Nature of the beast (book 1 of the Beasties)

Shopping!

Liam's pov

I took Skyler to 'Alfredo's'. The best italian restaurant in the territory. It's more like a mom and pop bistro, but I swear their food could compete on the iron chef.

I keep glancing at her through the corner of my eye. Everything seems to be such a wonder to her. She would probably want to disappear from the face of the earth if she knew how transparent she is. My mind keeps wandering back to that moment in the field. Who ever had hurt her so badly is going to die. They better pray, I'll never find them. Subconsciously my fingers tighten on my fork. I notice she catches the movement, but continues to act oblivious. My wolf whimpers. That is not a natural reaction. I force my hand to relax. Her words keep playing in the background of my mind 'you're not ugly'. I want so badly to believe her, but at what cost? So another female can manipulate me into believing she see's past the beast? I should take her pretty words with a grain of salt.

She eats with the gusto of a lumberjack. "Slow down, once you dig in, the kitchens not going to take it back" I tease. She looks up from her lasagna, which is splattered all over her face. I can't help it, I laugh. She glares at me and I laugh harder.

"What's so funny?" She spits irritatedly, I hand her my big soup spoon so she could use it as a mirror. For a minute she just sits there blankly looking at herself, than suddenly a goofy grin breaks free. "You think 'Lady Gaga' might use this as a makeup tip?" For some reason I found her lame joke gut busting. I haven't laughed like this in years. She smiles wider as if she feels she had accomplished something.

"Maybe" I answer. "Let's get cleaned up and head to the general store." She agrees and heads to the ladies room. I have found a new purpose in life, to keep that sunshine in her smile. Where did that come from? I shake my head to clear it. What makes me think she'd stay? I get up, pay our tab, then box up the leftovers.

You would of thought the general store was 'the mall of America' for the way Skyler was acting. She had to look at absolutely everything and touch it too. I frown behind her, this isn't normal. She's like an animal exploring new territory, after being caged for too long. The hairs on my neck stand up at the thought. Suddenly she is still. I look over to see what has her grounded in one spot. On a rack of farm clothes is a bright turquoise blue, fuzzy zip up sweater. Her fingers delicately rub the softness as if afraid she'd ruin it. "Pick one out" I tell her. She stares at me dumbfounded. "Go on, I don't have all day." She grabs a medium from my stern command. "Grab all the stuff that you need too, jeans, boots, ect..." I order her. Skyler turns on her heel and starts hunting. I go get all the stuff that will be needed for repairs, refurbishing and well, redoing everything that needs to be done in the blue house.

We meet back at the register. She has little cowgirl, turquoise, work boots to match her sweater, two pairs of jeans, two ladies, long sleeved shirts and ahem, ladies necessities (socks,undies,two bras). "If it's too much, I can put most of it back." A determined look on her face.

"In all honesty, I expected you to have more!" I chuckle. She blushes wildly and sets the stuff on the counter.

"Only what I need." She states. This girl is something else! She pulls another grin from me without even trying.

"I bet you are a hard person to give gifts to during Christmas." She looks up surprised.

"Is this it Liam." The cashier Amanda, one of the social climbers in our pack, interrupts. She mean mugg's Skyler, than smiles flirtatiously at my chest. I nod and hand her my credit card.

"Hey, his eyes are up here." Skyler points to my face. "Proper social edict requires eye contact, when speaking to someone." Amanda reddens like a tomato. Before she could retaliate Skyler gives her a pointed look, grabs her bag of stuff, and wraps her arm around my waist. "Yes?" Skyler mocks. Amanda hands me back my card speechless from a stranger of the opposite sex who is willingly clinging to me. I wheel the cart to my truck in a daze. Now that has never happened to me. I've never had a woman stand up for me. "Close your mouth. You're gonna catch flies like that." She jests. The rest of our shopping trip passed by in a comfortable silence.