•

A few days passed and Artemis got to witness more of the day to day work that went with Rhage's position as leader of his people.

She couldn't understand their language but she could tell that he was respected and admired. He seemed to be a kind and generous leader. Everyone he interacted with seemed honored to be in his mere presence. During the visits, whether it was with his council or someone who wished to speak with him in the throne room, there was nothing but respect in the eyes of the Yautja.

On Earth there was only corruption and more corruption when you dug deeper. Here there was none of that.

She had watched as a male presented another male who stood at her height, a look of pride in the father's eyes as Rhage shook the son's shoulder. Both looked at Rhage with that respect everyone had for him. There were garbled exchanged words between the adults and the clapping of shoulders, the father pounding his fist on his chest. The sight made her smile as she stood off to the side and out of their way.

Instead of being bored holed up in their apartment all day, she enjoyed getting to meet the people and interact with them. His people were curious about her and Rhage was quick to correct the ones who stared too long or were too close and personal with their curiosity. There was not once that he raised a hand — his warning growl was enough. He had tried to talk her out of going with him due to safety concerns but she made it clear that she felt safer by his side.

"I feel safer with you." She had pleaded one morning, giving him the best puppy eyes she could muster.

He relented with a heavy sigh. Folding his beefy arms across his chest he'd stood there and scowled, his face visibly scrunching up.

"Fine. I appreciate your admission, mate." Kneeling before her he caressed her cheek with his claws. "The fact that you take interest in the clan pleases me."

"Should I not?"

"No. When you get tired I will carry you, yes?" That gleam in his eyes told her he would thoroughly enjoy doing so. She nodded and on they went.

It had been a week since she jerked him off when there was a meeting in the meeting room that had her excited.

Projected above the table was a planet that resembled Mars but had a few patches of green and a body of water that was of sizable proportion, the size of an inlet sea. The virtual image spun as it would in its celestial neighborhood. Seeing such a sight had her invested despite the language barrier. The Yautja around the table, including Rhage and Dhare were engrossed in some sort of debate.

Two of his councilmen, Valam and Kokum, growled back and forth at each other, rapid clicking and chittering filling the noise of their voices. They only calmed down once Rhage pounded his meaty fist into the table with a snarl; the sudden slam was enough to make Artemis jump in surprise. The men were too deep into whatever plan they were talking about to notice her heartbeat pick up. It seemed the argument had ended with Rhage's snarl.

She didn't know what they argued about but it had gotten intense, a hand over her heart to steady the beat. These creatures, as big as they were, reminded her of the men back home. It seemed wherever you went the men were similar, full of testosterone or the equivalent on their world.

Artemis released a giggle that she immediately regretted when all eyes snapped to her, a few of the men turning in their chairs to eye her. Most of them looked at her curiously while the others just observed her. She could feel her face turn white as she shrunk into her sitting spot in the window, the sunlight casting her shadow onto the black floor. Having so many eyes on her was unnerving.

Dr. More and his associates flashed through her head as they stared. An unwelcome memory of when she was first captured rose and that was enough to have her making a quick escape from the room.

She didn't hear Rhage's garbled words in his language as she left the room in a flurry. Her mind was still swirling with the images of being strapped to the table and the sadistic faces that looked down at her when they had stripped her and hosed her down or when she had tried to escape but ended up being taken down by a mountain of a security guard and tased with a cattle prod until she passed out.

The air was suffocating as she mindlessly followed the maze, passing by the towering aliens. They were too busy to stop and stare but many saw the curious state she was in, too polite and wary of Rhage's rules against touching her.

It was when Artemis burst outside onto a secluded balcony that she started to break down, the memories flickering by like an old timey projector. Her lungs burned as she worked to calm herself but it didn't seem enough.

No one had done anything in the room.

They were curious, she reminded herself.

It was her that been attacked by her own mind. It was out of nowhere.

Something so innocent such as a few stares had set her off into flashbacks and PTSD roaring it's hideous face.

Surely she shouldn't think of those memories again. Right? She thought knowing they were all dead would be good enough, that she could move on from that part of her life. That she could make a place for herself here, on an alien planet of all places surrounded by aliens, but at least she was protected.

It counted. Yeah.

She would never go back.

She'd never see the faces again.

They were gone.

A memory.

Nothing but the past.

A phase in her life that was no more.

She walked to lean against the metal railing that was thankfully taller than her and placed her hands upon the warm surface, pressing her palms and nose into it as she actively worked to breathe in and out of her nose. Her rapidly beating heart didn't slow but she could slowly feel her nerves cool down and her body return to the ground she stood upon. The memories faded as she repeated to herself that they were gone and she was here, not there.

"Here in the present and not in the past. Come on Artemis, you're literally named after a goddess for fuck's sake. You can't let the past control you. Stop being weak." Artemis berated herself, angry that when confronted with something so innocent as eight pairs of eyes studying her she had lost herself in the past.

There she was, trying to appear strong and put together when she hadn't even processed the trauma she had been through.

In the face of so many creatures who literally embodied strength she thought she could be strong, too. She was strong, she knew it, but the past was always there. Nipping at her toes like a cool winter frost.

Always watching.

Rhage's kind eyes replaced all of the sinister ones she had seen as she stood there gazing out onto the city in the dying light of the day. It was thinking of him that she felt some sort of inner peace, a warmth that chased the bitter cold away. Such a thing was startling. The damn Yautja had crept a way into her heart like no one had, not even the many crushes or boyfriends she had before.

A creature capable of such violence and death had clawed his way into her heart. A creature she was developing affection for.

It wasn't love.

It was too soon and too early.

What was there was affection and companionship with this typically calm and level headed person, this alien, who was nearly nine-hundred years old and for some reason wanted her. Her, out of everyone else one could choose from.

For this Artemis was ready to give the world to him. To lay it all at his feet in gratitude. Thank him for just being there and choosing her, thanking him until she couldn't anymore. She would forever be in his debt, owing him a thanks that a lifetime for her wouldn't be enough. Her life was much shorter than his so she would make sure to do him right while she was alive.

She jumped when a large hand wrapped around her shoulder.

"Artemis."

The familiar deep voice calmed her instantly, her body relaxing under his touch. His body heat surrounded her as he pulled her into an embrace. A purr rumbled in his chest as he held her so gently.

"You're very quiet, mister." She leaned into his chest and wrapped an arm around his thick forearm, his scales scratchy against her fingertips.

"I am sorry for causing you distress. Are you alright?"

"It wasn't you, or anyone. I have...unbidden memories that came back in that moment. I'm sorry for interrupting your meeting." Her head tipped back to look up into his eyes. His mandibles were relaxed as he chittered, his long cloudy blue dreads fell to the wayside as he cocked his head, the red tips swaying in the gentle breeze.

"You have done no such thing. Do not apologize for being you."

A quick nod was all she could muster. Looking up into his eyes had those feelings return, the warmth in her chest growing as they gazed at one another.

"I wish I could heal your pain but I cannot. Remember, you are strong. Fighting a battle of the mind is not easy but I will be right here. Do not run away and hide, my little goddess."

Artemis turned around to face him as he knelt before her. A claw tipped her chin up so her gaze met his, his lime-green eyes full of warmth. She couldn't help lean into his touch. "Everyone was staring and it reminded me of Dr. More and his helpers. All I could see was them. Like, I was under a microscope..."

Rhage wrapped an arm around her waist to pull her closer. He purred gently. "I will prevent such a thing from happening again. I want you to feel welcome wherever I go." His purring helped to calm her down as he softly assured her.

It was like he knew the right things to say. He always did it seemed.

Without giving it a second thought she launched herself at him. Her arms went around his thick neck and buried her face in his skin, rubbing her cheek against his rough scales. She tried to wrap her legs around his waist but he was simply too wide so she let him hold her weight up with a beefy arm.

If he was surprised he gave no indication. His warm body was her safety blanket. His presence the balm for her wounds. Rhage was the antidote to all of the pain that sat on her soul. Having him here with her was heaven on earth. This giant alien was the sweetest person she'd ever known.

"Artemis, I—"

"Shut up and hold me."

A chuckle rumbled in his chest as he did what he was told. She smiled as he nuzzled her, his purrs helping to calm her further down.

Perhaps she already was falling in love with Rhage.

It sure seemed possible.

"My little goddess, let me take you back to the dwelling. I will get you food and clean you up for the night. I wish to hold you in the nest. The meeting was adjourned for tomorrow so I could take care of you."

"Rhage, you're so sweet and you don't even realize it." She nuzzled her face against him again as he carried her back inside the building.

"I am not sweet. I am a fierce warrior, the strongest of my people." He scoffed, his mandibles clicking together wildly.

"Okay, babe. But you are sweet, though, and I like you very much for it. You pamper me."

"You enjoy my pampering."

"I do, and I like you for it, Rhage. You say such sweet things."

The Elder Yautja was taken aback when she pressed soft kisses to the side of his face and skin. It was an utterly human gesture. Something his kind wasn't capable of, but Artemis made sure to give him as many kisses as she could. He started to like it and looked forward to more kisses. Her affection was welcomed.

• • •

As he carried her into the apartment, he was rumbling with need. "You make me question my discipline, mate."

He set her on the edge of the tub as he turned it on, his claws clacking across the buttons. His eyes cast her a warning look, a soft growl in this throat.

Artemis slowly and casually removed her bandeau to let her breasts fall free with a bounce and jiggle, her nipples already stiffening in the warm air. She was glad to sport a decent double D for once in her life.

Watching Rhage's eyes widen and him turn away was adorable. This almost nine-hundred year old Yautja was afraid of losing his control. His "control" held on by a thin string every time he saw her naked. Seeing him so flustered was something she thought she'd never see.

Artemis giggled playfully, "Shouldn't old men be able to control themselves better?"

The large alien bent over her with a wicked gleam in his eye, accepting her teasing.

"Not when little humans tease their mate on purpose to rile a reaction. You know not what danger your little slit is in when it comes to my cock." His voice seemed to get deeper and growly.

The room temperature rose by several degrees as they both stared at each other, waiting for the other to look away. She didn't think it was just the water heating up the room. It was Rhage who looked away first with a chuckle.

Dipping a finger into the tub he checked the temperature and hummed to himself in satisfaction. Artemis removed her remaining clothing and was promptly deposited into the steaming water.

It was so warm that she couldn't help sighing in relaxation. Hot baths made everything better, even slaying the ghosts of the past with the steam. Having a living heater bathing her also helped to further relax her. It was when she was lying in bed with a full stomach and freshly clean body that she felt fully relaxed.

"I am meeting with a clan on the planet Saqqar. I wish to bring you along. That is what the others were arguing about. Whether to bring you along."

"Why? Would it be too dangerous?" She asked, leaning into his hand that wrapped around her swell.

"Saqqar is a desert planet. The Desert Clan once were enemies of ours until peace talks many cycles ago. They wish to meet to establish trade. This clan is...old in their ways."

Rhage had a bit of distaste on his tongue as he spoke about them. She wondered how their ways differed from his clan's to make him react that way. "Rhage, do you not like this clan?"

He grunted, "I do not. They are savages and dislike using technology like we do."

"Oh. So, why is it dangerous for me to go?"

"They claim females without consent."

A shiver went down her spine just imagining the horrors that women must go through in that clan. If these particular Yautja were as savage as he said then she wondered why he wanted to bring her in the first place. What could possibly be the reason?

"Rhage?" She rolled over to look at him.

"Yes?"

"Why do you want to take me with you if it's so dangerous for me?"

There was silence. A silence that dragged on for literal minutes until he answered, his eyes tight. Tension filled the air. He sat upright but said nothing. All he did was click rapidly.

"Rhage...?" One of her hands grabbed his, hoping the touch would urge him to speak.

He let out a long audible exhale.

"It is tradition for the clan leaders to bring their mate to the annual meetings. Tradition is important to Yautja. I cannot break that, at least according to some of the council. There is another thing that is tradition that I am trying to change. Something...that is normal in certain clans but not mine. You are not Yautja. I cannot expect you to go through with these things." His words came out quickly and almost hard to understand with how his tongue garbled them but she understood it was his frustration.

He had shown himself to like the input of those he trusted when making decisions, rather than demanding. Perhaps this was the one time he would have to.

The fact that he was willing to break tradition for her meant so much more than he would ever know. This alien was seriously looking to change things for the better for her, to protect her after she had already been violated enough. It was the look in his eyes, empathy, that really fed those feelings that festered already in her chest. Feelings she wasn't quite there to say the magic words but would soon.

They still had only known each other for a short time but...it felt like a lifetime.

"What kind of traditions?" The more he spoke the more her interest piqued.

He seemed to regret speaking since it only opened up more questions from Artemis.

"Public rutting."

Her face instantly turned bright red, her cheeks aflame as she lied down to stare up at the ceiling. "What happens with those who don't have a mate? Do they just pick someone and fuck for everyone to see?"

"Yes."

"I didn't know aliens were into exhibitionist kink. It's certainly not my thing, though." She avoided his gaze and embarrassment came over her. She had never been one to talk about kinks before, always staying in her own vanilla lane just fine. Kinks were out of her repertoire.

"Which is why it will not happen. Dhare has offered to take my place. I have always disliked this tradition. It is...as you say...not my kink." His arms crossed his chest as he grumbled the last few words, clicking his tusks in disgust. A soft chuckle from Artemis brought his gaze back to her.

He looked adorable when annoyed. This giant alien who was nearing a thousand years old looked like a pouty teenager at times, rare times, and she loved the sight.

A little finger trailed up his abdomen following the ridges of his muscles and leaving a trail of heat in its wake upon his skin. He purred as she straddled his waist, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Artemis loved to tease him endlessly. Watching him squirm was cute.

"What is your kink, Rhage?" She spread her thighs apart just enough so she could lean onto his chest as best as she could, the rise and fall of his chest quicker than before. Lime-green eyes narrowed with heat in them.

"I do not have a kink."

"Everyone does."

He huffed in flustration, "Then my kink is putting little humans in their place by paucking them until they can't walk." Large clawed hands wrapped around her waist to hold her steady, his warmth soothing the ache that had started there.

What he was proposing sounded like the sexiest thing she'd ever heard someone say. With how big his cock was, she could only guess that she wouldn't be able to walk anyways. She'd be too sore in the aftermath. By teasing him in the first place she knew she was walking a thin line, a game of whom would break first and fuck the shit out of the other. Fucking an alien had never been a potential instance in her lifetime but here she was, wanting to fuck one she was falling for.

"Don't threaten me with a good time." As if she wanted to cross that line she lowered her voice to a husky soft sensual level. A voice that did the trick.

She yelped as he rolled them over. He hovered over her, a hand holding himself up beside her as he trailed his claws lightly down her chest.

Feeling his hot hand explore her body both excited her and made her anxious.

Would they cross that threshold? Would the night end with their bodies entwined with one another as they finally gave into the obvious tension between them? What would it be like? Would it be everything she thought sex would be with another?