Serix chuckled at Cassie’s excitement at the prospect of having a child. She was already way beyond him in planning how to raise it and teach it to accept its unusual heritage. He was still just thinking about the humans’ reactions when they found out—as they would find out eventually—about what he and and his mate were trying to do. He only hoped they would be forgiving because of Cassie’s good standing with them. The half-bloods may have hated him because he was a Lunairan, but at least she had earned their trust and loyalty. That had to count for something, right?

“With you around to tell it how perfect it is, I’m sure any child of ours will feel completely accepted,” Serix assured her with a soft smile. “You’re already so caring and fiercely protective, and the baby hasn’t even been conceived!” He laughed again and drew her into a playful embrace, burying his face against her neck. “I love you, Cassie. Your passion for the things you care about is endearing. I’m lucky I get to call you mine.”

---

Over the course of the next three weeks, things slowly returned to normal. Serix’s injuries healed almost completely, leaving nothing but faint scars in their place on his back. He worked hard whenever the humans allowed him to help out and eventually regained the trust of all but Hunter and Ryan—although the latter was likely just frustrated with him for winning over the female he loved. Overall, the caverns were peaceful once more. No one tried to lay traps or start any trouble. It was even beginning to seem like many of the humans were softening to the idea of accepting Serix as one of their own.

He should have known it was too good to last.

The invasion happened on a day like any other, when Serix and Cassie were helping till the fields of the humans’ artificial farm. They were assisted by Jerry and Sarah, who made their usual sibling banter to keep the work entertaining, and by Tori, who gave her usual silent smile when her mate cracked a joke. Everything was fine until Gunner sprinted out of one of the tunnels, eyes wide and weapon drawn. The group in the fields looked up, alarmed.

Gunner paused only to catch his breath before shouting, “Lunairans in the hideout! Everybody, arm yourselves and get ready to fight.”

“What?” Jerry gasped, all humor fled from his eyes and he grabbed Tori’s hand without a second thought. “I need to get her out of here… I’ll come to help soon! Hold them off until I get back.” His gaze flicked to Serix for a brief second, but he said nothing more and turned instead to run down another hallway with his startled mate in tow.

Sarah frowned concernedly as she watched her brother take off, then turned to eye Serix with hostility, growling: “Well, now’s as good a time as any to prove which side you’re really on, alien. Who’s it gonna be? Us or them?”

Still reeling from Gunner’s unexpected announcement, Serix barely registered the female’s words. Other Lunairans? Here? Now? What was going on? He knew where his loyalties lay—with Cassie—but that didn’t mean he wanted to fight his own people. [i]No, no, no, no. This can’t be happening.[/i] He raked his fingers through his hair in frustration; his wide, violet eyes fixed on the ground in front of him. It had been hard enough for him to fight the Scouts last time, and they were even threatening to kill his mate! Even though he knew he only had one option, he couldn’t help but feel torn.

“I…” Serix faltered. He swallowed and took a breath, forcing himself to accept the situation, then looked up at Sarah with newfound determination. “I’m on your side. Show us where the weapons are.”