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opened before she could turn the knob. Prince Luken was there, looking worried until he saw his very pregnant mate. He looked around and nodded at Alicka as he put his arm around Keneese and guided her away.
    Slanon was in the doorway, grinning at her. The sight of him eased her soul, until she remembered what she was wearing. She waved a hand down her body. “Isn’t this a bit revealing? Should I change?”
    His face turned stubborn. “You are not changing. I want people to know how lucky I am. You are so beautiful, sweetling. It’s almost time to go.” Slanon leaned down and kissed her gently. Before they could get overheated, he took her hand and opened the door to the deck.
    A group of men immediately surrounded them and started singing upbeat songs of love and happiness. She wondered if any of them were professional singers. Yes, they sounded that good.
    Their singing guides led them across the bridge and over to the glass-roofed gazebo. Butterflies took flight in her stomach. She repeatedly looked down to make sure one of her big boobs wasn’t on display.
    The singers stopped and parted. Alicka was led up to the center of the gazebo and right up to a wooden box that had trees painted onto it. Aww, he thought of me . He gestured toward it and helped her stand on it. She was still shorter than Slanon, but now she could easily look him in the eyes. He was looking like a good catch. She smiled when she remembered him catching her trying to take fruit from his grove. Even then, he’d been a perfect gentleman. Slanon was quickly stealing her heart.
    A man cleared his throat. She looked up and found him standing near them. The man looked a lot like Slanon. It had to be his father. Icy blue-gray eyes that matched Tor’s locked with hers. She gave him a nervous smile and he winked at her. She barely stifled a giggle. Looking to the side of Slanon’s father, her gaze landed on a woman taller than Slanon.
    Holy stars, she and Slanon were the shortest of the group. His mother’s smile indicated the woman knew what Alicka was thinking. It looked like that was a universal thing. She was so easy to read. After smiling at her mate’s mother, she glanced around and saw Tor and a man that must be his brother Xander standing next him. He gave her a wolfish smile and Slanon growled. Startled, she looked up at him. He was shaking his head and staring his brother down.
    “Not now, boys,” Slanon’s father said, causing many around to chuckle.
    In a blur of speeding time, Slanon’s father started the ceremony by saying how happy they were for their son and his mate. As he talked, the butterflies in her stomach turned into a vulture and started ripping at her stomach. What if she messed up in front of his family and the king and queen?
    Slanon stroked her shoulder and pulled her in tight to his side. Her foot came close to the edge of the box she was standing on, but it was sturdy so it didn’t tip over, thank goodness. Both of her boobs surely would pop out from a fall like that.
    A few men who were recording the ceremony stepped in closer. She looked up in time to see Slanon’s father pull out a decorative box. He opened the lid and pulled out two necklaces. They were eye-catching. An intricate design of tiny gold branches and leaves cradled a fiery-red stone in its center. Aided by the wind, the suns’ rays pushed through the tree’s branches and made the stones sparkle much the way red glimmered through Slanon’s hair every so often.
    Slanon took the necklaces from his father and kissed the stone in each one. With passion in his eyes, he raised the smaller of the matching necklaces, and slid it over her head.
    “I claim Alicka as my natural mate,” he yelled loudly for all to hear. Cheers rose up through the tree’s branches and were carried away on the breeze.
    The grin on Slanon’s face sank into her heart and flooded it with happiness. He handed her the larger necklace. Never taking his eyes off her, he bent and