Volder growled. “We will take the human back to the ship.” He glared down at Brenda. “Then you will confess to me the names of the males you let mount you while you shamed my name until I came for you. I will hunt down every one of them and they will die painfully for touching what is mine. Then you will be punished.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Brenda whispered. “Let me go.”

“Release the human,” one of Rever’s guards ordered. “She is under Argis Rever’s protection.”

Volder snarled. “She is my human. Drop your weapons now.”

“What is going on here?” A deep voice snarled from the doorway.

Brenda twisted her head, trying to see around one of Volder’s men holding her, only to glimpse Rever. Fury hit his features a split second before a roar tore through the room. He moved out of her sight for seconds until he was throwing one of the men who held her down away from her, literally tossing the man across the room, sending him crashing into a table that shattered under the man’s weight.

Volder released her, leaping backward out of the way of the enraged Rever. Brenda was released by the other man as he backed away, getting to his feet. She rolled off the table, falling off the other side, slamming hard on her knees in a crouch. She shoved down her shirt, trying frantically to cover her exposed girl parts, and watched Rever and Volder face off, rage etched on both men’s faces.

“You came to attack my home?” Rever was snarling so badly it was hard to make out his words. Another roar tore from his throat. “How dare you.” Volder showed sharp teeth, growling. “I came to collect my human. I was not attacking your household, Argis.”

Ali was suddenly beside Brenda, crouched next to her. She had grabbed a shirt from the bag of clothes and shoved the material over Brenda’s exposed thighs. Shaking badly, Brenda gripped the fabric to hold it in place as hot tears spilled down her cheeks.

She was in shock as she stared in terror at Rever and Volder realizing they were going to fight.

“I saw what you were doing. How dare you strip her and have males hold her down. What is wrong with you?” Rever snarled again, glaring into Volder’s eyes.

“What do you think you are doing? I should kill you for this.” Volder took a step back, sucked in a deep breath, and let his head lower until his gaze fell to Rever’s chest. The man took another step back from Rever to distance himself and locked his hands behind his back.

“I apologize, Argis Rever. I am very angry and I meant no insult. I came to collect my future bound from your protection. Thank you for keeping her safe for me.” Volder glanced up at one of his men. “Get her. We’re leaving.” Rever turned his head, glaring at the man who moved to grab Brenda. “Don’t touch her.” Rever’s head snapped back around, focusing his attention again on Volder.

“Explain your abuse now.”

Volder snarled as his head jerked up to shoot a dirty look at Rever. “My abuse? You are supposed to protect my future bound but instead you allow her to shame my name.” His head lowered as he took some deep breaths. “Thank you for housing the human but I will take her now and go. I know you are very busy and I don’t blame you for her actions. As soon as I heard what she was doing to shame me I came as fast as my ship would allow.”

Brenda watched Volder turn his attention on her, unable to mistake the anger and hatred that poured out of him all directed right at her. She shook with terror knowing that he probably wanted to kill her. Ali put her arms around her trying to comfort Brenda where she was crouched next to her, between the coffee table and the couch.

Movement made Brenda tear her fearful look away from Volder and drew her attention to Rever who turned his head, his furious gaze locking on Brenda. She saw confusion there for an instant before Rever turned to Volder.

“Explain.” Rever wasn’t snarling anymore but his tone was furious. “What are you talking about? She has been a perfect guest in my home and she has caused no shame.” Volder looked up, glaring at Rever. “You are too busy to be aware of the human’s actions but I have my reports. She will be dealt with after she confesses to her crimes, the males involved will be hunted down, and she will be punished appropriately but no serious harm will come to her. I would never abuse a woman but she will regret the shame she has caused me.” Volder glared at Brenda. “I have given my word to bound to you as distasteful as that is but I will be the only male who mounts you while you breed my children. If you crave to touch males so much you will service my chosen few aboard my ship with your tongue.” He almost spat the words. “Let us see how eager you are for other males once my men are done with you.”

Rever roared. “NO!”

Volder backed up, shocked, staring wide-eyed at Rever. “This is no concern of yours, Argis Rever. I have come to collect it.”

“It?” Rever was snarling again. “She is a woman. Get out of my home now.” Volder hesitated. “Fine.” He jerked his head at one of his men. “Get her.” Rever moved, backing up to block Volder’s men from reaching Brenda. “You are not taking her.”

Volder gasped. “You can’t stop me. I have come to collect the human that was my brother’s bound and she belongs to me now by right.”

“You are not taking her. She is not a house helper you can offer up to your males for her to tongue. She is not to be abused in any way.” Rever’s hands fisted at his side.

“You come into my home, accuse her of crimes you have refused to state, and you had her held down while you attacked her. You will leave my home without her and she will remain here under my protection.”

“She is mine.” Volder raged. “You have no right to refuse me from leaving with her and you are overstepping your authority.”

“You want authority?” Rever growled. “Ali, call Ral now and tell him to get here with his guards. He is the local judge so we will let him decide.”

“He’s your brother,” Volder snarled. “I want someone else.”

“He is the judge in matters of dispute and he will do whatever the law dictates in this situation.”

Ali released Brenda, getting to her feet to run out of the room. Brenda huddled on the floor, gripping the shirt that was covering her bare lap, and shook with fear. If this judge guy agreed with Volder he was going to take her away. That concept sent pure terror flooding through her.