Jessie Ann Ward grew up the only wild dog among wolves. Smaller than all the other girls in school, she is the perfect target for bullies. The only person who doesn't treat her differently, and is always there to rescue her is Bobbie Ray Smith. Jessie Ann is in love. The only problem is, except for being there to pull her from under the bleachers, or out of the heating ducts to save her from his sister, Bobbie Ray is never interested in anything else.

She's short and skinny, and a little bit of a nerd, but Bobbie Ray can't get Jessie Ann off his mind, or out of his heart. But Jessie is the forever type of girl, not some girl to scratch an itch. Needing a life away from his dominating father, Bobbie Ray has to get out of town. He decides the Navy is his answer. Unfortunately, the night he has to leave is the night Jessie Ann takes a chance to move their relationship to the next level. Bobbie Ray is forced to make a split decision between his freedom, and Jessie Ann. He chooses the Navy.

Never forgetting the night that Bobbie Ray spurned her, Jessie Ann makes it her mission to show Bobbie Ray what he left behind. As a successful business woman and Alpha Female of a wild dog pack, she's doing great. And years later, she's rubbing Bobbie Ray's nose in it. The only thing missing is someone to fill her heart like Bobbie Ray did. But there is no way she'll ever let him know it, because she's never letting herself get hurt like that again.

Confused and frustrated, Bobbie Ray can't understand why Jessie Ann doesn't remember the crush he knew she had on him. He is Bobbie Ray Smith of the Smith Pack. How could she not be interested in him? But Bobbie Ray is a wolf, and a wolf loves a good chase. Lucky for him, Jessie Ann's pack is in trouble, and Bobbie Ray knows he is just the wolf to handle this little wild dog's crisis.

THE BEAST IN HIM is a delightful, fresh read. Shelly Laurenston brings a whole new essence to the world of shape- shifters: Down home, southern loving with fangs and claws.