"This is Artemis, my chosen mate. As you see she carries my pup. You will treat her with the same respect you give me. Insubordination will result in immediate punishment."

Rhage surveyed the room as he let his words sink in. He would not stand for any slights towards his mate, either, something he voiced. There were the nods of heads as he waited but one voice spoke up, much to the surprise of the room. A Young Blood with yellow-green skin and dull grey armor stepped forward, his blue gaze narrowed towards Artemis in disdain; disgust even.

The Elder Yautja already saw what was coming and he didn't appreciate it.

"Why do you mate with such a weak species? Why not leave her on Earth? She brings nothing for the advancement of the clan, Leader Rhage." The Young Blood crossed his arms across his armored chest.

Rhage remembered when he was once a Young Blood. So full of aggression and a desire to prove himself. This one before him, one he had trained many years before, had that same look in his eyes as he once had; so ready to prove himself and to question all that could potentially harm the clan.

Instead of reacting with cruelty, Rhage chose empathy. "Young Blood, I understand your concerns. Her species is not as weak as you speak. Listen to me now, pup." Rhage leaned forward in his seat, being careful to keep Artemis secure while he moved. "In time you will learn that her species is cunning and quick witted. We are stronger and faster, yes, but do not let this deceive you. Concerning Artemis, my chosen mate, she shows a bravery that is very rarely seen.

"She was locked in my holding cell and chose bravery over cowering in a corner, knowing our species is greatly feared by her own. She was forcibly made to carry my pup and chose to accept it. You may think she is weak but she is not. Do not let looks deceive you, Young Blood. Let this be a lesson," he swept his gaze around the room, "to all of you. Remember you are never seasoned enough to no longer need a lesson."

The Young Blood cast his eyes to the floor as he pounded his fist upon his chest, a sign of respect. "Forgive me, Leader Rhage."

Rhage nodded, "You are forgiven. Next time I will not be so forgiving." His voice dropped several octaves to drive home his point as the authoritative figure in the situation.

Artemis shifted on his thigh, her face changing in color ever so slightly. She seemed to be in pain but was trying to hide it. He wanted to ask what was wrong but was interrupted by another voice speaking up. It was his first born, Dhare.

"She is a wonderful addition to the clan. May Paya bless her and the clan." Others joined him voicing their support, their fists thumping against their chest in a silent approval.

The room filled with the roars of the Yautja, their growls mixing together in a violent cacophony that had Artemis holding onto his arm as he held her close. When the noise finally died down he continued to speak. He told of where he had been the past few months and what came of it. There was also the job of hearing from those who wished to speak with him, the rest of the clan leaving silently.

One by one they approached the dais and he listened to each and every one. He had missed interacting with his people, making sure to meet their individual needs and weigh their more difficult requests, such as reassignment or his blessing for a hunt. There was one request of a mated couple, the last in line, that made Artemis lean forward slightly.

One of her hands had been rubbing her swell gently but she went to cradling it as the couple walked forward.

"Leader Rhage, Kova and I have been blessed with a male pup. Enoch is his name." A tall slender female stepped forward, her grey and white body contrasting with her mate's green and brown. Both stood side by side, the female holding a bundled pup in her arms. She brought the pup closer for both Rhage and Artemis to see.

Rhage could see his mate itching to hold the little one, to see an infant of his species. He knew she was curious from the many times he had felt her innocent stare when she didn't think he noticed. "You have been blessed indeed. May my mate hold your pup?"

The female, Rhage knew her as Greela, nodded. Her mate Kova stiffened slightly but relaxed when his mate sent a small growl in his direction, her yellow eyes narrowing.

Slowly she approached Artemis who turned her face towards Rhage in silent question. "Am I even allowed to...you know...touch someone else's child?"

His face stretched into the Yautja version of a smile, "Yes, but I have asked their permission for you."

A beaming white smile was his thank you as she happily turned to take the pup into her arms. Rhage found a little infant Yautja with his sire's coloring, his shiny green and brown skin not yet rough. His tiny mandibles covered a toothless mouth and there were very small tusks on the tips of his mandibles. Being what seemed a week or two old the infant had not yet grown any locs, his head bare but covered by the thick fabric he was wrapped in. The rest of his visible body resembled a human infant except for the smooth green and brown skin.

Artemis smiled as she gently touched the infant here and there. She looked up at the mother with warmth in her eyes, "Your little one is adorable. What is his name?"

Greela cast her eyes to Rhage briefly before responding in English, "Enoch, my lady."

"Oh, what a lovely name." She looked down as the infant opened his eyes and grabbed hold of her finger with a grip that made Artemis smile wider. "What a strong little fella, too! I'm sure he will make you very proud one day." Gently she returned the infant to the anxious mother who stood watching each move the human made.

"Thank you, Artemis. He will. Paya has blessed us." Greela turned to Rhage with a respectful slow nod, "And may Paya bless your unborn."

Rhage grunted in response as the mated couple turned to leave, what little remained of the crowd parting the way for them.

Just as he had hoped, his clan had welcomed Artemis and they had seen how she felt towards their kind — despite his scent being all over and mingling with the barely there traces of their sexual rendezvous that earlier morning. In his lap Artemis sat quietly with a smile on her face, the first he had seen in days. Seeing it once again filled him with great pride that he was the cause.

"Their little guy had a strong grip." She whispered, not knowing that the mingling Yautja in the room could still hear her.

"Yautja young are stronger than human young from birth."

A finger stroked her soft curls as she turned to sit sideways in his lap, her legs resting across his thighs. His little mate sighed ever so slightly as she once again tried to get comfortable. "What troubles you? I may be of assistance."

Artemis grimaced as she rubbed her hips with both hands. "Just growing pains. It's typical, at least according to an online search, but it's more than usual since the little one is growing so fast." A pained huff of breath escaped her lips.

He hadn't thought about the difference in gestation between their species. The thought made him gather her in his arms and settle her between his thighs on the throne where he trapped her with his legs, thinking the warmth of his body would help soothe her aches. She stiffened as he pulled her close enough for his member to press against her back. It was of no extra thought from him until he noticed her discomfort, practically smelling it.

"Is something the matter?" He wrapped his arms around her and drew her fully against his body protectively.

The Yautja in the room left when they smelled the change in Artemis's scent, being discreet to give their leader and his mate the privacy they needed, the last two guards closing the doors to stand outside them.

The little female swallowed softly, "N-no...I...uhh...n-never...uhhh...been with anyone intimately so...I'm sorry for being...uncomfortable..." She struggled to speak, embarrassment coloring her pale cheeks a rosy color as she turned her face to shyly glance at him.

Rhage was stunned. He had thought that maybe she had not had much experience when he had toyed with her in the cleansing pool, but not to the extent that she now proclaimed. Surely someone as beautiful as her would've already rutted with a male on her planet. Had the people who kidnapped her done an even more grievous wrong against her?

"Tell me Artemis. When I pleasured you...was that the first time you have been intimate with another?" Male pride swelled in his chest already knowing the answer. Her body currently told him.

"Yes, but I've never actually...had sex...before."

He wanted to roar victoriously that he would be her first, and last, if she would even have him. "Was I the first to touch you?"

"Y-yes."

In her culture he knew this was a big deal, much like the chiva was in his. For many it was an emotional experience helping to bridge them into opening themself before another. A trust exercise but in the most intimate way involving flesh on flesh, bared to one another as they gave into lust and temptation. Rutting to the Yautja was just the means for procreation, though they did choose to enjoy it when they wanted to. It just wasn't what it was to them as it was to humans.

"Did you like it?" Of course he knew the answer to this as well; he enjoyed her timid shy reaction. He loved the way her cheeks turned color and the way she squirmed in the hold of his thighs. Feeling her little body come apart in his arms that dayrise was an experience that he would savor, a first of many firsts.

She was his prey and he enjoyed seeing what made her tick.

"Yes, very much so."

That spark of bravery he enjoyed so much showed itself so he decided to push her further. "Would you like to touch it?" He wanted her to say the word, much to his wicked delight.

Artemis shrunk as he leaned over her, some of his locs falling to the sides of her head and the red tips touching her bare shoulders. He surrounded her with his body as he drank in the sweet scent of her nervousness and mild arousal.

"Touch what, Rhage?" Her words were mere whispers, her breath hitching softly as he nuzzled her head with the side of his face while he purred gently.

"You know what, Artemis."

Being the schooled hunter he was, he waited for her to say the words. Patience would bring his reward and after a few moments it did. Artemis drew in a long shaky breath, her pink tongue wetting her lips.

"Your...cock?" She couldn't see it but he smiled in triumph, a deep growl of approval rumbling in his chest.

His hips ground his hardening cock against her so she could feel him first. Knowing how big he was he knew it was going to be painful for her, so he knew he would need to stretch her as gently as he could when they first rutted. It was something unavoidable. At least he knew she would never experience a fullness like being stuffed with Yautja meat. Humans had little comparison in terms of girth and size, mainly due to his being a larger species in general, both in height and weight. Rhage's sire had come in at a burly three-hundred and fifty Earth pounds of muscle alone.

Quickly he picked her up with an arm and spun her around to face him. She gave a little yelp that brought him great satisfaction.

Surprising her with his speed and strength was something he enjoyed. He couldn't wait to show her how much stamina he had for certain exercises of the flesh. She may fear him less than she had, but she would come to learn some for his stamina. No human could compare and he felt masculine primitive pride that she would always be satisfied in the most carnal of ways.

"Touch my cock." Removing his navy loincloth, he bared his heavy and alert cock to her eyes.

He chuckled at seeing her eyes grow wide when she finally looked. She glanced up at him, the deep blue orbs full of surprise and innocence. At the age of twenty-seven she was still naive about certain aspects of life, but he was ready to be her teacher.

A cautious finger reached out and touched the tip, exploring the ridges that ringed his member. His cock was pale yellow in color like his forearms and palms but sheathed in smooth scales. Slowly a few more fingers joined in their exploration. While she explored the organ he busied himself raking his claws against the bone armrests of his throne back and forth, fighting the instinct to thrust his hips.

Her tiny hand felt so good against his cock as she innocently explored, unaware of the effect it was having on him. Feeling her soft skin caress him so intimately nearly broke him of his schooled control. All eight-hundred and ninety-seven years of it.

Some things in life were worth losing control over, he had learned.

"It's so...big. No wonder you never wear pants." She muttered as she attempted to wrap her hand around his cock, her hand too small to completely do so. It was when she squeezed his cock in an attempt to close her hand around his girth that he released a throaty growl, his mandibles flaring open. The primitive masculine pride he felt over her complimenting his size filled his chest with satisfaction while she continued to explore.

Her eyes fell upon him as he gazed down at her with scorching eyes that rivaled the twin suns, his gaze neon green. His mandibles spread apart as he panted through the lightning that jolted his body when she gripped him so tightly.

"I'm sorry. Did that hurt?" She released his cock in surprise, concern on her face.

"No. Opposite." He felt incapable of coherent speech. Only short snippets of garbled English. His breath came out in pants as he enjoyed the sensations she was bringing upon his body.

Understanding seemed to spark in Artemis's gaze as she gripped him once more, watching Rhage's reaction. Up and down she pumped her hand — once, twice, thrice, and a fourth time, watching his reaction. Their eyes never parted as he grunted, almost growling as she gauged what he liked.

"Does that feel good?" Her voice was innocent yet she drove him mad with need. He didn't think she had noticed how enticing her softly spoken innocent words were, how much he craved to bend her over the throne and pauk the c'jit out of her.

Rhage growled as she decided to drag her little blunt nails down the length of his shaft.

"Yes." He hissed. "You walk a thin line, mate."

"I'm not doing it wrong, am I?"

"No."

Her hand returned to gently stroking his throbbing shaft, the dark green veins appearing on the surface from the pent up pleasure he felt. He wanted to roar in ecstasy but he didn't want to scare her — instead he growled. Feeling her hands fondle his most intimate part was thrilling.

No female had ever brought such sweet ecstasy upon him before. None would ever compare. No female Yautja would ever satisfy him the way she was now, her soft hands working him near an orgasm. Her pleasuring him was unexpected, too.

Rhage had thought she'd have one touch and that'd be enough. She'd surprised him. Her bravery had appeared.

Those soft hands found his sack and that was when he had enough. In a matter of mere seconds he had them flipped with her lying on her back, her legs spread open and dress pushed out of the way as he leaned over her. He settled his cock in the soft folds of her sex and, using all his willpower, gently rocked his hips back and forth enjoying how slick she was. Artemis moaned softly, her legs coming to wrap around his thick waist for stability — even gently, his rocking moved her back and forth in the seat of his throne.

He was lost in the sensation of her cunt rubbing against his cock, enjoying how her heart fluttered while their little one's remained steady. Their scents mingled with one another and filled the room. It wasn't penetration but it was enough for him to reach that peak.

Artemis cried out with her own release as he spilled his seed onto her spread thighs. Her creamy flesh was coated in sticky white and once he was depleted fully he quickly went to cleaning the mess he had made with his discarded loincloth.

Kneeling before the throne before her open thighs, her soft flesh just showing the hints of glistening stretch marks, he felt like he was worshipping Kayana at her altar. Artemis was his goddess and his throne the altar. There she lied so open and vulnerable before him. So trusting and brave. Her cleanly shaven mound glistened in the low lighting of the room with the juices of her release, utterly beautiful but so...erotic.

He, an Elder, was brought to his knees by such a tiny creature. She ignited feelings he had never felt for another, especially on such an intimate level. This...human...brought upon a weakness of the heart that at times made him guess if he were at the end of his life naturally, his heart beating irregularly whenever he saw her.

Seeing her stride so confidently into the room and resembling her namesake had made his heart beat irregularly. The dress bared flesh in the most sensual way, her long legs on display as well as the lightning stripe lavender stretch marks that decorated her sides.

Signs of a life giver.

"Is everything alright, Rhage?"

He turned his gaze to find she had sat up, one hand caressing her swell and watching him with bright eyes. A small hand came to sweep her knuckles down the side of his face. Her soft touch made him purr and lean into her touch.

For once in his life, he hadn't paid any attention to his surroundings, something that in his species' lifestyle would mean instant death. But for Artemis, to be lost in his head around her, it was worth it.

"I am alright. Are you still in pain?" She scooted closer to the edge of the chair where her legs dangled in front of him. One of his hands fixed her dress and caressed a hip, being very light with his touch.

A shake of her head was his answer, her knuckles continued to stroke his skin. "What about you? You seemed far off."

"Far off?" He was right here.

"Lost in your thoughts."

He had been lost in his thoughts, but of her, the human who gazed at him with such concern. They barely knew each other but already the storm was brewing. She had to be a gift in the flesh for having been an honorable creature and following the Code to the strictest, for building the clan his sire had left him with into something bigger and stronger, or maybe for having survived more dangerous hunts than one could imagine. Rhage could conquer worlds if he cared to, but he did not.

"I am lost in thought, yes. Forgive my weakness." Rhage caressed her belly as he heard the little one start to move around.

He wasn't ready to admit a weakness for her.

Artemis smiled gently, her hand moving to rub the side of her swell. "You're not weak, Rhage." Their hands met as he leaned forward and her hand moved to rest atop his. She was so small. "You're the strongest person I know. I admire that about you."

"Admire me?" His head cocked to the side in question.

"Yep."

This pleased him. He decided to push her some more, to see what else she would admit. "Are you afraid of me?"

She was visibly taken aback, "No. Should I?"