The planet was the same as when Rhage had last visited it some centuries ago. There was new vegetation here and there along the path into the Desert Clan's village, but it was still largely the same. In the distance he could still see the same green banner flags that displayed the clan's insignia — a simple white whirl.

He could even see the welcome party with their leader at the forefront. The leader, Zen'tukte, wore simple bronze armor with a necklace of skulls decorating his neck and a ragged ankle length green cape. This Yautja was of similar height to Rhage but with burnt orange, red, and white skin that was heavily scarred and rough looking. His black dreadlocs reached to his chest with bone jewelry tied to various tendrils, some locs tied together themselves. Beady yellow eyes glared at Rhage and his party from afar.

Rhage clenched his hands as they continued on towards the gate. He was ready for anything bad to happen. Protecting the small woman walking beside him was important, as well as his clan. The peace accords were still in place so he had to play nice.

All he was to do was meet in person to initiate the trading of goods and supplies. Saqqar was rich in a mineral ore that fueled some of the most advanced technology.

This deal couldn't be pauked up.

A lot was riding on this deal, plus, it was tradition to have three days of feasting, sparring, and of course, pauke-de. The pauk-de part was thankfully something Dhare had offered himself up for. Taking Rhage's place prevented Artemis from having to face humiliation, something he knew would happen.

The light squeeze against his fingers pulled him from his busy thoughts to gaze down at his mate. She didn't notice his watchful eyes as she was too busy taking in the alien landscape around them.

When they had first set foot on the planet, she had ran her fingers through the sand. Nothing but a smile graced her lovely human face while she collected it in her hands. She had been excited and animatedly exploring the small perimeter while the warriors unloaded from the drop ship. Borrowing a small container she had filled it with sand, much to the confusion of everyone but her. When he had asked her why, she had told him so she could remember it. He concluded it was a human oddity.

The collecting of something to remember a place. An object similar to a trophy.

Zen'tukte nodded in greeting as the group stopped before he and his group at the gate. The Desert Clan leader studied every individual present, his yellow eyes studying Artemis longer. With a grunt he motioned for the group to follow and turned on his heel.

Rhage felt Artemis press herself against his side as they walked through the village. He hadn't liked how Zen'tukte's gaze had lingered. A soft purr emanated from his chest to calm his mate, the tension in her shoulders going away when she smiled up at him. The fact that he could comfort her so effortlessly filled his chest with that warmth of his love for the tiny female. He still felt elated that she had admitted her own love for him.

The Desert Clan's village consisted of sandy roads and stone pyramids where sun-bleached fabric banners hung by the doorways. Lined down the road were busy vendors offering meat, jewelry, fabric, and food items. A few looked to not be of this clan telling by the different marks that adorned various Yautja, their clothing different as well. Somewhere he could hear the beating of drums, his hearing able to point it somewhere East. The village, or rather, city, bustled with life. Many moved out of the way of Rhage's party, many eyes directly avoiding the Elder Yautja's untrusting lime-green gaze.

Saqqar's sun beat down on the surface but it wasn't unbearable. It was only slightly warmer than Yautja Prime. Thanks to his scaled skin, he and the other visiting Yautja were well adapted for hot climates.

Thankfully the walk was shorter than he had anticipated and they entered a tall pyramid, the temperature dropping significantly enough where his thermal-mesh adjusted accordingly. He, Dhare, and the other Yautja were on high alert as they were led deeper into the bowels of the structure; the pyramid seeming to be the central governing spot much like his tower back home. Shadows played in various corners where the artificial lighting didn't reach and he made sure to watch those closer in case of treachery. Artemis wrapped an arm around his, the little female also on high alert for potential danger.

Her anxiety filled the space with an acrid smell that peppered her sweet scent. It dissipated when they reached a large room set up for feasting, a long table stacked with various food. Large bowls of raw cut meat, naxa, root vegetables, grains, and containers of various drinks to wash it down. Individual portable burners had been set up in front of each place for those who cooked their portion. It was all elaborate and indulgent.

Rhage couldn't help his amusement at hearing the subtle growl of his mate's stomach. He, too, found the sight appetizing, despite having to enjoy a meal with...savages.

Both clan leaders took the large chairs on the ends of the table that seated twelve. Rhage's party sat close to him while Zen'tukte's sat on the opposite end, both alpha males glaring at each other. Artemis chose a chair directly to Rhage's right and scooted closer with the help of Dhare. The staring contest continued until Zen'tukte broke eye contact with a deep rumbling chuckle that sounded like boulders colliding.

"N'jauka, Rhage and company of the Blue Spear Clan to Saqqar. I am glad we were able to...come to a compromise." Zen'tukte began in the Yautja native tongue, "Please, feel free to fill your bellies after such a trek."

Immediately, the Yautja began to fill their plates — all except Artemis who surveyed the table with uncertainty. She leaned to Rhage asking what was safe to eat and thanked him with a soft smile once he did, Dhare showing her how to turn on the burner. Once she was cooking a few pieces she had cut up using the oversized Yautja cutlery, Rhage brought his attention back to Zen'tukte who watched with curious clicking.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Zen'tukte. May our alliance strengthen with Paya's favor. I see not much has changed." Rhage stated, his hands grabbing something that resembled a comically oversized Turkey leg. He tore into it with his mandibles.

Zen'tukte grunted as he tore into a large slab similar in look to a fine Wagyu steak, but bigger. "Sei'i. There has been change for you, though. I heard talk that you picked an ooman for a life mate...one who apparently bears your unborn pup. Oomans are prey." He all but snarled the last sentence, his beady yellow eyes narrowing in Artemis's direction. The woman was completely oblivious while she picked at her food tentatively.

The Elder Yautja sneered, "My mate is far above prey. That I assure you."

"I disagree, Elder. Old age has made you...hulij-bpe."

Dhare snarled audibly, whipping his head in the direction of the Desert Clan leader. Rhage, Kokum, Kato, Khaj, and others added in their own snarl at the disrespect. Yautja were taught from birth to respect those of higher status. Those who showed blatant disrespect for such high titles were typically Unblooded, Bad Bloods, and Yautja who were asking for an ass kicking. Artemis had frozen mid-chew watching the scene unfold before her.

"You are lucky my prey of a life mate inspired me to maintain peace."

The Desert Clan leader huffed, his eyes turning toward the tiny female sitting close to Rhage's side. She glanced his way and avoided eye contact with the giant orange, red, and white Yautja. "So...she is not just a toy..." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the metal table as he drank in every inch of the little dark haired ooman. His eyes didn't miss the small touches of affection she gave to Rhage.

Such a sight was a rarity. He had heard of a Yautja mating with an ooman before, but it had been decades.

"You will respect my life mate."

Zen'tukte growled, "She has to earn my respect. She is nothing but a zabin to me until then." His tusks clicked together as he tore into his own meal.

"I am sure she will. You highly underestimate her, foolish pup." Rhage wasn't above using his much longer lifespan than the younger clan leader seated opposite at the table, a dark smirk on his face.

His words earned a deep tiger-like growl.

• • •

This was the longest drawn out dick measuring contest that Artemis had ever seen. She couldn't understand Rhage or Zen'tukte's words but she could tell they were shit talking each other, each one saying something to piss off the other. Rhage had never acted like this before and it was intriguing.

Her man always had it together...until they laid eyes on the Desert Clan leader. It was like he became a savage himself.

Zen'tukte, thanks to Dhare for translating and telling his name, was a beefcake of a Yautja who stood almost equal to Rhage in height but was clearly younger. His dreads fell to his clavicles, the tubular locs black and decorated with bone jewelry and feathers while some strands were tied together. The leader's skin was a lovely orange, red, and white; white striping up and down his arms, sides, legs, and a patch on his belly. It paired nicely with his beady yellow eyes that seemed to only know how to glare daggers down the table at Rhage. He wore bronze armor that was a bit dinged up with a flowing green cape down his back.

The big asshole was digging himself a deeper grave by shit talking her mate. It appeared he was insulting Rhage...until Rhage also insulted him back. It was the most insane shit she had ever seen.

Yautja males were so prideful and loved to wave around their metaphorical dicks; most of them anyways. Dhare was quiet compared to most she had observed. These giant jacked aliens were like overgrown cat cavemen with fancy technology who weren't afraid to go ape and club another guy. She could only watch in amusement while the two clicked and growled back and forth at each other.

Leaning over to Dhare she poked him in the arm, interrupting him as he licked his chops clean of a drink that stank to high hell. Whatever it was, it was strong.

"Dhare, hun, is it always like this? The two waving their cocks around like children?" She whispered, not knowing that the Yautja in the room could still hear her with their sensitive hearing.

Her step-son, a carbon copy of his father, nodded, his tresses dancing about. "Sei'i. They are both prideful...and Rhage has likely told you why he dislikes Zen'tukte and his clan, right?"

Her head bobbed up and down as she took a sip from a metal cup she had to lift with two hands to drink from.

"Both have stakes in this alliance, so they are forced to be...civil with one another."

"You call this civil? There's so much testosterone in here I'm surprised I haven't grown a beard yet!" She gestured to the still arguing giant aliens now in a silent contest of who can look the angriest while eating an oversized Turkey leg. Both snarled back and forth at each other while the rest of the Yautja were tensely glaring at each other from opposite parties.

It seemed men, no matter what species, were the same in some regards; much to Artemis's amusement.

Dhare choked on his drink momentarily at her words, his chuckle erupting. He chittered and shook his head.

"It has been worse, Artemis. This is...mild." The Yautja sighed.

Artemis kicked Rhage in the shin, her love in the middle of savagely tearing into another giant Turkey leg, his mandibles dripping with grease and blood. She kind of liked seeing him so...savage...but she focused on getting his attention away from Zen'tukte. After a few more moments of kicking him he turned to her and licked his chops clean. He cocked his head in a silent question as she shot him a wordless glare.

"Yes, mate?"

"Can you try to grow up a little, babe? You two are like schoolyard boys going at it." She folded her arms and gave the deadpan "mom stare" she remembered her own mother giving her many times as a kid when she misbehaved.

Rhage chittered in complaint, his tusks clicking together rapidly. He shot a glare at his least favorite person in the room before flicking his gaze back to Artemis.

Here she was, having to reign in her eight-foot, eight-hundred and ninety something year old mate who was an Elder and clan leader, and acting like an immature child. She couldn't believe it. She found it adorable from such a giant creature, and the savagery a little bit of a turn on...a big turn on...but it clearly was getting them nowhere. Him and Zen'tukte's macho male crap was going in circles. She was going to put an end to it.

Right as Rhage went to answer Zen'tukte chuckled, saying something that had his fellow clansmen's shoulders shaking with laughter, his beady yellow eyes flickering between Artemis and Rhage.

She looked to Dhare for a translation, the Yautja grumbling unhappily. He didn't want to get involved. "He said something in the equivalent about a tiny human puts fear in an old man. He also said he will meet Cetanu before he gives you the light of day."

Rhage shot to his feet and roared at Zen'tukte who shortly did the same, their meals forgotten as they glared at each other. Their mandibles flared wide as they issued growled challenges. They started to move away from the table when Artemis had had enough.

Ignoring Dhare's pleas to sit down, she approached one of the guards of Rhage's clan and retrieved the item she had Kokum make and hauled the item back to the table. The aliens parted like the Red Sea in the middle section when they saw what she held, darting out of the way. With a weighted explosive slam, she brought it down where it lodged into the metal table between two platters drawing everyone's attention. The room went silent as they curiously eyed the great black metal axe that she had wielded.

She panted with frustration and annoyance at it all, finally sick of the incessant bickering. Her eyes raked a heated glare around the room at all of the towering aliens around her.

"Will you please shut the fuck up?!" She yelled, her voice laced with venom. "You two," her fingers pointing to Rhage and Zen'tukte, "are acting like fucking children! This fucking macho male shit is getting us nowhere! If I so fucking much as hear another insult or something that sounds like an insult, I will make both of you regret it."

Zen'tukte started to snarl a complaint but Artemis hissed, doing her best to imitate a cat, "I know you understand me, you big orange asshole, so don't you dare try it. I just fucking met you but you have no idea of the wrath of a pregnant human. I swear to God that every day for the rest of your fucking life you'll remember my face and be scared to do that shit again!"

She turned to both of them, her gaze raking Rhage and Zen'tukte with heat, "Do you fucking understand me?" Her fists went to her hips. The room was silent as all eyes were on her, both leaders watching her intently.

Rhage and Zen'tukte huffed in frustration before nodding, their tresses swaying about. The two stared at each other until the Desert Clan leader chuckled.

"What's so funny?" Artemis squeaked, annoyed that the orange Yautja didn't take her seriously.

"You feisty ooman. No fear Yautja. You bear strong pup." He smirked, his attention turning to Rhage who cocked his head to the side, "Your ooman. I respect."

A group of curious clicking and chittering caught her attention to find the Desert Clan members and a few Yautja from Rhage's council, ones she couldn't remember the names of, were examining the wicked axe she had thrust into the table with all of her might. The thing had weighed about seventy pounds to her, though she knew it was much more.

Gravity helped her out tremendously on the downward swing. The thing was heavy, really heavy.

It was Yautja sized with a large blade that curved out and downward and slightly under, the edge blunted in a way that couldn't be sharpened. The handle was wrapped in a navy blue cording with the Blue Spear clan's symbol of a triangle with a dot in the center stamped into the metal on the pommel. An intricate Norse-like design was etched into the blade itself on both sides of the axe face. All in all it was extremely impressive and grand.

"My mate designed and had this made as a gift from my clan to yours." Rhage explained, seeing how Zen'tukte and the others crowded around the axe.

Zen'tukte clacked his mandibles together as he trailed his claws down the hand and blade, eying the axe closely. It seemed he was impressed, Artemis figured, his eyes switching from her, to the axe, and then to Rhage who had come to stand behind her.

His nearness filled her with a flood of safety, even though she was still upset with his behavior. Love didn't end over a stupid argument and it especially wouldn't over finding out a negative about her partner. It was something she had never seen from Rhage before. She had questions for him, but for later, when they retired to wherever they were sleeping for the night.

"Ooman..."

"Artemis." She corrected.

Zen'tukte nodded, "Artemis, you humble both with words and a gift. Misjudged you I have." His English was whacky and broken, but she understood it enough to give a cursory nod.

Rhage exchanged a few words with Zen'tukte while the others begrudgingly simmered down. The two leaders had calmed down and so had the rest of the Yautja. Dhare was the only one not talking, choosing to survey the room as he finished his meal.

The fact that her outburst had actually worked was surprising to Artemis. Both Rhage and Zen'tukte were more civil...actually civil. She had thought that the Desert Clan leader would try to kill her for her threats, but he had not. Such a thing almost made her realize how comfortable she had become around the Yautja as a species.

As scary as they could be, she had come to be comfortable enough to threaten them. Zen'tukte could kill her so easily if he wanted to. He was a beefcake of a Yautja, about as wide as a semi-truck with sculpted muscles like his kind all seemed to have, even the ones with slimmer builds. They were all walls of muscle and could kill her with a backhand to the head. Despite all of this...she wasn't afraid like she used to be around them.

Perhaps it was when she had fallen in love with Rhage that she no longer felt that unease.

Of course she felt unease around Zen'tukte because of what his clan did with women, but still, she stood up to him like an equal. She had screamed death himself in the face...and survived.

Rhage and company wouldn't allow it to happen but it was still a potential outcome. An outcome she avoided. Seeing the two clans speaking amicably together had been because of her, however. The fact that they weren't at each other's throats anymore filled her with happiness that she had been the cause of this.

Even if it was only temporary, she was proud that she had been useful.