I stood frozen to the spot, their words replayed in my mind. The way my body felt, the urges I was having, the anger and frustration building up that I had contributed to what I had gone through, but that nagging voice in the back of my mind told me that something else was wrong. The words "change" and "blood" was the key that helped me final solve the puzzle.

"Tonight is the full moon and I think it would be safer for all of us including yourself if we head for the clearing before dark," Jack said, watching me stand there with my mouth open in shock.

So many things were flying through my head. I was a shifter. Wait was I a wolf or lion? Did I really want this? What right did they have doing this without my consent? All my choices have been ripped away. If I was a wolf then what did that mean for the lions and vice-versa. Would the alliance stay strong between them? If I was a lion how would Mady react? That was when I first really thought about my future. Or lack of when it came to the men I cared for and my best friends.

Air heavy, walls closing in, I couldn't breath, I needed air. Walking to the French doors needing air, space, my body tried to figure out what it wanted to do either cry or scream. I stood on the balcony, head hung low, leaning against the rail. I knew Lawrence and Jack had not moved but watched every step I took. Mind scattered, flashbacks of what I did know about the shifters popped in and out of my head. Images and past conversations speed up making me feel dizzy and nauseous. At the breaking point, needing to be alone I jumped off the second storey balcony without a thought.

I heard the horrified scream, "Sam," come from Lawrence and Jack as I landed on my feet and one hand to keep my balance as I hit the ground. Somehow, I still had the conscious to realize if I started to run they would be on me in a flash. Standing straight I began to walk and hoped they would give me some space that I really needed. Ignoring the back door opening I continued forward.

"Give her space," Jack's voice came from ground level.

"How the hell did she get out here?" Dmitri's booming voice came from a few feet behind me.

"She jumped," Lawrence answered sounding between in ah and dejected. There was a couple gasps and some "What the hell?" Then Lawrence added, "Breath in deep."

Now twenty feet away, I paid attention to the surrounding, I could smell everything! I could hear things so much clearer. When Nickoli spoke I heard him as if he was beside me. I heard the sorrow in his voice. "Oh god Sam, I am so sorry." That seemed to hit home for me. Making it another 50 feet before I collapsed, holding my knees tight to my chest and cried.

*   *   *

"Sam?" My best friend in the whole world whispered.

I had stop crying a while ago and was now able to think straight even though I wished I was numb. I had no clue what I was going to do and was really worried what this was going to do to the others. Staring out into the woods, where I will soon be running in whatever animal form my body or blood decided I would be.

"Mady what am I going to do?" Mady made her way beside me and sat down. "It's not that I am worried about coming one of you. What happens to the alliance, you, my friends and everything else? What if I am a lion, will you still be my friend, or will Mason? And what about Dmitri and Nickoli? They have been so patient with me and I know I should never had dating both of them, but I care about them and what happens after tonight?" I asked Mady, hoping she would have some answers. Come to think of it was Nickoli really in the picture? I have barely seen him much lately. I really need to talk to him and soon.

Mady smiled, shaking her head, "Leave it up to you to worry about what we are feeling," she sounded relieved and amused. "We will always be friends and I don't think the alliance will change. How do you feel about all this?"

"I'm Ok with it. Don't get me wrong, I wish I had a choice, but it's better than death," I let out a small laugh. "And now I will have the strength to protect myself and when I find Mr. Whyte and the others I will sure enjoy it. No one has to take care of it for me, I can do it myself."

Mady looked horrified, "Sam you can't...I mean...hell...just please don't do anything that can get you hurt."

I stood, "I don't plan on it. I will put him through every bit of hell he put me through if he's lucky," I mentally pictured Mr. Whyte hanging from chains begging for mercy.

Mady spoke pulling me out of my fantasy. "Sam please, talk to Jack about this first before you do something," she pleaded. When I didn't answer right away she added, "I will not keep this little plan of yours to myself." I shrugged and continued towards the house, fantasizing about what I was going to do to Mr. Whyte and the others.