Page 18 of Puma's Pride

“I thought I’d see if Corinne wants to go shopping for ways to make their rooms more homey.” I tell him. “They’re kind of like hotel rooms.” My breath whooshes out of me when Puma yanks me in for a hard hug. “Can’t breathe.” I squeak out.

He loosens his hold but continues to hug me. “Thank you for welcoming them.” He says, and I can hear the gratitude in his tone.

I chuckle as I move out of his arms. “Of course I’m welcoming them. He’s your son, and she’s his mother. How could I do anything else after the way you welcomed Elina and me into your life? You’re my everything and I accept you for who you were then, as well as for who you are now.”

“I know, and I love you for it.” Puma says as he leads me into the bedroom so we can dress.

“Take Showtime and Max Max with you.” Puma says as we head to Elina’s room.

She isn’t in her room, so I assume she’s already made her way to the kitchen. I love how comfortable she is in the clubhouse, but sometimes I worry she’ll see more than she should. The members and the bunnies have been careful to keep their bedroom activities in the bedroom. They don’t complain, but I wonder if they sometimes resent our presence. “Dante and his men are building homes for its members and their families.” I say, glancing up at Puma.

He nods. “I know. I’ve been thinking about doing something similar. Would you like me to build you a house, my queen?”

“Only if you’re going to live there, too, my king.” I reply with a grin, accepting his kiss.

“Does this mean you’re finally agreeing to be my Old Lady?”

The vision from my dream flashes through my mind. Puma lying dead and I shiver. “You know why I’ve always said no?” I ask him.

“Because you’re afraid Juan will target me if he knows about us?” Puma says and I nod. “But he is targeting me. The attack on Corinne proves that.”

“I know. It was something I thought about when I was sitting outside last night. I realize I was letting him win. Again. I was putting my life on hold because I’m afraid of him and what he’s capable of doing. I’m afraid of losing you.”

Puma pauses and pulls me around to face him. He uses his thumbs to wipe away the tears I didn’t realize were falling. “I know we already talked about this, but I’ll say it again. I’ll say it every day if you need to hear it. Having you, Elina, and now Mal in my life guarantees that I’m going to do everything in my power to come home to you. I wasn’t suicidal before, but I also never wanted to stay alive as much as I do right now.”

I smile at him before wrapping my arms around his waist and snugging into him. “I know, which is why I plan to say yes the next time you ask me to be your Old Lady.”

“Fuck, yeah!” Puma bellows, causing everyone in the common room to come looking.

“What’s going on?” Wildcard asks.

“Alisa has agreed to be my Old Lady.” Puma announces. Shouts of congratulations echo around, which gives me the opportunity to add a little sass.

“Technically, you haven’t asked me again.” I remind him with a cheeky grin.

“Don’t care. You’re mine.” Puma says with a smirk before he nuzzles my hair.

We accept congratulations as we pass through the common room and head for the kitchen. Inside, we find Elina and Mal eating a breakfast of eggs, bacon, pancakes, and toast while Desdemona and Lilly are busy making more.

“Good morning.” We both say as I head to grab Puma and me some food while he heads to the coffeemaker.

“What was all the noise about?” Desdemona asks.

“They’re just happy their President has an Old Lady.” Puma says grinning at me.

I see the confusion on Mal’s face, but it’s the look of sadness on Elina’s concerns me.

I carry our plates to the table and sit next to my daughter. “What’s the matter, baby?” I ask her.

“I wanted to be Puma’s Old Lady.” Elina says with a pout.

At a loss, I glance at Puma, who is studying my little girl.

He puts the mugs of coffee down on the table before lifting her up into his arms. She wraps her thin arms around his neck and stares into his face. “You know I love you and that you are my princess, right?” He asks. When she nods, he continues. “Well, I love your momma and I need to give her a title that shows how important she is to me.”

Elina glances at me. “You love Puma?” She asks me and I nod.

“With all my heart.” I tell her.

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