"Second: six men, northern border, 2:40 AM."
"Third: four men, southwest border, 3:15 AM..."
Evan stared at the data for several seconds. "They always choose pre-dawn hours, keep numbers between four and seven..."
"And never stay to fight." I continued. "The moment they encounter strong resistance, immediate retreat."
"Like they're testing us." Evan sucked in a breath.
"And training." I stood again, walking back to the map. My finger moved slowly across it, from the western border to the north, the southwest, and the east.
"See the pattern." I pointed at the map. "First attack west, we deploy heavy forces to defend the west. Second attack north, we shift troops north. Third, fourth... every time we're reacting."
I turned to face Evan.
"They're observing our response speed, our troop deployment, our tactical habits... all this intelligence is preparation for something bigger."
The office fell silent again. Evan stared hard at the map, fine sweat beading on his forehead.
I understood his tension.
An enemy who could organize and train rogue wolves, convince them to die to keep secrets...
This wasn't an ordinary threat.
"But what they don't know is." I sat back down, voice returning to that reassuring calm. "I'm watching them too."
I pulled up another data set.
"Their numbers each attack, retreat routes, places... seemingly random, but there's a pattern."
"Like?"
"Like they never choose the area between outposts nine and eleven." I zoomed in on that location. "In the past fourteen attacks, no matter where our defensive focus was, they've avoided this spot."
Evan studied the area carefully. "But that's just an ordinary forest..."
"On the surface." I cut him off. "But dig down thirty meters, there'san abandoned mine shaft leading straight into Silver Moon Pack's heartland."
Evan's eyes widened instantly.
"They deliberately avoid it, which proves that's the real target." I leaned back in my chair, feeling a flicker of pleasure at how the tables had turned after seven years of cat and mouse.
"Redeploy immediately." I issued orders with unhurried authority. "Pull heavy forces from outposts five and seven, leave only regular patrols."
"But Alpha, those two outposts have been our key defensive positions for the last three attacks..."
"Exactly." I looked at him. "They've already mapped our defensive strength there. Next time, they won't choose a frontal assault."
I stood and walked to the map, finger pointing between outposts nine and eleven.
"Deploy main forces here. Hidden posts every fifty meters, two elite warrior teams at the abandoned mine entrance, twenty-four-hour surveillance."
"Also." I turned. "Bring in Damon."
"Damon?" Evan paused.
Damon was Silver Moon Pack's best tracker, could read everything about invaders from a broken branch, a shallow footprint.
