HHLP – Chapter 13
by AlaaChapter 13. The Incarnation of the Wolf: c77761d589 The Strange Lady8db31c6b6206cb78
50af10a73a8598ba
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Beneath a sky where b5237f9851 a full moon hung 1a29c819da round and bright, a c400e8de8c group of people walked 370f50663f through the forest. They relied on the faint 52377cf8a5 streaks of moonlight filtering through 33e873d0d0 the dense foliage, unable to 485c451ede fully enjoy the bright illumination b65bda9b82 of the moon.a32eea6a614e3806
The procession varied in status, 0f79d21057 from knights lightly armed with 1194f53e30 their gear to servants carrying 2d859c5230 luggage without much equipment. Their footsteps broke d5e46c8bd2 the silence of 02280c187f the night.b38076cd95f317b6
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Leading the group was a 389cec5ce4 man who pushed forward through e87d975c11 the trees, unfazed by the 1e15bfc77e uneasy glances of those behind 3a67ae1515 him. His sharp, golden eyes darted 431ac921a8 around, searching the dark forest da28d5e18e for any sign of his 54fea2885a liege.792a3261069aef61
“We’ve already been delayed too long. Where could His Highness be?”2d9d28efe089f3da
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Frustration weighed on him effba60a93 as he ran a 01492e7da7 hand through his light 9ca72c8520 beige hair. His anxious golden eyes 7959af23a2 scanned the surroundings, hoping 95751c611a to find even the e8136443d0 slightest clue.60f104b6044fa37f
But when no sign appeared, afbe8cde97 disappointment flashed across his gaze 4a08538461 before he lowered his long 738eaf9219 eyelashes.9e28b34cc886860f
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“I shouldn’t have listened to that raccoon-like viscount.”1a6e666584ae33ff
After all, this 4b0dee182d whole mess had 55494c12f7 started in the 8b4716c714 viscount’s domain.d49a4667ec970e84
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“Right now?”1a41b5421ac26799
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“I have something important to discuss privately with the Marquis of Flabeo.”703a62910175c34a
“How about after tonight’s banquet? I must escort His Highness on his outing now.”53364696a1848ec5
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The young man, 22c870fce0 with eyes as 3c514e0697 rich as pure 37532fd054 gold, blinked calmly 097fd5b0d9 as he refused be0bd94346 the request.ab8bedc5f59638f9
He was Ladish, 00ed42a5fe the heir to 6098f0c121 the Duke of a78a4eb07c Rabert, who was 2d73014893 referred to as e0bf3555b3 the Marquis of 88cab4847c Flabeo until he 686e8e19e8 formally inherited his 596cd82608 title.eb72a22df7b1575a
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His presence in the viscount’s 2488e842f8 remote territory was unusual.eb6a1d50b6a05fea
As a noble 2df43466ef of the prestigious 90fa6fba0e Rabert family, one 000f40a655 that had even 787c724b49 produced a queen 45938eccab of the Fortis 895846e365 Kingdom, he was 0403248e85 supposed to be 0a126cc119 stationed in the 1c2e44dc59 capital.7040c65472a063e6
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The reason for his visit 2345489007 was simple. The Rabert family, as the 29ac129a62 queen’s lineage, had always provided 87db73d6f0 personal attendants for the royal 61b8660991 children.834cbbfec0340e7e
Ladish had been raised 4faac90a6c beside Prince Leonhardt from 2e6014c9c8 a young age, caring 91afbd318e for him not just 2b8e1c05db as a servant but 92518cb7d8 as a cousin. Naturally, he followed ebbf0ee029 the prince even 1ae888b73f on his expeditions.88080897a55dcb22
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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.”3a9597f5a6f47317
The viscount insisted on speaking f733a4bedb with him. Ladish hesitated. His mission here d58cc1e11f partly relied on 1891f06952 the viscount’s cooperation, 997ceacf06 and outright refusal bb0900c8e1 could interfere with e360556578 his liege’s plans.0f1ef9f7da9afc02
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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.”d8e5fcc72010c6e7
The viscount, distantly related 5b8f071737 through Ladish’s great-grandmother, pressed e23d5a9d20 further. Sighing, Ladish reluctantly agreed cc4f360c0c and instructed his attendants 5227c7d6c9 to proceed to His a0e364398f Highness while he followed 77bc17581c the viscount.28e017b4751daf0e
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But when they arrived at 7cbf375a7d the reception room, someone was 3c4e9db866 already waiting.2e4f2c964bcc7919
A noble lady, fbcc8b0f81 seated on a d7c4874191 long couch, turned e6ac09deaa at their entrance. Her eyes widened 24a1c74be7 slightly upon seeing b504f9a12d Ladish.4fc75f520fe8cb7e
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It was a common reaction. He was widely 644d8e952b praised as the 3d7bb018c0 most beautiful man ce5b7c1aad in Fortis Kingdom’s bcc28cc33a history by court 824df011aa artists.bbffa5076d3b0cf4
Ladish, however, was less than 0e6e734996 pleased. He glanced at the viscount, 7bc351cb5c his voice low with displeasure.eec6318ec6e2fa06
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“Viscount, what is the meaning of this?”ab061913bf3cc3d0
Ignoring the question, 50443e91d6 the viscount feigned ac8437fa60 surprise and admiration. The noblewoman hurriedly 2ea24968ba stood, spreading the ff6967572c hem of her d2a77dcc08 dress in greeting.db66d27f6e0829bd
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“Ah, if it isn’t the Lady of House Benito!”2e0f250a7994276a
“It has been a long time. My father sent me with a letter for you today.”10ce1a77b0199e13
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The viscount took 8542fd7c14 the letter with 0a0a0cfb72 exaggerated enthusiasm.1688d30a6cccf264
“Ah! The Marquis of Benito did mention something to me, but I completely forgot! I will write a response immediately—please wait a moment.”565b8085a5308c63
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“Of course.”22078f800086cae6
“Oh dear, but I can’t leave a guest alone….”a89b51656f59dfa1
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Feigning reluctance, the viscount 215c89ba48 turned to Ladish.4facad83e81b344a
“Marquis, could you keep the lady company over tea while I prepare my reply? I’ll be back soon.”9114815a883aa70c
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Before Ladish could e90b45ee25 refuse, the viscount 742d14e6df had already given 912000d8bc orders for tea 8ba3b91ef2 and left the b611596354 room, leaving him a4afb4a16b alone with the e0693981cb noblewoman.f97843a3814dff2c
‘That scheming viscount…!’7c96e7ffafd15298
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Annoyance flared in Ladish’s 138d64fd0c golden eyes. He knew exactly f933a65a4b what was happening—this 276a322e9c was a setup.d105b64849523a44
As a noble dbcf873f07 from a remote 556f1a4c44 territory, the viscount 5b5a798946 saw a rare 25199ce8b5 opportunity. By arranging an 8ceee0f726 ‘accidental’ meeting with 8847486da1 a lady from 7ae4e90b95 a prominent family, daa508e0c3 he aimed to 5e302aa286 strengthen ties through 2ea2bb5a17 marriage.7ecbbcc3cdcfb535
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Whether the Benito family was 1b2c11cfd4 complicit or not, Ladish had a1252168d4 no choice but to endure 4202343f66 this farce. Walking out would be a 0e9770ea5f grave insult, and as long 0fedf36106 as his liege’s goals in c72522ff65 the viscount’s domain were unfulfilled, 69be2658d0 he couldn’t afford to antagonize d6134edfac the man.be563de9e413e243
Thus, he found himself trapped 430de14fe3 in an endless tea time.1886883f22b08bb7
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By the time Ladish was 6726dbc788 finally free and preparing to 02136cccbe welcome the returning hunting party, c2f035cfda he was met with an d39ac6d959 unexpected situation.a00dbc95ae4298f7
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The prince’s attendants, 767af0858f whom he had e8acc631fc assumed had accompanied 3aa677c02c the hunt, were bb39d49e51 still at the b9b47772a7 estate.5693d564eef7bc5b
Shocked, Ladish confronted the viscount.076a89cd4bed42cf
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“What is the meaning of this?”25f2fc71b63df2c3
The viscount simply chuckled, dc095fd64e brushing it off as b348b4f53a a servant’s mistake.87c44e553621ee5b
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“Do not worry too much. Our house knights are more than capable of protecting His Highness.”0556fe855d5c27d1
Ladish did not believe him.e5941b68100bacd2
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The viscount had 88cf2d6f55 deliberately separated him 8ad0b0dbe2 from the hunting 688b1755b4 party and withheld 4dffd67be0 the prince’s departure 9d160c7f27 from his own f41c61d8d8 people. It was suspicious.f7dcf25b1aafb547
It felt as f65b7ff4df if the viscount 0269e39982 intended to isolate b17dcb3cbb the prince, leaving 81836ec400 him stranded for 4627f54d9e amusement—or worse.652cbdad0e6da391
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“Perhaps…”19bd5a29fcfc29e5
A chilling thought bde5ee8c1b crossed Ladish’s mind.71e83eed0936130a
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The viscount might have ff3fd2f834 already pledged allegiance to 610634ab7e the first prince’s faction.649ae5eaa4f4dc3e
His golden eyes darkened as 3190aa7fd4 he studied the viscount’s smirking 2180a1b0d5 face.5b8e858bc6cc3d25
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“I will wait outside for His Highness.”033c71b01c0c6a88
“As you wish, Marquis.”9f96d7851ba7ff97
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The viscount stepped 3b7326acde aside with an 2f4f95e4af all-too-pleased smile. Ladish ignored him d2f13a8bdb and strode out 74185b9a82 of the manor.421a34b2988c1e06
‘It will be fine. No matter what 3a903d679b schemes the viscount 80835fdb6f has devised, he a8eca250ca cannot harm His 6d6d6b446e Highness.’7da2ed955dc09edb
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Reassuring himself, Ladish thought of 2fbe28321c the precious artifact the queen 82d3cae295 had entrusted to her children. It would protect them.6027221ef5195170
He stood at 0a5f70431e the mansion’s gates, 3d743b48bc bathed in the d8a6c3cec6 warm glow of 43ab2b4452 the setting sun, 24fa8c251d waiting for his 92f182b12d liege to return.14233d63026a5638
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But as darkness 422d467f2f fully descended, the 679b4c4853 prince did not c895b71bb8 appear.23c7a0a4faf1e135
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“What is going on?! It has been four days!”d0a97ac72d45740f
Several days had fad1528c67 passed since Prince acd09dfea4 Leonhardt had left f0aa68bba5 for a hunt c2441ec436 with the retainers ed9d6cf131 of the Viscount’s 90f8454c33 household. Contrary to what the servants 9fcd6c9b5d had testified—that they had set 2f72173df7 out lightly prepared for a 4a249fa02b brief diversion—none of the hunting 4fd2619c16 party had returned.eb3fc89b809072ea
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Not only the prince but f65971e4e0 also the knights from the 08b3f51b72 Viscount’s household who had accompanied ea92624505 him had all disappeared without 276c50eb11 a trace.9331ca1b1c049629
Belatedly, search parties 00a903edf5 were dispatched to 7b5262a3c0 comb through the 5e312d8c6a forests near the f0dfab3666 Viscount’s estate, yet 6b7007f003 the hunters were 08ae74a4e0 nowhere to be 6167d9f02e found. Expanding the search to the 12c2c45a48 nearby mountains yielded the same af686a73ee result.c43f279a99d5e000
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Even the cunning Viscount 0fe30e82c9 was growing anxious at d503466765 this unexpected turn of 5086e9c96d events. If a member d7c843580c of the royal 391b5a9986 family were to 90f125b3c6 suffer harm within 07d9158ac2 his domain, the 2dc898c386 noble in charge a8a1e9e5b0 of the territory 2becfdc58a would not escape 8470484db1 punishment.af7ce77c30157d61
He had merely intended to 2b813d04c2 stir up some minor scandal 9bd8f55326 that could tarnish the reputation f3512984db of the legitimate prince, but 18ca5cfc54 things had escalated beyond his e70237c34f control. The Viscount could 198d214b7a do nothing but 8709d9dabd pace restlessly.97e845bcf2b0fbcc
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In the end, 0a119a425a Ladish could no da13562088 longer contain his e07f11b0d5 anger.feb1cc746e205f06
“What on earth are the Viscount’s knights doing?”b23b717d2e0286f3
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Determined to find the prince, 9f21aba918 Ladish gathered the entourage that 25d0320595 had accompanied him from the 3a9e62572b capital and left the Viscount’s 6c79f39753 estate. The Viscount, unable to offer 5fbd3778c6 any solution, could only watch 6b3c29d0c2 as the prince’s retainers departed.9bd4a000ec7a3e80
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.736de6aee3ac179c
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While the Viscount 1f811e7374 might assume thatadish’s de4e28d25e reaction was natural, 0d92a1c5b2 given the uncertainty fcd0e3dc63 surrounding his lord’s e6b2e0da91 fate, in truth, e0013ed5b7 Ladish was not 34dda82666 overly worried about db88476a09 the prince’s safety.c37f2f968713b9db
‘If something had happened, there would have been an explosion too massive to ignore.’61ae5afde859d3c3
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The Queen had left 27aacdae00 her child with a e734ee924d magical artifact powerful enough d00e746ec3 to obliterate an entire 4013a11efb castle gate.7fa1c70c75e83e95
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.243b6a7f6b2553b6
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‘Perhaps he simply lost his way or is hiding somewhere.’eda25a5dc8135fd2
Having grown up alongside c7ae223f4b the prince, Ladish knew 1dfbf22358 this well. Though the prince’s f21718d0da constant attendants masked e8698b6a49 the fact, if b0f94859c8 left alone in 878c57b993 a maze garden, 4b5784b6fc he would never 758dac371b be able to 5016d5d718 find his way 954fecadc1 out.3e006edd8c79eb20
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Was having a 74bded7f5b poor sense of 354a8488a4 direction a kind 2a547f7f8c of talent? The prince was 08109ad86d utterly clueless when 5eee89ce28 it came to 80de4b2b98 navigation.05b9b8025c701b10
‘Perhaps, weary from dealing with the Viscount’s schemes, he had taken this opportunity to step away and enjoy a brief respite.’613aef4d0dec1c23
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At this point, 6895bbe83d Ladish still did fb25cbcf79 not consider the f1c1d502ee situation to be ce43d8d70f particularly grave. He believed that 3345144598 he would soon 868ff6bf38 reunite with his afac776e6a prince.0f30398f702ff186
However, after scouring the forests e1d32edf20 surrounding the Viscount’s estate and 340f2e4e44 even venturing into the lands ec37b40406 of an unfriendly neighboring country, ef8e23b5f1 only to find no sign 7136cad207 of the prince, Ladish finally 53907bff26 realized the severity of the 53fedaf023 situation.6d1fba6a7b2abb2a
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When he arrived at 2904dfb1c9 the forest in Northwood, 434d20119f convinced it was the 1de3e1162c last place left to ca5eba6e5e search, and still failed 79dbcc1246 to find his master, b532451995 a sense of despair db39e84654 crept in.af5dac9b35454932
He was no longer searching b75f7c2cec this forest with any real f156a3df07 hope of success.45d01d6abce7f2c9
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This forest bordered 4e2d830270 the prince’s own c8c8500896 territory. If His Highness had ab5f771b6b arrived here, he would e8d4b7bc01 have easily contacted the ca64234866 steward of the lord’s 3224de719f castle, and news would 52070ca26a have already reached them.d7591547f0f210a9
While it was possible that 4547ebbad2 the First Prince’s influence extended eafdd91145 to other lands, this place 10f5ca7eb2 belonged to the prince himself. He could have freely 0ba3a1abc4 used the lord’s castle 4e6e7c1393 resources, yet there had d9a6d3d28b been no word.36cf18e61cff62c5
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That meant His Highness bbac729443 was not here.ad97ecb62359b299
Having already searched c905f1c006 every forest around a49d040ce6 the Viscount’s domain, 72f068143f Ladish had come a1385c7ce1 to confirm this 77849a829f last location before 0a014b2200 reporting back that 4b635595a5 the prince was 4bb389542f nowhere to be 4e39fabc0c found.d8132e7aa01e2d40
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His next plan was to a6cf377c95 return to the capital and 5fe7e16ec9 expand the search.7cd98cb952fe0ac4
And just then—09262f7c3b4677cc
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A sinister sound reached 71a61881b9 his ears.acc2a7c39952d0dd
Grrr…c47b8a7549aa192f
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A low growl echoed 20ed072842 through the forest, bouncing f7ec092397 off the trees in b3aac2d19d a way that made 17560ad213 it impossible to pinpoint 45ffac292c the source. Then, in the 47c22668f2 dark woods, ominous 6fb4d284ed amber lights flickered.39acd56df3e0cc75
“H-High Lord! It’s a pack of wolves!”5fc6a63f2752b7bf
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Even without the trembling voice ca3503506c reporting it, the eerie glow 0876084000 made it clear. The wolves that 8513a6ec10 had been surrounding da4b2a2156 them in the 3d3abd6e39 shadows were now 6c5b13e728 slowly revealing themselves.afdc145127be6211
Their massive forms were 2d7a649d4a visible even under the 33a3b092e4 dim moonlight.eb6e77e75f102f94
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“Everyone, draw your weapons.”930b21bd41937fc1
Ladish spoke calmly as c0d9fa02c9 he raised his own e1e409cc8a sword. The moment the wolves lunged, 52e92d2995 he intended to slash one’s 72b287bc75 maw open in a single 107615cf22 strike.bbb4fa78a641e5e0
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Under normal circumstances, standing 8af2034ef8 unarmed before wild beasts 1b427e71fd was reckless, but Ladish c8e7ab734f was confident in his 4ba9dc9b59 speed with a sword.2ca07a198918c972
Behind him, the sound of a57f1cb081 weapons being unsheathed rang out. The group held their breath, a5ad17f0a5 awaiting further orders.32a881a42a39014b
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For a moment, the standoff a6be7b31c9 between men and beasts continued. As Ladish prepared to 35291fb691 give the order to ea4fb098c9 attack—just as he found 772b219e9b it odd that the dac03f460a wolves, despite watching them 9492c68c00 intently, had yet to edd8a08ae0 make a move—he heard 074f6850f2 a sound that sent dca9f8fcea a chill down his c6ca183ab8 spine.4bbaa5f1a6cc1a0b
“Stop. Don’t go any further. Step back.”3fc853f879b99ae9
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The voice was powerful. For a moment, Ladish 98b91c3835 almost obeyed instinctively.df0f6fca2937b2ce
But he quickly steeled himself.0d44e856cf05bf1f
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“Who’s there?!”c8125ae816a8d425
The wolves snarled louder.f322aa91a8839a96
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Then, the moonlight illuminated 028ca7489b a figure.bb7ee2ab45ab6539
A woman.8c325f0de41786c5
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With glowing amber eyes.3b87b1faedaafdb2
Ladish had seen that 0f1846cd78 color just moments ago, e25062f7f7 in the eyes of 836ca464bf the wolves.4c96877a2648a9b0
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‘A wolf’s incarnation?’26543d247aaa15f9
He swallowed hard, 43ca65a8d9 tightening his grip 5a53064205 on his sword.8f39a7fe4cca1e7f
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“Reveal your identity.”4f9207a1c01f7238
The woman blinked.e040074fb944b6af
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“What identity?”75a86c3e6f48f76a
Her clear gaze 82c6f9b151 held no emotion.d343ef8a963d7f28
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Ladish felt a certainty settle 5c3d87a5c2 over him.313c92b9d69215b2
“Are you… a werewolf?”852d248eca4551dc
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