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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.

None of them made eye contact as they passed Rhage and Artemis, the pair standing in the center of the pathway.

"Look, my love. Look around you and tell me what you see." He cocked his head to the side and watched her fold her arms while she did as he asked.

She was quiet as she took in her surroundings, turning in a slight circle. Rhage folded his arms across his chest and waited, his lime-green eyes following her movements.

"I see people going about their day. This section of the village is secluded, hidden from the rest."

He clicked in acknowledgement, "What else? Do you see them chained, whipped, or forced to do things?"

That dark head of hers snapped in his direction, annoyance burning in her expressive eyes and face. He could smell her scent turn acrid as her emotions rampaged within. The smell filled his mouth unpleasantly.

His mate was a seeker of justice. She strongly fought against what she deemed as unacceptable, something he admired. Already, without teaching her, she understood the concepts of honor and dishonorable deeds. Unfortunately, there were societal differences that she was yet to understand. She hadn't lived long enough, not even close to the amount of time Rhage had lived, so he had to fight the urge to make her understand as he would with an Unblooded.

Approaching this delicately had to be the way. He loved Artemis too much to even consider being harsh with her as he was with others. The little human had softened him considerably; he wouldn't take it back if he had the chance.

"Rhage...are seriously justifying slavery? Comparing it to what...human slavery on Earth?"

This time he couldn't help the snarl of frustration. His feisty mate wouldn't take his lesson lightly, after all. He loved her fire and courage, but at the moment it was only blinding her.

Passing Yautja made a wider berth around them as they smelled her anger rising. The anger peppered her scent. An honorable male knew better than to purposefully anger a female. It often lead to being tossed around like a pup in training so they were smart to avoid Artemis. Her pregnancy also had an impact on her emotions, a direct result of them fluctuating because of her hormone levels.

"I am not. I am pointing out that they have the freedom to move about as they wish. They are not beaten or chained or whipped as your kind did to your own in the past." Rhage scoffed, "Humans whipped, chained, and enslaved one another for dishonorable reasons. Yautja slavery is akin to what you call 'endentured servitude'. They find purpose and meaning in a life without the Hunt, Artemis."

Her expression softened considerably. "I'll never accept slavery as a good thing, love." The use of the endearment softened his frustration. "I know humans enslaved our own in the past, and nothing can make up for the generational trauma and harm that ensued, but we moved past that. I just...feel like you're justifying slavery."

"I am, in a way. Sei'i, slavery is morally bad to you. But for Yautja, it is different. Vastly different."

She stepped closer to close the big distance she had put between them. "I shouldn't even be criticizing your society when mine is equally fucked up. I fail to see how serving others for the rest of existence is a good thing."

Rhage knelt before her, his blue cape bunching in the sand behind him. He was aware of everything around them, including Zen'tukte and his entourage multiple paces to the right, watching with curious eyes as he consoled his mate. Helping her understand.

He knew her views on slavery, but in the society of Yautja there was no degradation or humiliating deeds. Only the quiet acceptance of their new status and the opportunity to bring honor to the clan, despite the simultaneous shame because of their failing the chiva. To her, he likely seemed akin to the colonizers in her people's past who justified the need to murder for resources and enslave fellow humans simply because they looked differently. There was so much he could say, and so much he could show her, but he wanted to shield her from that. No one deserved to see such cruelty. It was better relegated to the past, history, and not paraded about.

Many times in his past he had hunted the very enslavers who had so dishonorably treated their own. He had their skulls on his wall. He had video recordings from long ago of him hunting the very men who put their fellow man in chains, their people never gaining freedom because their children inherited their status. It was a cruel system he had witnessed himself.

Yautja who were sentenced to such a status were given a purpose to go on. There were no second chances when it came to the chiva. If you failed, you failed to join regular society and didn't earn the honor to do so. One was relegated to the bottom. Someone who was essentially expendable, a cog in the wheel.

It indeed was cruel, but there was a reason behind it.

Rhage decided on a compromise. Something to appease her and simultaneously improve his own clan, at least for her benefit.

"Artemis, for as long as I breathe I will never sentence another Yautja to slavery. Instead, they will be a servant. Aseigan. Higher in society, but only so much. This is all I can do." He caressed her cheek with the blunt sides of his claws reassuringly. Like always, she leaned into his touch.

She seemed surprised at his declaration. "Really?"

A grunt was all he gave in response. "I can not outlaw it. I have not the power of an Ancient."

"Oh, well, thank you for trying at least."

He rose to his feet, eyeing Zen'tukte to his right as he pulled Artemis into his front. "For you, I would conquer the stars themselves if I could."

It was at that moment that Zen'tukte made his presence known to Artemis. He walked forward from the shadows with curiosity burning in his gaze. Rhage bristled, the male coming too close for comfort. A rumbled growl from Rhage had him back off.

"Artemis. Rhage. I am surprised to find you here." The burnt orange Yautja stated in their native tongue, his yellow eyes moving back and forth between the pair.

He felt Artemis turn and back into him. Wrapping an arm around her helped to return her sweet scent to normal. "My mate is still learning about our society."

The Desert clan leader nodded, his tusks clicking together in understanding.

"I see. I take it she does not like eta as a status."

"You are correct, Zen'tukte."

"Word was given how she aided one just the prior day. That is...interesting. Your mate has empathy for the less worthy." Zen'tukte met Artemis'a gaze, the two silently judging one another. "I hope to see you before your departure at the last feast."

"You shall." Rhage narrowed his eyes as he watched the Desert clan leader leave, his entourage of three body guards following forthwith.

Artemis turned to hug him, her arms not quite reaching fully around his wide waist. She nuzzled her face against his abdomen. Her scent changed from anxious to her regular sweet one as he held her close. The pup's heartbeat was steady and calm, just like hers.

"I can't wait to leave this planet. I miss home." She mumbled against his skin.

He couldn't wait to return, too. This planet was full of unpleasant Yautja. At least back home on Prime he could keep her and the pup safe without heavy guard. They wouldn't have to deal with Zen'tukte any longer.

The deal was set...for now.

"Do not worry. We will be there in due time." He nuzzled her hair with his mandibles playfully, his gift in the form of Artemis's soft giggle.

Oh Kayana, he loved that sound.

Artemis pulled back to smirk up at him. He could see the mischief in her gaze. Shadows played in her eyes as she hooked a finger into his belt, tugging it outwards slightly. Her eyes narrowed with heated promises.

"Ya know...I know a way to give the finger to that orange asshole." She looked around the bustling area they stood in, "It requires somewhere a bit...private." Her voice softened and became husky.

He growled suggestively, returning her gaze. "You are a needy little mate."

Artemis smirked, trying to tug him forward.

"Maybe..." The little vixen made an attempt at a feline purr.

More Yautja parted the sea around them as the two eyed each other. Dark blue eyes met lime-green as they stood there turning each other on with just their gazes.

Rhage was the first to break. He swept her into his arms and nearly ran back towards the regular part of the village, checking for a good spot to sequester for a quickie. Eventually he found somewhere — an empty shed. With an impatient snarl he barreled his way in, making sure the door shut behind them.

Immediately the two started to undress each other after he cleared space on the floor. Rhage held Artemis by her thighs as he knelt on the metal floor and brought her down onto his cock, the both of them crying out. She held onto his biceps as he helped her ride him.

"Fuuuck yesssss." Artemis moaned as he went in to claim her mouth with his tongue, her hands clenching his flesh.

• • •

Artemis squirmed in the seat she sat in. The pleasant ache between her thighs had her changing positions as she picked at the food on her plate. Everyone around her was digging into their own, the noise of feasting filling the low rumble of Yautja chatting. Their final meal seemed to be going well.

Beside her Rhage was chatting with Kato, a large beefy grey and blue Yautja. They were embroiled in their conversation that had Rhage leaning closer in his seat. Dhare was busy chatting with Khaj as well. Zen'tukte sat in his respective seat observing everyone, his yellow eyes falling on her every now and then.

The Desert clan leader was oddly quiet. When they had arrived he had been throwing quips at Rhage about his age once again; something she didn't appreciate. Dhare hadn't wanted to translate it, but with her insistence he did.

Zen'tukte had made a jest about how hard it must be for Rhage to "get his cock up". A wild part of her wanted to prove him wrong. To show him that her mate most definitely could get it up. If such wouldn't be so humiliating she would've done it.

She was brave, but not that brave.

It was soon after she had started on her water that she began feeling odd. A slight headache had begun, the pain spreading down to the rest of her body. It was a sort of mild body ache that slowly grew in intensity.

Thinking more water would help she tried to drink more, but stopped when she took a sniff of the water. The water smelled...off. There was something acrid mingling with the typical smell of water, or at least, what she had come to see how the water on this planet smelled like.

A wave of dizziness abruptly hit her and she nearly doubled over when the room began to spin. The dizziness combined with the body ache resulted in fear finally taking hold as the realization hit her.

Artemis reached out to Rhage through the vicious spinning, trying to get her bearings despite still sitting.

"R-Rhage..." She whimpered, her hand finding his, his rough skin comforting.

He turned to her and alarm filled his eyes. She leaned forward, "I don't...feel so good..."

Quickly he tugged her chair close and hauled her into his lap where she rested her cheek against his chest. Chatter around the table quieted as she whimpered softly.

"What is wrong, my love?" He looked her over finding nothing outwardly wrong with her, his keen touch also finding nothing. A fine sheen of sweat covered her brow as she groaned, her little hands fisting against his protective netting. Her heart rate had increased, the change noticeable to every Yautja.

"My water. I-It smells funny..."

Dhare rocketed to his feet along with Khaj, his hands grabbing her drinking receptacle and giving it a whiff himself, his mandibles flaring as he breathed in the scent. Right away the acrid smell of poison wafted up. "Treachery, sire. Poison was laced with her drink."

Kokum and Kato shot to their feet in unison, their snarls being met with Zen'tukte's own reaction. A few snarled as their leader made his way around the table to sniff the receptacle himself. He hissed when he smelled it and immediately starting picking apart his group.

"You dare poison my mate! My mate who is with pup?!" Rhage roared, a fist slamming into the table as his men stood around snarling at the offending party.

Zen'tukte scoffed, "I am no Bad Blood. On my honor, I assure you I have not done such a thing. It was either one of your men or mine!"

The Elder Yautja growled as Khaj spoke up, "We are all loyal to Artemis. She is his chosen and such an accusation is treasonous!" He shot his yellow eyes towards the whimpering female in Rhage's arms, her breathing labored.

Kato was the one to whip out a med-kit and immediately set to work on a dose of the antidote, the smell of the poison enough to tell him which one it had been. It was a silent killer and if left unchecked would kill both Artemis and pup. As a medic over Tare, he had been educating himself on ooman biology.

Artemis groaned as the voices around her mixed together, their garbled language harsh to her ears. The headache had increased and she felt sick to her stomach. She was vaguely aware of a needle pricking her arm as the overwhelming dizziness threatened to overcome her. Quickly, sleep took over and she fell limp in Rhage's arms as Kato's antidote started its work.

• • •

Rhage was furious. No, enraged, that anyone would dare try to harm his mate. The room had erupted in arguments as the Yautja argued over the perpetrator. Such villainy had come from nowhere, especially after peace had been enforced by Artemis herself. It had to be revenge for her assertion.

Whoever had done it was standing on Cetanu's doorstep.

"It was I!" Snarled the youngest of Zen'tukte's party. He was a smaller but still a broad shouldered version of Zen'tukte, only his coloring was slightly different and striped. The younger male stood tall apart from the others as everyone turned to look at him.

Kato did not, he only shook his mane and continued his work on Artemis, giving her another injection to further reverse any possible harm come to her from the poisonous Dego root. The poison was powdered and almost tasteless in liquid.

"Ell osde?!" Zen'tukte stomped his way across the room, wrapped a large hand around the Young Blood's thick neck, and slammed him into a wall.

The younger male growled in response, "Sei'i, she is nothing but prey, as you said! The creature deserves to die for speaking to you as such!"

Rhage and his men snarled in response, including Zen'tukte's party. Kato clamped a metal band around Artemis's slender wrist and watched her vital signs on a small projection on his gauntlet. The grey and blue Yautja was grateful he and the others had prepared for such a possibility.

While Zen'tukte grilled the Young Blood for answers, Kato continued his work with Artemis. He huffed, frustration in his eyes as he read her vitals. "Leader, Artemis would fare better in the med bay upon the clan ship. Tare has sent word that it is recommended we place her in a Heal Tank. The clan medic is worried that the poison could have lasting repercussions if we do not act with haste."

Rhage felt stark cold fear race through his veins. This emotion was unfamiliar and he felt a flurry in his chest. His little mate was fast asleep in his arms but he could hear the twin heart beats were quieter, muted. Everything he hoped to build with her was falling and all at once.