The Elder's Mate

Eight - Breaking Tradition

Trigger Warnings Ahead: PTSD Episode

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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.