Will lay inside his tent, staring up at the sky where the first pale light of dawn seeped through. He found himself recalling his youth, when he’d roamed the lands conquering foes. In the last five years, he’d spent far more time looking back than he had in the five before that.

Fear, suspicion, cowardice, weakness… Pathetic humans… A smile tugged at his lips.

Outside the tent, footsteps grew louder. The Wolf King knew a new day’s journey had begun.

Will sat up, fumbling for his wolf king’s cloak. His claws were not as nimble as they had been in his youth, and a prominent scar ran across the palm of his right paw—he remembered exactly who had given it to him.

Stepping out of the tent, he saw his wolf guards bustling about. Wolf knelt on the grass, sharpening his wolf-headed blade. Aken squatted by the fire, roasting meat. Ali was busy taking down the tents.

He gazed at a snow-capped mountain in the distance. Its peak was covered in snow, but the land around it was a vast grassland. In the morning sun, the frost coating the grasslands glinted silver, mirroring the snow-capped peak—a breathtaking scene.

That old bastard is clever, to find such a hidden gem in the harsh Outer Wastes. Will thought to himself.

He hadn’t seen White Wolf King Watt since their argument ten years ago. For a decade, the Black Wolf Clan and White Wolf Clan had gone their separate ways, no contact between them. Though Will knew from his scouts that the White Wolf Clan had moved their stronghold to this place called Winter Snow Valley, he’d never visited—this was his first time coming to see the White Wolf King of his own accord.

He had no way of predicting how Watt would treat him.

“Master.” Wolf approached, his face crisscrossed with two brutal scars that made him look menacing. “Would you like your breakfast?”

Will nodded. “Is V awake?”

“He’s a captive—he’s been made to stay awake.”

“Bring him here. He’ll eat with me.”

“Yes, Master.”

Will sat at a rough wooden table, and Aken set down a large platter of meat skewers slathered in black pepper sauce. For this trip to the Snow Valley, the Wolf King had brought only twenty guards and one captive. He didn’t want Watt to feel threatened.

But if old Watt attacks us now, we’ll all die. Will was acutely aware of the risk. Wolves were bloodthirsty; they wouldn’t spare even their own kind. And the White Wolf Clan’s hatred for the Black Wolf Clan was no less than their hatred for humans.

After careful consideration, though, Will believed Watt wouldn’t attack him. After all, he’d sent the head of Magician Peter. That was a good sign, no matter how you looked at it. He’d decided to take the gamble—even though he knew a wrong move would mean certain death.

Wolf led V over. The man had lost all trace of his Divine Kindred dignity. His eyes were hollow, his hair matted, and he shuffled behind Wolf like a drained, walking corpse. He looks like a wolf that never finished evolving. Will almost laughed.

He remembered how, in the first two days after being captured, V had pretended to be an idiot—shaking, soiling himself, rambling nonsense. He’d fooled many wolves, even Wolf, who’d suggested throwing the fool into the wilderness to fend for himself. Wolves loved eating human flesh, but they avoided idiots—afraid of catching their madness.

Will had been suspicious, so he’d decided to interrogate V himself. Humans could fake identities too, sometimes better than wolves. Sure enough, during the interrogation, he’d caught V lying. After a little torture, V had dropped the act. Will had brought him along on this trip to learn more about him.

Will picked up a meat skewer dripping with black sauce and gestured to V. “Divine Kindred, come taste our wolf clan’s delicacies.”

Wolf untied the tough grass rope binding V’s hands and ordered him to sit across from the Wolf King.

“In your noble human eyes, wolves are savages—all we know is killing and bloodlust. But we know good food too. Roasting, for example, is the best way to cook meat. Aken was the best cook in Wolfhold. I think his skills are no worse than Kammon’s.” Will gnawed on the skewer as he spoke. “Aken roasts the meat just right—crisp but not burnt on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside. One bite, and you get that perfect crunch paired with melt-in-your-mouth meat.”

Will wiped the grease from his mouth and tossed the wooden stick back onto the platter. “Try it. See if I’m lying.”

“Y-yes…” The Wolf King’s command was not to be disobeyed. V picked up a skewer with trembling hands.

“Oh, right—I almost forgot. This meat is from your comrade.” Will said casually.

“Aah!” V’s body jolted, and the skewer slipped from his fingers to the ground.

“Hm?” Will’s eyes turned sharp as blades.

Wolf stepped behind V immediately. “Pick it up.”

“Y-yes…” V’s face went pale. He slowly bent down and picked up the skewer, which was now dusted with frost.

“Eat it.” Wolf ordered.

V’s lips quivered. He brought the skewer to his mouth, but couldn’t bring himself to bite.

“What’s this? I offer you food, and you refuse? Are you snubbing me?” Will sneered.

“N-no! Never…” Sweat beaded on V’s forehead. He forced his mouth open, took a small bite, and swallowed it without chewing.

“You look miserable. Are you disgusted by our wolf cooking?”

“N-no! Of course not…”

“Then why aren’t you chewing?”

“I…”

“You’re supposed to be a Hunter, aren’t you? Killing prey, roasting meat—this is normal. Why are you so scared?”

“I-it’s human flesh…”

“A smart Hunter will do anything to survive, even eat raw human flesh. Don’t tell me you’re some innocent flower on the snow.”

V hung his head, silent.

“Unless…” Will stared at him, each word deliberate. “You’re not a Hunter at all.”

V’s eyes dimmed. After a long silence, he nodded slowly.

“Who are you, then?”

V whispered, “I’m a Guard…”

“A Guard? Why pretend to be a Hunter?”

“I-I didn’t want the wolves to backstab me…”

“I see.” The Wolf King nodded thoughtfully. “When a wolf backstabs a Hunter, it usually ends in mutual destruction—Hunters have crossbows, and they often shoot a fatal arrow before dying. Killing a Guard is much safer; the worst that happens is a Peaceful Night.”

“Wolves usually kill Hunters last…”

“So a Guard pretending to be a Hunter is much safer.” Will realized.

“Y-yes…”

“I was right about you—you’re a clever one.” Will smiled. “You fooled the wolves and your own comrades alike. Impressive.”

“But I couldn’t fool you…”

“Hahaha!” Will laughed loudly. “You’re quite entertaining. I like you more and more.” He pushed the platter of meat toward V. “This is all yours. Eat up—we have a long journey ahead.”

The Wolf King stood up and walked down the grassy slope.

“Relax—it’s all mutton.”