Chapter 113 Lance Crawford
Most of the men stood over six feet tall, and even the female warriors ranged from 5’7" to 5’9", which was expected of she-wolves. Addison, however, barely reached 5’6" or 5’7"—an unusual height for a man, especially one expected to patrol the borders.
One of the men, clearly not taking her seriously, strolled forward with a smirk and casually draped an arm around her shoulders.
"What are you, half-dwarf?" the man teased as he looked at Addison. His tone was lighthearted, and Addison could tell he meant no harm by it. After all, human males weren’t exactly rare within the Palace Grounds—Archmage Elric was human, and so were some of his disciples.
Seeing a human adult male wasn’t unusual, and most ranged from 5’7" to 6’ tall—just slightly shorter than shifters like them. So, Addison’s height didn’t raise any real eyebrows. What truly piqued their curiosity was why someone like him, at least in appearance, was assigned to the border patrol team, one of the most dangerous occupations in the kingdom.
"I’m not," Addison replied calmly, removing the man’s arm from her shoulder with quiet firmness. Without another word, she turned and strode toward a man seated off to the side. Though his eyes were closed, there was no doubt he was fully aware of everything happening around him. His presence exuded a quiet warning— ’Stay away.’
Yet, for some reason, Addison felt drawn to him, a strange sense of familiarity tugging at her instincts. ’Did I know him before?’ she wondered, letting her feet carry her forward until she stood before him.
"Hello," she said, her tone even, neither overly humble nor arrogant. "Are you the one in charge of the Border Patrol Team? I’m here to report."
Her back was straight, her hands clasped behind her, posture crisp and composed—just like a seasoned warrior presenting themselves for duty.
Around the room, the others exchanged glances. Moments ago, they had been teasing her, their curiosity thinly veiled. But now, watching her presence and hearing her voice, something shifted. Some felt a strange familiarity, as if they’d met her before. Others sensed the quiet strength in her aura—imposing, yet somehow warm.