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beginning to believe he was right.
    Greyson’s eyes dropped to her breasts and back to her face. “Really.”
    He was so cocky, Zori couldn’t resist taunting him.
    “Well, I’ll have fun proving you’re wrong.”
    A deep growl erupted from Greyson’s throat and Zori took a step backwards as he took a step towards her. She gasped as his big body grew larger, elongating before her eyes. His biceps bulged as his arms lengthened and her eyes widened in shock as he fell to his knees. Another wild growl pierced her ears as his back and legs shifted form right before her eyes.
    “Oh, my god,” Zori whispered as his handsome face transformed into the features of a wolf. She stood rooted in the sand, transfixed by the sight of glossy black fur replacing brown skin and the luminous amber eyes staring back at her now that his transformation was complete.
    Zori tore her gaze from the citrine lupine gaze fixed on her, taking in every detail of his awesome change. He was beautiful and so big, he nearly reached the height of her belly button on all fours, but she wasn’t afraid of him.
    “Greyson—”
    He lifted his huge head and howled, making the fine hairs on the back of her neck stand up. His golden gaze held hers for a split second longer before he took off down the beach.
    “Greyson!” She cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled his name again as she watched his agile retreat. Stunned, Zori resisted calling out his name one more time.
    He never slowed down, never looked back as she lost sight of his shadowy form. Her fingernails cut into her palms and she suddenly regretted pushing his buttons. He had saved her from an uncomfortable night of floating adrift in the ocean after all.
    Zori stood, shivering in the sand for a long time after he’d vanished, confused and frustrated by her out-of-whack emotions. She had asked him to leave her alone and he’d granted her wish.
    So why did she feel so empty inside?
     
    * * * *
     
    “Are you almost ready, Zori?”
    “I’m ready now.”
    “Wow! You look hawt!”
    “Thanks.” Zori pivoted in her silver stilettos, eyeing how the shimmery silver babydoll mini dress moulded to her body in the mirror.
    What would Greyson do if he saw me in this little number?
    The unwanted thought made her sigh. A week had gone by since Greyson had shape-shifted and left her on the beach.
    “Zo…are you okay?”
    “I’m fine.” Zori forced a smile, hoping her sister accepted her lie as she turned around.
    “Because we could stay in, do the movie thing…you know, chill.” Tamera smoothed on more lip gloss.
    “Elena would have a fit. She’s been talking about going out all day long.”
    “True. Well, at least you look like you’re ready to party.”
    “Always ready, you know that.” Zori grinned as her sister chuckled. She glanced back at the full-length mirror to spritz on perfume and fought the sudden urge to hurl something at her reflection.
    It didn’t make sense. She looked fantastic, but felt terrible, like she was coming down with a cold, which was impossible since harpies didn’t get sick. Body aches had plagued her all week and if there’d been a thermometer in the house she would’ve taken her temperature. Her lack of appetite was the most troubling of all her strange symptoms.
    Harpies always wanted to eat.
    “What are these for?” Tamera shook a small bottle of pills.
    Zori spun around and took the bottle from her hand. “Just something to help me sleep.”
    Tamera frowned. “You’ve been off this whole time. I wish you’d let us in on what’s making you so miserable.”
    “Relax…I told you, I’m good.” Zori tossed the pills inside her dresser drawer.
    So, her sisters did think something was wrong. Neither of them had pressed for an explanation up until now, for which she was grateful. She wasn’t ready to explain what she was feeling physically, let alone emotionally, and there was no way she’d tell Tamera she had resorted to using painkillers.