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winked at her.
    With slightly trembling hands, she slid the necklace over his head. More cheers rang through the air as the singers started up another tune and closed in around them.
    In her heightened emotional state, she shifted and started to fall off of the pretty wooden box she was standing on.
    Slanon quickly caught her. “Never worry, little one. I’ll always catch you.” He gave her a sweet kiss and then set her down on the floor of the gazebo. The singing men led them back across the bridge and over to the deck that surrounded the house. They continued to sing and surround them.
    The scent of food wafted to her. The men were waiting for the food to be taken to the gazebo before guiding them back to the ceremony. Slanon filled the time by kissing her. His touch and scent calmed her nerves and drew her focus solely to him.
    She laughed when one of the men nudged Slanon, who then pulled back a little from her. He took her hand and let the singers lead them back across the bridge. Once on the other side, they parted in front of Slanon’s family.
    Slanon gestured to the couple in front of them. “Alicka, these are my parents, Txanon and Landra Terrisic.” He hugged her closer to his side. “This is Alicka Terrisic, my natural mate.”
    Hearing her new last name was surprising, but felt right.
    Txanon smiled and stepped up to her. Slanon released her and his father took her hands, growled softly, and touched his forehead to hers. “Welcome, little Alicka. We are happy to meet you and look forward to the many babies you and Slanon will have.”
    A strong hand rubbing her back stopped her from choking at Txanon’s words of babies. VisOrrentians were so blunt. Her hands were released and Landra greeted her next. After the customary greeting, she said, “Welcome, child. Don’t let Txanon shock you. We are also happy for you two finding each other and starting a life together.”
    “Thank you. It’s nice to meet both of you.” She could hear Slanon loudly being head-butted and growled at by his family and was glad she wasn’t a male. As a human, she’d end up with a head-banging headache.
    Landra stepped back and Tor greeted her as custom decreed. He grunted as he straightened and looked down at her. His ice-blue eyes grew darker as the gray in them took over. “Welcome to our family, little one.” He placed his hand over his heart. “I vow to watch over you and your babies for the rest of my life.”
    Slanon growled at his brother. “Thank you, brother.”
    To Alicka, it was obvious that this was a big deal to the brothers. At seven and a half feet tall, and a good three hundred pounds of muscles, Tor was a good person to have on her side.
    Her attention was captured by another male, who was almost as tall as Tor. He took her hands, growled and touched his head to hers. After straightening, he grinned down at her. His gold-and-green eyes looked a lot like Landra’s.
    “I’m Xander, Slanon’s brother. It’s nice to meet you, little Alicka. I wish you two happiness and many babies.” His gaze cut to Slanon and then came back to her. “I also promise to forever watch over you and your future babies.”
    “Thanks. It’s nice to meet you, Xander.” All this talk of babies was making her wonder what their children would be like. She suddenly longed to cradle their baby in her arms.
    Her emotions must have been revealed on her face because Slanon hugged her tightly to him and whispered, “It’ll happen soon, sweetling.”
    Happiness filled her chest at his gently spoken words. With her internal clock ticking, she looked forward to having their children in the near future.
    There wasn’t much time for her to think on the future, because the royals came over and greeted her and Slanon. They were followed by all of Slanon’s friends and several business associates. Once it was all done, Txanon tapped on a glass, getting everyone’s attention. “Let’s feast in honor of my son and his natural mate.”