They had only seven days to prepare for a 200-wolf army. Damien locked down the compound by fortifying every entrance and creating kill zones that forced attackers into narrow corridors where numbers didn't matter.
"We need to evacuate the non-combatants," James said in the third strategy meeting. Children, elderly wolves, and anyone who can't fight must leave."
"And where?" Elena countered.
Ryan's intelligence shows the Architect has spotters on all territory exits. Any escapees will be found and killed within ten miles."
They're condemned to die here.
We're helping them survive if we win." Damien spoke last. "Everyone stays. The community center is our last refuge, so we fortify it with our best defenders. We fight to the end if the main compound falls.
Aria trained with Dr. Chen f
