Wolf's Ascension by Lauren Dane

clear that he was only interested in a casual relationship. That hadn’t worked with Johanna. Kari, clever wolf that she was, figured that one out right away.
    That emptiness—that constant search—was finally over and the relief was welcome. The chance to finally let go and love someone in a deep way burned like an ember inside his soul. The arrival of his true partner and equal made him whole at last.
    He’d done his share of fucking and rutting. But in the end, he’d realized what every other wolf male does when he reaches maturity—a warm bed is no substitute for a Mate. Andreas felt that more acutely than most because finding a Mate was necessary not only to the Alpha but to the future of the Clan.
    Laurent tapped on the door, cocking his head to take Andreas in. “Seeing this Andreas—the Andreas who knows his Mate is upstairs readying to join the Clan and his life—makes you different.”
    “She makes me a whole person,” he said, reading Laurent’s look. “All of the responsibilities that buried me to the point where all I was doing was going from task to task, day to day—they feel lighter now. She did that. That searching, the emptiness—it’s gone, Laurent. I’m warm inside. Complete.” Andreas said it in a tone Laurent had never heard from him before, and his chest tightened with longing. He wanted that wholeness too. He was happy for his best friend and Alpha but he wanted that warmth for himself. With his own Mate.
    * * *
    Kari stirred when Anna came in to wake her gently. Sitting up slowly, she saw that the light was lower. It was nearing dark. She also realized her pants were still unzipped from her nap with Andreas earlier. A twinge of guilt hit her when she realized she’d fallen asleep without making sure he came too.
    Her stomach growled loudly and she realized that on top of being a selfish girl in bed, she’d slept right through lunch.
    Anna laughed as she heard. “Dinner will be ready in about half an hour. But I brought you some apples and cheese to tide you over. You’ve probably noticed you’re hungrier now. We’ve got a much faster metabolism. You’ll need to eat more food daily just to keep strong and healthy.”
    “Cool.” Kari grinned.
    Anna bustled about the room as Kari snacked. “We’ve got a near-to-bursting house. Everyone is here now except for Jade and Tomas. They’ll get here tomorrow morning. They all want to meet you. Why don’t I help you get dressed?”
    Kari stood up and dusted cracker crumbs from her hands. “That’s okay, really. I can get myself dressed.”
    Anna looked back at the door before moving to close it. “Listen, I don’t want to talk out of turn or anything but well... I think you should get very dressed up. Do the makeup thing. I can put your hair in curls. You’re already beautiful, this will only accentuate it. It’ll help make the right kind of statement.”
    “What aren’t you saying?” Kari eyed the other woman shrewdly.
    “There’s a female down there who wants you to fail. I think she needs to be put in her place.”
    “Ah. Johanna?”
    “He told you about her? She’s trouble, she is. Three or four dates and she was already acting like she was queen. When Andreas saw that, he backed off in a hurry. Told her up-front that she wasn’t his Mate. It was just a casual thing, but she’s been sniffing around ever since.
    “You’re a beautiful woman. It’s clear as day that Andreas thinks the sun rises and sets with you, but I don’t know... Why not just make it really clear to anyone who’d make trouble?”
    “You don’t like her, do you?” It was nice having an ally like Anna.
    “No I don’t. She was less than nice to Sean and Ryan and put on airs. Caused bloodshed at a Gathering. A true queen doesn’t need to act it, she is it. You are a true queen.”
    “Flatterer.” Kari smirked at the older woman.
    Anna laughed at that. “You bet! Now, let’s see what you’ve got in that closet.”
    She allowed Anna to