Forty

Kiara’s POV

I went to find my father immediately after his meeting with Ivan was over, not just curious, but anxious to find out what consensus had been reached. He didn’t seem surprised to see me, only letting out an exasperated sigh and gesturing for me to take a seat on the other side of his desk.

“Well?” I said even before my ass had touched the chair. “What did you guys decide?”

My father shrugged. “That he’ll return back to his manor and you’ll remain here with your family until such a time when you are interested in being with your mate.”

I paused, my eyes bugging wide, disbelief coloring every inch of my features.

“I’m sorry, what?” I said, shocked that such a thing was even possible. My father gave me a deadpan look.

“You’re serious? Ivan really left like that?”

I asked with a frown. I’d never known dad to be anything but concerning official affairs, but the thing he just said was so at odds with what I knew about the Vampire King that I immediately suspected foul play. Dad s