The Elder's Mate

Twenty - Moonlight

A/N: Homophobic comments will be deleted as this isn't that kinda space I want. 😌 If this isn't your cup of tea then feel free to wait another week for the next update. I do hope y'all give this chapter a chance, however.

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Kato watched from across the room as his leader Rhage once again stood at the front of the Heal Tank. For the past few rotations this had become the daily routine once all of the meetings had been finished for the day.

Without fail, Rhage would come to watch Artemis. She was not yet conscious but he still came. His devotion was something he hadn't seen his leader express in anything else but the clan. Such a sight was still surprising, despite having lived with the human for a month and a half now. In that time he had discovered his own happiness, just as Rhage seemed to.

"Leader, I am retiring for the night cycle. You know how to contact me if an issue arises." Kato put his equipment away, his body feeling ready to return to his dwelling.

This rotation had been long and tiresome. Tomorrow there would be more work.

Rhage grunted, "Of course, Kato. You deserve the rest. May Paya bless you and your life-mate."

Kato nodded and left the medical center, the door closing with a whoosh behind him. Out in the hall, he quickened his pace. Many had already retired for the night cycle so the hall was fairly empty. All who he did see were guards.

He greeted one of them, Fang, as he passed by. The tall fully armored Yautja nodded respectfully. There was a familiarity he had with Fang, a former hunt brother of his, they understood each other much like he and his own mate. Together, they had fought together and lost brothers together. Death was frequent in their lives and eventually one grew numb to the feeling, until it was a friend.

Keeping a steady pace, Kato finally reached his dwelling. His dwelling wouldn't be as large as Rhage's, but it was quaint and enough for he and his life-mate to live comfortably. His large hand waved over the wall scanner and swiftly entered.

Inside, the space was a standard sized unit for those of his status. It was the size of a two-bedroom Earth apartment unit. Walking inside opened up to the living space where a large emerald green couch sat facing a large rectangular window on the left, a hallway leading to the sleeping quarters and cleansing room at the back of the wide rectangular shaped room to finally on the immediate right was the kitchen where a food processor was and a large meat locker.

Lounging on the couch was his mate, their long legs stretched out while they typed away on their computer unit.

Kato chirruped at his mate to get their attention as he prepared a stew with the food processor. He hadn't eaten in hours and his stomach rumbled. The happy clicking from his mate behind him had him prepare two steaming bowls. Both bowls in hand, he made his way to the couch and handed a bowl to his mate.

Together they ate in comfortable silence until his mate spoke, "How has the human's progress come along? I hope it is all positive?"

Kato set his now empty bowl on the armrest and gazed into the icy blue eyes of Tare, his life-mate. One of his claws trailed down Tare's thick bicep feeling the warm skin beneath his own.