Sophia's POV
Day two of evacuations brought new complications.
The three scattered homesteads were resisting harder than the settlements. Apparently, word had spread overnight about the forcible removals, and now families were preparing to fight back.
“They've barricaded doors,” the team leader reported. “Set up basic defenses. Nothing military-grade, but enough to make entry difficult.”
“How many families?”
“Fifteen total across the three homesteads. Maybe forty wolves.”
Forty wolves who'd rather fight than flee.
I should have admired their courage.
Instead, I just felt tired.
“Offer them one more chance,” I decided. “Full evacuation by sunset. If they refuse, we breach the barricades and move them by force.”
“That could get violent.”
“I know.” I looked at the map, calculating.
