The candle trembles in Astrid’s hand, its flame the only movement in a small apartment gone eerily still. It illuminates her friends, frozen like macob statues. Tai is frowning. Maggie’s mouth hangs open in horror.
Both suspended in time. And then there’s him. Her wolf snars beneath her skin, hackles raised, every instinct screaming fight or flight. But where could she run when time itself has stopped?
He sits in Maggie’s armchair with the casual elegance of someone who’s been invited, though he hasn’t been. One leg crossed over the other, watching her with inhuman eyes. Not a man, though he wears the shape of one. Not a wolf, though he carries the predatory stillness of her kind.
Vampire then? But vampires don’t have eyes like that, red as fresh blood with vertical pupils that contract in the candle light. . Well, he tusks, breaking the silence with a voice like smoke and honey.
“Don’t look at me like that. You’re the one that called for me. ”
“What? ” Astrid manages, her own voice strange in the unnatural quiet.
“No, I didn’t. ”
He rises in one fluid motion, impossibly graceful. White blonde hair falls around a face with high cheekbones and full lips curved in amusement. Skin so pale it seems to glow from within.
His beauty hurts to look at. “Oh. ” He approaches with measured steps. “Is that not your blood?
I smell. ” He picks up the brass bowl where her blood had fallen, inhaling deeply as if savoring a fine wine. “Rich, potent wolf blood carrying such delicious longing. ”
“It wasn’t for you.
” Astrid backs away, candle thrust forward like a pathetic weapon. “Yet here I am. ” His smile widens, revealing teeth too sharp to be human. They stare at each other, predator and prey.
Though Astrid has never been prey before, she swallows hard, wondering how she managed to get herself into this mess. She glances right at Tai’s frozen form登. Cool fingers suddenly grasp her chin, forcing her gaze back. The touch burns cold against her skin, and the candle’s flame gutters as if trying to escape登.
“Eyes on me, little wolf,” he murmurs. The air grows heavy with the scent of burning sugar and something metallic, something ancient. The plants in Maggie’s windows wither before Astrid’s eyes登. “Who are you?
” she whispers, her wolf pacing anxiously beneath her skin, unable to emerge登. “Your worst nightmare. ” Then noticing Astrid’s expression, he smirks. “Relax.
That was a joke. I’m a demon. ” The word hangs between them, simple and devastating, before he adds登. “And I have a proposition for you.
” His fingertips trace the air near her cheek, never quite touching登. “After all, such desperate longing in your blood. I think we might be able to help each other. ”
Chapter 1登
A few hours earlier, the great hall of the Northern Territories pack vibrates with the clink of glasses.
The annual spring gathering brings together wolves from all neighboring packs. A political dance as much as a social one. Alliances are formed, trade agreements sealed, and most importantly, potential mates assessed登. Astrid tugs at the unfamiliar dress her mother insisted upon, which suspects was chosen to hide the muscle she spent years developing.
The fabric feels restrictive compared to her usual training clothes登. Stand up straight, her mother had instructed earlier. Smile, but not too broadly. And for Moon’s sake, try to laugh at their jokes.
Astrid is trying. She really is. It’s not her fault none of them are funny登. .
But when Eric, Beta of the Mountain Ridge Pack, passes by, she manages what she hopes is an inviting smile. He nods politely and continues walking登. And when the son of the southern pack’s alpha pauses nearby, she compliments his ceremonial dagger, a genuine appreciation for its craftsmanship登. But he just looks startled, as if she’s threatened to cut off his genitals with it登.
None of it matters anyway. Her eyes keep drifting back to him, to Daniel. He stands across the room, tall and confident in formal attire that does nothing to diminish the warrior’s grace in his movements登. Daniel who taught her to track when they were eight登.
Daniel who sat with her all night when her first wolf shift left her feverish and disoriented登. Daniel who is completely utterly captivated by her sister登. It’s hard to focus on finding someone when you’ve already found the one you want. Only they’re not in interested登.
Astrid tracks the approach of a handsome wolf from the western pack, allowing herself a flicker of hope when he moves in her direction登. She smooths her dress, straightens her posture登. He walks right past her to the bar, not sparing her a glance登. “For crying out loud, Astrid,” her mother hisses, materializing beside her.
“You look like you’re getting ready to attack. Would it kill you to smile a little bit? ”
Astrid responds with what she hopes is her best smile登. Her mother sigh dramatically登.
“We’re screwed,” she mutters under her breath, then clears her throat登. “Look, why don’t you try to copy what Jasmine does, all right? Your sister was always good at being approachable. ”
Astrid purses her lips登.
She doesn’t want to look at Jasmine登. She already knows her sister is perfectly poised, perfectly elegant, perfectly every everything登. She’s found a mate already, hasn’t she? She’d had her pick of plenty of proposals, and she’d chosen Daniel登.
Astrid’s Daniel登. Astrid’s eyes betray her, drifting to where they stand together登. Jasmine is radiant in a pale gold dress that compliments her honey blonde hair登. Daniel can’t take his eyes off her, his entire body angled toward her as if she’s the sun登.
If that isn’t love, Astrid doesn’t know what is登. “Astrid,” her mother prompts, frowning at her expression登. “Trying my best, Mom,” Astrid says, hearing the brittleness in her own voice登. “Try harder,” her mother replies登.
“This isn’t just about you. This is about our entire family standing. With Jasmine’s match to a a regular warrior, she can barely hide her distaste登. All our hopes for advancement rest on you now.
You must bring honor to us all, Astrid. ”
As if Astrid could forget登. The pressure sits on her shoulders like a physical weight登. Her mother drifts off to charm a neighboring Luna, leaving Astrid alone to slip to the edge of the hall登.
The rejection cuts deep登. There’s Daniel, the sharpest wound, the one she’s nursed for years登. Then there’s the silent dismissal from every eligible male in the territory登. And below all that, like a slow poison in her veins, is the knowledge that she’s failing her family登.
Her parents had such hopes that Jasmine would make the political match, elevating their status, securing their future登订阅. But Jasmine chose love, and now Astrid must be something she was never meant to be登. “You look like you need a drink. ” A voice comes from behind her登.
“A real one, I mean. ”
Astrid quickly wipes at her eyes before turning登. “Am I that predictable? ”
“Only to someone who’s known you since you ate dirt on a dare when we were six,” Tai says, extending a flask登.
They stand in companionable silence for a moment, watching the happy couple receiving congratulations登. Tai doesn’t press, doesn’t offer empty platitudes登. It’s one of the things she’s always appreciated about him登. They’ve been good friends for years登.
. “Your mother’s looking for you,” he says finally. “Something about the Riverstone Pack’s air showing interest. ”
Astrid snorts登.
“He was asking about Jasmine登. They all are登. ”
“Not all of them. ” Tai counters gently.
“Name one who’s asked about me tonight. ”
His silence is answer enough登. “Okay. ” Tai nudges her shoulder登.
“How about we get out of here and go where? ”
Astrid size登. “I might know someone who could help with your situation. ”
“A miracle worker?
” Astrid laughs without humor登. “Something like that,” Tai replies, his expression turning thoughtful登. “You trust me? ”
She shouldn’t have登.
That moment of trust,that simple nod under the chandeliers would lead Astrid straight into the arms of a dangerous demon, one whose proposition would change everything登. Chapter 2登. Astrid hesitates at the threshold of the apartment登. Not at all what she expected from a witch’s lair登.
It is a simple flat in a nondescript building rather than some mystical cottage登. The only hint of something unusual is the sheer abundance of plants hanging from the ceiling, crowding every window sill, sprouting from pots of all shapes and sizes along the walls登. If these were Astrid’s plants, they’d be long dead登. “Will you relax?
” Tai elbows her side as his witch friend retreats to gather a teapot登. “Maggie’s cool, all right, she’s a good witch. ”
Astrid sends the good witch a glance登. She’s nothing like she expected either登.
No flowing robes or dramatic makeup, just a woman in her 30s in an oversized sweater登. “Do one of you want to tell me what brings you here? ” She asks, putting herbs in her teapot登. “Desperation,” Tyler quips, earning himself a death glare from Astrid登.
“Hers, not mine,” he adds good-naturedly登. Maggie’s eyes shift to Astrid with curious interest登. “Astrid here is a poor, unfortunate soul, Mags,” Tai insists, practically pushing Astrid forward登. “One who needs your help.
”
Maggie studies her with shrewd eyes, then silently puts away the teapot she’d been reaching for登. “So, the strong stuff, then? ”
Tai nods gravely登. “Please.
”
Maggie disappears into the kitchen and returns with a dusty bottle of amber liquid and three glasses登. Right. She settles into an armchair across from them登. How can I help then?
Tyler rarely brings friends to meet me登. Tyler nudges Astrid登. Tell her登. Astrid groans in response, slumping deeper into the cushions登.
“It’s not so bad. ” Tai interjects, earning himself a goldeneyed glare登. “Not so bad. ” Astrid’s voice rises, her wolf stirring beneath her skin with the emotion登.
“My sister and the love of my life being mates is not so bad. ”
Maggie raises an eyebrow登. “I see unrequited love, family drama, the classics. ”
“It’s more than that,” Astrid says, taking another long drink登.
The wolf’s bane wine loosens her tongue, and she finds herself telling this stranger everything about Daniel, about how she’d finally gathered the courage to confess her feelings, only for him to interrupt and declare he’d found his mate in Jasmine登. “I should have told him sooner,” Astrid whispers, the words heavy with regret登. “How much sooner do you think? ” Tai asks登.
“Because I’m pretty sure he’s friend-zoned you since that burping contest where you shut it. ”
Astrid snaps登. She turns back to Maggie登. “This isn’t just about Daniel登.
Jasmine choosing him puts the careful political balance of my entire family at risk登. Everyone had expected Jasmine to marry up登. Perhaps even to the neighboring pack’s alpha son, a strategic alliance that would strengthen their position登. And now they’re stuck with me.
” Astrid continues finishing her third glass of wine登. “So to quote my mother, we’re screwed登. I mean, look at me登. I will never pass for a perfect bride or a perfect daughter.
”
“You’re selling yourself short,” Tai protests登. “With a lot of makeup,and if you squint,” Astrid kicks him in the shin登. “Jasmine’s been trained all her life to be poised, witty,and diplomatic. ” She grunts登.
“Meanwhile, I’ve been trained to throw a good punch and transform quickly. ”
“You also kick very well. ” Tai winces, holding on to his leg登. Meanwhile, Maggie taps her fingernails against her wine glass thoughtfully登.
“Well, I could read your cards, see what they say登. Who knows? Love could just be right around the corner. ”
“You think so?
” Astrid asks, a pathetic note of hope in her voice登. Maggie reaches for a deck登. “Let’s find out, shall we? ”
What follows is a blur of increasingly bizarre divination methods, each one fueled by more Wolf’s Bane wine登.
They try reading tea leaves登. Astrid sees what looks like a wolf eating its own tail, scrying in a black mirror, which shows only darkness,and even examining the patterns of scattered bones, which Maggie assures them are not human登. By the time they’re working on their fifth attempt,something involving melted wax dropped into cold water, all three of them are thoroughly intoxicated登. Tai is sprawled on the floor, giggling at shapes in the ceiling texture登.
Astrid’s head is spinning,but her heart still aches登. “Okay, there’s one more thing we could try. ” Maggie disappears into another room and returns with a wooden board covered in symbols and a velvet pouch登. “We can try summoning a spirit, she says, emptying the pouch to reveal several crystalsand a pendulum登.
See if one of your ancestors could help reverse your fortune. ”
Tai props himself up on his elbows登. “Is that possible? ”
Maggie shrugs, her movements loose from the wine登.
“I don’t know. ” She smiles,but could be fun登. ” With surprising efficiency, she clears the coffee table and arranges candles in a circle, placing herbs in a small brass bowl at the center登. “Normally, I wouldn’t do this,” she admits登.
“But desperate times, desperate measures, right? ”
The candles cast a warm glow over the room as Maggie begins to chant in a language Astrid doesn’t recognize登. The air grows heavy, charged with something that makes her wolf stir uneasily beneath her skin登. “Now,” Maggie whispers, producing a small silver knife登.
I need a drop of your blood登. Think hard about summoning your ancestors, seeking their help登. Focus on what you truly desire登. ”
Astrid winces as the blade nicks her finger登.
She holds it over the burning herbs, watching as a single drop of blood falls登. But her mind isn’t on ancestors or help登. All she can think about is Daniel and Jasmine together, his hand on her sister’s waist,that look of adoration in his eyes that was never for her登. Her parents disapproving faces as they ask if she’s begun courting someone登.
The last guy she’d been introduced to, backing away nervously after she’d casually demonstrated her knife expertise登. The blood hits the burning leaves登. The droplet seems to hover for a moment, suspended in time before it touches the smoldering herbs登. When it does,ther crimson liquid doesn’t sizzle as expected登.
It disappears, absorbed instantly登. The silence that follows is absolute登. Even the constant hum of the refrigerator and the distant sounds of traffic outside have vanished as if someone has muted the world登. Then the smoke begins登.
Not the gentle curl of incense or the puff of extinguished candles登. The smoke erupts from the bowl like a geyser, unnaturally thick and blood red, twisting into shapes that seem almost deliberate登. Claws, fangs, eyes that form and dissolve登. The temperature in the room plummets登.
Frost forms on the wine glasses, crackling across the surface登. Astrid’s breath clouds in front of her face登. All the candles extinguish simultaneously,but the room doesn’t go dark登. Instead,it’s bathed in a sickly crimson glow emanating from the smoke itself登.
“Maggie,” Astrid whispers, her voice unnaturally loud in the silence登. “I think I mixed the wrong herbs,” she replies, her face pale in the red light登. The smoke continues to pour from the bowl, pooling along the floor like a living thing curling around their ankles登. It feels wrong against Astrid’s skin登.
Not cold, not hot,but somehow both登. And neither登. “What do you mean? ” Astrid asks登.
Maggie doesn’t respond登. “Maggie, what did you mean? ” She insists登. Astrid turns to look at her friends and freezes登.
They aren’t moving登. Not frozen in fear or shock登. Actually frozen登. Maggie’s mouth is open mid explanation登.
A look of dawning horror on her face登. Tai is suspended in the act of scrambling to his feet登. One hand braced on the coffee table登. Not a muscle twitches, not an eyelid blinks登.
The only sound in the room is Astrid’s ragged breathing登. “Hello,” she calls out, her voice trembling登. “Is anyone? ”
The smoke surges upward, coalescing into a dense column that towers to the ceiling登.
The crimson light pulses like a heartbeat, casting grotesque shifting shadows across the walls登. Astrid backs away, stumbling over an ottoman登. “This isn’t happening,” she mutters登. A rustling behind her like fabric brushing against fabric登.
The distinct sensation of being watched prickles the back of her neck登. Astrid’s heart hammers against her ribs登. She strikes the match with trembling fingers登. It flares to life, a tiny beacon in the crimson gloom登.
She whirls around, thrusting the match forward like a weapon登. The flame illuminates a face inches from her own登. Beautiful in a way that hurts to look at登. Flawless pale skin, white blonde hair that seems to float as if underwater,and eyes red like fresh blood with vertical pupils that contract slightly in the matchlight登.
“You rang,” he purrs, lips curving into a smile that reveals teeth too sharp to be human登. Astrid’s warrior instincts kick in登. She grabs the candle, thrusting the flame toward his face as she scrambles backward,but he’s gone登. Vanished from in front of her only to reappear lounging casually in Maggie’s armchair登.
“Now, now,” he says, examining his nailsas if they’re the most fascinating thing in the room登. “Is that any way to greet the answer to your prayers? ”
Chapter 3登. The candle flame flickers, casting eerie shadows across the demon’s two beautiful face登.
His scent is intoxicating in a way that makes her wolf dizzy登. Dark honey, burnt cinnamon,and something older, wilder that she can’t name登. “What do you want? ” Astrid asks, heart hammers against her ribs登.
The thing tilts its head登. “The better question, little wolf, is what do you want? ”
His gaze feels physical somehow, like a caress sliding over her skin登. “Easy,” Astrid snaps登.
“For you to leave. ”
“Come now,” the demon laughs登. “We both know that’s not what your blood was crying out for when it fell upon those herbs. ” He inhales deeply, his eyes half closing in apparent pleasure登.
“Such desperation, such longing,” he whispers登. “The humiliation, the fear of failing your family. ”
When his eyes open again, they’re darker, hungry登. “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Astrid says with a growl登.
“No. ” He rises, circling her slowly登. Each step is deliberate, predatory,yet undeniably elegant登. “Then I suppose you weren’t at a gathering tonight watchingthe man you love announce his intention to mate with your sister.
”
Something in the tone sends a shiver down her spine登. “Go away,” Astrid commands,about as impressive as a tiny kitten登. The demon circles around her once more, then pauses, his eyes sweeping the room登. “Is that what you wolves drink in your pastime?
” He suddenly asks, snapping up the abandoned bottle of Wolf’s Bane wine from Maggie’s table登. He frowns in distaste as he examines the label, making Astrid blinks in confusion登. “Are you critiquing our wine? ” She asks登.
“I’m making conversation. ” The demon pours himself a glasswith the elegance of a sumeier登. “Would you like some? Might help settle those nerves.
”
Despite herself, Astrid snorts登. “You’re offering me a drink of wine you don’t even like or own. ”
The demon stares, swirling the liquid in his glass登. “You look like you could use it,” he answers simply, offering her the glass登.
Their fingers brushingas she takes it登. “I’m already drunk enough as it,” Astrid says, taking a cautious sip anyway登. “Drunk enough to be talking to you even. ”
The demon pouts, lips full and perfectly shaped登.
“You say that like it’s a bad thing. ”
“I didn’t call for you,” Astrid insists, though her voice lacks conviction登. “Not intentionally, perhaps. ” He settles into Maggie’s armchair, drawing her eye to the lean strength of his form登.
“But blood magic has a way of revealing our deepest desires, little wolf,and yours were, shall we say, particularly potent. ”
Astrid leans against the bookshelf, needing its solidity登. “So what? You just appear whenever someone’s desperate enough?
”
“Not at all. ” He sips his wine, watching her over the rim of his glass登. “Most humans want such boring things登. I only come for the interesting ones.
”
“So I’m interesting then? ” Astrid asks, crossing her arms登. “Very much so,” comes the reply登. “You’re very special to me.
”
“Because I’m a shifter, I presume? ” Astrid counters quickly登. “Something like that. ” He taps his nose登.
“I can smell the yearning on you for the dark-haired wolf with the hero complex. ”
A reluctant laugh escapes her登. “Daniel doesn’t have a hero complex. ” Astrid protests somewhat weakly登.
“Please. ” The demon rolls his eyes登. “He’s practically a walking romance novel cover登. All brooding looks and noble sacrifices,I’d wager.
” His distaste is so exaggeratedthat Astrid finds herself smiling despite the absurdity of the situation登. “So, you don’t want me to help you find your mate, little wolf? ” the demon asks, his voice dropping to a seductive murmur登. The smile fades from Astrid’s faceas if you could登.
She sighs, taking another, longer drink of wine登. “You don’t believe me? I’m wounded. ” He places a hand over his heart登.
“What if I told you I’ve been helping lovesick fools find matches for centuries? ”
“I’d say you’re full of it. ”
“Maybe I am登. And yet, what do you have to lose?
”
“Oh, I don’t know, my soul. ” Astrid retorts登. “Your soul. ” He laughs登.
A rich sound that seems to fill the roomand vibrate through her chest登. “What would I do with that dusty old thing? No, little wolf登. I have much more practical interests.
”
“Like what? ” Astrid asks登. The question comes out breier than she intended登. “All in good time.
” The demon lips curl登. “Come closer. ”
Astrid hesitates, then takes a step forward, drawn by something she can’t quite name登. Curiosity, desperation, the wolf’s bane wine登.
“That’s better,” he says, circling her again,but this time themovement feels less predatory,more evaluative登. “The men of your world are blind,” he observes, his voice a soft caress登. “But I can open their eyes. ”
Astrid blinks up at him, finding it increasingly difficult to focus登.
His beauty is mesmerizing up close登. Features too perfect to be human,yet undeniably masculine登. “What do you mean? ” she whispers登.
“I mean I can make you irresistible,” he says simply登. “Every male in your vicinity will be drawn to you登. Your scent, your presence, your essence登. They won’t be able to look away.
” His voice drops lower, becoming almost hypnotic登. “They’ll hunger for you. ”
Despite herself, Astrid feels a flicker of hope and something warmer登. Something that pools low in her belly at his words登.
“You mean you’re going to change my appearance? ” she asks, still not convinced, though increasingly aware of her body’s traitorous response to his presence登. The demon snorts登. “It’s not so much about appearances.
” His gaze sweeps over her again登. “And yours is beautiful as it is. ”
Astrid feels a flush creeping up her neck登. “I will give you a magnetism of sorts,” he continues, one finger tracing an invisible line along her jawline,not quite touching登.
“A pullthat no male can resist登. Potential mates will come to you, ready for your choosing. ”
She narrows her eyes登. “But willingly?
”
“Oh, they’ll be very willing. ” He assures her登. “Trust me登. They’ll think it was entirely their idea.
”
“Trust you? ” Astrid laughs登. “You’re a demon. ”
“And you’re a wolf.
” He counters登. “We all have our burdens to bear. ”
The unexpected quip startles another laugh from her登. This is insane登.
Standing in her friend’s frozen apartment, banteringwith a supernatural being who’s offering to solve all her problemsand feeling what? Attracted? Enchanted登. “So, my mate will find me,” she surmises, swaying slightly on her feet登.
“Your mate? ” The demon steadies her with a hand on her arm登. “Or mates, you’ll only have to take your pick. ”
The room spins a little faster登.
“And in exchange,” Astrid asks登. The demon reaches into the smoke, still swirling between them登. When his hand emerges, he’s holding a delicate silver chainwith a small red stone pendant登. “In exchange, you’ll be wearing this necklace,” he says登.
Astrid blinks, certain she’s misheard登. ““That’s it? ” she asks, dumbfounded登. ““That’s it.
”
The necklace dangles from his fingers, catching the candle light登. “You in? ”
Astrid hesitates登. This is too good to be true, she says, shaking her head登.
“And yet,” the demon smiles登. “It will be just as I said. ” From somewhere within the smoke, he produces a scroll, unfurling it with a flourish登. The parchment is covered in elegant script, symbols she doesn’t recognize,framing the edges登.
“A simple agreement,” he explains,stating exactly what I’ve told you登. I make you irresistible to men,and you wear my necklace. ”
Astrid tries to read the scroll,but the words swim before her wine blurred vision登. Her head feels too heavy登.
Thoughts sluggish and muddled登. “Allow me. ” The demon clears his throat dramatically登. “The bearer, Astrid Raven, shall be granted irresistible allure, etc.
, save for relatives cuz that would be weird, etc. , etc登. In exchange, she agrees to wear the enchanted necklace provided by the demon Levi. ”
“Who’s Levi?
” Astrid interrupts, her brow furrowing in confusion登. “That would be my name,” he replies with a hint of impatience登. He offers her the scroll, his fingers brushing hers deliberately as he transfers it登. “Go on, take a gulp and take a pen and go ahead and sign the scroll.
”
She stares at him dumbfounded登. ““I don’t have a pen. ”
With a twist of his wrist, a gleaming fountain pen appears between his fingers,thenib glinting ominously in the candle light登. Their eyes meet over the scroll登.
Something shifts in his expression,ther predatory hunger replaced by what appears to be genuine sincerity登. “It will be fine, Astrid,” he says登. “I promise. ”
The warmth in his voice disarms her final defenses登.
Her family’s standing登. Her sister’s happiness登. Daniel登. It all hangs in the balance登.
And beneath it all,ther strange, inexplicable pull she feels toward this beautiful, dangerous creature登. With unsteady fingers, she takes the pen and scrolls her name at the bottom of the scroll登. The moment the ink touches parchment,ther smoke swirls violently around them登. The necklace rises from his palm, hovering in the air for a heartbeat before settling around her neck登.
The stone feels warm against her skin, pulsing in time with her heart登. When she looks up, the demon is gone登. The candles flare back to life登. Tai’s laughter resumes midound登.
Maggie’s horror transforms into confusion as she looks around the now ordinary room登. “Wrong herbs. ” She finishes blinking登. “Huh?
The lights are back登. That was weird. ”
“Did you guys feel that? ” Tai asks, rubbing his arms,like a cold draft or something登.
Astrid’s hand flies to her throat,fingers finding the smooth stone pendantthat wasn’t there before登. “More wine? ” Maggie offers, already reaching for the bottle登. Astrid nods numbly,trying to process what just happened登.
Had it been real? She takes another sip of wine, mind replaying fragments of the encounter登. Those serpentine eyes watching her with amusement,ther smooth velvet overgravel voice that seemed to caress her from the inside out登. His scent,honey, cinnamon,and something ancientthat makes her dizzy still登.
“It will be fine, Astrid,” he’d said登. “I promise. ”
A shiver runs through her as a realization hits登.
She never told him her name登.
