Bound to Change: A Limited Edition Spring Shifter Romance Collection

by Margo Bond Collins

  Chapter Three

  I must’ve dozed off during the night because when I opened my eyes, the sun was approaching the horizon. I checked above me for the nighthawk, but it was gone. No surprise. It must’ve grown tired of watching me. What now? My keen eyes scanned the ocean below, spotting a fish amongst the waves. Food was a priority, so I dove off the rocks toward the water. In one quick swipe, I had the fish in my huge talons, and then I carried it to shore, where I quickly devoured it.

  I was about to go look for another, but my tail began to tingle, and a moment later was completely numb. I looked down at it to find its scales replaced with smooth, silky skin, and then the tail was gone, and my legs were back. A few minutes later, my upper body shifted too, and my voice returned as well.

  “Yes! Oh, yes!” I yelled, jumping with joy. “I never thought I’d be so happy to be me.” As I danced and twirled, I caught sight of someone headed my way, so I reined in my exuberance. Upon closer look, I realized it was Ethan Scott, Reef Ridge Academy’s principle’s son. He had his long tawny hair pulled back in a ponytail, but a few strands had blown loose, framing his face like threads of gold and in sharp contrast to his deeply tanned skin. Ethan was exceedingly handsome, and no doubt knew it. During lunch, his table was always full of the most popular, most gorgeous girls in school.

  Draped over his arm was a pair of jeans and a white cotton shirt, and to my embarrassment, I realized they belonged to me. I’d left them on the beach last night. When he was only a few feet away, his hazel eyes boldly raked over me, causing my cheeks to warm as I stood before him in only my bathing suit.

  “Those are my clothes,” I said in a voice that was little more than a squeak.

  “I thought they might be, seeing as there’s no one else around.” He handed them to me, and I quickly slipped them on. “Not going swimming?”

  “It’s not as warm as I thought it would be,” I replied quickly.

  He cocked a brow at me. “Yeah, well, it is pretty early.”

  “I thought I’d get some exercise in before school.”

  “Me too, but I prefer walking. It’s so beautiful here at this time of day, and there’s usually never any people.” The way he said it made me feel like I’d infringed on his privacy.

  “As far as I know, this is a public beach.”

  His deep, rich laugh was engaging. “You look familiar. Do I know you?”

  It was shocking that he’d noticed me at school. I typically kept to myself. “I go to Reef Ridge Academy.”

  He grinned broadly. “That’s where I’ve seen you. I do too. I’m Ethan Scott, by the way.”

  “I know.”

  This time his laugh held a note of bitterness. “Of course you do. Everyone knows my dad’s principle.” I could understand how it must be hard having his dad be aware of his every move. “And you’re?”

  “Piper Pennington.”

  “Well, Piper Pennington, maybe I’ll see you around sometime.”

  I watched him disappear down the beach with an undeniable swagger in his step. No wonder girls flocked around him. And it had nothing to do with who his father was. Ethan was a hottie. No doubt about it.

  As I walked home, I realized how lucky I was that he hadn’t seen me as a monster, or equally bad, shift back to a human. That would’ve been mortifying. Filled with relief, I quietly opened the back door of our huge oceanfront home and tiptoed up to my bedroom without waking my stepmother. I would confront the old witch, but not now. I needed to get to school on time. I’d been late too often, and we were only a few weeks into the year.

  After taking a quick shower, I put on my favorite black jeans and a pretty cornflower blue scoop-necked top. Once a week, students got to wear whatever they liked to school, instead of the academy uniform. I ran a comb through my wet hair—it would air dry on the way to Reef Ridge, put on a little mascara and lip gloss, threw my books into my backpack, and was ready to go. However, as I headed downstairs, to my dismay, Glenna was waiting at the bottom.

  “I see you survived the night,” she said sourly.

  My gaze held hers in a steely stare. “I did, no thanks to you, and don’t think because your spell only lasted the night, that I won’t tell my dad what you did.”

  “What makes you think it only lasted the night?”

  “Well, I’m here now, aren’t I?”

  “Silly girl. Mermaid shifters regain their human form during the day. You’ll revert back at night.”

  I stared at her in disbelief. “You know very well that I’m not a mermaid.”

  “Your bottom half is. Top half is an eagle. That makes you a sea griffin. The shifting rules apply to you, so you’d best get used to your new form.”

  Panic like I’d never known before welled in my throat. “Undo that spell right now,” I ordered.

  Her beady black eyes twinkled dangerously. “Can’t. The only way you can be returned to your true form is to earn a human’s love despite your appearance. Then I can lift the spell. But the chances of that happening are well...nonexistent.”

  She was right. Who would fall in love with a monster? I wasn’t one to cry. I’d learned not to give her that satisfaction years ago, but this morning tears burned beneath my lids, so I blinked fast to keep them from filling my eyes.“Know this, Glenna, the battle isn’t over. Not by far. You’ll pay for what you’ve done.”

  “Your words mean nothing to me.”

  “Really? Then I guess you have nothing to fear. I wouldn’t go out alone at night, though. You never know when I might seek revenge. My talons are sharp and quite capable of tearing an enemy to shreds.” I’d never known Glenna to be rendered speechless before, and it gave me a tiny bit of satisfaction that I left her standing in the foyer with her mouth wide open. “Why so surprised? You made me a monster. Why shouldn’t I behave as one?”

  Chapter Four

  The walk to school should only take about ten minutes, but I was in no shape to deal with classes right now. I needed to be alone...to think...to figure out what I was going to do, like how to survive, so instead of taking the main road, I took the path that led down to the beach.

  If only my dad were here. He’d know what to do, but he was somewhere in Europe, meeting with an up and coming artist from Brussels. My dad was a successful art dealer, and his trips abroad could keep him away for months at a time. I never knew when he’d be back. One day he’d simply waltz through the door with his suitcase full of treasures from faraway places as if those gifts would make up for his absence. A heaviness centered in my chest, and I snatched my cell phone from my pocket with fingers itching to dial his number. But what would I say? That Glenna had turned me into a monster? What could he do an ocean away?

  My mind began to travel to a very dark place. Life had become a bitter battle. All my hopes and dreams were crushed. I’d never become an oceanographer and study the fascinating secret world beneath the sea like I’d dreamed since I was a little girl, or discover a centuries’ old shipwreck as my dad had often joked. My life was over. At least the life I’d planned. I had no idea what the future held now, other than misery. A mounting rage seethed inside me. I picked up a stone and threw it into the ocean with all the force I could muster.

  “What got you all fired up?”

  I took a quick sharp breath at the realization that I wasn’t alone and spun around to face Ethan for the second time today. “Are you following me?” My voice was sharp with annoyance.

  His hazel eyes narrowed with cool appraisal. “You clean up well,” he said, ignoring my question.

  My body stiffened in shock. “Shouldn’t you be in school?”

  “I could ask you the same question.”

  “I suppose being late isn’t an issue for you,” I remarked snarkily.

  “You mean because my dad is principle? Well, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Anything less than perfection isn’t acceptable for the son of Michael Scott.” He ripped out the words impatiently with no attempt to hide his resentment.
>
  My anger began to subside as I realized we might have something in common. “I don’t get along with my stepmother...at all.”

  “There’s something about the rhythm of the waves that always puts me in a better mood. My dad was on my case again this morning, so I came here to chill.”

  I felt a shock run through me at the directness of his gaze, so I quickly looked back at the water. “Glenna and I had a fight. Nothing new there, except this time, what she did was unforgivable.”

  “Glenna, is your stepmom?”

  I nodded.

  “What did your father say?”

  “He’s away on business like he is most of the time.”

  “That must be tough.”

  I wasn’t one to talk about my feelings, so I picked up another rock and tossed it into the waves. “Are you skipping the whole day, or just going in late?” I asked, changing the subject.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I don’t know yet.”

  “Skipping will be a week’s detention,” he informed me.

  “Versus just a day, guess I’ll be late then.”

  “If we go in now, I might be able to work some magic so that we get off with nothing.”

  I looked over my shoulder at him with just a hint of a smile. “I like that plan.”

  As we headed to school, we compared classes, and I learned that Ethan was a whiz in math but not so in science.

  “Maybe we could arrange a study date sometime?” he asked.

  “I’d like that. I could use a little help with Algebra II.”

  “And if you could help me with Chemistry, I’d owe you big time.”

  “It’s a deal.”

  He grinned broadly. “Great. Why don’t we plan on tomorrow at my house? Say eight?”

  A wave of disappointment swept over me. I couldn’t meet him that late. I would’ve already shifted by then. “I’m sorry. That won’t work.”

  “Another time then.” Ethan held the academy’s heavy door open for me before leading the way to the office.

  Mrs. Ryan, the school secretary, looked up from her desk when we entered.“Do you have a legitimate reason for being late?” Although her gaze was directed at Ethan, I knew her question was for us both.

  “I had an argument with my dad this morning. It was pretty stupid, but I needed time to cool off. Piper saw me down by the beach and was able to help me get over it. Please don’t mark her late. She was just being nice.”

  The older woman’s brow furrowed as she looked at the clock on the wall. “You’ve missed almost all of first period.”

  “If we hurry, we’ll be early for second.” He grinned.

  “I’ll give you both a break this time, but don’t let it happen again,” she said sternly.

  Ethan winked at her. “Thanks, Mrs. Ryan! I owe you.”

  “The only thing I want is for you to realize your father wants the best for you.” Her voice had softened some.

  “Yeah, well, sometimes his idea of what’s best isn’t mine, but I’ll keep that in mind,” Ethan replied as we left the office.

  Once out in the hall, I said, “I’m impressed with your honesty. I thought you’d make up a story like we saved a sea turtle or something. I never thought you’d tell her anything close to the truth.”

  He shrugged. “She’s cool. I’ve known her since I was a kid. Used to sit on the floor behind her desk with my coloring books and crayons. If anyone’s got my back, it’s Mrs. Ryan.”

  “It’s nice to have someone you can count on.” I hadn’t meant for a note of sadness to creep into my tone.

  Ethan must’ve noticed it because he said, “If you ever want to talk again, I’m willing to listen.”

  “My class is this way.” I pointed to the right.

  “Catch ya later then,” he said as he went in the opposite direction.

  I watched him disappear down the hall. He was a complex guy. Despite seeming like he had it all, Ethan had issues at home, just like I did, and that seemed to create a bond between us, one that I hoped would grow stronger over time.

  Chapter Five

  During my morning classes, I had two things on my mind: sea griffins and Ethan Scott. I was fully aware that Ethan was out of my league, especially now that Glenna had made me that horrible creature. But Ethan and I connected. It might just be because we both had dysfunctional families, but that was something, and I needed someone I could talk to now more than ever. If I hadn’t been on the beach at dawn, and if he hadn’t found my clothes, we never would’ve met. Strange how something as bad as Glenna’s spell could be responsible for me gaining a friend.

  I pondered that as I entered the cafeteria for lunch, heading to my usual table in the back. I was half-way there when someone called my name. I looked over my shoulder to see Ethan waving at me.

  “Come sit with us,” he yelled.

  I quickly noticed that by us, he meant Belva, Adel, and Calista, as well as Regan, a new girl in school, and Sasha, one of the hottest guys at Reef Ridge. The last thing I wanted to do was, have lunch with the three mermaids who’d called me a monster last night, but what could I do? I certainly didn’t want to snub Ethan, so I reluctantly went over.

  He quickly moved his tray, making room for mine. “I left this seat open just for you,” Ethan said with a huge smile as he pointed to the chair next to him.

  My face warmed as all eyes were focused on me. There was no doubt everyone at the table was wondering how I’d infiltrated their inner circle.

  “You all know Piper, right?” he asked.

  The mermaids said a brief hello, but it was evident they weren’t happy to see me.

  Regan, however, flashed a wide smile. “We’re in the same creative writing class.” The pretty, petite blonde seemed genuinely happy that I was joining them.

  “I’ve seen you around, but I don’t think we’ve ever met,” Sasha said, reaching across the table to shake my hand.

  “Nice to meet you,” I replied as I tried to keep my voice steady. This was quite overwhelming. I was a loner and not used to socializing.

  Calista got up. “I have a test this afternoon, so I need to go study.”

  “We do too,” Belva and Adel added, quickly following suit, making me wonder if the three of them always had to behave as a group.

  After they left, I felt a little more comfortable and was actually able to enjoy my lunch. Regan and Sasha seemed nice, appearing to accept me at their table without hesitation.

  “Piper and I met on the beach early this morning,” Ethan told them. “We hit it off right away. You guys don’t mind if we leave this seat open for her indefinitely, right?”

  His question took me by surprise. I wanted to get to know him better, but I hadn’t expected him to welcome me into his circle of friends.

  “Of course we don’t mind,” Regan remarked.

  “It’s yours as long as you want it,” Sasha added.

  It was nice that they were so friendly, but I doubted the mermaids would have responded so positively. It was apparent they were still freaked out by my transformation last night.

  As if able to sense my hesitation, Ethan said, “Belva and her posse aren’t permanent residents at our table. They flit around the cafeteria, so that means the four of us will be daily lunch buddies.”

  My tension was gone when I turned to him. “I’d like that.”

  The look he shot me sent butterflies to my stomach. A warm glow flowed through me, lasting through lunch, and even afterward, as I entered the library for my free period. I’d planned to do the homework that I hadn’t done last night, but when I spotted Belva glowering at me from a table across the room, I knew it was going to be difficult to concentrate. What was her problem? I understood how seeing me shift into an ugly beast would be shocking, but get over it already. It’s not like I scratched her with my talons or pecked her with my beak.

  I found a spot in the corner, far enough away from her so that her penetrating gaze wouldn’t be a distraction. However
, my mind wouldn’t focus on my work. After my laptop loaded, I decided to search sea griffins instead and found that they were legendary creatures and were considered the king of beasts, powerful and majestic, and known for guarding treasures and priceless possessions. They were said to lay eggs in burrows on the ground, and these nests contained gold nuggets. Griffins mated for life, and if either partner died, the other would continue the rest of its life alone, never searching for a new mate. Their claws were believed to have medicinal properties, and just one feather could restore sight to the blind. I suddenly felt a bottomless peace and satisfaction. I wasn’t a horrific creature, after all. Humans might fear me and think of me as a monster, but to the otherworld, I was respected and admired. Something I’d never felt when totally human.

  “So that’s what you are! I didn’t know there was such a thing as a sea griffin. I thought they were only a myth.” Belva’s harsh tone grated on my nerves.

  I quickly snapped my laptop shut, and then looked over my shoulder, meeting her icy gaze straight on where she stood behind my chair.

  Her outcry unleashed something within me, and I responded sharply. “That’s what I thought about mermaids until I discovered you and your friends. Looks like we were both wrong. Mermaids and sea griffins are real.” I wouldn’t let myself be put down by this bully, and triumph flooded through me when Belva winced at my words.

  “Yeah, well, just stay away from my girls and me. We don’t associate with the likes of you.”

  “Fine. Just remember, I’ll only keep your secret as long as you keep mine.” There was defiance in my tone, along with a subtle challenge.

  Chapter Six

  Thankfully, I didn’t run into Ethan or the mermaids for the rest of the day. I was exhausted and couldn’t wait to collapse in my room for a few hours. I had a long night ahead of me.