”

“No.”

“You can always hire one.” She opened her drawer and took out a black Amex card, and handed it to him. “This is yours. Unlimited access."

Ivan stared at the card in absolute aww. “I can't accept this.”

“Well, you have to. You need the money.”

“Yes, but..”

“If you don’t want it, you'll have to take it up with Granddad.”

Ivan nodded, and plucked it from the table. He stared at it. It had his name on it. It almost felt like a dream.

“You’ll be getting more cards later on, but for now, that’s yours. Also, we'll be going out later on to get you your own car.”

Ivan stared at her dumbfounded. Was it really that fucking easy to get a car.

“This.’ She handed him a thick file “Is everything you need to know about the company. The legal activities, at least.”

Her phone suddenly rang. She picked up. It was Gloria. “Your 10am meeting has arrived. And Michael said he’ll be here by 12pm.”

“Thanks Gloria.”

Leah stood, putting her phone down.

“Selene is here.”