Claimed By The Protective Alpha

Chapter 10 Meeting Cain Part 2

LILA'S POV

After Isabelle left saying those words, I took awhile to compose myself before deciding to go out to buy something for Jax and I.

As I walked out to the car, I heard running and laughter heading my way. I turned around to catch Jax running full speed at me into a hug.

"Mom, the animals are so cool, and these are my new friends, Chris and Rose. They asked me if I wanted to play with their toys. Can I, mom?" Jax said, looking up at me.

I combed my fingers through his hair and said, "Okay, but behave, remember to play nice. I'm going to the store really quick, so stick with your friends."

He jumped for joy before turning back to the kids and saying it was okay. I looked at the little boy, Chris, and his older sister Rose. They had Isabelle's eyes. They both waved at me before holding Jax's hand and running off to the main house.

I got in my car and started heading back into town to the grocery mart Isabelle showed me. Once I got to the mart, I looked for my wallet. When I remember, I had to toss everything once I got to that first gas station. I wasn't sure how much he could track me through and didn't want to take chances, so I just tossed my whole purse. All I had was the cash from the park rental, but now I was left with 30 dollars.

I sighed, realizing this was going to be hard. We had nothing. I decided to try and budget as best as I could only grab the necessities.

As the cashier started scanning my items, I noticed I was already over my budget. My heart began to race and my palms got sweaty. What was I going to do? How do I decide what's more important? We had nothing, so everything was important.

As my eyes began to dart at all my items, trying to pick what I could do without, a kind and deep voice from my left said, "You can put it all on here."

My head turned, my eyes following up the outstretched arm of a tall, bulky man in a white button-down and black slacks. I looked up at his face. He had a sharp jaw with his hair styled yet looked disheveled split to one side. His eyes looked cold, like the type of eyes that made you squirm and hide from. He gave me a warm smile and my face turned flush with red. I couldn't hide.

"No sir, I couldn't possibly allow you to help me..." I had begun to say, but he cut me off.

"It's no problem. What kind of sheriff would I be if I looked away at one of my residents needing help?" He said kindly.

A sheriff who explains the eyes and body built like that?

I thanked him and offered to repay him when he could, but he just said, "As long as you help when someone else is in need. That's all I could ask for."

I smiled and nodded before turning and walking out with my shopping cart. As I got to my car, I pulled out my prepaid phone to check the map. I needed to buy us some clothes, since I still had 30 bucks. I thought a thrift store would be ideal.

I was staring at the map on my phone when that same deep voice sounded beside my ear, saying, "Maggie's down the street sells quality clothes for discounted prices."

I almost dropped my phone at the sudden closeness of his voice. I turned around, staring at him with shock, but he was already getting into his truck that was parked beside me. He looked at me and let out a little laugh. It was brief, but I could tell he was trying to suppress it probably noticing how embarrassed I was.

He let out a cough and said, "Sorry, you looked so in thought and hadn't noticed me passing behind you. I didn't mean to snoop."

My cheeks were still hot from embarrassment. I said, "It's okay, I needed help finding a clothing store anyway. Thank you... again..."

He smiled at me, giving me a little nod before climbing into his truck and driving away.

As I climbed into my car, I couldn't help but give my heart time to slow down before heading to the clothing store. I place my head on my steering wheel and remind myself there is no time to be attracted to some random alluring bear of a man. I gave myself a light smack on the cheeks before driving to Maggie's.

SURPRISINGLY, I did find many clothing options there for discounted prices. The cashier's name was Kelly and her grandmother was Maggie. She was really nice and told me a little about the town. Places to check out, discount days at the mart, the sheriff and about the farm I was staying at. She said the Mendez family had been living their forever and were very well known to be kind to everyone in town.

As I got back to the cottage and started unloading the items, my mind kept drifting back to the sheriff. His smile was so charming and, despite how scary he looked not smiling, even that was attractive.

I shook my head. What was wrong with me? I see one attractive man and I can't control myself.

I decided to take a shower and get ready to go to the main house. Isabelle said her grandparents wanted to have dinner together to meet Jax and me. I was soaking in the tub, my eyes closed while my body finally relaxed from the warmth. It had been so long since I felt so at peace not looking over my shoulder.

I was so immersed in relaxing that I didn't hear the front door to the cottage open and heavy footsteps walking through the house. I decided to get out as I was drying my hair with the towel. I remember I left my clothes on the bed. I decided to get dressed in the room, since no one was there, it didn't matter if I was naked.

I opened the bathroom door, making my way to the bedroom when I bumped into what felt like a wall except it was wrapped in cloth. I rubbed my forehead and looked up at this "wall" when I realized it was a man's back.

Before I could react, the man turned around and grabbed my wet waist. Stormy grey eyes that pierced through me with that cold intensity from earlier.

It was the Sheriff.

What he was doing here, I wondered.

I placed my hand on his forearm, steadying my naked body when his eyes darted to my hand, causing him to let go. His eyes went straight to the floor as he said, "I'm sorry, I was looking for you to tell you the dinner was ready. My parents asked me to come get you."

As I wrapped my head around the fact, he said, "Parents" means he was Isabelle's uncle and Sonia's uncle. He had bent down to pick up the towel I dropped when I bumped into him. He wrapped it around me and said, "I'll be waiting outside to escort you there, so please take your time."

With that, he walked out of the hallway as I turned to glance at his back. I couldn't help but place my hand where he touched. He felt like his grip burned into my flesh. A warmth began to spread from that very spot to the rest of my body.