Breathing heavy, head down, I forced my feet to keep on walking and not run back to finish the mating ritual with Sam. I smacked right into my brother in the hallway when all thoughts were on Sam and only Sam. My reflexes automatically kicked in, I grabbed Nate by the shirt and slammed him against the wall giving out a warning growl.

"What the..." Nate said.

I knew my eyes had changed to my wolf. I jumped back and dropped my hands from my brothers shirt than put my head down. "Sorry," I said, voice raspy. Walking away not wanting to talk to anybody. I stopped when a firm hand fell on my shoulder.

"What's wrong with you man?" Nate asked, spinning me around. His eyes flashed to the fresh bite mark. "Did you...are you and...what the...?" Nate stammered out.

Lifting my head, eyes back to normal. "No, just got a little carried away," I said with regret. "Listen Nate, I'm really not in the mood to chat I need a shower. I need...to be far away right now." I pulled out of my brother's grip and headed quickly out the front door for a much-needed cold shower.

* * *
MADY

I waited patiently and silently while Sam wore herself out. Swimming back and forth for about twenty minutes so far. I didn't know what had happened but I did know she was in pain. Colossal amount of pain. I knew it would be a waste of time trying to get her attention. No I had to wait until she came to me. Then and only then I could try to help ease what she was feeling. Sam's strokes started to slow, less aggressive. Exhaustion was close.

Another 10 minutes passed and Sam swam over to the stairs, grabbed a towel and sat beside me. Still not saying a word, I waited for her to start, the silence only lasted about 30 seconds.

Leaning back on her arms, staring up at the stars on the very clear night Sam said, "I fucked up Mady. I don't know what the hell I did, but I really fucked things up with Dmitri. Not that I didn't deserve being walked out on, well more like he ran. If I were him...I would have told me to take a hike long ago. Maybe I should just walk away now. It would be easier for the both of us."

I didn't bite at the last comment, the pain I saw in Sam's face, there was no walking away. She was asking what to do to make things right without saying the words. I just waited and listened knowing my friend had a lot more to say,

Standing up, Sam started to pace. "Shit Mady, I don't know what's wrong with me. Since I've been here I'm like a walking talking sex bomb ready to blow. God it's worse now than it was when I was in my early 20's and we both know I had a wild side back then," she babbled on.

I had very clear memories of our young adult years. I giggled. I cleared my throat quickly to cover the giggle, this was not a time to find Sam's ranting humorous. If she only knew, the farthest thing from Dmitri's mind was walking away after he fought himself not to finish the mating ritual, which he so wanted but would not do that without Sam knowing the truth.

Sam was still going on. "Do you realize if he wasn't so disgusted by me I would have probably fucked him right here in your pool!" she confessed, swinging around to face her.

That was it, I could not hold it together any longer: bursting out in laughter, tears running down my face and I almost fell in the pool. Settling down after a few minutes, to see Sam standing there with her mouth hanging open in shock that I dared to laugh at her in a time of need had me laughing all that much harder.

"And you wonder why I keep things to myself!" Sam sounded hurt and appalled.

I jumped up to grab her arm as she started to storm towards the house. "No, Sam it's not that. You have everything so wrong." I sobered from the hurt look on her face. "Believe me Dmitri is not walking away from you. The reason he walked away was because you almost fucked in the pool. He knew you would regret it later and he doesn't want to be a regret. Ever. For the reason why I was laughing? It was because I have never seen you so riled up over a guy before and with it being Dmitri on the other end I am more excited that maybe one day you will be fucking in a pool. Hopefully it's not mine but if it is I'm Ok with that."

Sam relaxed, letting out breath. "So I didn't fuck up?" she asked with uncertainty.

Shaking my head, "No. Everything will be alright. About your...hormone issue. Have you really looked at the men around us? They are walking sex on a stick. Any warm blooded woman would have the same issue. Believe me if I wasn't madly in love I would be walking around with my tongue hanging out." Laughing on how true my words were. "Come on, I think it's safe to leave. I heard his jeep pull away awhile ago." The look of disappointment on Sam's face after hearing the news I added, "He needed a really cold shower."

Sam joined the laughter. "Yeah, it's getting late. I'll talk to you later. Oh and Mady, thanks." With a wave, Sam left to collect her things and headed home.