The object looked exactly as she had envisioned, and with a few modifications Kokum made to it, it was perfect. Glinting darkly in the shadowy room of the forge it was now part of a grand plan Artemis had worked on with Dhare.

"While deadly, I have revised the design of the edge of the blade to not be sharpened for use."

"This is beautiful, Kokum. I think it's time we let Rhage in on the idea. My little embargo is officially lifted." She proclaimed as she traced her fingers along the intricate design etched into the metal.

Dhare nodded in agreement, her mate's eldest standing next to Kokum across the table from her. "Yes. I dislike hiding information from my sire. He will not be happy."

Artemis sighed, "He's already upset that I won't tell him what we've been up to. He's so damn territorial." Even though it was frustrating that he had only become that way over the past three days, she secretly loved his possessiveness. It was adorable how his face would scrunch up in annoyance.

"Yautja males are territorial over their chosen life mates by instinct. We will fight those who lay their hands on our female." Kokum explained, the Yautja busy wrapping the newly forged object in a cloth before placing it into a metal box.

She thought of the last few nights she had spent with Rhage in their bed as he wrung orgasm after orgasm out of her. His careful attention to her body expertly extended the pleasure to the absolute maximum with every stroke of his fingers, his cock, or that sinful reptilian tongue. That tongue of his was diabolical and he knew what made her scream now.

Just being intimate with him had awakened a side of him she hadn't seen before. His possessive side.

With each moment their bodies spent entwined with one another, she learned something new about herself. She loved how such a large being was so gentle. Having sex with Rhage had opened the doors to new heights their relationship could go. Even despite all of this, she still hadn't found the right time to admit her own feelings.

Surely, someone his age, would see it so clearly but she still worried. A small part of her was terrified to admit it and one day have him leave her, just like everyone else had.

Rhage was the calm shore in a raging sea. He was the lighthouse that safely guided her heart home, home to him. This tall scary alien had become the love of her life in just a few weeks. Everything she had wanted in a partner was there, with a few extra bonuses of course.

"Good luck with the leader, Artemis. I pray this plan is accepted with open arms." With that the Forge Master Yautja returned to his work leaving Dhare to collect the box on their way out.

A few minutes later they entered the bridge of the ship. A few males were at the controls off to the sides of the room while Rhage stood at the viewing window at the forefront, his long flowing blue cape falling to the floor behind him. His locs fell gracefully to his shoulder blades, the jewelry glittering in the artificial lighting that lit up the room.

Just past him she could see Saqqar. For two days they had been in stasis above the planet. They wouldn't make landfall until the negotiations were signed and completed.

Rhage turned to meet her nervous gaze, clicking in a manner that she had come to understand as questioning. His predatory lime-green gaze swept from Dhare to her when they stopped before him a few feet away.

"Hey babe, you get to find out what the others and I have been working on." She tried to put on her best and most confident smile, but she still found herself withering under his narrow gaze.

"And what is it you and the others have been working on?"

Artemis had to focus on the task at hand and not get distracted when his biceps bulged as he folded his arms across his chest. His body was a walking distraction. It should've been illegal to look that mouthwatering.

"Dhare, Kokum, and I worked out a solution to help with the negotiations."

Said step-son huffed, "Artemis came up with this idea entirely on her own. Kokum and I merely brought it to fruition."

"Is this correct, mate?"

She cast a narrowed gaze at Dhare before giving Rhage a nod. That nervousness increased when Dhare opened the box on a nearby table and unwrapped the item that she had been hard at work on the last few days.

All was quiet in the bridge as Rhage plucked the item from the box and observed it. His lime-green orbs inspected every inch of it, a rapid clicking emanating from him the entire time. The look on his face was masked so she couldn't see what he was thinking. She didn't know if he would even allow the gifting of the damn thing to the Desert Clan. His word was the final say after all.

"I-It's not meant for actual b-battle but for ceremonial purpose."

"And what ceremonial purpose is that, mate?"

She exhaled a breath as she felt her confidence grow. "That should they do something to screw up then death and war will greet their doorstep. P-people in my planet's past did this to physically remind another group of the shared bond with one another, something that they would see and remember to stay in line."

The silence from him was unnerving as he continued to look at it. His claws trailed lightly across the polished surface in his quest, following the ornate etching.

Dhare decided to speak, "Sire, Artemis has proven very helpful in the finalization of the negotiations for trade. While we have come up with the solution and await their agreement, your mate has busied herself to come up with something tangible and remind the Desert Clan that we can easily wipe them out."

A varying chorus of curious clicking from the crew rose in volume as they listened to Dhare's speech. Artemis bit her lip in nervous anticipation as he straightened to peer down at her. His gaze was blank and she couldn't tell what he was thinking.

With a snarl he silenced the crew and gave them orders in his native tongue. They immediately went back to work at the controls.

"Artemis...mate..." Rhage grabbed her by the hips and set her on the table next to the object, his hands coming to flatten on the smooth black surface of the table. "You wish to take an active part in the deal with Saqqar?"

"You're not...mad?"

The Yautja scoffed, "No. I would never be angry over you wanting to help the clan or take part. I am...surprised, actually."

"Surprised?" A thick eyebrow rose in question.

"Sei'i. I am pleased you have come up with such an idea. Impressed is a light word to use for my true feelings. My weakness, my love, your ingenuity intrigues me." He caressed her face with his claws gently, Artemis immediately leaning into his warm touch.

Addressing Dhare next, who stood there with tension rolling off his shoulders, Rhage patted his shoulder. "Pup, I am pleased you have managed to avoid war, despite my feelings towards the Desert Clan themselves." Said Yautja nodded respectfully before excusing himself.

Artemis tugged on his dreadlocs getting his attention. She tugged him closer when she wrapped her arms around his thick neck.

"War is unnecessary. I hope this thing," she nodded towards the object next to her, "will prevent that. At least for now." She stroked a few of the clouded blue with red tipped locs, something she knew he liked since he often purred at the light touch.

He nuzzled her and rested his large forehead against her smaller one, his mandibles fluttering against her soft skin lovingly. She liked when he behaved like a cat. It was one of the many things she loved about him.

"Sometimes it is, my love. It pleases me that you wish to support me so." His deep growly voice was soft and almost a whisper. One of his large hands caressed her swell gingerly, their growing child reacting to his touch with tiny kicks.

Artemis stroked the sides of his face and swept her hands down his rough skinned neck where she wrapped her arms around it again. She admired the color of his eyes as they stared at one another. A part of her reveled in how much this imposing alien became putty in her hands. Such knowledge made her feel powerful. It was no wonder love was seen as a weakness to the Yautja.

"Of course I'll support you, Rhage. I love you."

Something changed in his gaze. A gleam of an emotion she couldn't read.

He stood up straight and addressed one of the crew members as he swept Artemis into his arms. The Yautja clicked back as they passed him, Rhage not wasting any time to leave the room. Moving her to one arm effortlessly he slammed his fist into a hidden panel next to a door in the hall. Inside it was empty save for a few objects she didn't recognize except for a table built into the wall.

Artemis was set down on the table and her thighs spread apart by his knee. Quickly he unclasped the armor at his waist and codpiece, tossing it to the side with little regard, where his erection popped out to greet her. A thick finger quickly found her clitoris and massaged it.

She moaned and rocked her hips against his touch as she wrapped her legs around his thick waist. His free hand caressed her rounded tummy before it moved to hold her hips down, control of the rhythm solely going to the large male that fingered her.

"You admit weakness for me, mate?" He whispered, his voice a deep husky rumble in her chest.

Squeezing his hips with her legs she moaned, "Yes. I love you, Rhage."

He growled with satisfaction as he pulled his fingers from her cunt to lick the digits. Watching his wicked tongue clean her fluids was sexy as hell and she practically begged him to fuck her already.

Rhage pulled her closer to the edge of the table where he slowly inched himself inside of her. They both moaned as once again their bodies joined. The feeling of being full felt so good and so right. He bottomed out eventually and started to make love to her, his hips rocking back and forth in this hedonistic dance.

"Say it..." he panted, "say it again..."

The tip of his cock hit that sensitive spot inside of her and she cried out. Stars swam in her vision momentarily as she was lost in the ecstasy. "I...I..."

"Say it again!" He snarled as he picked up the pace, his sack slapping against her soft flesh.

Artemis moaned from the depths of her body, "I love you! I love you!"

Rhage seemed to not be satisfied because he wrapped his large hands around her jiggling fatty thighs and fucked her rougher and faster. Throwing his head back he roared spreading his mandibles wide.

Tears filled her eyes; his rough love making felt so good. Stars swam in her vision as she lied there, her body rocked with pure sexual ecstasy.

"Your mine and no other male will have you but me!" He snarled as his hips met hers, his skin burning hot against her flesh erotically.

"I'm only yours! Only yours!" She screamed as she grew closer to an orgasm.

"Pauk! Your cunt is so tight! This tight cunt belongs to me!"

Artemis panted as his words made the fireworks erupt within her body. When he talked dirty like that she thought it was sexy and turned her on even more. He rarely ever used foul language and had only recently started using it when they were intimate.

"Fuck! Yes! It's yours! I'm...yours!" She screamed as she was enveloped in an explosion of fireworks as she reached her orgasm, her juices coating his thighs. Her insides clenched around his meaty member in the throes of her climax.

With a snarl he reached his own climax. He slowed his thrusts as he emptied himself inside of her, soft pants puffing from his slack jaw. Leaning over her as he finished he coaxed her tongue out and danced with hers, dominating her mouth and tasting her in a way that made him purr in approval. That same smokey and spicy taste was all over him and she definitely approved. She was coming to know it as a scent he naturally had, too.

He pulled free from her body and set to work cleaning Artemis's privates of their lovemaking with a cloth; the cloth pulled from a waist-belt pouch that she missed entirely. She had been too busy eyeing him like a fine delicacy to notice much else.

Even sitting down she knew she'd not be able to walk right, just yet. Her insides pulsed pleasantly with the intense orgasm. A constant reminder of their lovemaking. When he was rough it drove her wild.

"Artemis," She looked to him with a sleepy smile as he pulled her against his chest, his arms enveloping her in a warm cocoon. "I love you. I am happy you have come to return those words of weakness."

His warm body was making her eyes droop and a sense of exhaustion burn through her body. "Mmm."

Rhage clicked in amusement at her sleepy sate. "I believe your people call it a quickie. Are you tired from just a quickie, mate?"

The daze was starting to clear from her head enough where she could nod, her eyes bleary as she gazed up at him. She felt nothing but love for this male. It burned so bright that at that moment she only felt bliss.

Pure bliss.

"I don't have nearly the energy you do, babe."

He grunted in agreement. He nuzzled her again as she pulled back to smile at him. "That is true."

A beep sounded from his wrist computer, bringing his attention away from Artemis while he read the screen. She was going to ask what was up when he clicked away at the device. He seemed pleased, judging by the look in his eyes.

"The Desert Clan has accepted the negotiations." He helped pull her to her feet and held her close as he approached the door. Her legs were a little wobbly but she managed as they made their way back to the bridge.

• • •

Back on the bridge Dhare, Khaj, and Kokum were standing before a hologram of the planet where a map was highlighted in glowing red lines. They and the remaining council members, that trailed behind Rhage and Artemis as they entered, discussed something with Rhage. Each had something to say in their growly language, their mandibles moving around wildly with their speech.

Artemis could only sit in a chair and watch the love of her life direct his people on the next steps. She knew it was most likely plotting out the route and knowing the layout. There wasn't a lot she understood what was going on but at least she understood the gist of it.

Her love was once again in his element. The councilmen and crew paid close attention as he spoke, heads nodding every now and then.

The Yautja, she had come to see, were a species that planned everything down to the last detail and left nothing loose. With whatever they were putting together, she was sure at least a portion of it was keeping her guarded — who knew what the Desert Clan would do. Just thinking about it made her worry. No doubt her scent was alerting them of the change but she focused on rubbing her belly.

"Artemis, come. You must be debriefed on what will happen on this trip." Khaj gave her a smile as he waved her over, his clawed fingers curling in. Letting out a long breath, she rose to her feet and walked to the table.

She had to be strong once more and face the music. Danger awaited down on that planet.

"Okay, so what's the plan?" Artemis leaned into Rhage's side as she joined the group.

Dhare was the first to speak, "You must listen very carefully. Everything I tell you will be life or death and your safety is top priority..."

The group told her what to expect and how to not offend the Yautja on the surface. She took in everything they had to say, making sure to remember as much as she could. Her life depended on it, after all. Staying alive was her number one worry, but she knew that she was around the universe's best body guards at least.

In a short time, she would be walking on Saqqar; the first human to do so.

🎄🎁