Six months after the gathering, the first defection happened.
Not from integration to freedom. The other direction.
Rachel Kim, the defector who’d identified the Architect five years ago, walked into Sera’s office and announced her intention to integrate.
“I’ve thought about this for eight months,” Rachel said. “I’m not being coerced. I’m choosing.”
Sera felt the floor drop. “Why?”
“Because I’m exhausted. I’ve spent five years analyzing threats, building detection methods, fighting evolution I’m not sure should be fought. Integration offers rest. Clarity. I want that.”
“You helped us expose the Architect. You know what the network did—”
“The old network forced unity. This is different. Voluntary. Wolves are choosing improvement. I’m choosing improvement.”
“Rachel, once you integrat
