“Yes and do not touch her.” He took a deep breath. “Shanna, I would be honored to introduce Vartas Yatgo. He watches out for the Eastern Forest.” Glancing up, Shanna nodded at the man who was intently staring at her. She looked away, getting a case of the creeps instantly since the guy was openly leering at her. It might be his advanced age but she was more prone to thinking the drool at the corners of his lips was from looking at her than a sign of failing health.

“No one said you had brought a human into your household. Are there more of them?”

“No,” Berrr growled softly. “Shanna is the only one.” Movement caught her eye so Shanna turned her head to watch one of Berrr’s brand new house helpers move forward to welcome the old letch and show him to his room.

The six new house helpers who had arrived after dawn were a bit older than the last ones had been and Shanna had gotten to meet them when Berrr had insisted she be there when he explained what their duties in his household were. Touching and sleeping with Berrr weren’t on their chore list. He’d also told them why he’d gotten rid of his last house helpers, shown his anger clearly over the incident while he warned them to never harm Shanna in any way.

The next man moved forward, this one unlike anyone Shanna had seen before on the planet, and she had to remind herself to not stare. The guy had flaming red hair, matching red eyebrows and body hair and had incredibly bright blue eyes. She’d never seen a redheaded Zorn yet and the fact that his skin was a dark mocha color really set off his eyes and hair color. If a guy could be muscular and really beautiful, it was this guy, despite his weird outfit, which was a tight black tank top showing off a lot of skin and super-tight matching leather pants.

“It is good to see you, Vinlotti.” Berrr grinned, looking sincerely happy to see the man. “Meet Shanna from Earth.”

Shanna looked up into the man’s eyes. He really was striking with his starkly contrasting coloring and the tank top shirt revealed a lot of that alluring dark skin and massive amounts of muscles. He was really good-looking and she had to remind herself to look away from his intensely gorgeous eyes. She nodded at him before she dropped her focus to his black boots.

“It’s nice to meet you.” She was proud that she’d kept her voice level and calm.

“A human, Berrr?” The man spoke softly. “I thought it wasn’t permitted to have one for a house helper. Did I miss a policy change?” A soft growl tore from Berrr. Shanna didn’t miss that this man called Berrr by name, something she hadn’t seen anyone do yet but her. Everyone called him Hyvin or Hyvin Berrr unless it was one of his sons who called him Father. Berrr’s arm tightened around her, pulling her against his body.

“She may have the title but not the duties. Are you understanding of me, Vinlotti?

My circumstances are unique. She is not available to you or to any other male to touch while you are a guest in my home.”

The man had a deep chuckle when he laughed. “I knew that already from the very possessive way that you keep her to your side. I have to admit I was hopeful.” Shanna glanced up at him, finding a pair of gorgeous eyes locked with her own, and the man winked suddenly at her before turning his full attention on Berrr. He grinned widely and put his hand up to grip Berrr’s shoulder on the other side.

“I am glad you are no longer alone and you have what you deserve, my friend. You should watch your other guests vigilantly and keep your woman close to you while they are here. She is very tempting and you don’t have the law on your side to kill if one of them touches her. If you have to go somewhere without her come get me to guard her in your absence. You know I will honor your request to never touch your treasured human.”

“Thank you, my pack friend. I might take you up on that.” The man gave a nod before turning his eyes on the five waiting house helpers. He frowned. “You changed them? I was looking forward to spending time with Aya. She was my favorite of your house helpers.”

Berrr growled low and deep. “They attacked my Shanna last night, intent on harming her for her human ways, so I sent them all away. If you desire Aya so much I can ask where she was taken and have her shipped to your home where you may keep her.”

Vinlotti looked shocked as his head snapped back to stare at Shanna and then shifted his attention to Berrr. “They attacked her? What were they thinking?”

“They were thinking they could bully me into telling Berrr to fuck them,” Shanna said before she could stop herself.

Red eyebrows arched high as gorgeous blue eyes locked with Shanna. She met his eyes, not looking away. She didn’t do silent and demure well. She arched her eyebrows back at him, ignoring the low growl from Berrr. This Vinlotti guy is a friend of Berrr’s and he seems really cool, she thought. He also was obviously loyal to Berrr.

“I’m not interested in you in any way but I’m not the stare-at-the-floor type either.

Where I come from it is rude to not have full eye contact.” Shanna hesitated and then held out her hand. “We shake hands of friends and obviously you and Berrr are close.” The redhead grinned, glancing at Berrr for permission first, who nodded at him before the guy carefully took her smaller hand. He didn’t shake it as much as feel it. He chuckled deep, his thumb rubbing against her wrist and the back of her hand. His amused gaze went back to Berrr as he released her.

“I like her and she is very soft.” Vinlotti hesitated. “I don’t suppose you could send me to Earth to find one of my own?”

Berrr hesitated. “It would be a long trip.”

The smile fell from the redheaded man’s lips as his face tightened into tense lines. “I guess not since I can never leave for more than a few days.” He sighed. “It was just a thought I had.”

“Perhaps if I come across one in need of a home I will send her your way if I think she would be to your liking.”

The grin returned to the man’s features. “I want one like yours, with spirit.”

“Shall I have Aya sent to you at home?”

Vinlotti shook his head. “I do not want a woman who can’t follow orders in my home.”

Shanna laughed, drawing attention from both men. She met Vinlotti’s stare. “Then don’t ask for a human because we live to break rules and resist bossy men.” Vinlotti threw his head back, a deep rambling laugh sounding through the room before he grinned at Berrr. “It would be a joy to have one of them in my home so definitely send one to me if you come across a stray.” A house helper moved forward, smiling at Vinlotti with her head down demurely to lead him away. “Vartas, if you will come with me I shall see to your needs after such a long travel.”