CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN - FROSTY MISADVENTURES

From these conversations, Anna pieced together a disturbing pattern. Three villagers had gone missing in the past month, all last seen near the forest that bordered Ulfheim's lands. Some staff members whispered about strange howls in the night, different from the usual wolf sounds they were accustomed to hearing. Armed with this information, Anna decided to take a risk. One afternoon, she slipped away from the mansion and made her way to Henrik's inn in the village. The old innkeeper greeted her warmly, but Anna could see the worry lines etched on his face. "Henrik," she said quietly, once they were seated in a private corner, "I've heard about the disappearances. Can you tell me what's going on?" Henrik's face darkened. "Aye, it's been a terrible business," he sighed. "First it was old Marta, then young Sven, and just last week, little Ingrid. All gone without a trace." Anna leaned in closer. "And they were all last seen near the forest?" Henrik nodded grimly. "That's right. Some