By the time Sehun has was done recovering his wounded pride, only small hiccups escaped his mouth. And Kai was still not back. Which he was grateful for, he didn't need the dragon close. Not after what happened moments after feeding on the Drake.  Oh Gods he really accepted a Drake's help, a Drake's blood into his system. It made him want to be sick, but no matter how hard he tired to coax the blood out, it refused to leave his belly, that seemed to very much enjoy the test of Kai's blood. He was only able to force out a tiny amount that only resulted in soiling his clothes. And he would have to sleep with blood sticking on him. Sehun was angry at himself. He was a man of thirty-one years, had experience a lot in his life. But Instead of acting his age about the situation, Sehun had piled weakness on top of the whole mess. He had broke down in front the young Drake, had cried like a boy. But that's okay. It was something he would never let happen again. One thing that gave him a little peace was that: Kai didn't feed him his dragon blood, Sehun had tasted a few to be able to tell the difference. How the Drake was able to do that was lost to him. But he had an idea it was due the Golden dragon . Like Sehun would ever understand what it meant.  Sehun knew a lot, knew each clan and the ability that came with their scales. That about know your enemy better. He thought he knew everything there was to know about dragons, but apparently he had been wrong. Sehun hated when faced with a situation that was foreign to him.  He would understand soon enough. He consoled himself. Another thing that bothered him, was the uncertainty of what Kai's motive was for keeping him inside his personal cabin. It didn't make sense. Sehun was a prisoner, and shouldn't be in here. And he dreaded to know the reason. Nevertheless, he was sure it wasn't anything good. The Drake wasn't keeping him here to force himself on Sehun right? He wouldn't keep him as a slave right? Sehun scoffed. Like he would allow that. No matter how much he craved the touch of his mate, he wouldn't stoop so low to allow Kai to touch him after knowing what he was. He didn't know what the fates were thinking when they thought to match him up with a dragon. A Drake. They must have been real drunk on some kind of fine godly wine, to do something outrageous like that. Sehun would never, accept Kai. Never allow the Drake to touch him the way he had done that night. He wouldn't be his fathers' son if he did. He would be a disgrace to the elfin race, a disgrace to his royal blood. A betrayal. Breath clouding the air, Sehun paced disappointed at himself. Not only disappointed—that was far too weak a word for it. It had been a betrayal. A betrayal to his Hayrik and their people. Sehun and Kai and whatever madness had briefly consumed them paled in importance. He had to put Lyfe first. It was his duty above all else. Even my mate? “But he’s not!” Sehun shouted, the protest loud in the muffled silence of the cabin. None of it was real. It never had been and never could be. He couldn’t let himself care about Kai. He couldn’t him again. Couldn’t let himself worry about Kai's fate. What if he collared you? Like how the dragons did with elves? Render you helpless, but to take his and enjoy it like in heat? And might probably pass you around for others to . Sehun would be powerless. It was probably why he wasn’t bound and caged in the ship’s holding cell —there was no point when he would be helpless to stop them. Sehun was their prisoner whether he knew it or not. He was trapped with no need of bars on his prison A sinister part of him supplied.  And Sehun shuddered. He couldn't imagine himself without his elfin strength, senses, without the ability to feel nature, to connect with it, no matter how little he could feel on this ship. He had once tired that damned collar, many years ago when he saved the first group of elves in Haba, hoping to understand what it really felt to be in one. And he swore it hadn't been a pleasant experience and never wished to have a repeat of the event. It felt like a significant part of him had died. The experience of that, had been what prompted him to become ruthless, merciless toward the dragons, and never failed to take the chance to kill them, whenever he could. He rather die than let himself be collared. A part of him told him to just press the tracker, get away and forgot about the mission. But a larger part of him couldn't just leave, when he knew he could get the useful information that would help his race. His Hayrik had trusted him to care for the elves, and Sehun wouldn't disappoint him. Slowly he pushed himself off the floor, and walked to the window, needing to see Lyfe, and a reminder of everything that had happened in his life. Watching Lyfe brought a sense of calmness and peace to him. That didn't last long though, when he was startled. "It's not real you know." A voice said from behind. Sehun swirled around quickly in search of its source. He didn't see any one though, well not anyone that he expected to see. Looking at him with strange eyes was a money like creature, a hairless ugly monkey."Did you just speak to me?" The creature nodded, bringing its human like hands to rub at its bald head."I did." It grinned and Sehun cringed. "What are you talking about?" There were many species across the galaxy, but Sehun had never seen or heard of such a creature. And Sehun knew a lot. He was really curious to know what this creature before him was. "The view, it's not really Lyfe. But just some artificial screensaver. The real Lyfe is millions light years away." "Huh?" He was still trying to wrap his head around a talking hairless monkey, with human like expression. Thus nothing was making much sense. Like a patient parent, the monkey explained."The Lyfe you're seeing is just an illusion. Nini like the feeling of getting close to home, thus he made his window look like that." The hideous monkey went on, unbothered by Sehun's overt curious stares. "For peace of mind I think." It shrugged. "How are you able to speak? What are you?" Fascinated by it, Sehun slowly walked over, crouching next to it, but far enough to attach if need be. He wanted to reach out and touch the creature, but held himself from doing that. "What do think? A Hora of course!" The monkey supplied, with an expression as though Sehun was an idiot for not figuring it out sooner. "You know we can only take animal shapes. And this is closest thing I can look to a human. And i wanted to talk to you." Another lazy shrug followed. Oh boy, this was Lyla's mate. Kai's familiar. "You're Zi– I mean Zach." He breathed out. "In the flesh." Zach placed a hand on his belly, bending slightly, in theatrical gesture. "How?" Sehun shook his head. That was a dumb question to ask. Though Lyla wasn't able to speak with him like this, no matter what shape she took. It was always telepathically, but apparently her mate was different. It was probably a different ability he had that Lyla didn't. "Well I think it's because you're an elf, and you have a connection with nature and I am a child of nature. My words won't probably make sense to others all they could hear is me making strange noises." Zi rolled his eyes. "I bet really horrible noises." Sehun hadn't thought of that. It was very likely, his elfin blood was what made this possible. "Mind if I curse? I really really want to curse." Zach swirled around like an excited child hopping from one foot to another. "! , Holy cow! I've been dying to curse out loud for a verrrry long time."He continued to spill out curse words that put Baekhyun to shame, as though it was the ony speech he knew. "It felt really good do that. You know." He did a back slide, twisting his body, and Sehun had a sudden vision of earth Michael Jackson in a monkey costume, albeit a hideous one. Sehun didn't know whether to admonish or laugh at the Hora. He did neither, just continued to stare at Zach, that seem to take much pleasure in cursing and dancing. He didn't know what Zach was like as Zi, but he bet Lyla had her hands full with such a mate. Thinking about Lyla tore at his inside. He missed his familiar and was certain she would worry herself to death with his absence. He was probably too far for her to pick up their bond. He had to let her know he was fine, knowing Lyla, she could go days without food. And his family too, they should know Sehun was fine. Watching Zach showing his nice dance moves, an idea came to him. Sehun would enlist Zach's help to send a message to his family. The timing was perfect, now that Kai wasn't in the cabin. And there was a computer. But he had to coax the Hora with something good enough to his side for a moment. And hopefully the Hora wouldn't rat him out to Kai. "Zach do you remember Lyla?" At the mentioned that of Lyla, the monkey abruptly stopped, eyes gleaming with delight. "The pretty fiery Hora? Of course I do." He had what would be a dreamy look on a human's face and Sehun resisted the urge to laugh. Good. That was perfect. It seemed even though Zach's bond with Lyla had lessen there was still its element that Sehun could use. "I am sure she's worried about me right now, and would definitely go days without eating." He made a pitiful face. "That's why I need your help. I want to send her a message with a system, assure her I am fine?" He let his gaze to where said system sat on the desk. Zach followed his line of sight. "You can do that?" He asked looking back at Sehun. Sehun nodded.  "Kai never does that. The piece of – he just abandon me without a word most of the time. And guess what? That had never stopped me from eating." He made a strange sound that Sehun supposed was a laugh. "He didn't care much about me." Now he looked sad but Sehun could tell it was just Zach being dramatic. The Hora had a flare for dramatics, Sehun noted. "Okay I will help you, but I have a request and question." "Shoot." A Hora's request wouldn't be difficult right? "How do you do it?" Zach asked with a serious face. "Do what?" Sehun tilted his head, as though doing that would let him understand what the Hora was talking about. Zach gave him a look that Sehun couldn't decipher it's meaning."Stay so damn strong whatever happens, Sehun doesn't break. If I were in your situation right now, I don't know what I would do– not that you have anything to fear with Kai here to protect you." With Kai here to protect you. That statement rang over in his head, until Sehun shook it away. "That's not true" Sehun laughed. "I just broke down a few moments ago." "Really?" Zach said, scratching the back of his bald head. "I didn't notice, all saw was an elf beating himself up for feeding on his supposed enemy." Sehun winced at the reminder."Can we not talk about that?" "Alright." Zach agreed. "My request is, can you put a few words for me? I want to court your familiar and mate her, and have pretty cubs like their mama. Gods she's so pretty." The dreamy eyes were back. Sehun didn't tell Zach he already had pretty cubs, with Lyla. That was something for his familiar to tell. Instead, he went along. "Alright, I will help you. But you need to focus." Though he had no idea how that would work. Lyla and Zach now belonged in a difference world. Unless he would give Lyla up, and that was something he wasn't sure he could. Lyla was his family. Or he could take Zach away, with him. Would Zach abandon Kai for Lyla?  He could. A mate bond was stronger than a familiar bond. Lyla deserve to be happy. "Really? Of course you meant it. What do you need me to do?" "Is Kai's system locked?" He asked. "Eh no, why would he lock his system, it's not like I can use it to watch o, I am not into that kind of stuff you know. And besides no one will dare come In here to snoop around." He did that Michael Jackson flip. "This is general Drake's cabin." Sehun smiled. "Where do you learn to dance?" He couldn't help but ask. "Nini taught me– more like I picked a few things from watching him, the bastard is a good dancer." It was hard to associate the Drake general with that. But when he think of the young male he had met at space station, it didn't seem strange, it fit the boy, Nini. "Hard to believe. I know that, but he really dances, he has a cool studio on the ship. Wanna see?" " Sehun shook his head." No need." He managed another smile. "Thanks Zach. Why do you call him Nini? I thought it wasn't a real name." "Eh says who? Nini is real name alright. A pet name that I liked call him. Aren't I cool?" He laughed, body unable to stop moving. "Yeah you're the coolest. Now let's send that message" He rushed to the system. And just like Zach had said, it wasn't locked. "Zach guard the door, and let me know when someone approaches." The Hora bounced to the door, pressed his ear to listen, before he sat himself there, like a detective. Thanking the gods, for the few hacking tips he had learned from Baekhyun, Sehun set to work. It didn't take long to type the message, using a language only the Lans would understand. He made sure not to leave any trace that could be detected.  Once done, he switched off the system, and turned to around with smile. "Zach I am done." He informed the Hora.  Zach that still had his ear plastered to the door, turned to grin at him. "Perfect, now let's get you out of those clothes. And get you something to change into."   **** "Excuse me, please have you seen my brother?" Jimin asked, the Zerg guard he came across in the yard. He pulled out a handkerchief to wipe at his face as Coaster Z two Suns glared at him, the heat was unforgiven and Jimin wondered how these people managed a life on this planet. It was mostly desert, with little vegetation and water. The sandstorms here were strong enough to cut through metal. Their architecture the weirdest he had ever seen, suitable for desert habitants. Jimin wasn't used to places like Coater Z. His home planet oceanic crust was a diverse mix of citizens and culture. It features towering skyscrapers, streams of speeder-filled air traffic. But the best part of it were the mild weather, and many beaches. Abundance in nature, something every elf desired. No unforgivable heat, no sandstorms. The Zerg male in thick clothes, seemingly not bothered by the heat, smiled and pointed at where Black Pearl had been docked, for maintenance. He thanked the male and headed straight for the ship. Making his way inside, he was greeted by a few crew members, that were tasked with stocking things."Is Chanyeol here?" He asked, his voice polite. "The tall lad with big ears?"a lady asked. She was an orc, with bulky frame, nevertheless a beautiful one for an orc. Her eyes were violet, and like any orc she had two tusks protruding from her lower jaw.  "Yes, that's him."He nodded. "Ya'll find him in the treasury. Eh ya his brother, ya think he's got his eyes on someone?" "You wish to court him?" Jimin tilted his head. The orc grinned, showing off her tusks even more."Nah, nah, I wanna him." "I beg your pardon?" Jimin blinked owlishly. The other ladies– Zerg– beside her laughed, and Jimin realized his mouth was hanging open. He wasn't a prude, but he still didn't understand how those people talk about like it was nothing. While his  brother was open about , Jimin wasn't. No wonder he was still a at twenty four. Thing was, he did not see the appeal in sleeping with someone for just a night. He didn't judge those that did, his brother included, but it wasn't just his thing. He rather give his body to a person he wished to have something tangible with. "You scared the boy speechless Boa." One of Zerg giggled, shoving the orc in playful way and the orc let out roaring laughter. Ah the orc was Boa. Jimin snapped his mouth shut."I- I do not–" he began to say but shut his mouth. What was there to say. "Carry on boy, don't mind Boa," the other Zerg female said, slapping him on the shoulder, he almost topple from the force of it, but managed to stabilize himself in time. "Go find your brother." He hadn't leaned all their names, but Jimin wanted to. Wanted to be friends with them all. They seemed like real nice people. "Thank you." He bowed politely before moving on. He had only spent a few weeks with the crew but he felt that he had found a home already. A family. Something he had missed since he lost his parents. There had been just him and his brother for years. But not any more. Those people were not like the usual pirates he had encountered before, on Black Pearl, loyalty and friendship mattered more than treasure.  Not just that, Jimin had found something he never thought someone like himself lucky enough to have, a mate. Truth was Jimin had felt the pull the moment he set his eyes on the elfin knight. At first it was shock, then confusion followed, then realization and with it came elation. However he had held himself from allowing the pull to control him, had forcefully tamped it down, with a little effort. As a hired killer, he had been trained to resist certain things. And that training had come in handy. But that did not mean he had chosen to ignore it. No it was far from that. Even though he was scared, Jimin had embraced it, just that he opted to remain silent. Jungkook seemed like a nice elf, a warrior, everything Jimin had wanted in a mate. However, before he jumped in head first, he wanted to get to know his mate. He did not wish to be with someone that only wanted him because of a bond they could not resist. He needed something real. Something his parents had even though they weren't fated mates. And Jimin would be damned if he let himself get otherwise. The surprising and amazing thing was that, Jimin hadn't been the only one to find his mate on the ship. What a sweet twist of fate. The cyborg, Baekhyun was Chanyeol's mate. But he did not think his brother knew. Or was probably too dense to notice. Like always. Jimin wasn't only able to see someone's soul energy, but was able see people's auras. When those auras matched, it meant they were meant to be if they wished to. The cyborg had known what Chanyeol was to him, but why he chose to ignore it, was a mystery. Regardless Jimin could guess why. The male probably felt he wasn't good enough, because of obvious reasons. Well he wouldn't meddle with their affairs. Whether they chose to accept each other or not was for them to decide. The moment he stepped inside the treasury, he came to an abrupt halt. He could feel the unnatural cold of something in the room. It felt like a magical focus. That had been Jimin's first impression, and it was only strengthened as he stepped further. Why in all the hells would such focus be on Black Pearl?  Jimin considered other possibilities. It m