Kierra

It only takes about fifteen more minutes to get there after he gets out from behind the older driver who can barely see over their steering wheel. Nothing against older or much shorter people, but when you can barely see and it's snowing, just don't drive. Not only do you put yourself in danger, but everyone around you.

This early, the place is nearly deserted. Perfect. Although, last time I was here, a Vamp followed me home. With the thudding of my heart at that thought, Ben looks over at me as he parks.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh nothing, just the last time I was here a Vamp hitched a ride on my jeep and rode home with me where he then tried to kill me. No big deal."

He scowls, eyes dropping to my covered shoulder. Unbuckling, I surprise him by moving closer, raising to my knees and leaning in close. Can hear his heart make a hard thump which has me raising an eyebrow as I pull back, his coat in my hand, grabbed from the back seat.

I snicker at his expression, unable to help it. Teased him on purpose, which probably isn't a good idea, but hard to resist when I knew I'd get an entertaining response. Asking him if he's coming as I get out, I ignore the fact he moved his coat over his lap.

Yep, shouldn't have done it. Just by the look in his eyes, can tell I'm gonna end up paying for it. The thought sends a thrill through my insides that I squash down immediately.

The snow has come down enough to put a nice layer on the ground. Just enough to make everybody turn into idiots on the roads as they seem to have forgotten how to drive in it. The shoes on my feet so aren't meant for this weather. Wiggling out a leg every few feet, looking like a cat who has wet paws, Benjamin laughs at me, so I glare at him.

Of course no one has been keeping an eye on the floor at the entrances, so upon entering, I end up looking like the idiot.

First step onto the linoleum was no big deal. Second step however, very much a big deal. If Benji had been human, I'd be on my ass right now.

Soon as my second step touches down, it decides it doesn't either want to be on the floor and flies out in front of me. Werewolf balance means squat when on slippery floors with traction-less shoes. I'm headed down hard on my ass when he catches me, his arms hooking under mine.

"Nono, let me bust my ass, then I can sue 'em."

Of course as soon as that word is uttered a manager comes flying out of nowhere, barking orders into their little walkie-talkie-phones on getting so and so up to the front to do their job. Right. I get apologized at profusely but wave them off.

Thanking Benjamin as he practically carries me further in to stand on the carpet, he goes out to grab a cart then comes back in, unable to keep a straight face as he does so. After finally getting the grouchy woman to scoot, I push him to the side. Not a single slip with his fancy boots. Making a sound of disgust which just has him laughing more, I head to the clothes.

Seeing the man push a shopping cart just doesn't look right to begin with. There's a type for that whole deal, and he doesn't fit it...at all. Seeing him do so is like watching a cat play at being a sheep.

Several pairs of jeans, cargo pants, sweats, and various shirts for Xavier, now about to buy that man underwear, even if he doesn't wear them. Should get him a speedo, but knowing my luck he'd try walking around the house in just it. Just the mental visual is disturbing.

I grab a few of the larger gothic designed T-shirts, setting them aside as the ones I'd told myself I'd get Ben to replace the clothing of his that got ruined when I yanked his tiger out. Hardly equals out to what all was destroyed, but it's a start. Pulling my list from my pocket to double-check sizes, I grab some of the graphic shirts for Maii as well, then head for the boys section, all while a Vampire trails behind me as an overprotective shadow. Think some of his undead buddies might take offense to that, but that's not my problem.

Gathering much the same for the young coyote as I did for the maned wolf, just in smaller sizes, I do grab boxers for him too, and socks for both. Next stop is shoes. Both sneakers and boots are grabbed for the boy then I look through the adult boots for ones I would want. Have a feeling I'll end up having to go elsewhere.

I may have slimmed down, but my legs are still thick with muscle. Most of the cuter pairs are for women who have sticks for ankles and bumps for calves. Stiletto winter boots are someone's idea of a sick joke. Joke or not, there are those who will buy them.

Ben points out a pair of steel-toed combat boots. I grab them and put them on immediately, putting the box for them in the cart with my tennis shoes inside it.

"I don't believe that's how that works."

"I don't believe I care. I'm not about to go slip-sliding back out that door."

He grins at me.

"I'm more than willing to catch you again."

Snorting, I head to the home items looking for drapes. Asking what ones he uses isn't helpful since he had to go and be all fancy by ordering his online from a Vamp who makes them. I mock him while I look through the ones on the shelves, which just has him smirking at me.

So nice to find a Vamp who doesn't take offense to my teasing. Aside from my sister I mean. End up grabbing some thick royal blue ones that act like a blanket going over the window instead of the normal edges that you bring together in the middle.

From there we go to the 'furniture' area. Was originally going to get those plastic 3-drawer towers, but that just doesn't feel right. I do find something that will be perfect. Just getting the three of them is going to be almost four hundred dollars.

Going to hurt, but they're needed. Still three drawers, but wider, deeper, wood, and also has a small compartment next to the drawers. Standing at least three feet high and a little over three across, so plenty of room for everything each one of them has right now. Whether they get put in the basement or the bedrooms is still up in the air.

Things have to be moved around a bit, but we get the three boxes stuck into the cart. Not like they're that thick since the things are in pieces right now. A quick run by the craft section to look at the paints has the man raising an eyebrow at me.

"I don't know if my oils will work quite right and I want her safe."

He inclines his head and looks over them with me. Multiple enamel colors are grabbed with a plan to paint something interesting instead of just straight black. She said she was kept in a room, I don't want her feeling like that again. She might not sleep in her bed, but it's still her bedroom, all her stuff is there. If she starts throwing stuff out, then it's time to worry.

Going to need to get over to Ava's soon to wash clothes again, or just cave and go to the laundromat. May do that since it has bigger machines, the basement bedding needs to be washed before it starts getting too funky. Having now bled on it multiple times, it's going to head that way soon.

"Mkay, all that's left now is food. Not going to grab too much, just enough for a couple days till I can get my jeep and come back with Bastion."

His head cocks as he watches me. I just shrug.

"He likes shopping for food, makes him feel important since he's the one that mostly eats it."

"Don't you eat at home?"

I nod, but he looks confused till I elaborate.

"I don't eat too much. Seems whenever I eat anything decent, it ends up coming right back up since something tends to happen."

Ben frowns at me, I just smile.

"He makes sure I eat something. Whenever he makes himself something, he'll double it and stash it till I can get to it. Faline was the one who cooked before, she loves cooking. Not being able to eat anymore has to hurt."

He nods, his face closing down as he remembers things he's lost since being turned. Reaching out, I touch his hand, apologizing that I brought it up. He smiles and shakes his head, lifting my hand to hold it against his chest again.

"It was a long time ago. One of my favorite things to do was drink with friends. You and your sister helped bring a piece of that back for me today."

I smile, happy for him. Do want my hand back though, but he's not ready to let go. A weird look crossing his features has me looking around, breathing deeply to catch anything.

"Your sister. She's different from other Vampires..."

My free hand goes over his mouth, my eyes widening as I shake my head. Slipping that hand to the back of his neck and pulling him down and close, he comes willingly as I practically pull his face into the hollow of my shoulder so I can whisper in his ear as quietly as I can.

"I'm aware, that's what has put her in danger from so many of them. You remember mentioning a story the wolves have about Silver Wolves?"

The hand that he had been clasping to his chest is let go as his arms go around me. I keep my hand against his chest though for balance and to keep that distance. His head nods slowly, can feel him breathing deeply.

His scent so close to my nose is strong. Vampire, tiger, cologne, sweat, and soap. Pretty intoxicating and has my head reeling for a second.

"Well, there's tell of you Vampires also having a very old story, one that has them thinking my sister is the one in it with many wanting her dead for it. I was told that only the older Vamps know of it, but with word spreading, I'm sure more and more younger ones are learning of it. I don't want any of them getting wind of her and thinking they're going to be brave. Please Benji, for me, keep this to yourself."

He had started to stiffen, but with one hand gripping his shirt and my warm breath tickling along his hairline, he eases and nods slowly again. Strong arms around me pull my body closer to his, my heat sinking into his cool frame as his lips press firmly to my neck. Ohh, shit.

"Um, Benjamin?"

"Hmm?"

Crap. He's back to sounding drunk again. A harsh shiver up my spine has me gasping as I feel his fangs playing over my throat. Not good. So not good.

"Ben? Remember what I said about Vamp blood mixing with mine? You have no idea what my blood could do to you."

I get an indistinguishable sound from him. Last thing I need is for him to get all 'tingly', as Faline put it. My heart beating faster has his matching it, a light nip makes me jump and a low moan to escape.

Closing my mouth, I bite my tongue, pushing at the Vampire's chest.

"Ben, stay with me here. When was the last time you fed?"

Getting no answer sends alarm bells ringing through me. I turn my face into his and bite his cheek. Don't get quite the response I'm going for as he makes a low groan, his long goatee tickling at my throat.

"You don't want to make our friendship extremely awkward now, do you?"

Trying to get through to him is getting harder and harder, just as his groin seems to be doing.

"Benji, please, don't make me hurt you."

Can feel him breathing hard as he buries his forehead into my shoulder. That I can live with, as he's trying to fight his way back. My body stiffens when I feel someone approaching, smelling another unwanted leech.

What the hell, Vampires running the store now? My nails dig into Benjamin's neck, which has his hands clenching me harder into him. Whoops.

"Sir?"

Can't see who's there, since they're standing on the side that Benji is on, but he stiffens as well, low growl sounding from him, his tiger coming closer. Can tell by its scent getting stronger. The voice lowers so just the two of us can hear.

"If you follow me, sir, I can take you to a willing donor. Feeding in public like this is not advised."

For some reason, that pisses me off. Benjamin loosens his grip on me, allowing me to pull back and glare over at the other Vamp. A female eyeing him hungrily. Oh Jeebus.

"Are you blind?"

My asking her has her blinking at me.

"I beg your pardon?"

Ooo, manners. Nice. Still an idiot.

"I said, are you blind?"

Her eyes harden before she sneers at me. Wench is actually looking down at me. Now my own scent starts rising as my temper is poked.

"No, I am not blind. There is no feeding in public as it risks exposure."

Chick is talking to me as if I'm slow. My nails once again dig into his neck, making him moan again, drawing her attention. Glancing down at her name tag, I look back up to her face, my eyes flashing yellow for a moment.

"Well, Darla, you clearly are blind, because he's not feeding. Just scent drunk. He will take your offer of a willing donor though."

My eyes flashing at her had her taking a step back. She's about ready to get snarky at me again before what I said registers in her brain. Pursing her lips as she nods, she damn near drools over the man hanging on me.

"Ben? You need to go feed. You're kind of my ride home, and drunk is not good. Go with the nice blind lady and you can find me when you're done, okay?"

Talking to him like this is so weird, but I try to view it as I called it. Drunk. I get a dirty look from the horny female, but I hand him over to her.

He sways on his feet a bit, but he nods while trying to get his thoughts in order. Can tell this woman's mood by the looks she keeps giving him as well as her scent changing subtly. Waving my hands at them to shoo, I go about my shopping.