"Sam, hand me the salt."

"Honestly, Tony, I don't think it will taste good with salt," the dark-haired man on the other side of the table replied, but handed the salt over all the same.

"It will taste good," Tony said firmly, scattering salt over his plate of meat ball spaghetti.

Sam grimaced as the salt formed a shiny layer covering the food from sight, spaghetti and all.

"You basically tell me the same thing every month," he proceeded in mixing the salt and spaghetti.

Sam grinned, "But you manage to come up with a different food every single time. Only the salt part hasn't changed."

"Too true," Tony scooped up some of the noodles and ate them, "you definitely need to try this."

Before Sam could come up with a response, a phone rang. It was presented at the form of a heavy metal piece, which was probably not the best ringtone for a high class Italian restaurant.

Tony answered his phone, ignoring the looks from the other people in the restaurant. "Hello? Yes, I'm Tony."

Sam could not hear the person at the other end of the phone, but apparently he or she said something important, because Tony quickly sat up straight. "That wolf? I released him at the place you told me to."

Sam was not surprised by a talk about wolves, Tony had told him about his new job. He took no interest in this, and went back to his meal. Tony continued his 'delightful' chat with the person on the other end, at least until it stopped being 'delightful'. A worried look crossed his face. "Sorry."

"What was that about?" Sam asked when it was all over.

"I forgot the collars," Tony looked up at him, and made a 'two' sign with his right hand, "second time."

XXXXX

"My name is Choco Seeker, I love chocolates," I introduced myself to my reflection in the pond for the hundredth time. The moon above me was waning slightly, but otherwise round.

I have been on my own for about an entire week, and so far have met a few small packs, but none bigger than four wolves. Bigger packs have been shattered by Blackwatch and the melting of snow. Blackwatch contributed more.

I was not welcomed in any of the small packs; they probably feared that growing numbers would attract unwanted attention. I was chased off their pitifully small territories every time.

I wondered why they would be so afraid, if they all united into one pack…no, an alliance would do, I have learned that many packs were sensitive to merging. The alliance could overwhelm Blackwatch four to one!

But rivalries would prevent that from happening. Even if they did ally for the cause of destroying Blackwatch, inner fighting would soon tear it apart as the Alphas try to gain an upper hand over another. And there was plenty of fear too.

I lifted my gaze from the pond and stepped out of the thin layer of reeds surrounding the pond, disturbing some insects in the process. Luminescent bugs darted around, stirred by my movements.

I gazed up at the bright globe above me. The moment somehow seemed right. And I wouldn't be close enough to any packs to be counted as a threat, what's left of my conscious mind thought. I lifted my head and howled, in hope of a bright future, and in hope that I would be able to face life. And perhaps also, in hope for friends.

The howl left me contended and happy, so who could blame me for wanting a midnight run?

XXXXX

My ear perked up, catching the vibrations that ran through the air. I roused myself, listening attentively at the song. It bore no threats of a warning, no urgency of a summon. It was like flowing water, calm, yet full of energy. This was a form of art, not perfect, but art all the same.

I felt the longing for more when it stopped. A sigh from Angel, and I knew she was thinking of the same thing.

XXXXX

I sprinted like there was no tomorrow. Faintly, I could hear responding howls to mine, they were nothing friendly, a bunch of threats and denials. I let the rush of adrenalin flood my consciousness, and the disappointment with it.

Then I skidded to a stop, stirring up dust that would usually make me sneeze. I was sure that I heard it – a howl that could barely be heard under the howls of the other wolves. But it had made through that and my adrenalin barrier, clearly.

I have finally found them.