"Tell me again why I agreed to this," Rory muttered.
"Come on Rory, it's the new moon," Lou grinned. "It's as quiet a night as we ever get... the timing couldn't be better."
"But the Starlight Accolades? You really want to watch this?" Rory demanded.
"It'll be fun," Demarco chimed in.
"I give, I give," Rory laughed. 
"I wish the screen was bigger," Lou commented as they settled into the small cabin that was Grimtooth's 'media room' and held one of the few working TVs in Moonwood Mill.
"Well, we could always pop down to S-Mart and lift one of those big flatscreens," Bianca offered.
"Oh no," Rory said firmly. "I'm not having either of these guys trashing the trailer over a damn footie match. Not again!"
"Quiet, they're starting," Lou said, bouncing to his feet.
"Hey, down in front," Demarco laughed. "I didn't know you were this excited about the awards show, Lou."
"Lou has a crush on an actress," Bianca teased.
"Yes, he likes to see her in pretty dresses," Kiril smiled. "Me, I like to see all women in pretty dresses... especially pretty dresses that show lots of leg, have plunging neckline. Maybe we get lucky. Have wardrobe malfunction."
"What happened to 'wolves mate for life'?" Demarco asked.
"Is exception for celebrity," Kiril said. "Freebie five. Everyone knows this."
"Guys, quiet, would you," Lou said, but he was grinning.
"There she is," Rory grinned. "The great Cassie Goth - musician, singer, songwriter, actress..."
"Cassie and Gwen," Kiril leered. "Imagine being lucky guy sharing bed with those two."
"Keep talking buddy, and you're sleeping in the yard," Bianca snarled playfully.
"I actually met her once," Demarco said. "Got her autograph and everything."
"I keep missing my chance," Lou moaned theatrically.
"And I keep telling you, Jake can introduce you," Rory said.
"And I keep missing my chance," Lou repeated.
"I just want to get my hands on whatever potion she uses to stay young," Bianca said. "I don't care how many newt's eyes are in it. I wanna look that good when I'm almost fifty."
"High priced beauty products and professional make-up artists," Demarco said confidently.
"Potion of youth," Bianca insisted. "Probably got like newt's eyes, frog parts, virgin's blood... the whole deal."
"You know the whole 'Raven Witch' thing is a just a PR gimmick, right?" Demarco laughed. "I mean, she's not really a witch. Witches aren't real."
The pack of werewolves looked at Demarco in silence.
"Wait, are witches real?"
--------------
A passionate debate whether or not Curse of the Pirate Queen really deserved a Starlight and the accuracy (or inaccuracy) of its depiction of vampires had devolved into banter between the couples. Being the only single in the pack, Demarco always felt a little left out when that happened. Kiril's humorous (she hoped) suggestion that the big bed he and Bianca shared had room for three wasn't tempting.
She was good with being single. She just didn't want to stick around when the couples got all couple-y.
"Demarco, hey," Etta wandered over from the converted bus that served as Grimtooth's bar. "Umm, can I join you."
"Sure," she smiled. "As long as you promise not to talk about Curse of the Pirate Queen or try to proposition me."
"Deal," Etta chuckled.
"Look, I'm sorry I was such a bitch the other day," Etta said.
"I was being nosy," Demarco replied. "I should have thought that maybe not everyone wants to share their life story. Hey, did you know witches are real?"
"Yeah, I did," Etta sighed. "Because I used to be one."
"I just stepped right in it, didn't I?" Demarco groaned. "Sorry!"
"It's OK," Etta said. "It's not like it I'm wearing my crushed pointy hat and carrying a broken broom."
"So..." Demarco started. "I have no idea what to say now."
"I misused my powers," Etta explained with a sigh. "I used magic to seduce, betray and kidnap someone who could have... should have... been my friend. Nearly got her killed. As punishment, the Council of Sages took my magic from me and exiled me. The Collective gave me sanctuary. So, that's it..." [1]
"Ok... wow," Demarco replied. "I still have no idea what to say now."
"It's cool. I'll go," Etta said. "I just... you seem nice and I'm sorry for being a bitch."
"Kiril and Bianca used to rob service stations," Demarco burst out, "and they're my pack-mates."
"Ooooo'kay," Etta blinked.
"I'm saying, everyone has a past," Demarco said. "Doesn't mean we can't maybe be friends... unless you're planning on seducing, betraying, kidnapping or killing me. 'Cause then the whole friendship thing is a no go."
"Why?" Etta replied. "Not why can't we be friends if I'm going to betray you... that's pretty obvious. But what do you want to be friends at all."
"I don't know," Demarco replied. "I guess I just want to get to know you a little better."
"Look, I'm not into dating right now," Etta said firmly.
"Cool," Demarco said quickly. "I didn't mean... I mean.... Look, can we start again? Hi, I'm Lux Demarco."
"Etta Blackwood. Nice to meet you."
--------------
