It was like floating in air, or at least, how she thought it was like. Her body felt weightless and free from the restraint of gravity. As if she could fly.

For the first time in a long time, she could float in the endless dark without a care in the world. There was nothing to fear or stress about. There was only the calm quiet of the abyss. Reaching out to it was fruitless since her body refused to move.

It was like an anchor weighed her limbs down. Any movement was restricted.

Artemis was fully content to just float in the nothingness forever. Perhaps she would. She wondered if she had died and brought Orion with her, but, she had told Rhage many times that if something were to happen to her then she wanted the baby to live. Her life would be over but his had a chance, he had a chance to live a full and good life. Orion was probably in the world without her now.

Death had always been on her mind, but when it came to her son living on after her...she didn't mind.

Her life for his was worth it.

Just as she was letting the worries fade away again, she felt a pressure all over her body. Similar to a bear hug almost. The feeling was all around her and gradually grew in strength until it faded altogether into nothing.

A bright light replaced the comforting darkness and something was tugging her none too gently.

She could move again and when multiple sources of heat touched her she began to fight. When a fist hit something hard she heard a grunt of pain and continued to fight with all she had. Going back to that darkness was what she wanted. Whatever was happening was foreign and it scared her.

All fight left her as her vision gradually showed the world to her upon opening her eyes. She was in some sort of medical room from the looks of it, a giant empty cylindrical tank to the left of her and various other machines that vaguely looked familiar were spaced around the room. The floor was cold beneath her half naked body leaning against the side of the tank. There at least was a familiar figure crouching a few feet away with his hands held up in a placating gesture.

"Artemis. Safe. No harm." he attempted, the poor Yautja's English broken and growly.

Slowly she nodded as she continued to look around the room.

It was a familiar purr that caught her attention. She tried to stand but failed as he came rushing to her, his arms coming around her and picking her up.

Rhage nuzzled her hair as she leaned against him. His warmth helped to settle her even more and fluttering kicks within her tummy helped to remind her that her family was still intact; alive. He was here and that was all that mattered now.

She tried to speak to him but her voice was hoarse, "R-Rhage."

"Hush. You have been in the Heal Tank for five rotations. Let me take you to the dwelling, mate." As he spoke he moved to hold her bridal style as he left the room, saying something to Kato was they went.

Soon enough they were back home and he was setting her at the dining table. Swiftly he placed a steaming bowl of broth before her. She still felt weak, so he picked her up, sat in the chair himself and held her in his lap while he fed her the broth.

It tasted like chicken noodle soup while bringing more feeling to her muscles. She could even hold the spoon on her own, letting Rhage just hold her to his chest.

"Good?" he asked as she awkwardly wiped at her mouth.

"Yeah. What is it?" Her throat felt less scratchy the more she ate the soup. The slightly salty taste warmed her insides.

He nuzzled her gently, his locs falling over her shoulders, "Chicken soup from your planet. Your planet's interconnected data-base said this is a healing food. I added a few ingredients to waken your body up more." A large hand caressed her swell, his heated skin warming up her chilled flesh.

She hummed in pleasure as she drank from the bowl, getting the last few drops before setting it down. "Thanks, love. It's definitely helped."

Moving her fingers around didn't take as much energy as it did before. Whatever he had put in that soup had done wonders!

"C-Could you tell Kato I'm sorry for punching him?" She asked sheepishly as Rhage purred behind her.

He chuckled, the rumble shaking her slightly. "He will be fine. He did not take offense."

Artemis let out a breath, "I didn't know what was going on. I remember passing out and then waking up to everything feeling...weird. What happened?"

Rhage gingerly set her on her feet while he stood to return the empty dish to the receptacle in the wall. His shoulders were relaxed but she could see a tension in the way he walked. The usually stoic male was offbeat. The sight worried her.

Wrapping an arm around her waist, he helped her slowly get to the couch where she sat in his lap facing him. His lime-green eyes softened as he stroked her cheek with the blunt of a claw.

"I had Kato and Valam bring you back to the clan ship. He was correct in his telling that you needed to be placed in the Heal Tank." His eyes crinkled slightly as she leaned into his touch. "Never before have I felt fear until you were there unconscious in my arms. You were so...so much closer to death...you and the pup."

Artemis reached up and stroked the concaves of his cheeks. His eyes fluttered at her gentle ministrations as little clicks escaped his throat. She couldn't help the soft giggle that escaped her lips. "I'm right here, baby. Thanks to you."

He grunted, "Sei'i, I thank Cetanu every day for keeping you here with me."

"I'd rather be here with you over any other place. I'll fist fight death itself if I have to."

A rumbling chuckle shook her gently as he rubbed his forehead against hers affectionately. The rising sun through the slitted windows reflected on his scales highlighting the muted colors, something that would always be a beautiful sight.

"Who put the poison in my water?"

"One of Zen'tukte's party. A Young Blood."

"Was he tossed in prison or something?" She cocked her head to the side; a learned behavior from the Yautja. One of her fingers stroked various clouded red-tipped locs, trying to calm down the storm she saw brewing in his eyes.

Luckily the storm blew away as he brought up his arm and pushed a few buttons on his gauntlet with his claws. She moved to sit next to him and snuggled into his side while he continued to fiddle with his gauntlet.

Up came a projection of video footage. It was of Rhage and others standing around a Yautja that was chained to a post in what looked to be a courtyard outside of the pyramid. On the stone ground were the stains of Yautja blood, splotches of green everywhere.

There was silence as Rhage unfurled the whip he carried on his belt and shared a nod with Zen'tukte off to the side. What proceeded next was shocking, to say the least.

Rhage whipped the guy until his back was a lattice work of mutilated flesh and blood. It was both shocking and...satisfying. To see the supposed person who did it being given such a harsh punishment sparked something to life inside of her that she had only felt when her lover had the dick measuring contest with Zen'tukte.

Part of her felt sick to her stomach watching but the dominate part enjoyed every second of it. Even when it came to Rhage flaying the skin off of the whipped Yautja. She found herself upset that she didn't get to deal the death blow. To feel his blood on her hands and to bathe in the blood of her enemy. It was a primitive part of herself that unlocked as she watched.

"Justice has been served, mate. The th'syra is my gift to you. Never again will I fail you." Rhage pulled her onto his lap so he could nibble at her lips with his tusks before nuzzling her.

Artemis flattened her hands on his wide chest and enjoyed the warm rough flesh. Just being able to touch him brought joy. To know that she and Orion had both survived the ordeal was even more joyous. The realization that Rhage had actually killed someone for her. He had told her once that he would, and he had.

On Earth she would've been horrified that the man she loved had killed someone. Here, however, she had come to understand the Yautja culture; the good part anyways.

She had someone who had avenged her and had proven themselves multiple times over that they were a worthy partner. He had been there for her every step of the way. Rhage had even managed to settle her PTSD to where she hadn't had an episode in...a long while.

Artemis herself had become stronger since living on Yautja Prime with the Yautja.

She could stand on her own two feet. She had stood tall and made demands of creatures that could kill her with ease. She had been on an alien world, something she thought would never happen, and came out on the other end. More than ever she felt strong and more like her namesake. It was at that thought that she wanted him to feel her reaction more than be told.

Her hands roamed down to Rhage's waist where she untied his loincloth to reveal her target. Keeping eye contact with him, she wrapped her small hand around his cock and stroked him.

Rhage growled, his mandibles flaring wide. His eyes narrowed as she stroked his meaty cock. He snapped his teeth together when she picked up the pace. The large alien before her threw his head back and moaned, the sound deep in his wide chest.

She bit his hot flesh in an attempt to leave hickeys, her love bites trailing up his chest and to the base of his neck. He tasted smoky, just as he smelled, that heady scent that drove her nuts with need whenever she smelled it.

When she felt him getting close to a release she pulled away and pushed at his chest. "Lie down."

He snarled in frustration but complied, lying back on the couch.

Snickering mischievously, Artemis straddled his hips after removing her own clothing. She rubbed her cunt against his erect cock and moaned.

The motion made him wrap his large hands around her hips and thrust upwards, both of them moan with need.

"Be a good boy, Rhage, or I'll have to punish you." She teased, raking her nails down his chest.

Her rounded tummy made it a bit difficult to maneuver atop Rhage but she did the best she could. He had to help her balance a bit as she speared herself with his cock, both of them groaning in unison. She didn't stop until every inch of alien meat was buried inside of her.

It was something she felt she would never tire of. Feeling his fat cock stretching her insides to the max was heaven on Earth. The pinnacle of ecstasy.

This man, this Yautja, had forever changed her view on truly scratching that itch.

Slow but sure, and with a little help from Rhage, she rode him. She made sure to take her sweet time, letting him feel her internal heat and squeezing his member with every stroke. The ridges on his cock stroked her insides and brought her closer to her own release. His hands tightened as she felt the muscles in his abdomen clench. The tips of his claws drew blood as he dug them slightly into her flesh with the coming of her release.

In a soft guttural moan came his name with the explosion of ecstasy. Her juices flowed around his sheathed cock and down onto his thighs. Shortly after, he gave quick successive thrusts and snarled with his release. Artemis moaned as his hot cum heated her insides. It was so much that a good amount spilled out as he gently withdrew himself from inside her.

She lay on his chest catching her breath. Sweat plastered her hair to her face and heated her skin deliciously.

"I love you." Softer than the wings of a butterfly she left little trails of kisses down his chest. Her ministrations made him purr. The purrs rumbled in her chest helping to calm her rapidly beating heart.

"I love you, as well, my love."

"It's weird and I can't explain it but...I liked seeing you whip that guy. The one who supposedly did it."

His arms wrapped around her and he rolled onto his side until they were face to face. Some of his locs fell onto her shoulder and created a curtain of clouded blue and red, the tendrils feeling warm against her skin.

"I am glad. I worried you would react badly." He pressed his tongue against her lips until she opened up for him to take control of her mouth. Their tongues danced, the taste of him heady.

When they pulled apart he purred some more, his claws gently trailing down her cheek and neck. His rough flesh left heated trails in their wake.

"Nah. It's a bit of a turn seeing you so savage. I liked it. A lot." She stroked his tusks gently, careful enough to not cut herself.

Artemis giggled as he nibbled at her finger tips playfully. "Oh really?"

"Mhm. It's...sexy...like you."

"Sexy? I am unfamiliar with this term." He licked at her fingers when she went to play with his mandibles again.

"It means attractive and enticing. When I say that word it means attractive. If I wasn't the shy type I would've showed Zen'tukte how wrong he is about you, babe."

She reached down and dragged her nails down the entire length of his shaft. Her dark blue eyes watched him from under her eyelashes, watching as he spread his mandibles with an audible whine.

Rhage rarely made such a noise and it was only when he really liked something that she did during sex. He hardly displayed such a vulnerability to anyone except for her, something she loved. This large being capable of death with just the swipe of his wicked black claws let his walls down around her with ease.

Such was their relationship.

Built on trust and love.

"Seeing you so strong and easily bring justice down upon that dishonorable male...makes me want you even more." She dug her nails into his thick flesh and raked them down his chest with her free hand. He snarled low and deep like a tiger, "My fierce warrior of a hubby. The strongest of Hunters. Leader of his people. All bundled into a sweet package of you."

His hips bucked against her hand with every stroke of his cock, the green appendage twitching. He made more whining noises as she tugged at a few of the quills that were on his hip. Every stroke and touch she gave him had him panting like an overheated dog.

The sight was truly magnificent.

More and more he panted until his breath came unevenly and he started to purr-chitter, the sounds mingling together in an insect-like symphony. Those black claws of his sunk into the fabric of the couch as she felt him grow closer to his climax. His whining turned to random clicking and growls in his language that she didn't understand except for the equivalent of 'fuck' thrown in.

Artemis gave him a few more quick strokes and he completely came apart. His seed came rushing forth and splattered his abdomen and her thighs, those powerful hips of his thrusting through his climax until he was spent beside her.

All she heard was his heavy pants and she licked the semen off of her fingers as he came down from his high.

Eventually he lied there with his eyes closed stretched out beside her. He didn't move until she mumbled about needing a shower. The stickiness of his release was starting to bother her and grow cold against her heated flesh. He was quickly on his feet and hauling her into his arms.

Rhage brought them to the bathroom where he pressed a button for the tub to fill and set her on her feet. He poured some oils and scented vials into the water as it filled the giant rectangular bathing pool. Floral scents wafted up to her nose as he helped her into the heated steaming water.

They both bathed before coming together again. Artemis sat on his lap with her legs spread as he returned the favor.

"Mate, you spoil me so. Both with your words and your attentions." He purred in her ear as he surrounded her with his large body. "Let me please you, love."

• • •

Rhage felt right again with his mate in his arms. To feel her skin to skin instead of looking through the viewing window of the Heal Tank was a big relief. He could smell her and bury his face in her soft chocolate brown mane, the tresses having grown to her bottom since their meeting.

He needed to feel her deeper. It had been five rotations too long since he had buried himself inside of her.

With a rumbling purr, he gently speared her on his cock and they both moaned simultaneously. Her blunt nails dragged down his chest when he finally bottomed out inside. He clicked and growled a few expletives when her cunt tried to choke the life out of him.

"You never cease in your attempts to geld me, little flower." His English was garbled and growly.

Both of his hands wrapped around her soft thighs, his claws trailing the many stretch marks. Artemis moaned when he lifted her and let her slide back down. She bounced with every stroke of his hips. This position also allowed him to reach deeper inside and hit places that made her cry out. Her head fell back as he gently but deeply rutted her.

The room was full of the sounds of flesh against flesh, the wet noises from their bodies colliding in the water. All around them the water sloshed around violently and splashed onto the floor as a result of their love making.

As Rhage felt his climax approach, Artemis hit hers and cried out his name while her nails clawed at his chest. He rutted her through her climax until he hit his own, filling her with his release. She fell against his chest panting as he came down from the high.

"I was...so scared. Scared of dying." The smell of her salty tears dispelled the intermingling of their scents.

He encased her in a protective hold and nuzzled her. "Ell-osde te yeyin."

She sniffed, pulling back to meet his gaze. A finger wiped away her tears as gently as he could.

"What does that mean?"

"It means 'You are strong'. The antidote did its work but your body did the rest in the Heal Tank."

Artemis smiled shyly, "I suppose I am strong."

He scoffed, his breath puffing over her chair. "You are. More than you know it."

"Fiiine. I'm glad we're all okay."

"I am as well." As he spoke he separated their bodies and helped her wash between her legs since her rounded belly got in the way. "Let me spoil you more, mate."

Quickly, he stood up and hauled her out of the water and dried them off with the push of a button.

There was much more pampering he wanted to do with Artemis and was going to work from his dwelling today so he could. Clan business was second to his mate and pup. Once he put her in the nest later to slumber then he would pull together a late-sundown meeting.

Artemis pressed kisses up his neck, something he very much liked, as he carried her back to bed.

"Keep up your affections and I will rut you to sleep."

She giggled, her laughter his favorite sound. "Oooo, really? That sounds awesome right now."

He playfully growled and enjoyed her resulting laughter. Keeping this game going, he knelt on the end of the bed and crawled towards her with excited clicking in his throat. His little mate was slow to try to escape his approach, her rounded swell weighing her down, but she still tried. Despite his slow and languished pace, he still caught up to her.