[It's exactly the kind of future that Lup had never once thought possible for herself, but since meeting Barry, it's been the only thing looping endlessly in her mind. The more time spent apart, the more she dreams him into her daily life living with the others. Imagining him bantering good-naturedly with her brother, working hard to find a place within the tribe where his talents would net him some respect, getting to spend every single day of their lives together, hand-in-hand. Never wasting another second apart.

She wants it more than anything. Every day without Barry gets more and more difficult. The others have noticed how much harder the winter months are for Lup now, how little she can concentrate on anything but their migration schedule.

But the tribe leaders continue to refuse all requests relating to humans, citing them as too dangerous and unpredictable, a threat to their relatively peaceful lifestyle. If they won't even consider opening up trade negotiations in the future with them, the chances of them allowing a human to enter into their ranks are just nonexistent.

What else can they do?

Thankfully, Barry's kiss is everything, a kiss that's been a year in the making, the kind that melts straight through all of the naga's worries. Lup chases after his mouth when he pulls away and doesn't let up until the fifth or sixth kiss, when she finally grins down at him, fangs peeking out from beneath her curled lips.] I made that promise ten years ago, when I was a lot less hungry than I am now. You might need to make this gal a new offer before I eat you right up.