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

case I changed my mind. The bag would be orange, and it would be holding an activator that would send me a helicopter.”
    “And you pushed it…now you must deliver,” Valdron replied.
    “I must. It could be another twenty years before that happens. It might never happen. You and I both know that we don’t always bear offspring.”
    “Oh, but when we do, they are plentiful. My mate and I hope to breed three more sets of twins, if we’re lucky.”
    “Good for you.”
    “Why aren’t you optimistic? Isn’t Tor a good vampire?”
    “Yes, he is a good person all around, but I think back to why Danika is not happy about her betrothal and I feel guilt.”
    “It’s our way of life, old friend. Everything will work out. What’s meant to be will be.”

CHAPTER FIVE
    I n late fall , night fell quickly in this part of the region. However, Kalena couldn’t bear to spend another minute shut up in a room, no matter how extravagant the interior and lush the bedding was.
    After Tracy had left, Kalena persuaded the maid to walk her outside to witness the splendor of the tall, stone water feature by the pool.
    As Kalena sat on the stone edge, she let her fingers glide across the pool’s surface. The water was still and calm and the sound of the cascades reminded her of the beautiful stream Thane had taken her to while they were in Area S2.
    “Miss, it’s getting late,” the maid urged quietly, standing beside her. “I have orders to ensure that you’re resting.”
    “Yes, I know, Anna,” Kalena said without looking up. “I just want to stay for a little while longer. I’m sitting. That qualifies as resting, doesn’t it?”
    The wind whistled in the distance and pushed gently against her back. She wrapped the shawl Anna had given her tighter around her arms. The distant hum of voices flowed toward them, but, of course, Kalena couldn’t make out anything other than the fact that they all belonged to males. The water feature was behind the home, and the voices had come from the front of the property.
    “If you don’t mind me asking, what are you, Anna?” Kalena asked, glancing up momentarily at the maid who’d been helping her with getting clothes and food since she’d arrived.
    “I’m just like you.”
    Anna was short and walked with calm, graceful movements. Her hair was tied loosely in a bun, and she wore a long, simple dress that clung to her body. The woman was also lean and fit. Her skin was youthful and bright. Kalena couldn’t quite tell her age, but whenever the maid was close, she noted the creases on her skin around the outer corner of her eyes.
    “Human?” Kalena inquired.
    “Yes…and then some.”
    With that revelation, Kalena turned her full attention to Anna, forgetting about the water feature. “Does that mean you’ve taken the DNA?”
    Anna nodded. “A long time ago when I was a child. My family has been loyal to the shifters for centuries. I used to work in Thane’s father’s home before his murder. After that, I came to the ShadowRock mansion where I knew Thane’s people would accept me.”
    “Were you there when it happened?”
    “The murders, you mean?”
    “Yes,” Kalena said.
    “No. None of the housekeepers lived on the property, and the murders happened after hours. But I knew Thane had nothing to do with it. I knew all along.” She spoke in a low voice.
    “Why didn’t you say anything?”
    Anna shrugged. “We were ordered not to because it would ruin Thane’s plans.”
    Kalena frowned and narrowed her gaze. “Ordered not to by whom?”
    “Thane,” she said. “I don’t like talking about this. It won’t bring them back.”
    “I’m sorry. That must have been hard for you.”
    “It still is.” Anna lowered her gaze and said nothing else.
    Footsteps echoed on the pavement behind them. When the winds blew again, the air brought a scent with it. Kalena recognized it in an instant.
    Thane.
    Anna must have sensed him too because she turned around to acknowledge him.