Emma stared at the small potion in her hand, then up at the tall Rank 7 male Etherian standing before her. For a moment, her mind short-circuited. She asked, frowning, "Why on earth did your leader send you to protect me?" She didn't know anyone in the Interstellar Hunter Alliance. The male responded calmly, "Our leader is Edric Lachman. He's your suitor." Emma blinked in surprise. Edric? No way. He's the leader of the freaking Interstellar Hunter Alliance? Laura gawked like she'd just seen a ghost. Meanwhile, a cold weight settled in Damian's gut. Oh, great. Just great. If his memory served him right, the leader of the Interstellar Hunter Alliance was from the Violet Obsidian clan—a high-bloodline Ophidian. Most of NexusPrime Tech's beast meat, energy cores, and rare herbs were directly sourced from them. Seriously, Edric? You couldn't drop the tiny detail that you're an Ophidian? Way to bury the headline, buddy. Now that Emma realized the Interstellar Hunter Alliance team wasn't the enemy, she stopped pretending to be polite. "It's too dangerous out here," she babbled. "Let's get inside that cave and talk." There was no time to chat in the open. She grasped Damian's arm and started running, with the others following closely behind. … Thirty minutes later, they were jammed shoulder to shoulder inside a damp, echoing cave. The ground outside trembled again, the rumbling intensifying with each passing second. The horde of beasts was closing in fast. Emma took out two vials provided by the Interstellar Hunter Alliance team, along with her own Rank 8 scent-masking potion. She applied a few drops to each person and then scattered a little more near the cave entrance. She couldn't simply protect herself and Laura; that wasn't her style. She declared confidently, "We got here as a team. We either survive together or not at all. No one is left behind." Laura's mate and the three members of the Interstellar Hunter Alliance had already prepared to sacrifice themselves if necessary. Protecting the female was ingrained in their code of conduct. They didn't expect Emma to apply her potion to them. Neither did Damian. He glanced at her quietly. She'd been holding his hand the entire sprint up the mountain—tight grip, no hesitation. Not once did she think about letting go. Laura's eyes glistened. She grasped her partner's hand and uttered, "Emma's right. We stick together." Her mate's throat tightened. Laura had always treated her mates like family, and now Emma had done the same. The Rank 7 male Etherian spoke again, "We'll make it. Mr. Lachman sent word—he's already on his way. He's a peak Rank 9 powerhouse. He'll get here soon." That guy, Edric, sure moved fast, Damian thought. Guess he's not one to waste time. He tightened his grip on Emma's hand and murmured, "Ms. Tibarn, I've got you. I'll keep you safe." If Edric doesn't make it in time, screw it. I'll drop the act and show them who I really am. Ms. Tibarn has had my back this whole d*mn way—no way I'm letting her take the hit for me. Emma nodded. "I trust Edric, and I trust you."Even as she said it, her mind continued to analyze the situation. If a Level 8 beast attacks us, we're not entirely doomed. With all of us combined and the gear I have, we might be able to survive. Five years by myself taught me one thing: I should never depend on anyone. Edric might not make it in time, and Damian… he's strong, but Rank 5 isn't enough against that kind of monster. Guess it's on me, like always. A deep rumble echoed outside, shaking dust from the ceiling. Rocks began to tumble down the mountainside. This was it—the closest she'd ever come to death since landing on this godforsaken planet. One minute crawled by. Then, two… five… ten. ...Then came a roar so powerful it rattled her bones. Damian instantly flung himself forward, shielding her completely. Outside, a dozen Level 6 beasts roared past the cave entrance. Then the air itself seemed to explode. A crushing wave of energy rolled through the ground, hitting them like a freight train. Everyone froze where they sat, not even daring to breathe. So, this is the power of a level 8 beast? Holy hell. The roar outside made Emma's ears ring. That monstrous aura swept over the mountain again and again, as if it were sniffing them out. Time felt endless. … After what seemed like an hour, the pressure finally began to fade. The Level 8 beast didn't find them.Relief hit Emma so hard her knees gave out. She dropped onto the cold cave floor. "Ms. Tibarn!" Damian crouched beside her, panic flickering in his eyes. "I'm fine," she told him, trying to breathe. "My legs just gave up." She stayed still for a while, forcing her heartbeat to slow. Laura didn't look any better. "Since my awakening, I've never been this close to dying," she whispered, clutching Emma's hand with shaking fingers. Emma managed a tired smile. Her body was shot, but her head was clear. Damian handed her a potion. She drank it, then nodded for him to release her hand. Laura's Rank 7 mate stood, his voice steady. "I'll take point. Once I give the all-clear, you move." He turned to Damian. "You're Rank 5. It's too risky for you out there. I'll handle it."He didn't intend to insult him; it was simply the truth. A Rank 5 male Etherian venturing out there was practically inviting disaster.