Kai made a soft sound, at the feel of his treasures against his scales. Rubies, he mused, were the color of fire without all the heat. Such a strong gem deserved to be his head pillow. He shifted and felt the hard points of his emeralds dig wonderfully into the itchy area between his belly scales. Kai's hoard room was large, but his bed dominated the space. Carefully separated heaps of gemstones whose piles were then pushed together to make one giant mass in the center of his cave comprised his bed. There were wardrobes and trunks as well as shelving scattered throughout the rest of the cave. Kai used them to hold all sorts of things, from statues made of precious materials to unusually beautiful clothing or tapestries.   No two dragons were alike, of course, but dragons as a whole did have a propensity for beautiful, flashy, shiny things. Rare was the dragon not dressed in bright colors embroidered in gold or silver, with enough jewels to make a monarch envious. They adored clothes, art, jewels—all of it. He was quite proud of his hoard, even if it wasn't too extensive in comparison to the hoards of some of the older dragons. Hard work and copious amounts of shining kept everything perfect and Kai did his very best to keep it that way. If he wanted his hoard would be the largest with his ability to change anything into precious stones. It was as simple as that. But then it wouldn't feel palpably worthy, without much efforts. The thrill and risk of searching for treasures was what made a hoard worthy. Would make his mate proud. Kai frowned at the thought of that. He didn't want a mate, not if he could help it. Kai shifted onto his side, his wings spread out over his blue inlaid jewelry and tried not to think about how close the color blue was to someone's colored hair. He was also not thinking about the Azurite in conjunction with a certain someone's eyes. In fact, Kai was trying very hard not to think at all. He had thought sleeping with Sehun would get him out of his system. But it didn't work. Instead it made things worse now that he know what Sehun tasted like. It had taken every ounce of will power he had not to decorate Sehun's body with jewelry. Make him a part of his hoard. It was why he couldn't stay till the morning after, and quickly retreated from the station. Zach had told Kai to stop sulking for not getting his way. In response to the Hora , Kai had deposited Zach at the ship, before fleeing to Logan several days ago and had hidden in his hoard since. Not even stepping out of his cave. He dozed in the sunlight, comfortable on his bed of jewels. A paw on his face woke Kai just as the suns moved past his skylight. Logan had a different time line than Lyfe, much shorter days. Kai snorted awake and blinked at the creature sitting in front of him. A wolf the size of a pony, with deep brown fur panted widely just below Kai's jaw. Kai knew that canines did not come in that size … ever. Clearly the wolf was not a normal creature– wait a minute, it was the same creature from days ago. A werewolf. At times it was easy to forget he was in Logan. Where it was a norm to come across werewolves. Beneath the beast skin, a human would lie in wait. Human seeming, human smelling, human in everything except soul, werewolves would shift into their bestial forms and hunt. "You do not belong here," Kai sent telepathically to the wolf as he quickly and surreptitiously checked to make sure that the wolf was alone and that all of his pretties were still in place. Last time the wolf took something from him, but something about the wolf had prevented Kai from chasing him down. Like the wolf was to be protected not hunted. And that feeling had nothing to do with his friendship with the Alpha– ruler of Logan. The wolf snorted, sat back on its haunches, and began to shift forms.The process sounded and looked painful for the creature, bones snapping and reforming, muscles sliding around under skin, and fur receding. When Kai shifted forms it was a smooth transition from dragon to human—nothing like the display of agony before him. When the change stopped, a boy and panting on Kai's floor. He was a pretty lad, with shoulder length blond hair. They were a few were-creatures in Lyfe. That lived in the Wilds beyond the city. It was an area controlled by the dragons only on paper. To truly own the area the dragons would need to fight, defeat, and decimate the wild races populating the Wilds that refused to complacently fall under the dragons' claws. Not even Heechul could do anything about it. One such race who could not be controlled were the werewolves, but they generally kept to themselves in the Wilds. They had been in Lyfe long before the dragons took over. That was where he met Namjoon as a child, and the beginning of their friendship too. Namjoon had came to visit a relative that resided in the wilds of Lyfe, and Kai had been in the wilds by mere happenstance.  "Sorry, I came to bring this back." The boy said, lifting a ruby to Kai's view. Though he wasn't good at Logan's native tongue, but the translator chip made it possible to understand what the boy said "My brother– eh adopted father?" He shook his. "Whatever, he asked me to return it. I didn't know how important It is to you until he pointed it out." Kai gave a jerky nod, relief washing over him. He was aware of the boy's theft, but had chosen to turn a blind eye– despite his instincts screaming at him to get his treasure back. Now that boy had realized his errors, there was no need to dwell on it. "I don't understand why dragons see the need to gather so much riches, when you're not even going to spend it. Just lay on it." Instinct. Kai responded. I bet you as shifter should understand. The boy nodded so enthusiastically Kai half-thought his neck would snap. "I kind of relate to that, though not to your level." He shrugged. Then he frowned, his nose flared, as if taking in Kai's scent. "Are my senses playing tricks on me?" He tilted his head to take in Kai."How did I miss it last time? The point is, why do you smell familiar? Very familiar, in fact I could swear you have Se–" Kai's com device that sat on the pile of coins, began beeping vigorously, sufficiently cutting the boy off. Somehow he felt whatever the boy didn't get to say was important. Unfortunately, Kai had to see to his device. It was a call from his ship. And his soldiers didn't just call without a tangible reason.  Sighing, Kai let his change take over, and he didn't miss the way the boy's eyes went wide in awe. "Holy ! You change so effortlessly." He winked, drawing out a loud whistle. "Has anyone ever told you, you could conquer the world with that monster ." His eyes were fixated on said , with unhidden envy. "Does all dragons have a that huge? Well if yes, it makes sense, monster for monster creatures." He laughed, as though having said the most funniest joke. Kai scowled, however he didn't comment, nor acknowledge the boy."Yes!" He connected the call, while ignoring the boy completely. "General, you have get here now. You won't believe who we found." His assistant captain Taemin said, and Kai didn't miss the excitement in his tone. "What are you talking about? Speak clearly." He demanded. He chanced a glance at the wolf, and noticed the boy had his attention on Kai. He seemed to be eavesdropping, without trying to be subtle. Kai made for his drawers, pulling out a pair of pants, to wear. "Your brother Taehyung is at the ship. Safe and sound" "What? Tae? Are sure it's him?" Kai paused, pants hanging on his hips. It didn't make sense, Taehyung should be in Long. Kai was supposed to check to make sure he was there, expect he didn't. "Yes Sir! I've known Taehyung since he's a whelp. It's him. But that's not all." Taemin went on. "A pirate is also with him." "What do you mean a pirate." Zipping his pants, Kai grabbed a shirt as he made his way out of the cave, to where his emergency spacecraft was. Of course the boy followed, but once again Kai paid him no mind. "Apparently Taehyung was being held captive by pirates all the while. But the pirate leader refused to let him go despite Taehyung telling him whom he was, and Heechul's name being mentioned." He paused, there were hush voices in the background. "The other crew didn't want trouble with us, which resulted to a mutiny occurring and the new captain contacted us. To return Taehyung, and give us the former captain as a sign of good will." "Hey can I come with you?" The boy mouthed. Kai shook his head. Something flickered across the boy's face, there and gone too quickly to interpret. "What's the name of this captain." He had a sinking feeling he wouldn't like the answer. Entering the spacecraft, Kai slammed the door when the wolf made attempt to follow. "It's SH sir of Black Pearl." Taemin told him.  A sharp breath escaped him, he couldn't help the curse word that left his mouth."" Kai grabbed a fistful of his hair, while hastily igniting the engine. "Yeah, that's what I thought too." "Do not do a thing, keep him locked up, away from other dragons. You have no idea what he's capable of."  "Oh Sir, I have experienced first hand and it was no way pleasant– he nearly killed me without even touching me. He seem to have some strong magic in him." That had gave him a pause. "Nearly killed you without touching you? Nevermind, I will hear the full story when I arrive. Just keep the others away from him– take him to my cabin." "Your cabin? But–" "Do not argue with me. That's an order." "Yes sir, but we can't open it without you." "I will open it from here, take him there. Now." Kai snapped, already typing in the passcode that was linked to his cabin. When in the ship he didn't need a passcode. The cabin was designed to open and close, with his mere presence. His DNA was the key. "And Taemin," "Sir." "Do not let any harm come his way." "Yes sir." The assistant captain said, and Kai could hear the question that Taemin didn't know how to ask. As he maneuvered the craft, he caught sight of the wolf still standing in place, watching as Kai flew away, with a pout on his face. **** Sehun jerked awake with a start. When he came to, he blinked, then blinked again, and then gave up when his vision stayed stubbornly fuzzy. He was in a bed, and under a pile of blankets — but he was goosebumpy and shivering in spite of what felt like a real feather comforter and a set of flannel sheets.

Looking around the best he could with only half his vision, he caught glimpses of the room– a cabin that he was unfamiliar with it's structure, however very luxurious, decorated in white and gray, like one of those that belonged to a spoilt prince of a wealthy planet. But no doubt inside a space ship. It was somewhat similar to Sehun's cabin, but while Sehun's had several potted plants, this was dull in comparison. There was a familiar scent that his foggy mind was unable to decipher. He tried to sit up, but yeah, his head still spined. His muscles quivered with the effort of scooting up the bed and tucking the pillows behind his head a little more firmly to prop it up. There was the overwhelming smell of dragon that made his esophagus tighten up and bile rise to the back of his throat, but beneath that, was a scent he swore he knew and his heart gave a jump. ! His mind was still reeling but he managed to recall how he got here. He had been sedated, strongly. Not by the dragons, but by one of his own. His most trusted friend. He didn't know why Baekhyun did that, but Sehun was sure as hell the cyborg had his reasons. He had known the man for seven years. Baekhyun might be many things, but stupid wasn't one of them. He wouldn't be stupid enough to believe he would get away with betraying Sehun. Sehun's family, the Lans would eventually find out and would definitely hunt him down– even Hyunjin wouldn't stay idle. The chances of the crew members accepting him as the new captain was very, very low.  Black Pearl belonged to Sehun. That was a fact that would never change. No one in his crew would want to be enemies with the Lans. Wei Ying and Wendy would wreck havoc on anyone that dared. Baekhyun wouldn't be able to hide for long or lie when found– which was bound to happen sooner rather than later. Black Pearl had many trackers on her, Pearl was designed to accept Sehun's command, especially when traveling afar from Coaster Z solar system. For another to be able to override or change that, they would have to dismantle the ship, rebuilt it, delete and install a new Al. Which would be a huge headache, and would cost a fortune. Finding Black Pearl would be very easy. And when they did. Hoseok wouldn't stay quiet, Irene and Sizhui could read Baekhyun's emotions. Hell would rain down on him. And there was Lyla. She would sacrifice every magic for Sehun. She would tear anyone with such intentions to shreds.  So no, the chances of betrayal was unlikely. There must be something Sehun had missed. Then why? What's Baekhyun's motives? Only him could tell. And Sehun planned on getting answers form him, even if it meant smashing his steel body to get it. But to do that, he would have to get out of this spacecraft. Running a hand down his body, he was relieved to know his clothes were still on him, and the tracker too. Just his weapons were gone as expected. The dragons– arrogant as ever– didn't think it necessary to thoroughly search him.  The Zerg soldiers would be here in little time to collect him. All he ha