Catching Alicka by Dakota Dawn Read Free Book Online Page A

sneaky, too.”
    “I wouldn’t mind one of them sneaking into my bed,” Xander said with a wolfish grin.
    Tor pushed away from the rail he and Xander were leaning against. “I’m going for more groftoc.” The huge male strolled to the table on the other side of the gazebo and momentarily out of their sight.
    Alicka took a sip of her own groftoc. It was a teal-colored drink with a hearty flavor. The stuff made her a little lightheaded, so she was drinking it slowly. The guys didn’t seem to be affected by it at all.
    She leaned into Slanon’s side and enjoyed the lively talk and gentle breeze. It was getting dark, but the three triangular moons were putting off enough light for them to see well enough.
    Just as Tor was returning, a flash of pink darted around his booted foot. “Shit!” The big male tried to stop in midstep and listed hard to the right. He fell into Xander, who made a whooshing sound as he toppled over the rail.
    One second Xander’s boots were flying up and the next he was gone. A thud split the air. They all jumped up and rushed over to the rail.
    Alicka stood there in shock as Tor, Thavon, and Kalen leapt over the rail and dropped down forty feet to the ground.
    Slanon cupped the sides of his mouth and called down, “Is he all right?”
    Xander groaned and got up with Tor’s help.
    Kalen brushed Xander off while Thavon started laughing. “He’s going to be fine,” Kalen called up to them.
    “Thank the moons,” Yoni said and then breathed out a relieved gust of air.
    As the men headed back up the stairs, Alicka turned to the pink fur-ball next to her.
    Mr. Tickles stood on his back leg and was looking through the rail at the returning men. When he noticed he was being stared at, he straightened and shrugged his tiny shoulders.
    “You were supposed to be inside where it is safe.” She gestured angrily around. “Not out here. Now look at what’s happened because your nosy side just had to be free.” Alicka pointed at Xander, who was back and brushing more leaves off of himself. “You could have caused Xander to be killed. You need to apologize.”
    Mr. Tickles’s yellow eyes took on a sad-puppy look, making the white fur around them sag. Her heart softened, but she stood her ground.
    Her pet hopped over to Xander and petted him on the leg, and then tried to tickle him in the crotch.
    “Really?” Xander frowned down at her pet. “You’re going to have to learn to fetch groftoc as a way of apology.” He leaned down and petted Mr. Tickles on the head. “It’s all right, little fellow. Accidents happen. I can’t blame you for wanting to be at the party.”
    Tor grunted and then eyed Xander. “I expect to see you on the training field tomorrow.”
    “What for?”
    “Balance training. Me bumping into you shouldn’t have knocked you over the rail.”
    “That’s true,” Thavon agreed with a wide grin.
    “Shut up. You’re supposed to be on my side.” Xander glared at Thavon, who laughed and then headed for the groftoc table.
    The youngest prince came back with two glasses of groftoc and handed one to Xander. “Now you have a story about how you fell forty feet and lived to tell about it. Your children will love it.”
    Their laughter encouraged Mr. Tickles to go around and tickle them all repeatedly with his long, fluffy tail. By the end of the celebration, her pet had made up for his startling entrance.
    Slanon stood and scooped her up into his arms. “Thanks for coming, guys. Stay, and eat and drink all you want. I personally need some alone time with my beautiful mate.”
    Mr. Tickles snorted and climbed up Slanon and into Alicka’s arms.
    “Good luck with that,” Tor razzed.
    To her surprise, their friends surrounded them and started singing as they guided them across the bridge and up to the door that led from the deck to their bedroom. Their voices weren’t bad at all. Yoni and Tor could use a little help, but not much. Plus, the rest covered for them nicely.
    The