She screamed out in protest when Coto bent down and grabbed her to take her away from Rever. He wrapped one arm around her chest while he gripped her around her waist with his other arm and totally lifted her off Rever’s still form. She screamed again, kicking wildly at Coto’s legs but he just spread them apart to make it harder for her to nail him with her bare feet. He held her tightly in his arms and kept her from touching the ground while he addressed his men.

“Gently restrain him and don’t mark him up like we do the wild ones.” Coto’s voice was harsh with anger as he spoke. “I want him loaded and carefully watched but let’s hurry. I want to be back across the border by the time he wakes.” One of the men was crouched by Allot. “He’s alive but he’s seriously injured. His jaw is broken and I think his shoulder is dislocated.” Coto sighed. “Shoot him with the sleeping pellets to keep him out so he doesn’t suffer from his injures until medical can fix him.” Coto started walking, still carrying Brenda in his arms where she dangled down the front of his body. She turned her head to glare up at him.

“Traitor.”

He frowned. “I don’t know this word.”

“Asshole. Do you know that one? You’re a total asshole for betraying Rever like this. Do you know what I’m saying now?”

Coto shook his head and just kept walking. “I did this to save his life. Volder wanted to bring his men into the hunt for both of you. He has highly skilled warriors under his control and he would have made sure Rever died. I knew I had to lead Allot to where I knew Rever would go so we made it to him first. Now be silent.” Shock tore through her quickly, followed by rage as she stared up at the man over her shoulder. “You told them how to find us?”

“I knew this was where I would take you if I had stolen a woman. It was a comfortable place to raise a family in the Outlander area that Rever could easily defend.

We have been here many times together. I knew, yes, that he would be here. We are very close like brothers.”

“You son of a bitch. And you betray him still? How could you?” An angry growl tore from Coto. He stopped abruptly and almost dropped Brenda on her feet but he eased her down gently at the last second. He spun her around to make her face him while he gripped her arms just above her elbows. His eyelids narrowed dangerously, rage fixed on his tense features.

“I saved him. Did you hear me when I said Volder was going to send his warriors to the Outlander area to hunt for you both? He would have made sure Rever died for stealing his future bound. That is a killing offense on Zorn if it is not brought before a judge. I had to reach Rever first to capture him to keep him alive. He is my brother in all ways but blood and he is my closest friend.”

“Maybe Volder and his men wouldn’t have found us. Did you ever think of that?

He was in a big hurry to get back to his ship so how much time could he have wasted looking for us? He would have given up really soon if he couldn’t have found us to go back to the Drais. Rever and I could have had a future together out here.” Regret shone in the large man’s strange blue eyes. “It was a chance Hyvin Berrr and I were not willing to take with Rever’s life at stake. Volder has many warriors under his command who Rever trained when they were young so some of them could have known about this place. We were not willing to take the risk.” Some of her anger left her. “We love each other. Do you understand that? I don’t want to be with Volder. Rever and I belong together.” The man nodded, misery etched on his features. “Rever obviously is obsessed with you. He left his honor behind, brought shame to his family to be with you but he is bound to another. I am sorry but Zorn law forbids your union. There is nothing to do except save Rever’s life. Even if he must pay by working the harshest camp he will live and you will live. Volder will be angry but he still has honor and it is not admirable to kill women on Zorn. If you love Rever you must put his life over your own happiness and not make this harder for him by resisting the destiny you both must face apart.”

Pain tore through her. She turned her head away from Coto so he wouldn’t see her tears that fell as she watched four men gently lift the unconscious Rever by each of his limbs. They slowly carried his limp body toward a set of large boulders.

“Where are they taking him?”

“We have vehicles waiting that are hidden from sight of this place or we never would have been able to sneak up on him. I was surprised we got this close but you obviously distract Rever. Releasing the wild males, we had captured near here was my idea knowing he’d protect you by chasing them away. It gave us the opportunity to sneak in from the opposite direction to reach you. Saving Rever’s life is my top priority.

If you truly love him then our mission is the same.” Brenda turned her head, looking up at the big Zorn, and saw real regret in his silvery blue eyes. “You suck.”

He frowned. “I suck what?”

Frustration welled in her. It was hard to insult Zorn people when they didn’t get half of what she said. “Forget it. I don’t like what you did. I just…” Pain tore through her as she watched Rever be carried from her sight. “I just want to be with him.”

“I’m sorry.” The large Zorn warrior gently gripped her arm. “We must go.”

Chapter Ten

Fear filled Brenda as she met the furious eyes of the Zorn leader and Hyvin Berrr was definitely pissed off. His muscles bulged on his arms, which were clearly revealed in the tight sleeveless shirt he wore. Her gaze drifted lower to glance at what looked similar to pirate breeches. Sweat beaded his buffed up body making it obvious that he’d been working out or doing something physically challenging. When he spun away, pacing in the large chamber she was led to, she saw his hair was pulled back with a leather strap in a ponytail that fell down his back to his ass.

Memories hit her of the last time she’d seen the Zorn leader a week before when he’d sent her to Rever’s home. It seemed to her as if more time than that had passed, almost a lifetime ago, and now she was standing before him again waiting for him to tell her what was going to happen to her.

“He will be fine,” Coto said softly to the Zorn leader. “He did not become alert on the return trip. They restrained him so when he wakes he won’t be able to fight.” Hyvin Berrr turned, sharp teeth showing as his mouth opened, and a growl tore from his throat. “My son is being charged with stealing a woman.” The man’s glare fixed on Brenda. “This is your fault, woman. My son has lost his reason after your body taunted him.”