“A hitter is a man who beats on women, which he did to me twice. The first time he was drunk so when he cried and begged me to forgive him I was stupid enough to give him another chance. The second time he did it I got the hell away and got a divorce from him. He drank booze, uh, a drink that made him really stupid and he wouldn’t stop drinking it all the time. He was a real loser. Did you follow that?” The anger melted from his face. “He was unfit to bound if he harmed you. We have drinks that make our warriors stupid so I understand your words.” Shanna relaxed. “What split you and Alluwn up?”

His chest rose as he took a deep breath. “Our fathers agreed to bound us together when we were young. She was not happy to come into my home or my bed but she didn’t tell me until four of our offspring were taking breaths that she longed for another.” His jaw flexed, his face tensing in anger as he looked away from Shanna.

“Alluwn wished to leave me then to go to him, stating she had done her duty to provide our family with at least two sons so our bloodlines were connected through them. She had provided me with two daughters and two sons at that time.”

“Oh man, that’s messed up. She never told you?”

He shook his head. “She pretended to care for me while she bid her time to provide the sons our fathers wanted us to create together. They were pack and wanted a bloodline to share with Alluwn and me.”

“Pack?”

He hesitated. “Lifetime friends devoted to the friendship like a blood bond without the bloodlines. Do you understand?” His gaze met hers again.

“Yeah. I get it. So she left you?”

He shook his head. “My pride wouldn’t allow it at first. I cared for her and I didn’t want to let her go regardless of her desire for another. She was in my blood and she was the mother of my offspring who needed her. There is no way on Zorn to prevent pregnancy between bound couples. We had two more sons and a daughter after she told me of her wish to leave and she grew to hate me with every one who breathed life that I put there with my seed. She finally threatened violence if I impregnated her again.”

Mute, Shanna just stared at him while he avoided her eyes, looking anywhere but at her. A hundred questions went through her head but before she could ask, he spoke again.

“I thought I could have her care back for me if I gave her more of my attention but that didn’t work. My plan to show her happiness failed so we made a bargain after our last son breathed life. She vowed to stay in my home until the last of our children made their own homes if I vowed to never touch her again to avoid more offspring she did not wish to have with me. I also had to agree I would always owe her one request that I couldn’t refuse. I agreed for our children’s sakes so they didn’t lose their mother.”

“So she left to go look for this other guy eventually?” Berrr looked down at the floor. “I released her from our bounding when our last child moved out. She wanted to be with another male and she bound to him.” Confused, Shanna frowned. “So you’re not bound to her anymore?” He hesitated. “I set her free of our bounding, giving her to him, even though it was hard for me to do. It is a great dishonor to have your woman leave you for another male but I vowed to release her so I did. I always keep my word. She went to him but he wasn’t right in his mind.” Berrr finally looked at Shanna, locking gazes with her. “He decided to not only take my bound but he wanted my life as well. He sneaked into my home in the mountains far from here to attack me. It was dark and I didn’t know who had come to kill me in my bed. I fought back and he died in my own defense. Alluwn was distraught and wished me to suffer very much so she demanded I bound to her again as punishment for taking the man she wanted. I may never bound to another to find full happiness in a female’s arms since I killed her chosen bound.”

“And you did it? You bound to her again? Why?”

His chin rose as his eyes narrowed. “I always keep my vow and I had given my word to agree to her request if she asked one of me. I have honor. I am Hyvin Berrr.” Shanna was just stunned as she stared up at the big alien. There was keeping your word and then there was insanity. He’d married his ex-wife for a second time knowing it was her way of getting back at him yet he’d still done it. Talk about a masochist, she thought, keeping silent so she didn’t insult him. His nose flared suddenly, a frown twisting his lips downward as his gaze lowered down her body. In an instant he dropped to his knees in front of her.

Startled, Shanna stared down at him as he sniffed at her again. A soft growl came from his throat and she saw his anger when their gazes locked together.

“I smell blood on you. Remove my shirt and show me your injuries so I may tend to them. In all that has happened I had forgotten you were harmed. I deeply apologize to you.”

“It’s just my wrists from where those metal handcuffs dug into my skin and scratched me. I’m fine.”

Rising to his feet, Berrr frowned at her. “Remove the shirt or I will do it for you so I may tend your injuries. You placed yourself in my care and I take that duty seriously.” 

Chapter Three

“I can do it myself.” Shanna was annoyed as the large guy gripped her arm, nearly dragging her into the bathroom.

“It is my duty to care for you and I will do just that,” he growled.

Gasping, Shanna found herself spun and lifted by Berrr, who had gripped her hips, and sat her gently on the long counter in the bathroom. He reached for the shirt before she realized his intent, feeling it jerked open to reveal her body. He tugged hard, almost unseating her from the counter as he tore the shirt down her arms.

“Stop that,” Shanna snapped, slapping at the hand that reached for her wrist.

She missed since he had good reflexes and jerked his hand back. He growled at her, bright blue eyes narrowing as his sharp teeth showed when his lips parted. He glared at her.

“Stop resisting me.”

“Stop manhandling me.” She couldn’t help but feel bare and exposed in her bra and briefs, not to mention chilled in the bathroom that had to be about seventy degrees. Her curious gaze flew around the good-sized room and spotted another smaller fireplace in the corner while trying to distract herself from her discomfort. Her eyebrows rose.