Shock tore through Shanna and she watched Berrr pale for a normally tan man.

Shock was an understatement for the reaction on his face. His mouth even dropped open but he didn’t say a word.

“She is causing great trouble,” the woman at the door continued. “She is demanding to see you right now and she pushed Yovonl and pulled her hair when she tried to stop the woman from coming to your room. The male guards had to assist to stop her.”

Berrr snarled, looking furious as he recovered from the shock. “I’ll be right there.” He slammed the door and then turned, just standing there, looking stunned and pissed off at the same time.

Shanna met his furious gaze. “I thought she never came here.” He snarled, showing sharp teeth. “She hasn’t been to this house since she left me.” His hands balled into fists at his side, his knuckles turning white. “Whatever reason she came for it is to cause me trouble and harm.”

Shanna didn’t know what to say. Berrr snarled again, turning toward his closet, and stormed for it. Shanna sat on his bed, not sure what to do. He yanked open the closet door and stepped out of sight. She knew he was getting clothing out as she heard him going through them.

Worry ate at her. What if his bound wants him back? Her heart squeezed painfully at the thought. As his wife Alluwn could probably make Berrr take her back and get rid of Shanna. Zorn laws were fucked up and Shanna didn’t even know most of them. Any law though that kept Berrr unable to remarry and have another family was definitely wrong. Berrr came out of the closet gripping new clothes. He looked even more furious as he met Shanna’s eyes.

“I am sending you to Rever immediately, Shanna. I don’t trust Alluwn and I don’t want her to see you. Get dressed quickly and I’ll take you out the back door to one of the guards who will safely escort you there now.” She didn’t move, staring at Berrr as he tore off his pants to put on new leather ones.

When he reached for his shirt he noticed that she hadn’t moved to do what he’d ordered. He frowned at her as their gazes locked.

“Hurry, Shanna. I need to get you out of here quickly.” Pain was tearing through her, leveling her with its intensity. “Do you want her back? Is that why you’re trying to rush me out of here so she doesn’t know I exist? I thought it was over with her, Berrr. I thought we really had something between us.” Confusion made his face wrinkle. “I don’t want her back and I don’t want her to know you exist because Alluwn is vicious. I am trying to protect you. Why are you questioning what you mean to me? You know the answer to that. Now is not the time to argue and be stubborn, my Shanna. We must rush you to safety.”

“Protect me from what? Your ex-wife knowing that you have someone in your life now?”

He growled, the frown deepening on his face. “We will talk of this later. You must go now. Trust me and do not look at me as though I have hurt you. I am protecting you from danger.”

Shanna moved then, tearing her gaze from Berrr’s. “Fine. Whisk me away before your wife sees me. I get it.”

She went for the closet that now held new clothing. She’d asked for pants and she’d gotten them when his new house helpers had gone shopping earlier. Pain was crushing her chest that Berrr didn’t want his whatever the hell she was to know about Shanna. If he doesn’t want her back he wouldn’t give a damn.

She dressed quickly and then grabbed some spare outfits. Berrr was dressed when she stepped out of the closet with clothes over her arm. She moved for a pair of shoes that had been bought for her but Berrr headed her off, gripping her arm, and forced her toward the double doors to the patio.

She turned her head, staring up at Berrr but letting him lead her out of his bedroom.

The wall from the patio was only a few feet high so it didn’t block Berrr’s view of the woods. He stepped over it easily but Shanna had to lift her leg higher, putting her off balance, but Berrr kept hold to steady her. He walked quickly around the back of the house to the first guard they came to.

“Take my human to Argis Rever’s home now.” Berrr snarled, showing teeth to the leather-clad Zorn guard. “You protect her with your life. She is precious to me, no one is to touch her, and if anything happens to Shanna I will kill you painfully.” The guard paled but gave a sharp nod, his bright green eyes flashing with fear for an instant. “Of course, Hyvin Berrr. I will guard her as if she is my blood.” Berrr released Shanna. “I will come see you tonight when my duties allow and we will talk then. I do not wish her back into my life and this is for your safety.” Fighting tears, Shanna looked away from him to stare at the ground. “Yes sir.”

“Sir?” He growled the word. “What does this mean?” Her gaze lifted. “It’s an Earth acknowledgement of someone in control of them and their lives.”

His frown deepened. “I don’t understand but we will talk of all of this later. You will be safe with this guard and he will take you to Rever’s home where you will be safe under my son’s protection. I will be there as soon as I am able.” Shanna nodded. Looking at him hurt so she shifted her attention to the guard.

“Let’s go.”

The man nodded and reached for her arm.

Berrr snarled. “Never touch her. She is mine.”

The guard jerked his hand back. “I was only offering assistance.”

“She can walk on her own.”

Shanna looked at Berrr when he stared down at her. “Bye, Berrr.”

“I will see you soon.”

She nodded and turned her back on him. “Sure.”

The guard led her away. She sensed being watched but refused to look back to see if Berrr was still really there. It hurt that he’d rushed her out of his home. He was a married man and she’d forgotten that. Married men always hid their dirty little secrets and that, it seemed to Shanna, was exactly what she was.

Berrr had said that he cared about Alluwn once, refusing to give her up until he’d had no choice but to set her free. Maybe he’ll take her back as his bound. Pain burned in Shanna’s chest at the thought of Berrr still being in love with the woman who’d borne him three daughters and four sons, if she’d been happy to do it or not. He had to still love her after all the years they’d been together and now Alluwn had come back to him.