The Elder's Mate

Nineteen - Treachery

Trigger warning ahead. Talk of slavery.
Also, apologies but get ready for the ✨ eeemotionallll damage. ✨

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Artemis had barely spoken a word since dayrise. She had mostly said "Thank you" or "I'm fine". Her eyes were full of sadness, a resignation perhaps? Rhage couldn't tell.

Her body language alone screamed that she was upset, yet she rebuffed his efforts to find what was wrong. She kept a short distance away, even as they walked through the busy part of the Desert clan village. Today she had even not worn one of her dresses she favored and instead chose loose pants and a long sleeveless top. Seeing his mate revert to wearing casual clothing for a function was never a good sign.

Rhage finally had enough of her despondent attitude when they were halfway to the main pyramid. He wrapped a large hand around her arm and pulled her into a secluded alley out of the pedestrian traffic, his frustration threatening to grow into a snarl. Crouching before her, he cornered her with his body. She would have to get past him to escape the conversation.

Artemis did a double take and folded her arms across her chest, "What's wrong?"

He released a snarl, "I do not know. You tell me."

"Tell you what?"

"Tell me what it is that bothers you. I and every Yautja can read body language. You lied prior and you would be respectful in not doing so again. I appreciate us being honest with each other. Lying about our true feelings is what I have beaten out of more pups than the amount of cycles you have been alive." Rhage growled, his mandibles snapping his tusks together. His eyes narrowed as he dragged a crate over to rest upon it while still keeping her in front of himself.

She sighed, a long drawn out breath. Her dark blue eyes cast to the ground. "Yes, I did lie. I lied because I wanted you to leave it alone."

"You will tell me what is wrong. We can work this out together."

"I don't know, babe, it seems you're already pretty set in your opinion about it." A small hand absentmindedly rubbed her swell as she narrowed her eyes at him.

"And what is 'it'? Is this so soon about the prior night?"

She nodded, eyes again avoiding him. "Mhm. The whole 'slavery is normal' bullshit."

Rhage sighed, scratching his neck as he thought of a solution. It was an important issue for her and he didn't want a repeat of the last time something similar happened, such as when she had an issue with beatings. There had to be a way to fix this. His solution was found when he had an idea.

He rose to his feet, his shadow casting upon his mate. "Artemis, let me show you something."

She seemed confused, at least, until he started leading her out of the alley and back into the busy street with a large hand wrapped around her small one. Quickly he made his way behind the main pyramid to the area that most Yautja avoided. The area was mostly hidden from sight but everyone knew it was there.

It was typical to keep the quarters of the lowest ranks near the central hub. There was always a task that needed to be done or work to be completed.

Passing through a large archway and turning a corner that led them down a slight decline, they entered the heart of the place he wanted to show her. All around were the lowest of Yautja walking back and forth going about their daily duties. Many were missing a limb, were disfigured from battle, or were missing various locs of their dreads with the ends yet to grow back. Everywhere one looked they could see the least fortunate in the Yautja society.