“I’m not going to kill you so stop fighting,” Shanna said in the woman’s ear. “This is a sleeper hold that will just knock you out.”

Alluwn didn’t listen. The woman clawed at Shanna’s arm, making her flinch as nails dug into her skin on her forearm. When Shanna didn’t release her, Alluwn threw her larger body sideways, taking Shanna down with her. Pain shot up Shanna’s leg that ended up under Alluwn’s hip but she didn’t let go. She kept the tight hold around the woman’s throat even as Alluwn rolled onto her back, nearly crushing Shanna under her. She couldn’t breathe but neither could Alluwn. She clung to her until the larger Zorn woman stopped struggling, her body going totally lax. Shanna waited long seconds more, her lungs burning for air, until she knew the Zorn wasn’t trying to fake her out.

Shanna released the other woman’s throat and unwrapped her legs from the woman’s body, using her legs against the ground to shove at the dead weight of the unconscious woman. As soon as she rolled the heavy body off her chest Shanna gasped in much needed air and untangled herself completely to rise to her feet. She bent down, watching the woman’s chest closely to make sure she was still breathing, which she was, before straightening up to stare at Vartas Yatgo.

“She’s down and she’s not moving. I won, right?”

The older man looked shocked. He gave a nod though. “You won but I never saw a fight like that before where one woman strangles another.”

“It’s a wrestling move and it was effective.”

Berrr started to walk to Shanna but Vartas Yatgo threw up his hand, halting Berrr with the movement without ever taking his attention from Shanna. She frowned as she stared back at the old Zorn man.

“You won the challenge in a strange way but you didn’t use weapons and Alluwn remains down. Now you may approach Hyvin Berrr and bow before him to ask if he will bound to you.”

“Bow down?” Shanna frowned.

“It is Zorn custom for a woman to go on her hands and knees before a male.”

Biting back a cuss word, Shanna gave a nod and turned to face Berrr. He was frowning deeply as their gazes locked. His attention turned briefly to her injured shoulder and arm where Alluwn had clawed her. Shanna started to slowly walk toward him and resisted taking a look at her injuries herself to see if she was bleeding much.

Berrr’s hands were fisted at his side when she stopped a few feet in front of him to gaze up into his still-angry features. Nervousness hit her hard. What if he refuses to bound to me? I’ll kill him without doubt, she thought as she slowly lowered herself on her hands and knees, never looking away from him.

Berrr didn’t move at all except for the rise and fall of his chest. Shanna wanted to snort at the irony of this moment. She never thought she’d bow before a man, had told Berrr she’d never do it but here she was doing exactly that. If I didn’t love him so much there’s no way I’d this, she thought, but I do love him. Her eyes locked with his beautiful gaze as he stared back down at her.

“I am requesting to be your bound,” Shanna said softly. “I don’t know the official words but—”

“I accept you as my bound,” Berrr growled, suddenly moving as he bent to grip her arms to gently help her to her feet and then he was hugging her to his chest, lifting her completely into his arms. “Someone get a healer now.”

“She’s just unconscious,” Shanna muttered into his chest. “I didn’t kill her. She’s the mother of your children for God’s sake. I wouldn’t—” Berrr growled. “I want a healer to see to you.”

Shanna relaxed in his arms, a smile curving her lips.

A deep male chuckle sounded behind Berrr. Vinlotti patted his friend’s back. “I am glad she won, my friend. Remember that I protected her until you got home.” Berrr turned his head, staring at his friend. “My vow to you, the first human stray I come across is yours.”

“I want one like her.”

Berrr turned his head, staring into Shanna’s eyes. “There is no one as wonderful as my Shanna but I will do my best to send you one at least worthy of you, my friend.” Shanna’s heart melted again. Damn, I love my sexy alien.

“Berrr,” a female growled the words. “Order them to release me so I can kill her.” Shanna tensed, turning her head. Alluwn was awake and being held by two of Berrr’s guards. The woman looked furious as her dark angry glare locked with Berrr’s, totally ignoring Shanna and the other people around them.

“You will be sent to Arlion.” Berrr glared at her. “It is better than you deserve but you are the mother of my offspring. They will treat you well there.” His gaze shifted to Shanna. “It is where unstable women are sent. She will be far from us and will remain there for the rest of her life.”

“Don’t do this, Berrr,” Alluwn snarled. “If you choose a human over me I will make certain that you will suffer greatly. Your sons will pay the highest price if you do this.”

“They will understand what I have done and if they wish to see you, they may.” Berrr turned away, carrying Shanna for the house. “Take Alluwn away now.”

“Berrr!” the woman roared. “I’ll make you suffer for this!” He kept walking. “You already have by injuring my Shanna. I will never see you again, Alluwn. You can’t harm anyone where you are going.”

Chapter Fourteen

Shanna smiled at Berrr. “I told you that I’m fine.” The female Zorn healer, Ahhu, nodded at Berrr. She’d bandaged the shoulder and the arm scratches, given Shanna something for the pain and pushed her shirt back down her arm. “The cuts from Alluwn’s nails bled a lot but your human needs no surgery and the swelling from the impact of the punch is not much. The bruises will be bad but nothing is broken.” The woman put things back into her bag. “I will leave you now.” She nodded, backing away from Berrr’s bed to leave the room quickly.

Staring up at Berrr, Shanna slowly sat up, turning on the bed to face him sitting cross-legged. “You can stop scowling now and being pissed off. I won, Alluwn can no longer hurt either of us and we’re getting bound.” She smiled at him. “So do we get a ceremony or what? I don’t have to do anything really weird, do I?”