"DON'T GO EMBRASSING ME IN FRONT OF HIM!"
Braxton sighed.
"Kage, get Koa off of me."
Kage smirked, holding out his arm.
Koa flew back to his spot before a gentle breeze warped around him and he decreased into a miniature size eagle.
"He's less heavy in this form," Kage commented while I was still handling an embarrassed Alice who wouldn't stay still.
I took a deep breath before I snapped.
"Alice Starfire! Bite me one more time and I'll make sure I burn every single book you own."
She froze with her right front paw up, those sharp white claws ready to make another scratch.
Her purple eyes looked at me like I just told her it was the end of the world.
"Me...ow?" she whimpered. "But....but...they took me eight years to collect ..."
I frowned, trying not to fall for her sad eyes but I couldn't ignore how unhappy she suddenly felt.
I quickly pet her head and she curled up in my hand into a little ball with her paws hiding her face.
"Fine, your collection is saved. No more scratching or biting, though. You can go talk with Koa now." I gestured at Koa who flapped his wings and flew over to us, coming to hover next to my hand where Alice sat quietly.
She lifted her head up to stare at Koa who watched her intently .
"Kiku."
"Meow."
"Kiku? Ki Ku Ku."
"Meow!" Alice hopped out of my hand and began to run to another rock a few steps away. She hopped onto it and Koa landed next to her.
"What did they say?" Braxton asked.
"I have no idea. Alice usually translates for me.”
"I think Alice likes him." Kage pointed out.
"Awww love at first sight." I grinned.
Braxton laughed at my expression.
"You look like a proud father giving their daughter away to be married."
I leaned up and elbowed him.
"Fuck off," I grunted.
In all seriousness, I'd always been worried about Alice's future. Maybe she'd have a companion to visit once in a while.
Wait, what am I thinking about? It's not even like Kage and I are dating. We haven’t even had a chance to talk about any of that. My imagination needs to stop putting me together with men I'm interested in. Wait...I'm interested in Kage too? Well, he did look really hot just now. Ugh, stop thinking!
We heard someone clear their throat and turned to see Mr. Huffling who'd recovered from his state of shock.