Hearing what Niki revealed, Council Leader Vorik paled. "We can't let that happen." His people were very protective of females. They didn't allow them to be forced into procreation. Not even with their mates. They took measures to prevent it if the female didn't want to become pregnant and go through childbirth.

"Sir, he needs to be stopped," Dan repeated earnestly. "I know he was planning on attacking again sometime within the next few days. That was before I left. It might have changed since then. I also know that he has at least one spy somewhere inside the dome. The one I know about arrived with a group of humans right after the dome was finished."

"We have had more than several groups come after we set this dome up," Council Leader Vorik stated evenly. "In fact, there have been dozens of groups."

"There weren't any of your kind with this group," Dan cut in. "If there are records showing who was in the groups, you can pass over those groups that included your own people. It could narrow the search. The only thing that I know is that it's a male, and he has a handheld radio to communicate with Travis."

Aleigha suddenly interrupted, an idea blooming in her mind. "You said that he turned into a monster after his family was killed, right? Do you think he would change his mind about relentlessly attacking if he knew his sister was here and alive and well?"

This time, Dan paled, turning white as paper. "You need to keep her under guard or keep her hidden. Maybe go as far as to use an alternative name, one that is vastly different from her own. If his spies find out who she is to Travis, then he will do his best to get her. He will kill her mate and anyone nearby to get to her. He may even try to have her killed since he will assume she has been touched by her mate. I can tell she hasn't. She's too fragile for any type of contact like that. If he believes she has already been touched, he may even torture her to get information about this done, not caring that it's his own little sister."

"Hope was brought here the day before your friends attacked. We sent a group out looking for survivors, and she was found nearly dead. We came straight back. The others came back after they completed their search." Seeran put in, eyeing Dan. He wasn't sure he trusted him. He was, however, jealous of how Hope went straight to him and hugged him.

Dan nodded. "I know. We watched one of your ships return early. Travis called his spy and asked about what was happening. We could all tell that the shuttle was on some type of urgent mission. We just didn't know what it was. We had to wait for his spy to call back. When his spy got back to him, he told Travis that it was a girl who had been discovered and was nearly dead. That must have been her. I was standing next to Travis, so I overheard their conversation."

"You don't know the name of any of the spies?" Niki asked, a bit hopeful to get them out of the dome. "We don't like spies. It puts us all in danger."

"No, I don't. Travis made sure that he was the only one who knew who they were. He always said it was safer that way. I only know about one of them for sure. I just don't know who he is. I was listening in when his spy told him about the nearly dead girl being taken to the medic," he explained. "Even the spies don't know who the other spies are. Travis always said it was a precaution in case one of the spies got caught. They wouldn't be able to identify any of the others. I know that because they sent me here several times to peer through the dome and watch."

"You were one of his spies?" Aleigha shot back at him. Her anger was suddenly boiling. She hated rats. Specifically, spying rats.

Dan flinched at her outburst. "I was never inside the dome. I only looked through it. The one I know about is inside the dome, and yes, I was a spy. Not anymore. I will give you whatever information you need before Travis has one of his spies kill me. I am nearly 100% sure he will have me killed." Dan paused for a moment, then added. "He may try to have Kyle and Sasha killed, too, for being here. Especially if he finds out they both have mates."

Vorik studied Dan. He was trying to determine what he should do. Dan seemed to know quite a lot about Travis.

Before he could say anything, Aleigha spoke up. "He would have you killed? You grew up with him. If you went on family outings with him and his family, that means you're close. Shouldn't that at least say something about your relationship with him?"

Dan looked over at Aleigha and explained. "He changed after the invasion. He will do whatever it takes to come on top, even if it's killing his best friend or his sister, for that matter. I was his best friend once, but I don't think he sees it that way anymore. He kept me close to him, but I could tell it was more for control than our late friendship. I think he worried that I would leave. He'll see me as an obstacle to getting what he wants."

"What a dick," Niki spat under her breath. It was loud enough for everyone to hear.

Aleigha snickered while Council Leader Vorik just sighed at the sisters. He'd given up on trying to get the sisters to 'mellow out' a bit. Both girls were sarcastic and outspoken. Neither cared about hurting the feelings of others by revealing the truth. In their minds, there was no such thing as 'a little white lie' to protect hurt feelings.

They were all silent for a few moments before Council Leader Vorik spoke. "Can we trust the two we brought in yesterday? Sasha and Kyle?"

"Most likely," Seeran started. "Kyle is Rai's mate, and Sasha is Van's."

Vorik picked up his comm link, "Medic Kaul, are Sasha and Kyle well enough to be escorted to the council chambers?"

There was silence for a moment before Medic Kaul responded. "Kyle Hendrix can walk. Sasha can be brought using a stretcher, or Van can carry her."

"Get both of them here now," Vorik ordered. "If Van is in the clinic, have him come as well." Then, as if an afterthought. "I want you to be the one coming and bring Hope with you, as well. Carry her if you have to, but get here now."

"Yes, sir," Medic Kaul responded before the link went silent.

Before Seeran could say anything, Vorik turned and spoke to him. "I understand that Hope is your mate, but you need to stay here. The need to get her here safely outweighs the fact that another male must carry her to get her here. You should also remember that he has his own mate."

Seeran sighed, then nodded in agreement.

"We need to devise a plan to keep everyone safe. If this Travis is willing to kill his friends and perhaps even his own sister, we need a plan of action to keep them safe while they are inside the dome. We have a responsibility to see to their safety. We have enough to worry about with him attacking us," Vorik stated evenly. Sitting back in his chair, he sat in deep thought, waiting for all those he had ordered to arrive.

Dan watched in silence, keeping his shock to himself. He was surprised by the extent to which their leader was going to keep what was only hours ago the enemy safe.

The door to the council room opened, and a Medic Kaul came in holding Hope. He set her down gently. She carefully walked to Seeran and stood at his side. Two guards had Kyle. He was placed in a chair; his bindings remained secured. Van had Sasha in his arms while Rai stood in the background, looking uncomfortable.

Once settled, Medic Kaul spoke. "I thought it would be appropriate for Rai to be here since Kyle is her mate."

Council Leader Vorik nodded, then looked at Rai. "I'm sorry for forgetting your bond with Kyle Hendrix. I did not think to have you brought here as well." Then, looking at the guards, "You may go. Speak nothing of who is in this room. We have spies amongst us. It is imperative that they do not discover what is taking place in this room at this moment."

The two guards nodded in agreement before giving the gesture of respect and then left the room.

Scanning all those in the room, Council Leader Vorik sat back in his chair. "Let us begin."

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