"No, I'm good. I don't drink very often."
"Is there a reason why, or is it a personal choice?" Geez, the lack of knowledge I had about my own mate was staggering. "I only ask because I don't want to do something that will upset you."
"No, not really. I usually just prefer to have my wits about me in case Tommy needs me."
"Didn't Myra help you with that?"
"Oh…uh…Myra died when Tommy was born."
My jaw dropped. "How did I miss that?"
I'd watched Jojo for months, years. From the day I discovered we were mates, I'd been stalking him. Not because I thought he would suddenly change his mind, but simply because I had to ensure that he was okay.
"I stayed with Myra's family until Tommy's last birthday when my father demanded I come home. Now I know why."
"Why?"
"He wants to marry me off again."
I growled.
"That's one of the reasons I ran."
"What were the other reasons?"
"Well, the fact that he had Roger beat me when I refused was a big factor, and I'm also afraid of what will happen to Tommy if he continues to grow up in that environment. At least when we were living in Myra's skulk, they pretty much ignored us. Myra had five brothers. The line of succession to him was a long one."
"Did your father know she had five brothers when he married you off to her?"
"He knew," Jojo replied. "I don't think he cared. Tommy wasn't even a glimmer at that point. I think he thought that by the time Tommy grew up, under his watchful eye of course, that he could take over both skulks."
"He could or Tommy could?"
"If Tommy was raised by him, my father would be the man behind the throne so to speak." Jojo visibly shuddered. "I hate to think of what my father would do to my son. Tommy is such a sweet boy. My father would try and turn him into a monster."
"I won't let that happen, Jojo." I grabbed Jojo's arm and pulled him toward me until we were chest to chest. "I won't let that happen. I promise, and I have a lot of friends that will help me keep that promise."
"Stalker—"
"Mate with me, Jojo. Let me claim Tommy as my own. We'll join the panther pride, and then there will be nothing he can do."
"Are you sure about this, Stalker? This is a lot to take on. My father is not someone who is easily thwarted. If we do this, he will not stop until he either gets his revenge or he's dead."
"I'm sure, baby." I don't think I had ever been more sure of anything in my life. "Let me claim you as mine."
Jojo swallowed tightly then nodded.
I almost jumped for joy, but Jojo was on edge as it was. I didn't want to spook him. "Can you wait right here for a moment? I need to go grab something out of my room." I didn't think Jojo wanted to be in a completely different suite than Tommy. Until we got that wall taken down, we'd have to sleep here.
I ran to my suite and grabbed the lube just as fast as I could. When I came back, Jojo wasn't where I left him. "Jojo?" I called out softly, not wanting to wake Tommy.
"In here."
I headed for the other bedroom.
I stepped inside and lost my ability to breath. Jojo had removed his clothes and was presently stretched out in the middle of the bed, every glorious inch of him.
"Holy hell."
