The Elder's Mate

Four - The Yautja's Wrath

A few days passed and no one but people bringing food to them came. There was no testing or scientists. It was only Artemis and Rhage left together in the cell that apparently was now their shared one.

A guard with a sneer and nasty scar spanning his face informed them that she had been relocated to stay with the Predator. She wondered if this was some kind of test they were doing. Maybe they were watching their every move.

It had to be that, Artemis concluded on the third day.

They were probably watching every interaction between them and it made her nervous. What were they seeking? She didn't know what their goal was by keeping her and Rhage locked together but she didn't mind the companionship. Together they had gotten to know each other some.

Artemis found he was an Elder, something a Hunter achieved over many centuries of countless hunts and accomplishments. He liked to brag about how his trophy collection was the largest of his clan. Such a thing had earned him the title of Clan Leader. This alien was a freaking leader of his people. It was no wonder he was so calm and level headed.

Rhage had a calmness that matched his hard earned profession. His title he wielded with great pride.

She also learned he had hundreds of kids, literally hundreds. The Yautja sure got around. He told her sex was for the most part just for breeding, though it was enjoyable on the occasion, but the females he had kids with didn't mean anything to him. That assurance helped to quell the weird jealousy she felt towards the unknown women he had bedded.

It was on the fifth day of them being stuck together that she got to see what he looked like outside of the shadows.

Artemis had just finished the tray of food that had been delivered while Rhage sat silently next to her. She noticed he had been quieter than normal, his eyes on the doorway like he was waiting on something. Whatever he was planning it sure wasn't going to be a party.

One of his hands gently rubbed her lower back. Her back had started to hurt and no position lying down had helped. Not on her side, back, curled up, or even sitting against the wall.

Nothing.

She guessed he grew annoyed because he made her sit in his lap where only a loincloth separated them from his sex. It took her a while to get used to being against him skin to skin, but she grew comfortable when he started rubbing her back. His body was jacked, not an inch on his body that wasn't muscle, but he was nice to snuggle with. A few times she fell asleep with her cheek resting against him as he held her close. Snuggling with an alien was definitely an experience, she came to realize.

• • •

While she was in and out of sleep, Rhage waited patiently for the guard to return for the empty trays.

For hours he waited. Waited for the right moment to finally make his move. He was going to escape this place and erase every part of it. Nothing was going to be left behind. He wouldn't come back to this planet, either.

The moment came when the door slid open revealing a male guard who casually walked into the cell, oblivious to his surroundings. Now was the perfect chance.

Rhage quickly and gently deposited Artemis onto the nest, the woman never stirring in her slumber. He stood to his full height and crossed the room in seconds. Taking the male into a headlock he picked him up and slammed him against the wall, the male's body falling in a limp heap on the floor in a growing pool of his own blood. The human never stood a chance against the superior strength of the Elder Yautja.

As he yanked the badge free from the guard's person, he heard a breathy yawn behind him. Artemis's heartbeat sped up as the nest creaked beneath her as she sat up. He could feel her eyes on his back.