Page 42 of Last Shot at Love

Opening my laptop, I was relieved to have the familiarity of a routine to help ground my spinning thoughts.

My relief turned to concern as I read the top unopened email. It was from Sara, and the subject line read: URGENT.

That single word had my blood pressure skyrocketing. Sara had worked with me for several years and could handle my company almost as well as I could. So, what could she need urgent help with?

I clicked the email.

Beryl, I’m sorry to disturb you, but Timothy has called half a dozen times in the past twenty-four hours. I’ve explained that you’re away on a personal matter, but he’s become insistent that he needs to speak with you. Is there any chance you could sneak away for a quick video call with him today?

Without hesitation, I messaged Sara back, telling her to set up a time and then forward me the link. Clicking send, I checked the time and decided I should clean up so I’d be ready for the call.

I took a quick shower and blow-dried my hair. Out of habit, I began twisting my long, light brown hair into the tight bun at the nape of my neck.

The memory of Cerulean’s eyes when he’d let my hair fall free flashed through my mind.

I liked the way he’d looked at me.

Releasing the twist, I let my hair fall around my face.

Grabbing my makeup bag, I brushed a thin coat of mascara on my eyelashes and dabbed gloss on my lips.

My phone chimed, and I glanced down to find a text from Sara. Flicking a finger across the screen, I read the message and cursed.

Timothy wanted to speak right then.

Scrambling from the bathroom, I rushed toward my computer but stopped. I was dressed in only my cami and thong.

Rushing to the desk, I grabbed the suit jacket I’d worn to the resort. I slipped it on and quickly buttoned it up. My underwear wouldn’t show on the video call, so I didn’t bother finding pants.

Sitting down in the desk chair, I summoned the cool exterior I relied on for my business dealings.

Taking a last calming breath, I clicked the link to join the call.

My body shifted forms the moment I disappeared beneath the surface of the water. I had three forms: human, full octopus, and my split form.

When I shifted to my split form, my lower body turned to tentacles, but my upper body remained mostly human appearing… if you ignored the oddly shaped pupils and the gills on either side of my neck.

I kept many of my inner beast’s abilities in all three forms, but my human form lacked the superior swimming skills that came with having tentacles.

Sinking to the bottom of the sea, I closed my eyes, breathing in deep gulps of the salty seawater. It was far harder than I’d imagined staying on land through a full night.

With time, I knew my body would grow used to the air drying my skin and lungs. But right now, it was excruciating. The only thing making it bearable was lying close to my mate-to-be, watching the moonlight kiss her skin, giving her an otherworldly beauty.

The water vibrated and hummed around me.

Another octopus shifter is nearby.

I ran my fingers through the rippling energy waves, gathering information like a spider feeling its silken web.

My eyebrows rose in shock. Why was my sister here, so far from our home?

I lay still, waiting for her to appear. It didn’t take long, and less than ten minutes later, she appeared, dropping to the sandy floor beside me.

Pricking her tentacle, she held it up. Mouthing a complaint, I did the same and wrapped the tip of my tentacle around hers. It was similar to a human handshake—if humans had tentacles and shared blood to talk.

“Brother! It is good to see you well!” She was in her split form as well, and her face lit with a genuine smile.

“Little sister, I’ve not been gone long enough for anyone in our family to miss me. Are you stalking me?” I narrowed my eyes, suspicious of her true motives.

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