Hold on did I hear that right? Were they really going to fight? Winner takes all, with me being the prize? Even though I liked to lie to myself about certain things like my feelings, I couldn't lie about this. I knew I was falling in love with both of these men. But to become someone's mate? Hell no! Never mind the fact they have never spoken to me or asked what I thought and wanted. That alone was their biggest mistake. Mady said this was their way, but it sure as hell was not mine.

Good old anger came back with vengeance. I stomped up between the two idiots that my mind, body, and soul ached for every minute of the day. Heart racing a mile a minute, hands clutched in tight fists, leaving indentations from my nails. "Who the hell do you two think you are?" I yelled, "What gives you the right to make decisions for me about my future?"

Both men came out of their stupor and started to talk at once. Cutting them off with a wave of a hand, and raised my voice to a scream, "I don't care if it's in your nature! I. AM. NOT. ONE. OF. YOU!"

Mady came up, took my hand but I pulled away. "Don't," I spat, voice cold. The hurt in Mady's eyes didn't register, anger ruled me at that moment. Turning back to the men, I said, "You two morons do whatever the hell you want. I will not be a part of this. Get a good look boys, because this is the last time you will see me!" I had to turn my back before the tears started to fall. Keep it together. Breaking down now was not an option.

It was all too much; my family, Dmitri, Nickoli, and now this. It was just too damn much. Everything came flooding back of my time there. The moments spent with the two men that I was falling in love with. Time with Mady, and all my new friends. I still couldn't believe that everything that I loved about my fantasy books were no longer a fantasy.

By the look on Mady's face she knew what was coming even before I fully decided. What I had to do. Clearing my throat, turning back around looking at all the faces I was going to miss dearly. "There's no need to do this," my voice was stronger than I felt. I would not, could not be the reason for these amazing, pigheaded men to fight and get hurt or worse. "I'm home sick. I've decided to move back home," I announced, blinking back the first tear. Turning back to face Mady, my best friend, I added, "Thank you, for everything." Mady was crying before I finished. Before the flood gates released, I took off in a full out run to the ATV, pushing my legs even harder when my name was called.

Racing down the trail to get away from the ones I loved, I had to slam on the brakes when a huge wolf and lion sauntered in the middle of the path blocking the way. It was either stop or crash into a tree. Still fighting back the tears, I was in no mood to talk. "Get out of my way," I barked. I had only seen Braydon in his wolf form. I knew there was intelligence behind those eyes. Just like I knew who these two were. Mason and Matt.

They were magnificent, both tawny in colour; Mason's wolf front paws were black where Matt's lion back paws were black. I should have been terrified just out of the sheer size of them. Mason in his wolf form was three times the natural wolf, and Matt in his lion form was over twice the size of a natural lion. Instead of fear I felt a longing to have their bodies curled up around mine. The urge I had to wrap my arms around them, run my hands through their fur and feel their breath and heart beat against my skin was to strong to ignore.

Jumping off the ATV, walking up I grabbed a handful of fur under their chins forcing their heads up. "Back off now!" I growled, pushing them away then headed back to the ATV. Feeling a tingle of warmth wash over my body, I stood still a moment before turning around to see a very naked, and very human, Mason and Matt standing where their animal selves were. The anguish in their eyes broke the dam of tears along with my heart. "Please don't do this," I pleaded with a hiccup of a sob I barely caught. I didn't have a choice, I had to leave before someone got hurt.

"We won't let you leave," Matt stated.

Tired and not wanting to have a screaming match with my friends the last time I would see them. I tampered down the anger. These two beautiful naked men in front of me that usual put havoc on my libido, didn't do a thing except to see the canny similarities between them. Even in their animal forms, they had the same colour and markings. Needing to change the subject I said, "I swear you two could be brothers. Not just in this form, but you animal as well. Even your personalities or spot on," I paused, "Will you both do me a favour? I don't know what's with the tension between the wolves and lions, but don't let it tear you two apart. I can't explain it, but I can feel that you two are one in the same and need to stay together." I couldn't understand it myself, but if nothing else I needed them to stay a part of each other's lives. Maybe it had something to do with the connection I had with them personally or the fact I was Tlazolteotl or the overall connection I had with the wolves and lions.

Neither of them said a word, nor were they moving out of the way. I reached out my hand to Mason, coming closer he took it. "I need to do this for me. I don't want the last time I see you is with us fighting. Please," I choked out, no longer able to keep the tears back.

Mason whispered, gently placing his hand on my cheek, "Sam..."

Placing a finger against his lips not wanting or able to hear what he was going to say, my voice just a bare whisper, turning my head to kiss the palm of his hand, then said, "Please Mason, let me go," I whispered.

Bringing his other hand up to my face and slowly lowering his face down to mine. Laying a soft lingering kiss on my lips before pulling back, letting me see a single tear rolling down his cheek. Thinking he was going to step back, it caught me off guard when he landed another kiss against my lips. This time it was full of desperation and passion. With no thought, I returned his kiss with sorrow and love I truly felt for this man, for my other best friend, for my new family.

Both of us pulled away at the same time. I felt a hand on my lower back. Tugging Matt closer, giving him a big hug and whispered, "You take care of yourself and Mason, for me." We have grown closer, not like with Mason but close. He too started to wiggle his way into my heart.

When he kissed me goodbye, it caught me completely by surprise. Not because he kissed me, but the emotion behind it: full of love and passion. I have never felt this from him before. Letting me go, there was something in his eyes that I couldn't comprehend fully because he turned away too quick for me to get a better grip on it.

I didn't want to think about it. Instead I took off on the ATV and raced back to Nate's where my car was waiting. "Goodbye," I whispered.