Chapter 273

“All we’d need to do is relocate the neighboring packs to a safer distance from here, far enough that they wouldn’t be affected by the biochemical. Even if it means moving them a little farther out, it’s still a far better option than escorting them all the way to the temporary granary, which would take a week’s journey.”

“And with their numbers stationed to watch over the supplies, we’d greatly reduce the risk of rogues or attackers trying to steal, damage, or even burn them. Strength in numbers would finally be on our side.”

“I agree as well,” Levi said with a nod. When it came to matters like this, Zion’s judgment was sharp, and Levi saw no reason to undermine it. After all, if a solid plan was already on the table, why waste energy trying to come up with an alternative just to impress his mate? This wasn’t about competing for the best idea; it was about working together.

“Alright, let’s check the map and find a suitable location for their temporary settlement. But for now, let’s keep this plan between us until we’re ready to act,” Addison said meaningfully.

She wasn’t wrong. If even the Royal Grounds, the most secure place in the kingdom, had a mole working for the enemy, then it wasn’t impossible that some of the other packs were compromised as well.

How to deal with those infiltrators would have to be a problem for later; for now, time was short, and they needed to move quickly.

With that, Addison, Zion, Maxwell, and Levi finished their snacks and refreshments and returned to work as though nothing had happened. When night fell, they convened again in Addison’s room.

Their visits drew no real suspicion, after all, they were fated mates, and spending time together behind closed doors was natural. At most, they received a few knowing glances, which they ignored. It was the perfect cover, and under that guise, they could begin cementing their plan.

“Thank you for coming,” Addison said warmly as she poured tea for each of them and arranged the snacks her attendant had prepared for her journey. At the center of the table lay a map, already marked with potential sites for a temporary settlement where the surrounding packs could be relocated.

Each location had been chosen with care, but they still needed to weigh the terrain, accessibility, and whether it could sustain hundreds of people.

Levi quietly assisted Addison in setting out the tea and snacks, while Maxwell and Zion leaned over the map, studying the marked spots with thoughtful concentration. Both men weighed the advantages and drawbacks of each area, considering not only the terrain but also its security and long-term viability.

“You’ve chosen some excellent locations; it’s hard for us to even decide,” Zion remarked, his gaze lingering on the map. “From the way you marked them, I can tell you’ve also considered which terrain would be easier to defend but harder for enemies to infiltrate.” His years on the frontlines made it second nature to read plans like these and recognize strategic advantages in the land.

For the first time, he found himself truly admiring Addison’s sharp mind, something he had never fully appreciated before. Deep down, a sense of excitement stirred within him—an eagerness he couldn’t quite suppress.

“Thank you for the compliment,” Addison replied, her tone calm and assured, showing no trace of shyness. This was something she had grown up learning and later honed further when she became Luna of the Midnight River Pack.

Even with the burden of amnesia, these instincts were ingrained deep within her bones. Whether she wanted to or not, her body remembered; it only needed a bit of refining.

After setting down the last of the snacks, Addison leaned over the map with a mix of seriousness and confidence, her voice steady as she began to explain her reasoning for each site and the one she favored most.

“Here, look at this location. It’s close to a river, which would provide the people with a steady supply of drinkable water while we’re busy dealing with the locust swarm. We could leave them here to manage on their own, and they’d still have access to the food that came from their granaries and warehouses.”

“That way, aside from surviving for a few days to a week, their main focus would only be defense. We could draw up a proper layout for them, plan their fortifications, and appoint a capable leader to make sure everything runs smoothly. What do you all think?”

Addison didn’t notice how her eyes sparkled with fascination as she spoke, but her mates did. To them, her brilliance only amplified her beauty, and they couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear as they listened, completely captivated.

“It really is the better option,” Maxwell agreed, pointing at the spot on the map. “Among all the locations, this one not only has a water source, but since it’s a flowing river, we won’t have to worry about anyone trying to poison it and harming both our people and the livestock.”

“As for defenses, the river itself works in our favor. It’s deep enough that anyone attempting to cross would take time to do so, giving us the perfect chance to strike while they’re vulnerable.”

“Swimming across a strong current would limit their mobility, making them easy targets. On top of that, we could set up alarms on the far bank, subtle but effective, to make sure any attempt at a sneak attack is detected before it even reaches our side.”

“We could also ask Archmage Elric to set up the alarm spells on the far bank, quietly, without anyone knowing,” Levi suggested, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “That way, even if there’s a mole among the packs, they wouldn’t be aware of it, and the enemy wouldn’t be able to use the river as cover to sneak into the settlement.” His words earned an approving nod from everyone around the table.

“That works too,” Addison agreed. “We can set a few traps here and there, along with offensive arrays to catch our enemies off guard if they try to ambush the settlement. As for the moles, we could ask Elric to weave a hidden branding spell in the spots most likely used for secret meetings or contact with the enemy.”

“That way, once we’ve dealt with the intruders, Elric can reveal the marks, and we’ll be able to pinpoint the traitors immediately. With solid evidence in hand, they won’t be able to talk their way out of it.”

“So that means the secondary defense will be a hidden measure only the five of us know about?” Zion asked, lifting his gaze to Addison.

“But what if our own people fall victim to those offensive arrays?” His concern was valid; if the settlement was riddled with traps and spells meant to catch the enemies off guard, they could just as easily turn into a double-edged sword, harming their own instead.

Addison frowned at Zion’s words. She had been so focused on offense that she had overlooked the dangers it could pose to their own people. A strong offense could serve as a solid defense, but it could just as easily backfire.