HHLP – Chapter 13
by AlaaChapter 13. The Incarnation of the Wolf: d59342aaa4 The Strange Ladya6010fc577a557eb
e1c233b6843fd9fb
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Beneath a sky where 5341e476c6 a full moon hung f3edb0b100 round and bright, a c7003015ee group of people walked d403b6e157 through the forest. They relied on the faint fd462a0928 streaks of moonlight filtering through a06f42d681 the dense foliage, unable to 88f47abb1f fully enjoy the bright illumination a2b6643f91 of the moon.2b11f75f39757e1b
The procession varied in status, bf015af7d7 from knights lightly armed with d612ec0f77 their gear to servants carrying 1f9ba701d5 luggage without much equipment. Their footsteps broke the silence 5237888447 of the night.05e32b28e40408f5
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Leading the group was a 18a7e15e5c man who pushed forward through c7564bb5f2 the trees, unfazed by the 7920920617 uneasy glances of those behind 6b119f4f78 him. His sharp, golden eyes darted 993d8103c0 around, searching the dark forest dd91ecb279 for any sign of his d19cd2762d liege.5f7ff7eed5c38e5c
“We’ve already been delayed too long. Where could His Highness be?”81b2124026415144
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Frustration weighed on him d15bedfc70 as he ran a 67abdfa586 hand through his light 5fbabcb2c0 beige hair. His anxious golden eyes 4d92a42c13 scanned the surroundings, hoping 4f4fda160a to find even the f26d3bbc9b slightest clue.d4bb454b968d79f8
But when no sign appeared, cf1fbf03e6 disappointment flashed across his gaze c09dd2c620 before he lowered his long 9c7adf99c2 eyelashes.e5ee1d8a0306e5c2
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“I shouldn’t have listened to that raccoon-like viscount.”dd7b49052fe4ad45
After all, this whole mess cc78d765c9 had started in the viscount’s f1f2d2f42a domain.2826c9a43e3cc221
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“Right now?”a9b44de121943d86
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“I have something important to discuss privately with the Marquis of Flabeo.”a43e1df04091687a
“How about after tonight’s banquet? I must escort His Highness on his outing now.”3d6564b9c87a7936
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The young man, 44c2d37cd0 with eyes as 714ea5ca0e rich as pure 099bf7da0e gold, blinked calmly 0dadc02dff as he refused 915c586196 the request.a91bd7449ce0148b
He was Ladish, the heir 4c3c6e6dd8 to the Duke of Rabert, 69e22d16ba who was referred to as c2c7e4063b the Marquis of Flabeo until 8c6e1fae60 he formally inherited his title.602c94d708ef04b9
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His presence in dde81b0ae2 the viscount’s remote 2afdd51cf7 territory was unusual.8e0763493940436f
As a noble d90c666ddd of the prestigious 06d26ea3ff Rabert family, one c59cc7292a that had even 3f5889817d produced a queen 92b158078f of the Fortis 88c7a2f36d Kingdom, he was 3004d95809 supposed to be c636e46f7e stationed in the 6b57119b9d capital.0cdc0a045c516524
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The reason for his 2c49017b62 visit was simple. The Rabert family, as the 6e5e16d0b4 queen’s lineage, had always provided 5c07051200 personal attendants for the royal 0b716e4026 children.011ede493a8b9e77
Ladish had been 5d126cee17 raised beside Prince 3c2381715b Leonhardt from a 43bda8bf1b young age, caring 6c9a1206b9 for him not b89429a156 just as a 1b990d9ef6 servant but as 5a3f3b0d7c a cousin. Naturally, he followed 12d083c1b8 the prince even 8b780b0aad on his expeditions.758865dc6ab4d990
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“You need not worry about the hunt. I’ve assigned over ten knights to His Highness, along with guides familiar with the forest. He will surely enjoy himself.”fec9d7292cd45b87
The viscount insisted 3a09dfb2e6 on speaking with 6d8fb1741a him. Ladish hesitated. His mission here partly e48d8724ee relied on the viscount’s baeda71f09 cooperation, and outright refusal 721481a8c9 could interfere with his e3e7767755 liege’s plans.faaa8d10629ea794
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“We are still kin, after all. Do you think I would call you here for something unpleasant? It will only take a moment.”f27fbf3fadcaab11
The viscount, distantly related through d245610ab8 Ladish’s great-grandmother, pressed further. Sighing, Ladish reluctantly agreed 4cbb8a32ca and instructed his attendants 72ec8e6076 to proceed to His 57afb3cd27 Highness while he followed 7b2cf56298 the viscount.2cb52c660b463fe2
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But when they arrived at 4da4e1b353 the reception room, someone was 635ee51361 already waiting.a6b6db63098f924e
A noble lady, seated 72bae5a156 on a long couch, 58dd153482 turned at their entrance. Her eyes widened slightly upon 57fc9ec307 seeing Ladish.f21b4b3e7fc3794d
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It was a common reaction. He was widely praised 221fd33402 as the most beautiful bf5ae79a97 man in Fortis Kingdom’s bcc7662fc6 history by court artists.1df82810b6aacc7a
Ladish, however, was less than af4fa2efd7 pleased. He glanced at e336374e30 the viscount, his 1f02de53d7 voice low with e11e829b03 displeasure.86275c74810af937
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“Viscount, what is the meaning of this?”fccdd62c172b482e
Ignoring the question, the 1abe3900f6 viscount feigned surprise and e9029c26aa admiration. The noblewoman hurriedly stood, spreading 4c1568c0f5 the hem of her dress 0592251a58 in greeting.04fed393e9efb2e1
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“Ah, if it isn’t the Lady of House Benito!”d21f02ff4e105e33
“It has been a long time. My father sent me with a letter for you today.”c2bc4dacac9121c6
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The viscount took the letter acceeaecc2 with exaggerated enthusiasm.75864c7f884e9399
“Ah! The Marquis of Benito did mention something to me, but I completely forgot! I will write a response immediately—please wait a moment.”c0345c4896408920
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“Of course.”98b7ca5232e010ef
“Oh dear, but I can’t leave a guest alone….”7fea2e14c717e9f8
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Feigning reluctance, the 6ee886d6df viscount turned to 6804edfe1b Ladish.8d74f0b7fc374508
“Marquis, could you keep the lady company over tea while I prepare my reply? I’ll be back soon.”3bbbc10b4e646a52
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Before Ladish could refuse, the a2f9cae3ff viscount had already given orders c07bf732d6 for tea and left the e3a8b62918 room, leaving him alone with 8bebd01cf6 the noblewoman.0f88aab2d8d661e5
‘That scheming viscount…!’20fccb07ad7273a7
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Annoyance flared in 893c4c2c38 Ladish’s golden eyes. He knew exactly what was 9a8bcad10f happening—this was a setup.d38f401fdf28e1a1
As a noble from 321a626ca2 a remote territory, the 0b702d732f viscount saw a rare 5b0292d71f opportunity. By arranging an ec01c9fb18 ‘accidental’ meeting with cd639bd984 a lady from e9bd938d24 a prominent family, bb3f487b19 he aimed to 05e53c0ef3 strengthen ties through f7d2139675 marriage.05ba4b4820309ce8
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Whether the Benito family was 7bb612d513 complicit or not, Ladish had 2d49c60ba8 no choice but to endure cc953a31ed this farce. Walking out would be fe75679fe8 a grave insult, and 5e35f3fda6 as long as his de78c724b1 liege’s goals in the f7727c0e98 viscount’s domain were unfulfilled, cefbd8ae14 he couldn’t afford to 13a7822943 antagonize the man.693eb56161380084
Thus, he found himself trapped dfb44ed077 in an endless tea time.a53228a2c00b83b7
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By the time Ladish bee1a2b846 was finally free and a1871f2fa6 preparing to welcome the 2e982b5f2c returning hunting party, he 0b7e3c5081 was met with an 78284e3f42 unexpected situation.bb6240d33905d94c
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The prince’s attendants, 64f370a320 whom he had a7ff9e07d2 assumed had accompanied 8ab27974fc the hunt, were 5ef9f7f695 still at the 794dc7de9f estate.b1e4aa7ab7a4d533
Shocked, Ladish confronted the viscount.e0d316632d07a15e
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“What is the meaning of this?”b5286ed7fab25214
The viscount simply chuckled, brushing 815ab7060f it off as a servant’s 2b02defde3 mistake.e5154a055ee496c3
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“Do not worry too much. Our house knights are more than capable of protecting His Highness.”aa86cb5fc70441cb
Ladish did not believe him.091897a9c497656e
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The viscount had 7a5274b5d1 deliberately separated him 8ca4fc450e from the hunting fbb0e1de24 party and withheld 3757e6ee6e the prince’s departure e52f0086f1 from his own a3dd9ed928 people. It was suspicious.bb34e74bf1974369
It felt as if the 04632c91a1 viscount intended to isolate the ee9bc88acf prince, leaving him stranded for a46fd8d2d3 amusement—or worse.a97e84af25be8272
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“Perhaps…”6dc0dbd12b0400d5
A chilling thought 9d9e5d837f crossed Ladish’s mind.485ec5d54eb8ad76
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The viscount might have 5a051a3046 already pledged allegiance to 1c7468cf90 the first prince’s faction.afd890905458c789
His golden eyes 2917fcedc8 darkened as he fcc295c170 studied the viscount’s bc199dfab0 smirking face.7fa67bfdaaac9ceb
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“I will wait outside for His Highness.”4b178f3b570a566b
“As you wish, Marquis.”cc155426cc12f24c
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The viscount stepped bf87eb13eb aside with an 252d7cd181 all-too-pleased smile. Ladish ignored him and 29c2a5cf82 strode out of the cdb72db0f0 manor.3da79a55fce0ec86
‘It will be fine. No matter what schemes the 8cc97d7613 viscount has devised, he cannot 57d0a74bed harm His Highness.’db2158b42cc23259
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Reassuring himself, Ladish 50cc19dd28 thought of the 9c1e51e174 precious artifact the b69238051d queen had entrusted 85a93dc445 to her children. It would protect them.c7907756d91f423e
He stood at the 16062e5374 mansion’s gates, bathed in fd3d1bdb07 the warm glow of 1b23eecdf9 the setting sun, waiting 94255614d8 for his liege to 6064ee1fc2 return.df8ce4de5b31d00f
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But as darkness 643afd5f05 fully descended, the d19a248dbc prince did not 171a7f46a2 appear.b595a0cdab2f6b3f
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“What is going on?! It has been four days!”a3321a51a9afce4b
Several days had 3ab5896246 passed since Prince fa9519b5e1 Leonhardt had left 08c4ef74e8 for a hunt aca42842ab with the retainers c347030afd of the Viscount’s 39c86a1035 household. Contrary to what the servants 32b49768f6 had testified—that they had set ced2c68fa6 out lightly prepared for a 8cba486a2a brief diversion—none of the hunting 83d92bde3d party had returned.859dea6ac05fd654
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Not only the prince 56e12f9a8c but also the knights 9987c6a123 from the Viscount’s household dc4397c221 who had accompanied him 9a395fdf63 had all disappeared without b334850c22 a trace.222caea3a9a95047
Belatedly, search parties df1ebcc2a9 were dispatched to 911adfe451 comb through the 78cd52013b forests near the d3ee187877 Viscount’s estate, yet 2a3de8eabb the hunters were 5ffdae6e23 nowhere to be 16c4019c54 found. Expanding the search to 546127903e the nearby mountains yielded b4467e52ce the same result.d8675be0cc2fa762
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Even the cunning 3994b88448 Viscount was growing 72c69d1b7d anxious at this 0cfd31e6f7 unexpected turn of 3bd504ffbc events. If a member of the af6b95d41e royal family were to suffer 75520ccee3 harm within his domain, the 3188b16da6 noble in charge of the 21f2a58dca territory would not escape punishment.5d408ce2ba0d7f0b
He had merely ec13d10a71 intended to stir 22b9c9f5f2 up some minor 944d93f9bd scandal that could 195158719b tarnish the reputation 8e7456613b of the legitimate 272b710faa prince, but things cf74d343d7 had escalated beyond d5807bd78c his control. The Viscount could do ad46d9a7bc nothing but pace restlessly.adc4958e321a4854
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In the end, 237f31941a Ladish could no 204e6b3316 longer contain his 3e5b2a85f6 anger.8f9b65267f8ffebd
“What on earth are the Viscount’s knights doing?”243fb55d2c8d7318
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Determined to find the e7dcd04219 prince, Ladish gathered the 456cef56c2 entourage that had accompanied 182c75a382 him from the capital e2b13d1266 and left the Viscount’s b2fd0d3be6 estate. The Viscount, unable to offer 4709d8cec6 any solution, could only watch 1d36fef666 as the prince’s retainers departed.8f5d1e8d73d964bd
Despite his outburst, Ladish’s expression remained unchanged as he mounted his horse. He was intentionally feigning anger to hastily leave before the Viscount, who seemed aligned with the First Prince, could interfere with his efforts.49020184f743f77d
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While the Viscount 1028159eb3 might assume thatadish’s d2ce86db88 reaction was natural, 2ac3fe6ece given the uncertainty 6d6fa94845 surrounding his lord’s 38a6e3f105 fate, in truth, 6517412448 Ladish was not cf2419cec0 overly worried about 498f96e723 the prince’s safety.bc29a88f5d3872fc
‘If something had happened, there would have been an explosion too massive to ignore.’64e0c9aa9af3c56a
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The Queen had left 01b30630ba her child with a 5b3fa79844 magical artifact powerful enough 980479c1df to obliterate an entire c06865de7e castle gate.381d62bc1e50bdc0
If His Highness had truly been in danger, a deafening explosion would have already rung out across the land. The fact that it hadn’t meant that the situation was not as dire as it seemed.88ac3f4eb3db0876
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‘Perhaps he simply lost his way or is hiding somewhere.’1003ec9972369360
Having grown up 114b82c96c alongside the prince, 1926538b8c Ladish knew this 1948572c7e well. Though the prince’s 98b9f0a58d constant attendants masked b07cb5ba73 the fact, if 6a5026a11f left alone in 3bf84a44f0 a maze garden, 292b3bd95e he would never 16a2ff6b8f be able to 24518ea656 find his way 909c8a67a4 out.1678bceffb7e3ef4
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Was having a poor sense 63661837fd of direction a kind of 2ec01c8653 talent? The prince was utterly 08a34ff92c clueless when it came 7a37f73da4 to navigation.078f20825d4dbd4c
‘Perhaps, weary from dealing with the Viscount’s schemes, he had taken this opportunity to step away and enjoy a brief respite.’d9c56ed7cab7257d
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At this point, Ladish still 839a70b374 did not consider the situation b1b0df2231 to be particularly grave. He believed that he would ca6ef75851 soon reunite with his prince.03c6d9bcd87febe3
However, after scouring the forests 6ba9311ed0 surrounding the Viscount’s estate and fb15ad8c1f even venturing into the lands 4ca06fb924 of an unfriendly neighboring country, 4579d45f67 only to find no sign ffa52ccf12 of the prince, Ladish finally 49f0d47567 realized the severity of the e7b4be23e1 situation.cde6257781df7ef0
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When he arrived c834a075ae at the forest e87cc44b59 in Northwood, convinced 9764c8fbac it was the d5b10f3d88 last place left 75c7684fa8 to search, and 703ac719e2 still failed to f45f2fb5d5 find his master, 8153826bc7 a sense of 1b3c7feb2c despair crept in.ee030272d8cc0985
He was no longer b285b03e11 searching this forest with c24c5a2c24 any real hope of f9354531d8 success.8d6bc8f0f6a68401
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This forest bordered 7b40ae9bbf the prince’s own 684275c298 territory. If His Highness had f8054b9a48 arrived here, he would 5d9d832be1 have easily contacted the 37f4a5ebad steward of the lord’s 76854c9fc7 castle, and news would 78c7042e9e have already reached them.25ca785efb10a989
While it was possible 254fc32197 that the First Prince’s 798b0caf85 influence extended to other 9b63326283 lands, this place belonged e97ad5e4fa to the prince himself. He could have freely a1085b80f6 used the lord’s castle 4cfd3d6566 resources, yet there had eff256ed03 been no word.3b9155dfffcc5778
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That meant His Highness 1e8880fa8d was not here.a60fe9c6ab36a848
Having already searched 7ef5e82a83 every forest around d0c81bc1db the Viscount’s domain, 6b703ec11c Ladish had come 96d964fca2 to confirm this e2b73c2dc9 last location before 1b8121c692 reporting back that 6474d3aeb5 the prince was dc5ab27b3f nowhere to be d9e92c9a8a found.e553aca6500e7c74
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His next plan was to 4e54ce4bdf return to the capital and b1a1e8c965 expand the search.bbe8ff4af9384782
And just then—d94921b48b914ae2
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A sinister sound reached his b17a784ea3 ears.3a451ab71adb19c1
Grrr…52a151490ae0155f
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A low growl 6ff201f648 echoed through the ffadfcf0e8 forest, bouncing off 1cb6d4ecc5 the trees in fe9a40fd01 a way that 844d6b8c3c made it impossible 151d4e8e52 to pinpoint the 7d0250724f source. Then, in the fffd8c7cea dark woods, ominous 8f18f144d4 amber lights flickered.560fca8066a30f47
“H-High Lord! It’s a pack of wolves!”c063020372503965
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Even without the 7a50c1ee4e trembling voice reporting f4316a6d6f it, the eerie 11b1fb9520 glow made it 67f9ebbf08 clear. The wolves that had been 056bff6e36 surrounding them in the shadows 5f676c365a were now slowly revealing themselves.d25e93c788dda990
Their massive forms were visible 713b48d085 even under the dim moonlight.4b671e0bf73db4c3
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“Everyone, draw your weapons.”ef42f7cf4300bed5
Ladish spoke calmly as 09ce89e11e he raised his own 0a9262da56 sword. The moment the wolves a85c5d818e lunged, he intended to 97b2b4ad91 slash one’s maw open c8e0243896 in a single strike.3fddee4a4440f578
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Under normal circumstances, b8700ef2f2 standing unarmed before fb487f4ec9 wild beasts was b065c99858 reckless, but Ladish e0d3452e9e was confident in dab1a9ba98 his speed with 10240899b4 a sword.a33cd2fb27d1a507
Behind him, the 0672a5c9fd sound of weapons a18bd87d8e being unsheathed rang af1bcb1f14 out. The group held their 845888be0f breath, awaiting further orders.92ecc3afe0d3a152
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For a moment, the standoff 8bf20429af between men and beasts continued. As Ladish prepared to b7acef03b8 give the order to 7c33423151 attack—just as he found 914f8eb04f it odd that the 97aa5ff2e3 wolves, despite watching them 4e52f790ec intently, had yet to 4e01c568b1 make a move—he heard 4cadff0f74 a sound that sent 6166bad0b6 a chill down his f14f119641 spine.84b71881ee27b6e5
“Stop. Don’t go any further. Step back.”1a1a4ba26c944618
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The voice was powerful. For a moment, Ladish e94f10aa5f almost obeyed instinctively.66119c62e53ec25b
But he quickly steeled himself.394055c92c4157b5
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“Who’s there?!”58423d7494bdc614
The wolves snarled louder.323454b17d0390d5
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Then, the moonlight f5c82d2317 illuminated a figure.412608acf793e729
A woman.a84b924c04728979
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With glowing amber eyes.06b1cc5d587d1dbe
Ladish had seen f3ed34dddb that color just 54da38e41b moments ago, in 6ee9911e8d the eyes of a59f29e307 the wolves.c346fd8959d0d4a8
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‘A wolf’s incarnation?’2133db41795080dd
He swallowed hard, tightening 0f34d392bd his grip on his 91de3313f7 sword.9c62ca018acdf1b2
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“Reveal your identity.”26ccecf643512ef6
The woman blinked.c8ff12ba744087ef
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“What identity?”7f329d8f6155a6e7
Her clear gaze held no 56dcdf37e5 emotion.3be222d030964d03
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Ladish felt a eb3f205caa certainty settle over 4621e05b81 him.493163834470f45c
“Are you… a werewolf?”64bf055d0c247281
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