Read Ascend (Wolf in Exile Part 3): Werewolf Shifter/Vampire Paranormal Romance for Free Online Page B

“Tracy did tell you, didn’t she?”
    “Even about the vampires…” When Thane’s expression turned thoughtful, she added, “I don’t want her to get in trouble. You won’t hurt my feelings or anything, I just want to understand what I’m getting myself into, and what your intentions were before we met.”
    “Tracy did what I asked her to do. I sent her to you because I knew you trusted her as a friend even before I was in the picture. I influenced nothing she said because I wanted you to know the truth about us.”
    Kalena smiled. “I appreciate that. It was great to see a familiar face. She and Anna have been nothing but nice to me.”
    Thane nodded. “Good to hear.”
    “With someone of your status and position, wouldn’t you want a mate who is more like you? Didn’t you want someone like that before me?”
    “I wanted someone I truly cared about. That’s why I waited so long. I didn’t want to just take any random woman as a mate. My wait paid off…”
    “But, I’m hum—”
    “There are dozens of accounts of my kind taking humans and even vampires as mates. The more you take of my DNA, the more your life span will lengthen to align with mine. Stop making excuses.” He chuckled and then pressed his lips to her temple. “I won’t rush you into anything you don’t want, but if you’ve decided already, I’ll respect that decision. I just need you to tell me that you don’t want me in your life after you’re fully cured.”
    She couldn’t do that and she knew it. She wanted Thane in her life, but his explanation of imprinting and mates led to a huge commitment.
    “You know I want you,” she said as her body flared with her own heat and the warmth of Thane’s chest pressed against her back.
    “And I need you because you complete me,” he replied. “You asked if the imprinting happened because we were together, virtually alone in Area S2. I can assure you that is not the case.” He lifted a hand and tenderly caressed the front of her neck with his palm.
    She gasped and tipped her chin upward, allowing the flames of passion to roll through her body. “How can you be so sure?”
    “Do you trust me?” he asked, his lips gliding softly against the back of her neck.
    “Yes.”
    Thane’s hand left her neck and worked on loosening the buttons holding her dress together at the back. She saw his wolf in the depths of his eyes as he held her gaze while meticulously undoing the small closures. The heat of his stare matched the look he’d given her when he had left her in the hut with David.
    He briefly separated from her to unbutton his shirt. She yearned to turn around and close the gap between them again, but she was lost in his stare on her reflection in the mirror. Never had a man looked at her so lasciviously, awakening every carnal nerve in her body. Once he was down to his boxer briefs, he closed the gap again.
    Kalena’s breath hitched when his lips landed on her bare shoulder. They were heated against her skin. He made an outward trail and brushed the strap of her dress aside with his nose. It fell into the bend of her elbow. He repeated the same movement on the other side until her breasts were bared to him.
    He planted deep, caressing kisses along the back of her neck and spine, and before long, her arms grew lax as she let her weight fall back against him.
    The dress fell to the floor in a heap around her ankles.
    He glided his fingertips up both sides of her hips until his palms came to rest just under her breasts. “Kalena, you’re gorgeous.”
    She turned to witness the rising and emergence of the markings all over his body, covering more than half of his skin and delving deep into every muscle and crevice. He was perfect.
    Kalena reached out and smoothed her palm up his chest, over his shoulder, and down one arm, admiring every symbol, every hair, and every hard plane. He was as hot as a fever. Something else was pulsing hot with lust, as well. He was so erect and aroused