Inside the citadel, the atmosphere was heavy with a mix of anxiety and desperation. Eva, Emily, Sarah, and Alpha Dave gathered in the war room, their expressions reflecting a rare vulnerability. The weight of the situation settled upon them, the realization sinking in that, for the first time, Alpha Grant had gained the upper hand.
"We can't let him win," Sarah said, her voice tinged with defiance. "We've come too far to give up now."
Alpha Dave's face burned with shame, his pride wounded by the retreat. He clenched his fists, his voice strained yet resolute. "I cannot bear the shame of defeat. We must regroup, strengthen our defenses, and fight another day."
Eva, her eyes filled with a mix of determination and exhaustion, stepped forward. "Alpha Grant may have won this battle, but it d
