Chapter 537  Siege 4

“Yes, Princess!”

The warriors and their respective Alphas responded in unison.

Now that they had been properly organized, their earlier panic gradually faded. Addison’s calm and decisive commands had given them a clear direction, and with each order she issued, their confidence slowly returned.

Seeing her standing there, composed, steady, and unshaken despite the chaos around them, made them feel reassured.

Her confidence spread through the ranks like a steady flame.

The nervousness and uncertainty that had gripped them moments ago began to disappear, replaced by renewed determination as they straightened their backs and prepared to stand their ground.

Now, Addison was even more certain.

The sudden attack and the poisoning of the livestock had to be connected.

This wasn’t a coincidence.

It was a deliberate trap.

Their enemy was trying to force her into making an impossible choice.

Should she place all her resources into defending the temporary shelter?

If she did, the doctors and healers would eventually be needed on the battlefield as well. The warriors fighting on the front line would inevitably suffer injuries and exhaustion, and without medical support, their defenses could collapse.

But if she chose that path, the livestock would almost certainly die.

And losing so many animals would create a devastating long-term food crisis for the entire kingdom.

The other option was the one she was currently taking, continuing to save the livestock.

But that came with its own cost.

Diverting doctors and manpower to treat the animals meant fewer healers available for wounded warriors. If the warriors were badly injured, poisoned, or too exhausted for their wolf forms to sustain their rapid healing, they might not survive the battle.

No matter which choice she made…

There would be heavy consequences.

Heavy losses.

Realizing this, Addison’s gaze darkened slightly.

This had to be part of the enemy’s plan.

They weren’t simply attacking the camp; they were playing mind games, pressuring her into a situation where every decision carried a painful price.

And if the burden of those losses piled up…

Eventually, it could weigh heavily on her judgment.

A single mistake born from that pressure might be all their enemy needed.

But Addison was no stranger to this kind of pressure.

Instead of panicking, a faint smirk appeared on her lips.

She refused to lose by following the script their enemies had prepared for her.

If they wanted to force her into making a desperate choice, then she would simply refuse to choose.

She would hold the line and save the livestock at the same time.

All they needed was time.

If they could endure a little longer, Zion and Maxwell would eventually return. Once they arrived, their manpower would increase significantly.

More importantly, Zion and Maxwell alone possessed combat strength comparable to an entire group of elite werewolves.

With them present, the balance of the battle could change completely.

For now, all Addison could do was place her hope in that possibility and buy as much time as she could.

Just then, she finally spotted Levi.

“Addie! What’s going on?!” Levi called out.

He jogged toward her the moment he saw her approaching him through the chaos of the camp.

“We’re under attack,” Addison said quickly. “The enemy is advancing far too fast, and we still don’t know if it’s the rogues again. I’ve already put our defensive measures in place, but I need you to keep a close eye on the food supplies.”

Her gaze hardened.

“Make sure no one sabotages them, no matter what.”

The seriousness in her expression was enough for Levi to understand the hidden meaning behind her words. He immediately nodded, choosing not to ask further questions. This wasn’t the time or place to discuss such sensitive matters.

Seeing that he understood, Addison turned to Mary, who stood just behind her, looking anxious.

“Mary,” Addison said firmly, “I need you to watch over the animal pens and monitor the situation there. If anything seems wrong, come find me immediately.”

Mary quickly nodded.

Just as Addison finished speaking and prepared to leave, Levi suddenly reached out and caught her wrist.

He frowned deeply.

Levi looked at her, his voice low and questioning.

“Where are you going?”

He tried not to sound demanding, but the worry in his chest made his tone come out heavier than he intended.

Addison met his gaze without hesitation.

“I need to monitor the situation at the wall,” she explained. “The packs guarding the wall aren’t experienced in battle. Mistakes and casualties are bound to happen if no one guides them.”

Her expression remained calm but resolute. “I have to keep an eye on them and prevent any major losses.”

Levi immediately shook his head. “Then I’ll go,” he said firmly. “You stay here and monitor the food supplies.”

He began to move, clearly intending to head toward the wall himself.

But this time, Addison reached out and grabbed his arm, pulling him back before he could take another step.

“No, that won’t work,” Addison said, shaking her head. “You’ve been the one overseeing the movement of the food supplies this entire time. If something goes wrong here and the numbers don’t match later, I wouldn’t even know where to start looking.”

She gave him a small but firm look. “In the end, I’d still have to send someone to find you and ask about it.”

Her grip on his arm loosened slightly. “So it’s better if you stay here and continue monitoring everything. I’ll go check on the walls instead.”

Seeing the worry still lingering on Levi’s face, Addison gently patted his hand. “And don’t worry,” she added softly. “I won’t rush into the front line at the first opportunity to fight. I’ll just supervise the situation and guide the others.”

She offered him a reassuring smile. “So you can rest assured.”

Levi pursed his lips, clearly hesitant.

But in the end, he relented under Addison’s firm gaze. With a reluctant nod, he stayed behind to continue monitoring the food supplies.

At the same time, he heightened his senses, remaining extremely alert. If anyone tried to take advantage of the chaos to sabotage their provisions, he would notice immediately.

That way, Addison could focus entirely on her own task.

Without wasting another second, the two of them headed toward their respective posts.

Addison hurried toward the wall.

Behind it stood a raised wooden platform built earlier, allowing the warriors stationed there to see beyond the barrier and keep watch over the surrounding forest.

She didn’t hesitate.

Climbing quickly onto the platform, Addison lifted her gaze toward the tree line.

Just as she reached the top, movement began to appear at the edge of the forest.

Figures started emerging from the shadows between the trees.

And in that moment, she finally understood what was attacking them.

The first creatures to rush out were goblins.

Small, twisted figures with greenish skin and crude weapons poured out from the forest.

“It’s a monster wave!” one of the nearby warriors shouted loudly, his voice carrying toward the camp behind them so everyone would know what was coming.

“Wait…” Addison stopped the warrior before he could shout again.

Then her expression darkened.

“It’s not just a monster wave,” she said sharply. “The wild animals and monsters are attacking together!”

Her voice carried a note of alarm.

Moments earlier, she had spotted something that made her heart jolt.